Because she does exactly as she is told, Amelia Bedelia is fired from one job after another.

Owl loves his house. It has an upstairs and a downstairs. It has a cozy fireplace. There are books to read and there is soup to eat on cold, frosty nights. Owl lives by himself, but he is not always alone. One night, Winter comes into his living room. Another time, there are two strange bumps in his bedroom. And when Owl goes out for a walk in the dark, a round friend stays with him all the way home. Lovable Owl is sure to gain many friends--the beginning...

Oliver the elephant looks elsewhere for employment after learning that the circus already has enough elephants.