After hunting for food, Masklin, a 4-inch-high (100 mm) Nome, returns to his burrow, and argues with his tribe elders about the lack of food and that they have no fire for heat. Masklin decides that a lorry might take them to a better place, but as he wonders, a fox attacks one of the elders, Mr Mert. Masklin chases the fox onto the motorway, killing both the fox and Mr Mert. Masklin decides right then they all have to flee.