The story centers on a tower made from an unstable stack of building blocks that confounds the mind. The tower's experienced timekeeper rings the bell every morning, noon, and evening to announce the time to local residents. However, one lunchtime, the tower bell fails, leaving the inhabitants uncertain about when it’s time to have their midday meal. Karl, a curious boy living in the town, embarks on a magical adventure by journeying to the tower's square to probe the matter.