An older fox and her impetuous younger companion range the winter countryside in a series of episodic adventures as they hunt, forage, and attempt to outwit farmers, hounds, and rival creatures. Practical lessons and near-misses punctuate their days: schemes to catch waterfowl and hens, encounters with traps and storms, and exchanges with other woodland animals. The elder’s caution and experience gradually temper the youngster’s bravado, producing moments of humility, resourcefulness, and mutual reliance amid the struggle to survive.