When Oli's handsome red thread gets carried away by the wind, he's surprised to find that a bird is able to use it for her nest. She gives him two feathers in return, and soon enough, Oli finds that the feathers, too, are put to better use by another creature-an ant who needs a boat to cross the water. Each time Oli gives something away, he gets something new in return that someone else can use, until at last his red thread returns to him. This is a wise story about the power of generosity and recycling, brought to life through Eve Tharlet's delightfully childlike illustrations.