The play Le Naufrage d’Arlequin (Arlequin in a shipwreck) is part of the collection Guignol : Livre de la jeunesse (Guignol: Book of youth), arranged and improved by Alfred des Essarts. It is composed of novels, short stories, poems, articles, and a collection of puppet plays gathered under the label “Théâtre Guignol”. However, it is not an authentic transcription of the real Théâtre Guignol, but a rather loose and light-hearted adaptation destined for children. The word “Guignol” only refers to the use of a hand-puppet booth, regardless of the character. The plays from this repertoire have an edifying dimension, and aim at instilling good manners in young spectators.

Arlequin disembarks on an unknown land after a long boat journey. He puts on a coat made of animal skin as a precaution and with the hope of fooling animals. A wild cat sees him and walks towards him. Arlequin imitates his language and behaviour, going as far as climbing a tree.

Meanwhile, Asdrubal and Pied-de-Biche (Crowbar) are hunting the wild cat to bring his head to the court. They look up and see two silhouettes perched in the tree. When Arlequin talks to them, they think that he is a talking animal. Intrigued, they watch him get down from the tree. Arlequin reveals his true identity and catches the hunter’s attention with the cheerful tale of his adventures. Asdrubal and Pied-de-Biche are charmed by his wit and decide to make him king, for it is very rare to find a man in the kingdom of the Ogres.

Starving, Arlequin demands a meal. The whole court starts thinking about what dinner to make for him and where to find human flesh. Arlequin finds out that he is supposed to eat human meat and orders Pierrot to fetch a pot and a bean.

However, the Ogres bring a pot with the intention of cooking their new king–Arlequin–in it. Two Parisians, Scaramouche and Tape-Dur, arrive at this moment: they recognise Arlequin and save him. Scaramouche declares that he and the king “will subscribe the Ogres to the thirty-two sous restaurants of the Palais-Royal” so that they definitely renounce human flesh.