The well-known Kenyan woman writer here tells an exciting story for young readers. The title is one in a series developed to meet the supplementary reading needs of secondary level pupils, and to encourage reading for pleasure. Reminiscent of the proverb that the serpent hisses where sweet birds sing, the story starts when Adela and Keti jokingly enter a village beauty contest - the start of excitement and adventure, fraught with danger and tragedy.