Niniane Westvane wants to make the world a better place . . . especially for non-human animals. So when a chicken on her aunt's farm develops the ability to read and write, Niniane is certain that she's found in Charlie the perfect ""spokes-chicken"" for the animal liberation movement. But, as Charlie's own interests develop along unforeseen lines that lead to theological study and ultimately to the Vatican, Charlie, Niniane, and eventually the Church, become entangled in thorny questions about what it means to love, to believe, and to belong.