An old man in an oriental town recounts his life to a group of children. He was once a young boy named Little Muck, much like them, but with better manners and many problems. After losing his father at a young age, Little Muck is kicked out of his home by his greedy relatives. He travels into the desert in search of a merchant who sells good fortune. In the dunes, he encounters a wicked woman and her many cats who live in a small house. She tries to make Little Muck her servant, but he escapes by stealing a pair of magic shoes that allow him to run faster than anyone in the land. From there, Little Muck faces new challenges.