Three men at a tavern find out that a friend has died, what makes them question its motive. The reason given is a "privee theef" or shadowy thief known as Death, who is said to be found in the other city. They leave to find Death, and find a treasure. Planning to take in the other day, one of them goes back to the last town to gather provisions. The two remaining plan to kill him with a knife, so they can split the money. The friend that went back to gather food plans to kill both of them with poisoned drinks and keep everything. When he arrives, he is stabbed and the two men decide to celebrate with the drinks brought by their friend, and are kill too.
The story is an exemplum, that has quality of telling a moral lesson and was created to teach. It is used by the pardoner to show the malefaction of covetousness. Another illustration used is allegory, using people and objects to represent death and aging.
The contrast between the story and its teller reveals the hypocrisy of the pardoner, that goes around selling indulge to people and earning money from lies. He teaches what he does not practice, makes clear that he is not a good example of altruism, and is aware of the lack of consequences.