A fascinating tale about a boy named Tochtli, who has a love for hats, dictionaries, samurais, guillotines, and all things French. His latest desire is to add a Namibian pygmy hippo to his private zoo. Tochtli's father, Yolcaut, is determined to fulfill his son's every wish, no matter how extravagant or illegal it may be. Yolcaut will stop at nothing to make sure Tochtli is content.