A linked set of four stories about Jody Tiflin, a boy growing up on a ranch in the California hills. Through his daily life with his parents and the old ranch hand Billy Buck, he learns about animals, work, patience and the limits of what adults can promise. A colt given to him and the visit of an old man who remembers the westward journey are among the episodes. The stories are quiet and observant, showing how a child first meets responsibility, disappointment and the passing of time.