The story revolves around Toby, a 12-year-old boy who moves with his parents to a remote cattle station in the arid interior of Australia. One day, while swimming in the river behind his house, Toby spots a boy standing on the bank, watching him closely. Their close friendship develops quickly, filled with fun adventures and the stories they share together. This new friend, Birrani, becomes a mentor to Toby, teaching him about life in the bush. He shows Toby how to read animal tracks and recognise and understand the sounds animals make in nature, which deepens Toby's connection to the land. Birrani teaches Toby which foods are safe to eat and which plants can be used for medicine. Each lesson deepens Toby's love for the land and gives him a sense of belonging he had never experienced before. However, Dad, who has never seen Birrani, believes he's just a figment of Toby's imagination. Meanwhile, Mum feels caught in the middle, hearing Dad's concerns, she questions where Toby is learning his bush skills, if not from his friend, Birrani. Despite this, Dad still believes that Toby has an imaginary friend and suggests he's learning everything from the kids in his study room.
