The background is a Vermont town, but it could be any town or village, in which the townspeople live a calm and peaceful daily life, depending on the Old Clock in the church tower to tell them when it is time to get up, go to their jobs, and go to bed. But one day the clock breaks down and everything is chaos until a deaf old lady takes its place temporarily. The people are all upset and some of them think the clock should be replaced. The traditionalists prevail, however; the clock is repaired and everything goes on calmly and peacefully as before.
