Barnaby is a blue budgie who thinks he's really something special. He's the pride and joy of the lady who owns him-- until he's not. One day, the lady comes home with another bird, a smaller, yellow budgie. And Barnaby won't have it. He protests, makes a nuisance of himself, and then one day, after being scolded by the lady, Barnaby flies out the window and away. Outside of his gilded cage, Barnaby discovers a wider, wilder world. At first he considers himself much more beautiful and talented than the drab brown birds he meets. But growing hungrier and thirstier, he eventually realizes that there is much for him to learn. He is accepted into a flock of wild sparrow where he learns to ride the wind, track a path, and eat on the wing. One night, he finally finds his way back his old house, where he sees the little yellow bird and the lady. He also sees his golden cage, with the door wide open. Barnaby brings the yellow bird a wild berry as peace offering and warbles out a warm trill to say that he is home, but of course, he's not the same budgie anymore.