Five-year-old Mandy lives in rural New Mexico with her mother and father. While her mother cooks and cleans and her father works the fields, lonely Mandy meanders through the long days.

One morning she finds a bear cub curled upon her bedroom floor. Finally, a friend to play with! But Mandy's aunt does not approve of the friendship and encourages Mandy's parents to get rid of the bear. Mandy and the bear must find a way to stay together without anyone knowing.