Squiggie Mousenip's dad has been missing for several weeks. Food is running out and Squiggie feels responsible for providing food for his mother and twin sisters. His first attempt to find food, with the help of Ned and Carl, almost cost them their lives. Jinks, the old barn cat, was waiting for them.

Squiggie is sent to bed without supper because he left his sisters alone and went to the barn, which is off limits. His failure to find food hurts worse than the scratch Jinks inflicted on his ear. Squiggie's sisters sneak into his room to tell him they love him and to see his ear. They also...