The circus where Shantih came from is back in the area, and Jinny is convinced that somehow, they will demand her Arab mare back. Her family think she's being ridiculous, as usual.

Jinny is torn apart by the very idea of losing Shantih to the circus. She can't understand why the new girl at school, Nick, doesn't seem to care that she has to sell her beloved jumping pony after her parents' divorce.

Slowly, Jinny comes to understand that just because you can't see an emotion, it doesn't mean it isn't there.

But in the end, it is not the circus that threatens what Jinny loves most.