Charlie, a bassett hound who considers himself to be "King of the Ranch," finds an unexpected Christmas gift under the tree.

When Mama and the kids are busy with their lessons, Charlie decides to start a class of his own with Suzie, Kitty, and Walter.

When his daily routine of eating and sleeping is interrupted by the arrival of a baby calf named Abigail, Charlie the hound feels jealous to see everyone paying attention to the newcomer and wonders if he will be able to adjust, in a story complemented by a Pioneer Woman recipe.