The steadfast little bird has always been there with the cool advice and support when Tom's been in trouble. Solid as a rock, that's Chippie. But now, just when Tom is facing the hardest challenge of his life - being nice to people and cutting out the practical jokes - Chippie goes quiet on him. At first Tom thinks that Chippie is sick - measles perhaps? Or flu? But then Chippie starts losing his feathers and Tom starts to worry big time. Harry, Tom's dad is flummoxed, too - Chippie doesn't seem to have any proper symptons apart from going bald, but he does seem very down in the dumps...Tom and his dad are contemplating this sad fact in the shed, when Dave, Harry's new budgie, starts haring round the shed. Noiser even than Tom, Dave is a real menace! He's got all the other birds cowering in the corners...Then Tom and Harry twig: Dave is what's wrong with Chippie. He's been bullying the poor bird. So Dave gets a good talking to, and he calms down. And Chippie is Chippie - the wise-cracking budgie - once again!