Ninety-something-year-old Jacob Jankowski remembers his time in the circus as a young man during the Great Depression, and his friendship with Marlena, the star of the equestrian act, and Rosie, the elephant, who gave them hope.

Five talented lions suffer from stage fright and are unable to perform their circus act. A new lion-tamer is hired.

Thumbkin helps everyone in the circus, from the lion tamer and the clowns to the bareback rider and the tightrope walker, and soon he becomes the hit of the show.

Ralph, a very, very, nasty cat, finally sees the error of his ways--or does he?

Oliver looks elsewhere for employment after learning that the circus already has enough elephants.

A tired and dejected circus camel finds long-sought-after recognition along a railroad track.

A peddler who sells caps by balancing them all on his head is invited to do an act in the circus.

A little rabbit, too small even to wipe his own nose, is just the right size to do one very special thing.

After being tricked into joining the circus, an arrogant lion escapes and returns to the jungle where he lives peacefully with the animals he used to terrorize.