
Andy Taylor is the widower sheriff of the small, sleepy North Carolina town of Mayberry. Andy and son Opie live with Aunt Bee, who takes care of the family. Andy's deputy is his bumbling but neurotically hilarious cousin, Barney Fife. Among Andy's Mayberry friends is the town's resident barber, Floyd.

Opie finds a purse containing $50, but Andy tells him that the money will only be his if no one claims it within a week. Soon, Opie gets the money but has to return it.

Andy's knowledge of American history is put to the test by Opie and a new teacher.

Andy lets Barney take over as sheriff for a day when he goes to Raleigh to attend a job interview. By the time he returns, Barney has turned the whole town upside down.

Colonel Harvey, a traveling salesman, arrives at Mayberry and captivates Aunt Bee, who buys Harvey's dubious elixir and invites him for dinner. When Andy and Barney find Aunt Bee clearly drunk, they analyze Harvey's elixir.