The narrative is set in a mythical world where the appearance of fantastic beings and personified animals is taken for granted. The story begins with a flood, which occurs in a distant era of the past. When the flood waters recede, Seventh Sister's parents are discovered in the upper branches of a tall tree. They descend from the tree and give birth to a son and seven daughters. The son of the Dragon King, Serpent Prince, begins an extended and eventually successful courtship of the youngest daughter, a process through which we are introduced in great detail to Yi social customs.
Descriptive passages abound throughout the tale.
The most detailed passages in the saga, those treating Seventh Sister's clothing and jewelry, are in themselves useful studies on female adornment in Yi society. These, however, must be appreciated only in a general way as Yi dress styles vary from group to group. The lavishness of the feast tables and the carefully noted inventories of gifts hint at the importance of wealth display and gift exchange in traditional Yi society. The central plot is simple. After her marriage to Serpent Prince, Seventh Sister is murdered by her jealous eldest sister, returns to life as a thrush, and is killed again by her wicked sister.