Eleven-year-old Busi dreads going to her school in Zimbabwe. Her classmates single her out because she was once the so-called teacher's pet, and the school bully, Doreen, continues to harass her.
Together with Thabisa, the new girl in school, Busi proposes a Cinderella play as a way to raise funds for a class trip and is ecstatic when she lands the lead role. But Doreen is cast as the wicked stepmother-a role that would allow her to put Busi down.
In an attempt to win her classmates over, Busi offers her precious music box, a gift from a friend who moved away, for use in the play. Doreen accuses Busi of showing off. When Doreen threatens to ruin the play, Busi is determined to stand up to her.
