The tale is about the famous Swiss archer, the hero Vilmos Tell, who refused to bow to the hat of the country's tyrannical governor, and about his little son, Gemmy, who with his courage instilled faith in his father at the most important moment. Another important character is an apple, which suddenly comes out of the child's pocket - horror! - placed on his head as a target, and about who Tell intended that particular second arrow if he had missed the first target. The Swiss people were not always free, and this story tells how these brave and tough people finally won their independence with the help of William Tell.