After the sea claims the life of his mother, Hugh, a fisherman, vows revenge on the waters that betrayed him, but little does he know that, with a simple gesture, he will cause a chain of events that could alter the world as he knows it.
While on vacation visiting his fishermen uncles, young Thomas sneaks aboard their fishing boat one morning and spends the day at sea, learning the family business.
As a storm sweeps in, Tinh's father tells him to tie up their fishing boat but the storm scares him and he runs away, but when the damage to the boat is discovered, Tinh realizes what he must do.
Outlines the history of occupations surrounding the collection and cultivation of food--from beekeeping, gardening, hunting, whaling, and fishing to farming of all kinds.
When he accidentally discovers a beautiful hidden valley inhabited by contented people, a fisherman is asked to return but only if he tells no one where he's been.
A stranger with a bamboo pole magically catches fish and hands them out to villagers, saying "One person, one fish, " but the king will not be content until he receives a whole basket of fish.
Fleeing from a neighbor's assailants, who believe he has identified them to the police, LeRoy leaves his Chicago housing project to live with his grandfather, a shrimp fisherman, in Mississippi. When the Chicago police come for him, LeRoy must decide if he is going to risk his life testifying.
