 Based loosely on the Washington Irving story and older legends: Easygoing Rip Van Winkle enjoys nothing better than relaxing at the inn with his friends. But finding himself one day in difficulties with the authorities, he flees to the nearby mountains, pursued by soldiers and townspeople. Later, exhausted by the chase, he falls into a deep sleep and has a dream. In the dream, he is met by a mountain spirit, who transforms himself into a huge snake, and then into three more spirits. After that, Rip is confronted by a gathering of apparitions, who tell him that he must sleep for 20 years.