When widowed carpenter, Kip, returns from market in heavy rain, he stops to help a distressed goat herder. That night, the ancient mahogany tree in Kip's village is felled by lightning, crushing a house. Kip helps to rescue a villager trapped inside but shuns the celebrations. He accepts the tree's trunk as a gift.

Kip, guided by an unseen hand, carves the heavy wood into the shape of a woman. It comes alive and calls herself Ekundu. Kip tries to hide her from the curious villagers, but she can't resist exploring. After all, she's got feet now. She makes friends easily, even Kip's grumpy donkey takes a shine to her.

When a desperate warlord Mzungu returns to the village, Ekundu gives herself up in exchange for him taking the last of the children. Crestfallen, Kip pleads with the Elders to mount a rescue, but they refuse. Kip trades his wife's pendant to hire an assassin, but they fail. Kip travels to the Mzungu's fort, followed by his donkey.