On a Colorado mountain slope young Billy Baker watched, enthralled, as a red-tailed hawk rose in triumphant flight. Not so long ago the majestic bird had been a poor bedraggled thing; but Billy had nursed it back to health and now, in a strange sense, they were friends.

The hawk had helped him make another friend: a reclusive mountain man who understood Billy's loneliness as no one else ever had. They had happy times together, this unusual trio, until the prejudices of the townsfolk threatened them with disaster. Then, against his will, Billy was forced to confront some ugly realities and face for the first time shocking doubts about his paw's wisdom and bravery. Out of the boy's agonized questioning comes a mature understanding of what courage really means.