Dick thought back on the days shortly after his parents' death. A Gotham county social worker plucked him from the circus and placed him in an orphanage. He didn't do so well there. Most of the other kids were thugs and he was beaten up. That night, he attempted to escape and ran into Batman. The boy was astonished Batman knew who he was and the news he gave him - the Flying Graysons were murdered. Batman had found traces of an organic acid on the trapeze lines. Batman convinced Dick to stay put - he wouldn't be in the orphanage long.
Within a month, he was placed in the care of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Alfred Pennyworth, Wayne's butler, picked him up and brought him to Wayne Manor. He met Bruce and Brittany St. James, a house guest and fashion model. Dick began to think he was only there as a trophy or toy of some sort, so he snuck off one night - Haly's Circus was back in town. He witnessed Pop Haly being killed by thugs he stood up to. Dick attacked them. The next thing he realized, he was in the Batcave; Batman had taken down the men who killed Haly. He suspected Boss Zucco in the murders but needed concrete proof. Batman took Dick upstairs and removed his cowl.
Dick, now knowing that at least a part in his parents' death was played by someone on the inside, checked out everyone at Pop Haly's funeral. For the next six months, Dick trained under Batman and Alfred learning both physically and mentally.
Dick adopted the persona of "Robin," something his mother had called him when he was a kid. Batman and Robin took on all of the biggest players in Gotham - Poison Ivy, the Riddler, Joker, and Two-Face. They also went up against Zucco, who squealed. Spring came around again and Haly's Circus returned. Robin wanted to go in alone. He went after Rutledge, the MC who'd been in Zucco's pocket. Rutledge tripped, fell into the tiger cage, and was eaten.
After the case was closed, Batman gave Dick the option of staying or moving on to another foster home. He realized he'd found the perfect circus.