Brazil, 1594. The Tupinambás natives are friends of the French and their enemies are the Tupiniquins, friends of the Portuguese. A Frenchman is captured by the Tupinambás, and in spite of his trial to convince them that he is French, they believe he is Portuguese. The Frenchman becomes their slave, and maritally lives with Seboipepe.
It is the story of Pedro, who after being passed over by his brothers, wanders the world in search of a better life, but on the way, finds children who eventually conquer it, and in order to help them, he passes scamming other people he met along the way, telling lies, however, always with the goal of helping him new friends. And kills a cow.