The Ningthous and Leima, king and queen of Manipur, rule well over their meeyam, their people. They have three sons and a daughter — Sanajaoba, Sanayaima, Sanatomba and Sanatombi. The people are happy and live in peace. As the years roll by, it is time to decide who will succeed to the throne. The Ningthou and Leima desire that the throne go, not to the eldest son, but to the wisest, most able child. And so they hold a competition. Who wins the bout? Is the winner named the next Ningthou? In this charming folktale from Manipur, writer Indira Mukherjee and the well-known painter A V Ilango recreate the land, the culture and values of Manipur as they gently lead the child to think about two very important issues: harmony with nature and gender equality.