The ancient kingdoms of Africa form the backdrop to this tale of the boyhood of Mansa Musa, one of Mali's most famous kings. Mansa is stolen from his village by a party of slave-traders, only to be given his freedom by a mysterious nomad with whom he travels in the desert for many years on a journey of self-discovery, an apprenticeship to the great destiny that awaits him. Lavish colour illustrations conjure up this world of deserts, talking lions, jinns and fabled cities.