Gregory, a shy fourth grader who lives in the city, begins a pen-pal frienship when he sends off a message attached to a balloon. Clarence “Pete” Mayfield, a farmer, finds the balloon and responds with a letter and an unidentified gift. Gregory figures out what it is and writes a letter back to Pete, including a gift of his own. As the correspondence continues, Gregory discovers he has many abilities he never thought of and overcomes his fears and frustrations about communicating.