Huynh Quang Nhuong's memories of his childhood in Vietnam are fresh, appealing stories perfectly suited to child readers. The narratives focus on Nhuong's relationship as a child with the water buffalo bulls owned by his family. Tank, whom Nhuong's father acquired as a calf after Water Jug's death, grew to be Nhuong's friend and protector as well as his companion in adventure. Nhuong's charming recollections give a sense of the peaceful, quiet agrarian life that his own and many other families were living in Vietnam the years just prior to the war that would eventually tear the country in two. The war does finally intrude in Nhuong's life in the book's final chapter, and with it's arrival he loses a very good friend. Children will understand why Nhuong felt his life would never be the same again after the death of his beloved Tank. That it was not the same again for many other reasons, and that Nhuong would face many other losses in his life, is only hinted at in a narrative that movingly concludes "How could future losses surprise me now that I knew a single misplaced bullet could destroy...such a benevolent being, such a good friend?" (Ages 9-11)

As a young boy growing up in the hills of central Vietnam, Nhuong’s companion was Tank, the family water buffalo. When bullies harassed Nhuong, Tank sent them packing. When a wild tiger threatened the entire village, Tank defeated it. He led the herd and adopted a lonely puppy. Tank was Nhuong’s best friend.

Nhuong gives readers a glimpse of himself when he was their age, and tells a thrilling story of how he and Tank together faced the dangers of life in the Vietnamese jungle which was their home.