Nicholas tricks the jealous carpenter John into believing a great flood is coming and convinces him to climb into a barrel to float away to safety. While John sleeps, Nicholas stays behind with Alison. Absolon, who is courting Alison, comes to kiss her but she tricks him into kissing Nicholas's bottom instead, burning it with a hot iron. Absolon falls and breaks his arm, while Nicholas and Alison laugh at the foolish men.