The Grinch hates Christmas and lives alone in a cave outside of Who-Village. As the Whos of Who-Village decorate for Christmas, singing joyfully, the Grinch is filled with anger by their noise and celebration of the holiday. He sees the Whos decorating their tree with colorful balls and lights and hanging bells, all of which he claims to dislike. The Grinch decides he must find a way to steal Christmas from the Whos in order to ruin their holiday cheer. He gets a terrible, wonderful idea and begins to laugh mischievously.