Tom Sawyer doesn't like school much. Escaping from the schoolhouse, hes off to the woods to catch a wild pig with his friend Huck. Their attempts to sell the pig at the harbor end with a wild disturbance on the steamboat.

Tom is dismayed when Aunt Polly tells him he must spend his Saturday whitewashing the fence. Too long to paint in one day, Tom convinces his friends of the joys of the job and soon has all the help he needs.

Tom goes to the harbor to meet his cousin Mary and sees Becky Thacher for the first time. Her family moves into St. Petersburg, and Tom falls in love.

Tom tries to arouse Beckys interest at Sunday School but is ignored. That night Old Sam shows him a special charm to make wishes come true.

Tom arrives at school late and finds that Becky is in his class. He finally manages to become friends with her and promises to visit, forgetting another promise he made to Huck.

Huck is offended that Tom forgot his promise. Tom works with Huck the next few, telling Becky he is busy helping his sick aunt. Becky discovers his lie, but her anger is replaced with surprise when she sees Hucks newly built treehouse.

Tom cant get along with his new classmate Alfred and challenges him to a fighting match. On the way home, the boat they are aboard sinks. Tom rescues Alfred, who cant swim at all, winning Becky's praise.

A large steamship comes to St Petersburg. Tom and Huck steal aboard for a trip. The next day, Tom boasts about their adventure, fascinating his classmates.

Aunt Polly falls sick and is struck with an idea. She calls Tom to her bedside, pretending to be dying. Aunt Polly tells Tom she cannot go to heaven unless he promises to be a good boy, but Tom refuses to promise because he doesnt want his aunt to die.

The villagers do not like drunken Muff and Indian Joe. Tom and Huck rescue Muff, and he, in return, tells them about a treasure buried near St Petersburg. The boys decide they will find the treasure, and Indian Joe joins Muff in his search.

Mr. Dobbins, the schoolteacher, doesnt trust Tom, but all of Tom's classmates like him. Younger brother Sid saves Tom from punishment at school. Later, Tom and Huck decide to conduct their treasure hunt at night to avoid Indian Joe.

Tom gives Becky an engagement kiss. But with a slip of the tongue, he tells her that he had once been engaged to Amy. Becky is furious, and Tom becomes so discouraged he ends his treasure hunt.

After Becky ignores Tom for five days, he decides to run away from home to be a pirate. During the night, he sails to Jackson Island on a raft, along with Huck and Ben.