The key events of the gingerbread man's story begin with his creation in the oven. Once alive, he flees from the old woman and old man. As he dashes through the countryside, he encounters several animals including a horse, a cow, and a pig. He mocks them as he continues his escape. Then comes the encounter with the fox. The fox uses flattery and false promises to get the gingerbread man to trust him. The gingerbread man, believing the fox will help him cross the river, climbs onto the fox. But the fox betrays him and eats him, which is the tragic end of this self - assured little gingerbread man.
The main events are the baking of the gingerbread man by the old woman, his escape from the woman and the old man, his taunting of the animals while running away, and finally being tricked and eaten by the fox.