Stuart Little is seven years old when he embarks upon his series of epic adventures. They begin not long after the arrival of the poor frozen Margalo on the Whites' doorstep one day. Stuart doesn't know it yet but this little bird will transform his life, taking him out of his humdrum daily existence and into a world of travel and excitement. Thank to Margalo, Stuart will get to see so much more of the world than he otherwise would. In the process, he learns a lot about himself as well as the world around him.

But before then, Stuart has another kind of adventure, albeit much less Homeric in scope. One day, he slips into the fridge to see if he can find a piece of cheese. Stuart's not worried about being locked inside the fridge as he's sure that his mother has seen him. Unfortunately, that turns out not to be the case, and Mrs. Little firmly swings the door shut. Trapped inside the fridge, Stuart starts calling for help, but the walls are so thick that no one can hear him.

In the cold darkness, Stuart stumbles into a saucer of ice-cold prunes. He continues to freeze for another half hour before his mother opens the fridge door again. Poor little Stuart's chilled to the bone, but he'll be alright.