Spike makes his mark by bullying the area kids. To gain the "tough guy" reputation: he pulls girls' hair, trips kids, tattles, and devises ways to hurt others. Tough Spike even goes over a dangerous waterfall with a stolen canoe and survives without a scratch.

One of his favorite entertainments is to hide traps on the bike paths and laughs at kids when they crash. But his plan backfires when he's caught by one of his own traps. Stranded with a broken leg and a freezing night coming, Spike could die in the woods unless he is rescued by the very kids he has hurt. An unusual event happens that transforms his life.