Himalaya

In a remote village, high in the Himalayas, Tsering waits impatiently for the return of the salt caravan that his father led into the central valleys of Nepal. But when the yaks finally appear in a cloud of dust, Tsering can scarcely believe his eyes. Draped across one of the animals is the lifeless body of his father. Tsering's grandfather, Tinle, blames Karma, his son's best friend for the death. "You want to be the new chief. You killed my son on purpose!" Even though Tsering is too young to succeed his father as chief, his grandfather refuses to let Karma take over.
When Karma embarks on the next caravan ahead of the day decreed by the wise lamas, Tinle is furious. He will lead the village elders on another caravan himself with the help of his young grandson. At the last minute they are joined by Tinle's remaining son, the Buddhist monk, Norbu.
This story tells how the larger than life Tinle battles age, the elements and his own terrible temper to help his people and train his grandson to be the new chief of the Dolpopo.