Paddington Bear is preparing to give his Aunt Lucy a gift for her 100th birthday. He chooses a folding album about London at an antique store, but the store owner, Mr. Gruber, deems it too expensive for him. Paddington tries various jobs to earn enough money to buy the album, but his efforts are thwarted.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Buchanan, a has-been actor, steals the album and frames Paddington for the crime. Paddington is arrested, tried, and sentenced to 10 years in prison. However, the Brown family, who have taken Paddington in, believe in his innocence and work to clear his name.
As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Phoenix is searching for a treasure hidden by a famous circus performer, and the album contains clues to its location. The Browns discover Phoenix's true identity and gather evidence to expose him.
Paddington, with the help of his prison friends, escapes from prison and reunites with the Browns. Together, they pursue Phoenix and eventually catch up with him on a carnival train. A thrilling chase ensues, and in the end, Phoenix is defeated, and Paddington is acquitted.
The story concludes with Paddington recovering from his ordeal at home, where he is visited by his friends and neighbors. They surprise him by bringing Aunt Lucy to London as a gift, and she finally gets to see the city she has always dreamed of visiting.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. An elderly couple of bears who love orange marmalade are planning a trip to London.
2. The bears save a baby bear from a stormy river, and years later, the baby bear ends up living with the Brown family in London.
3. Paddington, the baby bear, wants to buy a gift for his aunt's centenary anniversary.
4. He finds a folding album about London, which he thinks would be an ideal gift for his aunt.
5. However, Mr. Gruber, the owner of an antique store, tells Paddington that the album is too expensive for him.
6. Paddington gets a job as a cleaner in a hair salon to earn money to buy the album.
7. However, he accidentally shaves off a strip of hair on a client's head and gets fired.
8. Paddington sees a thief entering Mr. Gruber's store and follows him, but the thief steals the album and escapes.
9. The police catch Paddington at the crime scene and arrest him.
10. Phoenix Buchanan, a famous actor, is revealed to be the thief and is using the album to find a treasure.
11. Paddington is sent to prison, where he befriends the cook, Brass Knuckles.
12. The Browns, Paddington's family, investigate the crime and discover that Phoenix is the real thief.
13. The Browns come up with a plan to expose Phoenix and clear Paddington's name.
14. Paddington escapes from prison with the help of Brass Knuckles and the prisoners.
15. The Browns and Paddington's friends help him escape and meet him at the train station.
16. Paddington and the Browns chase after Phoenix, who is trying to find the treasure.
17. Phoenix uses a sword to chain the Browns, but Mrs. Brown knows some tricks and helps Paddington escape.
18. Paddington and the Browns eventually catch up with Phoenix and expose him as the thief.
19. Paddington is acquitted and returns home, where he is greeted by his friends and family.
20. The Browns and their friends surprise Paddington by bringing his aunt to visit him in London.