As siblings Zoé and Lucien Bergeret fondly recall their childhood days in Saint-Omer, a conversation about Putois emerges. Their vivid and detailed description of this character captivates Lucien's teenage daughter, Pauline, who is puzzled by their reverent recital. Her curiosity piqued, Pauline inquires why this fictional character holds such significance in their family lore, prompting Lucien and Zoé to regale her with the tale of Putois and his unique, albeit imaginary, existence.

The Birth of Putois

Putois came into "existence" through a spontaneous invention by Madame Bergeret, Lucien and Zoé's mother, during their peaceful upbringing in the northern French town of Saint-Omer. Their tranquil life was upended by the regular Sunday invitations from Madame Cornouiller, a great-aunt of Madame Bergeret, who was determined to observe the social rituals befitting her lineage. To escape these tiresome obligations, Madame Bergeret concocted various polite excuses, culminating in the creation of Putois, a fictional gardener.

From Excuse to Legend

When Madame Bergeret casually mentioned Putois as their gardener to avoid another Sunday visit, Madame Cornouiller reacted with alarm, cautioning Madame Bergeret against this "lazy" and "vagabond" character. Thus, Putois not only came into being but also acquired a reputation, thanks to Madame Cornouiller's vivid imagination and her insistence on the gardener's notoriety.

The Mythical Influence

The Bergeret household's routine is soon interrupted by the arrival of Monsieur Goubin and Monsieur Marteau, two disciples of Professor Bergeret. They are swiftly brought up to speed with the origins of Putois, leading to a lively debate. Monsieur Goubin challenges the idea that an imaginary figure like Putois could wield any real influence, but Professor Bergeret draws parallels with mythical figures throughout history, asserting their undeniable impact on society.

A Growing Reputation

Intrigued by Putois's burgeoning notoriety, the disciples probe further into his role as a malevolent spirit in Saint-Omer. Monsieur Bergeret recounts how Madame Cornouiller fanned the flames of Putois's infamy. Eager to save on gardening expenses, she insisted that Putois be sent to work for her, but Madame Bergeret, sticking to her story, assured her that Putois was elusive and hard to pin down.

The Town's Obsession

Undeterred, Madame Cornouiller embarked on a quest to track down Putois, enlisting the help of relatives and townsfolk. While only a few admitted ignorance of his existence, many claimed familiarity with Putois, albeit without offering tangible proof of his whereabouts. One day, Madame Cornouiller triumphantly announced she had seen Putois, describing his menacing appearance in detail.

From Fiction to Fact

Before long, Putois was accused of petty theft, including the pilfering of melons from Madame Cornouiller's garden, and soon, more serious transgressions. Each incident embellished his sinister image in the public eye. The details of his supposed misdeeds were reported in the local newspaper, further cementing his status as a notorious figure in the collective consciousness of Saint-Omer.

The Collective Imagination

The legend of Putois grew with every retelling, and he became a convenient scapegoat for various misfortunes or unexplained events in the town. So pervasive was belief in his existence that even Madame Bergeret, the creator of this white lie, began to question whether her tale might have some unintended truth. In the end, Putois symbolized the power of imagination and the peculiar ways in which shared stories can take on a life of their own.