Malese's neighbours are no match for the quick-witted ruses by which he maintains his lazy life-style at their expense. When his tricks are exposed, punishment is evaded by further duplicity and his victims even find themselves pleading with him to accept release from captivity. The illustrations present a succession of comic characters with expressive faces against a backdrop of bold and vibrant colours, inspired by Haitian folk art, adding to the humour of this pleasing tale of one-upmanship.