Little Bear questions his grandfather, Dark Scar, about his heritage. The old man tells the boy the story of the droll child, a story of societal erosion, treachery, misuse of power, and yet a story of great bravery, and adventure. Snarling Wolf and Morning Star give birth to a dread droll child, and the evil spirit seer, Yellow Fang, determines that the droll child must die. However, the child is saved by the mythical White Lobo. Yellow Fang is determined to hunt down and destroy the child lest he overthrow the traditions of spirit seer controlled tribal life.