When his father goes off to fight in World War II, a young boy promises to be brave. But it isn't always easy, especially now that he and his mother are alone and the air is punctuated by air raid siren tests. He spends much of his time on the porch of his house, viewing the hustle and bustle of the street and wishing he could be brave like his father. Lots of things scare the boy, but especially the street horses: Josephine, who pulls the ragman's wagon and Nell, the milkman's nag, frighten the boy with their big teeth and wild eyes. Even Billy and Bucky, the garbage wagon horses whose feet are as big and heavy as buckets full of iron, make him nervous. Then one day a stranger with a small pony named Freedom offers the boy an opportunity to create the perfect birthday present for his father. But that means digging down deep inside to find a new and special kind of courage?