A collection of interwoven stories, conversations, and teachings about Western Cherokee life, beliefs, and the art of storytelling, the book orchestrates a multilayered conversation between a group of honored Cherokee elders, storytellers, and knowledge-keepers and the communities their stories touch. Teuton explores the art of Cherokee storytelling, or as it is known in the Cherokee language, gagoga (gah-goh-ga), literally translated as "he or she is lying."

Note on pronunciation of Cherokee -- Introduction : Opening the door -- Alenihu (Beginnings) -- Adanusgui (Movements) -- Dideyohusdi (Teachings) -- Ulusgedi (The wondrous) -- Afterword : Standing in the middle.