Not only is the mighty human civilisation of the historical era gone, but all trace of that civilisation and the species who built it is lost. In their place are those who call themselves the people. They are in perfect human proportions, but are only 45 cm tall. Armed with stone tools and fire, their lives are short and mortality is high. They are preyed upon by cats, hawks, eagles, foxes and dogs. To them the animal world is hostile and all animals are called "the enemy." But the peoplehave a rich, tribal culture. They use only one word for "fire," "love," and "God." Fire-in-his-hair is a seasoned hunter scarred by the death of his wife. Croaks-with-the-frogs is a young boy who blames himself for the death of his mother. Isolated from the tribe, they are obsessed with searching the swamp to find and kill the cat that killed Fire-in-his-hair's wife. The elders of the tribe order No-point-shoe to bring the the pair back to the fire. Reluctant at first she soon discovers that her efforts to save the outcasts, enhances the life of the whole tribe.