Nine-year-old Hannibal Huish is orphaned and lives with his recently widowed grandfather, Pop, who teaches Hannibal about love and the "right" things to do in life. David Hunter reads in a quiet, even voice the didactic stories and parables that represent Pop's method of teaching Hannibal. The grandson and a neighbor boy are sometimes mischievous; they're mostly children who are exploring the world and learning about right and wrong. Hunter conveys Pop's love and firm hand with a slightly stricter voice in contrast to the voice of the youthful Hannibal. The moralistic concepts are lightly veiled Christian concepts of honesty, respect and love.