Among the Yoruba tribe of West Africa, when a king dies without a son, his daughter will rule until the kingmakers choose a new king. These female rulers are called regents. The story begins when Abioye is declared the temporary ruler of her West African village following her father the king's death, much to the chagrin of the village chiefs. At first Abioye is afraid--she is only seven after all and has no idea how to rule. But her mother reminds her of her father's wise words: "those who will rule must first learn to serve."