In this sequel to The Tale of a Turtle Who Learned a Good Lesson, Toby, the box turtle, who has achieved peace of mind by regarding his shell as a benefit rather than a burden, inadvertently meets Grandpa Salamander.

Grandpa Salamander piques the interest of Toby and his toad friend, Lumpy, in an untold tale purported to contain information about vultures.

Toby and Lumpy listen as Grandpa Salamander unwinds a string of adventures involving beavers, wolves, squirrels, mice and deer that takes place in a natural setting and raises multiple topics for discussion between parents and children, or reflection by a single reader.