A young girl is found on the doorstep of the Walton home. They take her in and later realise she is deaf. John Boy helps to teach her sign language.

The children befriend four performers stranded on the mountain after the carnival moves on; guest Billy Barty.

The Walton children learn the family cow's calf, sold to a neighbouring farmer, is due to be slaughtered.

John-Boy struggles with his beliefs about killing but proves his courage on a turkey hunt with his father.

When John Boy borrows and antique typewriter so he can write a story for a magazine, Mary Ellen mistakenly sells it to a junk collector.

When Grandpa Walton sees a falling star he believes the old superstition which says death will be eminent. He therefore takes to his bed to await his time.