The story begins by introducing to reader to George Beard and Harold Hutchins, calling them kind, funny, smart, determined, and deep. However, their principal, Mr. Krupp would tell the reader that George and Harold are KINDa FUNNY-looking SMART alecks who are DETERMINED to drive everybody off the DEEP end. Despite his commentary, the narrator tells the reader not to listen to him, as George and Harold are very clever and good-hearted boys, their only problem being that they're fourth graders and are expected to sit still in school and pay attention for seven hours a day (which the narrator explains George and Harold are not very good at doing.)