Years ago, the Offin River in West Africa had tons of gold. The gold helped the native Asante people’s community, but then invaders came, disguised as friends. The Asante people fought off the invaders from stealing their gold. The Offin River has given their land rich forests, farmlands, and a boy of the same name. The day this boy, the storyteller’s grandson, Kofi Offin, was born, his mother squatted by the river. The baby fell into the water, and the river pulled him in, stopping the newborn’s crying. Ever since, 11-year-old Kofi and the river have been bound together.

Kofi’s grandfather Nana Mosi is the tribe’s great storyteller. He starts his tales with “There was even a time,” continuing with pauses, repetition, and smiles before he gets to the parts the listeners wait for (21). Nana Mosi is almost 80 years old, and Kofi hangs on to every word of his stories.

In Kofi’s dream, he races across the jungle past a leopard and her cubs. He runs through grass, rocks, and trees to the river calling him.