Erandi`s mother has promised to buy her a wonderful birthday present, but then the family`s fishing nets, which they rely on for income, are destroyed, and it becomes clear that her mother won`t have money to buy her a gift. Not only that, Erandi also realizes that her mother will need to raise a lot of money very quickly. When Erandi learns that hair buyers have come to town, she worries that her mother will want to sell her thick, glossy braid. Could Mama really be planning to cut off Erandi`s hair? Color illustrations accompany the text.