The book is inspired by the life and writings of Flannery O<U+2019>Connor. Young Flannery collects birds of every type she can find. But when she brings home a peacock to be the king of her collection, he refuses to show off his colourful tail. Only after Flannery introduces the queen of the birds <U+2014> a peahen <U+2014> to her collection, the peacock immediately displays his glorious shimmering tail.