Somewhat educated by Brother Ange, a dissolute Capuchin, Jacques replaces the dog Miraut in his job of turning the spit on which the chickens roast.

He is soon taken under the protection of Mr. Jérôme Coignard, an abbot, who rebaptizes him "the learned Jacobus Tournebroche" and teaches him Latin and Greek.

The rants of d'Astarac, the debauchery of Mr. d'Anquetil, and the vengeance of the uncle of the beautiful Jahel result in the happiness destined for the master and student, Jérôme and Jacques.

Tenor Jean Marny of the Opéra-Comique recorded an aria from the work, "Rêverie de Jacques", on Pathé sapphire disc 3175.

Traktér u královny Pedauky (1967) is a Czechoslovak television film directed by Zdeněk Kaloč, starring Josef Karlík, Leopold Franc, Libuše Geprtová and Václav Postránecký.