A stray kitten turns out to be the perfect way to help Rana make friends in her new school and to feel more comfortable with her grandparents, who are visiting from India while her parents are away.
Jenny is discouraged when her second grade pen pal turns out to be a new student from Saudi Arabia who does not speak English very well, but as she works with her they slowly become friends.
Vishnu dreams of being a snake charmer like his father and longs to go to the city to charm snakes while the tourists watch, but his father thinks education is more important, so Vishnu must stay home.