In this play, Duranty takes on two traditional routines from glove-puppets theatre: a fight between the protagonist and an animal (here a crocodile), and a hanging scene, but with a more complex plot. Once again, Polichinelle ends up taken away by the devil as a punishment for his wrongdoings.

Incredibly thirsty, Polichinelle and Niflanguille order a barrel of wine to the tavern-keeper Baillenflé, but they refuse to pay for it, fight him and then run away. To avenge himself, Baillenflé asks his brother the Sorcier (Sorcerer) to bewitch the barrel before gifting it to Polichinelle and Niflanguille as a sign of truce. When the two stooges open it, a Crocodile comes out and bites Polichinelle’s nose. To get rid of the Crocodile, Polichinelle offers it different objects before pushing Niflanguille towards it. The Crocodile takes Niflanguille away, Polichinelle closes the barrel and calls a Gendarme (Constable) for help. The Gendarme opens the barrel and the Crocodile takes him away as well. Polichinelle kills a Soldat (Soldier) with a cannon blow to feed the Crocodile. As soon as the reptile exits the barrel, Polichinelle enters it to get some wine. The Crocodile comes back, tries to catch Polichinelle, and moves towards his house. Worried for his family, Polichinelle and the Sorcier join forces to hang the Crocodile. When Polichinelle thinks that he can finally drink in peace, the Diable (Devil) arrives, locks him in the barrel and drags him to Hell.