There are important lessons to be learned, even by proud poets, in this innovative tale of a fox who thinks he's a great poet and a great poet who thinks he can outdo a fox!

Basho is composing the lovely haiku for which he is famous when he comes upon a fox eating the sweet cherries from a tree near his hut. Wanting all the cherries for himself, he accepts the fox's challenge that will determine who gets to eat them. Given three chances, he must write a poem that "needn't be great--only good." Confident of his skill, he's sure he can win.

But not all is what it seems as a soon-to-be humble Basho discovers! Delicate watercolors convey a truly Eastern sensibility that takes young readers back in time to feudal Japan while their playful perspectives reinforce the mischievous tone of the text.