In a village in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, White Lily was born. She had a happy childhood, running, playing and laughing until, at the age of four she was forced to undergo the painful procedure of foot binding required for all femailes of her soical class. But White Lily has her heart set on more than a traditional role in sociey. she enlists the support of her beloved elder brother and together they devise a plan to defy tradition and conviince their father that White Lily's feet and mind must be allowed to grow.