Nine-year-old Tom, a nervous city boy, is sent to spend the summer on his Aunt Millie’s farm while his parents travel through Europe. At first, he’s miserable—uncomfortable with rural life and missing his best friend, Petie. Everything changes when Tom catches sight of a rare black fox with striking green eyes and becomes captivated by her.
 
As he follows her into the woods and uncovers her hidden den and cub, Tom’s fascination with nature grows—and he develops both confidence and compassion. But tension rises when his uncle sets out to hunt the fox, putting the fox and her cub in danger. Tom musters the courage to protect the animal, leading to a moving and suspenseful climax where his empathy and bravery transform both him and his surroundings.