Charlie Carlisle's grandfather is ill. Charlie's friend, Singing Bird, a Teton Sioux, tells him that ravens have curing powers, so Charlie steals a baby bird from its nest. Granddad, a retired naturalist, encourages Charlie to record his observations of the bird and study the effect it has on humans. Charlie just hopes that the raven will make Granddad well.

Calpurnia and her grandfather rescue a barn owl from the river and, with the help of Dr. Pritzker, dead mice, and some detective work, nurse it back to health.