When the Song Bird sings her magical song, amazing things happen. A cleared field is once again overgrown with weeds. Empty gourds fill up with milk. And a determined little girl named Mariamu is whisked away to the nighttime realm of Makucha, a gruesome, greedy monster, then brought home again in triumph with all the cattle Makucha had stolen. The power of a promise, and of a song, infuses this marvelous adventure, adapted from a traditional story and accompanied with bright, whimsical illustrations. The tune is included so that readers can sing along. Author"s note.