Bernie keeps a barn full of animals the rest of the world has no use for-two retired sulky horses, an overly enthusiastic rooster, some banty hens, and a Muscovy duck with clipped wings called the Lady. The Lady is preety much the Law, and so, when the tough-looking cat who calls himself Whittington shows up one day, it is to the Lady that he makes an appeal to secure a place in the barn.