An old man's kingdom is the town dump; his palace, an abandoned railroad carriage at the edge of it. But the Paper Bag Prince (he earned his title by foraging in the litter for bags and other useful objects) is content with his lot, and with his subjects--the stray animals who also call the dump home. One day he's informed that the dump has been closed and he can live there in peace and at one with nature. There's more happiness in store for him, too, when he finally wins his "Princess," a shy dog he coaxes out from the shadows and into his home.