On the night before the migration, Brightbill sleeps uneasily. Roz watches Brightbill toss and turn until Brightbill climbs into Roz’s arms, and Roz rocks Brightbill to sleep as Roz did when Brightbill was younger.

Early the next morning, Brightbill goes outside and sees the pond still, clouds overhead, and geese gathering near the beach. Chitchat comes down from the trees to say goodbye, excitedly imagining the things Brightbill will see and promising to look after Roz while Brightbill is away.

Roz tells Brightbill that it is time to go, and Brightbill says goodbye to Chitchat before joining the flock. The geese prepare for departure while fathers discuss flight plans and mothers count their families. Longneck, the biggest goose, announces that Longneck will lead the migration and asks every goose to take off with family groups before forming a V.

Roz points out that Brightbill has no family flying with Brightbill and asks where Brightbill belongs in the formation. Longneck answers that Brightbill can fly with Longneck at the front because Brightbill is known as a clever flier.

As the flock takes off, Roz and Brightbill say their emotional goodbye. Roz tells Brightbill that Brightbill is no longer a gosling and that Roz is proud of the young goose Brightbill has become. Brightbill and Roz promise they will miss each other and expect to reunite in spring.

Brightbill gathers courage, flies away from Roz, and joins the flock. The geese first fly in a messy group, then settle into a V with Longneck leading and Brightbill just behind Longneck’s left wing. Roz climbs to the top of a tree and watches until the migrating flock disappears toward the southern horizon.