A grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.
Bitter and hateful, the Grinch is irritated at the thought of the nearby village having a happy time celebrating Christmas. So disguised as Santa Claus, with his dog made to look like a reindeer, he raids the village to steal all the Christmas things. The village is sure to have a sad Christmas this year.—Anonymous
It is Christmas Eve and everyone in Whoville is looking forward to tomorrow. Everyone, that is, except the Grinch, who hates Christmas and can't stand to see people so excited over it. He decides to ruin Christmas for the people of Whoville by stealing all their presents and other Christmas goodies.—grantss
The Whos down in Whoville are preparing for Christmas; trimming trees, hanging wreaths, and wrapping presents. Meanwhile, the Grinch watches from his cave in the mountain above. He reviews the Whos' plans for celebration, including playing games, singing, and dining upon roast beast - all things that the Grinch despises. He decides he needs to stop Christmas from coming, and ponders strategems for doing so.
Eventually he comes up with an idea. He sews himself a Santa Claus hat and coat, and outfits his dog Max with a horn to make him look like a reindeer. He loads some bags onto an old sled and has Max pull it down to the village.
Climbing down an inhabitant's chimney, he steals the stockings, the presents, and the tree, even stealing candy canes away from sleeping children. He steals the roast beast and other food from the icebox. Inadvertently he wakes the child Cindy Lou Who, who, mistaking the Grinch for Santa Claus, asks him why he is taking the tree. The Grinch tells her he is repairing the tree and puts her back in bed. Finally he takes the log for the fire. He then treats each house in the village similarly.
He retreats to his mountain with the spoils, planning on dumping them all into a ravine. But before he does so, he pauses to listen to the village, in hopes of hearing the Whos crying. Instead, he hears singing. He realizes that Christmas had come regardless of the lack of material goods.
The Grinch has a change of heart. He recovers the sled just before it can slide into the ravine, and slides back to the village to return the goods. The Grinch is welcomed back and himself carves the roast beast at the celebration.
