Albert Ross, who had a nest at the top of a very tall tree at the bottom of a long garden, thought that he had become a bit of a misery in his old age. Everything was becoming a bit of an effort; his body felt a bit creaky and he had to admit that he was quite lonely. Then, one sunny spring morning, after a cold miserable winter, Albert decided that what he needed was to make new friends and perhaps go on some adventures. Thanks to a lucky find in a hole at the bottom of his tree Albert was at last able to make friends with the Elliott children and his life changed for ever.