In the distant era of myth time, when people and animals still spoke the same language, two young men set out on horseback to travel farther north than any of their people had ever gone before. On their bold and wonderful journey-across the River of Floating Ashes, through a vastly deep forest, and around a bewildering maze of lakes-Crow and Weasel meet with terrifying danger and spectacular beauty to arrive, at last, at an Eskimo hunting camp on the edge of the tundra. From each other and from strangers they meet along the way-Mouse, Badger, Grizzly Bear-Crow and Weasel learn profound lessons: the value of friendship; the necessity of giving thanks; the art of storytelling; and the importance of interacting with others in finding one's own place in the world.