Mr Stink

Mr. Stink is a 2009 children’s chapter book by British actor and author David Walliams. In the story, 12-year-old Chloe Crumb strikes up an unexpected friendship with Mr. Stink, an elderly man who is unhoused and lives in her town. Chloe offers Mr. Stink food and a place to stay in her garden shed, and Mr. Stink kindly tries to help her navigate her troubled school and family life. When Chloe’s politician mother discovers that Mr. Stink is living in her shed, she realizes that it could help her public image and pretends to care about Mr. Stink. Mr. Stink soon gains public attention, but he decides to turn down a performative government role to continue living as a wanderer. This story explores themes of The Power of Kindness and Generosity, The Harmful Stigma Against Poverty, and the Individual Experiences of Unhoused People. 

This guide will refer to the 2009 Kindle edition of this book. 

Language Note: Mr. Stink includes derogatory d for people who are unhoused. The guide reproduces these terms in direct quotes only to convey the text’s criticism of people who say these words.

Plot Summary

Twelve-year-old Chloe Crumb feels curious about the local unhoused man, known as “Mr. Stink,” who lives on a wooden bench in town. When she offers him some money, he asks for sausages instead. Chloe takes sausages from the family dinner. While her mother would be horrified to know that Chloe has spoken to a person who is unhoused, her father is more understanding and lets her take the food. She gives the sausages to Mr. Stink and his dog, Duchess, before rushing off to avoid punishment by her mother for missing homework time.

Chloe stops at the corner store on her way home and confides in the friendly owner, Raj, about Mr. Stink. Raj warns her against talking to strangers, but he agrees that people should be kinder to individuals who are unhoused. At home, Chloe’s mother punishes her when she finds creative writing in her math book, and Chloe cries. Chloe escapes her troubled family life by going to Starbucks with Mr. Stink, where she admits that she has been sad and lonely at home and at school. Leaving the coffee shop, they run into Chloe’s bully from school, Rosamund, who taunts Chloe until Mr. Stink scolds Rosamund and burps in her face.

Chloe learns that her mother, an aspiring politician, plans on banning people who are unhoused from their town if she is elected to Parliament. Chloe hatches a plan to protect Mr. Stink, and she secretly invites him and his dog to live in the family shed. She visits him in the shed and, to his delight, tells him a bedtime story about vampire teachers. Later, she learns that her father lost his job and agrees to keep it a secret from her mother. She is then forced to campaign with her mother door-to-door. Mrs. Crumb tries and fails to persuade Raj to vote for her in the election.

Chloe tries to visit Mr. Stink in the shed, but she is caught by her sister Annabelle, who wakes up their parents. Mr. Crumb investigates and reports that the shed is empty. Later, Chloe notices an old photograph of Mr. Stink, which he refuses to discuss. She promises to bring him breakfast but is distracted by her mother’s campaign interview with a journalist. Mr. Stink interrupts the family breakfast and interview by appearing at the door, asking for his food. When the journalist mistakenly assumes that Mrs. Crumb has agreed to host Mr. Stink, he praises her generosity. Mrs. Crumb performs the role of a welcoming host. She is delighted with the journalist’s flattering portrayal of her in the paper, and she and Mr. Stink are invited to appear on the TV program Question Time.

Mr. Stink bathes in the pond to get ready for his appearance on Question Time. He causes a ruckus while appearing on the TV show by interrupting filming and asking the host cheeky questions. He wins the love of the audience with his inappropriate behavior and his heartfelt message to the public, asking them to remember that all unhoused people are unique individuals. He humiliates Mrs. Crumb by revealing that it was actually her daughter, Chloe, who showed him kindness and invited him to stay over.

Later, Mr. Stink is delighted to learn that Mrs. Crumb was dropped by her party, and the prime minister would like to meet with him personally. He speaks to his adoring fans from the house window and catches a helicopter to 10 Downing Street. He invites Chloe to join him. However, the two friends are disappointed with their meeting with the prime minister, who arrogantly tries to get Mr. Stink to stand as a candidate to improve the party’s ratings. Chloe finds her courage and scolds the prime minister for his rude behavior.

Chloe and Mr. Stink take the bus home, and Mr. Stink finally reveals his past to Chloe: He was once wealthy and happily married, but a tragic fire claimed his home and his wife’s life. Chloe comforts him and assures him that it was not his fault. She wants to escape her mother and sister and become a wanderer, like Mr. Stink. When he shares Chloe’s feelings with Mrs. Crumb, she begs Chloe to stay and apologizes. Chloe is moved and agrees to not run away from home.

Chloe and her family celebrate Christmas with Mr. Stink. Mr. Crumb reveals that he lost his job, and Mrs. Crumb is supportive. She makes up with Chloe and encourages her interest in storytelling. Chloe is saddened by Mr. Stink’s rejection of the family’s offer to give him a permanent home. He announces that his work is done, and he will keep wandering. Chloe tells him her new creative story, and Mr. Stink gifts her a stationary set. He assures her that he wants to leave, as he prefers to live as a wanderer, and they agree that they will both remember each other.