Byron has vague memories of his time in Birmingham more than 10 year earlier—which included fear of his grandmother, so he is not eager to return. When the family arrives, however, he cannot dispute that Grandma Sands is warm and welcoming, and with a little prompting, he treats her with proper respect. Byron soon meets her friend Mr. Robert and especially enjoys the older man’s equally elderly dog, Toddy. The idea of going on an expedition to the fishing hole definitely cheers Byron up, as he jokes with both his father and Mr. Robert.

Byron’s good humor, however, expands into teasing his younger brother, Kenny, which almost leads to fatal consequences. Byron plays on Kenny’s mis-hearing of the term “whirlpool,” which he had never heard before, as “Wool Pooh.”

Byron makes up a story that this is a spirit of the water and a relative of Winnie the Pooh. As this is obviously untrue, Kenny does not realize the danger inherent in the whirlpool and goes swimming in an off-limits area. Byron’s enjoyment of his new surroundings quickly turns into a serious, mature action, as he saves his brother from drowning. He is so thrilled that Kenny is alive that he allows his true affection to show, whereas back home he had been trying hard to act tough.