Tom, a nine-year-old kid who lives in the city with his parents, is the protagonist and narrator of the story. Tom is a slight boy who is full of insecurities, from being afraid of heights, swimming, and animals to worrying about disappointing other people. At the beginning of the novel, he has no interest in Embracing Growth Through New Experiences and believes that he is not adaptable. According to his father, he is also overly emotional. Despite these quirks, Tom is a happy, funny, imaginative kid who has a strong relationship with his best friend, Petie. Tom is content to make models and hang out with Petie, brainstorming news headlines and stories about “everyday things.” However, Tom’s introverted, anxious side makes it hard for him to fit into farm life at first, for he overthinks everything and worries about what Millie and Fred think of him. It is only when Tom relaxes and starts to appreciate his surroundings that he embraces new experiences on the farm. When Tom sees the graceful black fox, his journey of personal growth begins and continues to strengthen as he connects with the wild animal and her cub.