In the wee hours of a winter morning, a tiny circus arrives in a village in the Verdun region. Its two members, a clown and a female trapeze artist, set about installing the ring and hope to rally as many spectators as can be. But as the clown advertises for the night act he has the unpleasant surprise to discover that a theatrical performance is slated to be given this very night, featuring a dozen villagers as actors and actresses. The clown and the trapeze artist rehearse just in case but a single little boy - enthusiastic but alone - comes to see them. And in the evening there is no one around the ring. The two disillusioned artists resign themselves: they will have to cancel the performance. What they did not expect is that one their little performing dogs would escape and take refuge in the village just as the people left the Community Hall where the “Eugénie Grandet” had taken place…