In the Paris Zoo, Penelope Pussycat is starving, trying to beg the local zookeeper to give her some of the lions' food, who gently but sternly refuses. She then deliberately paints a white stripe on her back, disguising herself as a skunk, so as to be fed. The ploy works, but unfortunately for Penelope, she is discovered by Pepe, who immediately mistakes her for "le petite femme skunk" and pursues her affections. Suddenly however, Pepe remembers his plan of a rendezvous.