Presents an illustrated West African folk tale in which two cats argue over some cheese, and a clever monkey, who offers to help, manages to get most of the cheese for himself.
When Chinye is sent into the forest one night by her cruel stepmother, she encounters an old woman who tells her where to find a a magic gourd holding wealth and riches.
Describes the West African culture of food, including the kinds of food grown and eaten, and various feastdays like Ramadan, Easter, naming ceremonies, and yam festivals.