One fine early-autumn day Binny and his close friends Hoppy and

Stoky are near the edge of the woods when they make a startling

discovery. They find a squirrel, a female called Belloe, who has

white fur! The squirrels who live in the woods had never seen or

heard of animals of their own species whose fur was not red.

Belloe is not alone, but one of many such squirrels, young and

old, male and female, just arriving in the area.

When the news is spread, some of the squirrels doubt that it can

be true. But a number of them, including Oggy their leader, go to

meet and talk to the newcomers. On his return, Oggy calls

everyone to a meeting at which it is decided to invite the new

arrivals to stay. The great majority look on them with awe and

respect and regard their presence as a good sign. But not Len,

who together with two others, Nippy and Gruffy, has formed the

Secret Society of Lennigruff.

Binny and Belloe, become increasingly friendly, as do a number

of other young squirrels of both sexes and communities. All

would seem to be well at first. But what will happen when winter

approaches, the weather changes, and conditions in the woods

become much harsher? Will attitudes change?

An important move is made by Lenigruff when it is decided to

allow non-voting members to join the secret society. But Nippy

leaves and the name is changed to the Society of Len, who has a

casting vote should Gruffy disagree with him. Will many more join

them? What influence will Len have? He is particularly opposed

to mixed mating, and evetually he too, calls a meeting of all the

red squirrels, the first time anyone can recall that someone other

than their acknowledged leader has done so. Will many go?

What, if anything, will be decided? And how will the leaders of

the red squirrels react?

A further complication is that mixed mating is not looked on

kindly by most of the white squirrels either. What will their

leaders do or say?