Focuses on the far away island of Ariban, where imagination is forbidden and stories are banished. Colin, a young Ariban boy, fears for his younger sister's life. Etta dreams vividly at night and sometimes wakes up screaming. Colin fears their father will send Etta to the elders to be banished. While on the beach one morning, Colin meets a stranger. She's clutching a small chest bound with bands of pure brass. It's the story box.