Elizabeth, determined to win a game, ignores Sam's fear of thunder. With Bear's help, Sam finds the courage to face her fear and Elizabeth learns a lesson from Buffalo about listening.
Upset that Junior is "too busy" to play with her, Elizabeth starts "telling tales" to make herself look more important. Sabe helps them both look at themselves and value each other.
Bored with Junior's story-telling, Sam makes up her own story pretending she needs help. After tricking the boys several times, great-grandmother suggests she talk to Sabe, and just as Sabe predicts, when Sam really needs help, the boys don't believe her.
When Elizabeth tells Russell he has a donkey laugh he decides never to laugh again until Beaver convinces him that not only is his laugh special, but so is he.
When great-grandfather builds a tree house for the children, Russell is afraid to climb into it until Bear helps him face his fear of trees. After Russell learns to listen and talk to his fear, he decides it is okay to play in the new tree house.
When Russell tells Sam she can't play hide and seek in the 'big' forest, she ignores him and gets lost. Wolf helps her realize it is important to listen to others and also teaches her what to do when you get lost.
When Sam and Russell help Elizabeth decorate their favorite tree, Elizabeth quits when they don't bring her the decorations she wanted. Only after talking to Eagle does Elizabeth realize what love is.
Junior decides never to dance again after Sam says he looks like a hopping rabbit. Sam learns to respect Junior and his abilities after talking with Buffalo, and Junior, with Beaver's wisdom, comes to appreciate he is a gifted dancer.
Russell and Junior are joking during Elizabeth's yoga class when Elizabeth accuses Russell of looking like a pudgy bear. Russell then goes off to talk to Bear who helps him see that it takes courage to keep strong and fit.
Junior is so busy making up a song all about himself that no one wants to play with him. Wolf helps him see the other people around him.
When Elizabeth discovers a pie missing from the kitchen, she looks for clues which lead her to believe that Russell took the pie. Even though Sam doesn't agree and Russell denies the accusation, Elizabeth won't change her mind. When great-grandmother points out the missing pie was in the oven all along, Turtle helps Russell realize the truth will always prevail and Sabe helps Elizabeth realize that placing blame without knowing the truth can be hurtful.
Sam thinks she is too old for naps. She wants to play with the big kids. When her falling asleep ruins the boy's lean-to, Sam talks with Beaver who assures her that even he stills takes naps.
During Russell and Sam's practice for an upcoming powwow, all Junior does is tell them what they are doing wrong. Finally they give up. Buffalo helps Junior understand that dancing is a gift for the creator, and there is no wrong or right way.
While Junior and Russell are on a hike, Russell, who is carrying the food in his backpack, sneaks bites until all the food is gone. Eagle helps him understand that loving means caring and sharing.
As in the classic Tortoise and Hare story, Elizabeth brags she can win any race with Russell. When he talks to Turtle, Russell learns that all he has to do is out one foot in front of the other and keep on trying.
Elizabeth helps Russell and Junior make up a poem, but not wanting to hurt either's feelings, she tells both boys theirs is the best. Bear helps her understand that you don't have to have one best friend but you can have two great friends at the same time.
Elizabeth is having a'loser' day; she has lost her muffins, hat and backpack. When Junior and Sam get tired of helping her look for everything, Elizabeth gets angry with them. Wolf teaches her about being responsible for her own possessions.
Sam had already agreed to help Russell pick berries when she agreed to help Junior look for arrowheads. She ends up running back and forth between the boys and doesn't really help either. Turtle helps her understand that she can say yes, no, or later.
Elizabeth gets totally frustrated when Russell and Junior can't and won't sing her new song. Beaver helps Junior realize he can't change Elizabeth and he should love her as she is, and then helps Elizabeth change her thinking so they can play a game they all enjoy.
When Elizabeth tries to teach Sam and Junior to count to five in Ojibway, she rattles off all the words so fast, they have no hope of catching on. Elizabeth then decides it is because they are not as smart as she is, until great-grandmother gives her a whole pile of quilt pieces at one time and asks her to put them together. Wolf helps her realize learning is done one piece at a time.
Junior has an idea for a game. He, Elizabeth and Sam must find and correctly name five different things that grow. But when Elizabeth starts winning, Junior, not knowing the correct names, makes up names to trick Sam, the judge. Sabe teaches him about honestly and integrity.
When Junior and Sam build a kite, Russell is too busy reading a book to help. When it's ready to fly, Russell wants to get involved. Beaver helps Russell look at taking part in both the work and the play.
Afraid Junior will be mad at her, Sam hides so she won't have to tell him she doesn't want to play. After talking to great-grandfather, Sam visits Wolf to learn about being too small.
Russell gives up his dream of racing because Junior makes fun of him when he keeps falling down. Eagle shows Junior how to be more loving and teaches Russell not to give up and to dream big ,even if he does trip and fall.
When Sam is left alone with the box of chocolates great-grandfather bought for great-grandmother, she cannot resist them and ends up eating most of the box. Then she tells Elizabeth that great-grandfather ate them. Bear helps Elizabeth forgive Sam and Sabe helps Sam face her misdeed.
Elizabeth lets Sam think she will help her pick berries, but when it comes time to do the work, she denies responsibility, claiming she didn't actually 'say' she would help. Bear gives Sam the courage to finish a big job one berry at a time, and Sabe helps Elizabeth look at honesty.