Kala lived in the land of Boko, near a forest named Voka, not far from the banks of a river called Lufukakari.
No one knew where he came from; he had been found in a tree trunk. Legend has it that his parents had been swallowed by the Tree of Mysteries.
Mfumu-Nganga is the village chief. She is the link between the living and the spirits. She embodies the wisdom of the wind, the trees, and the waters. She can read hearts and minds. She raised Kala wisely, passing on her knowledge to him. He is the pride of his village; he knows the secrets of the forest. His beauty and intelligence shine beyond the hills of Boko.
Kala can go anywhere except to the waterfall. No one is allowed to go to the Lufulakari waterfall. The spirit of a young girl named Nita resides there. Her name is Luvuandu.
But Kala is fearless and stubborn. One night, drawn by tempting forces, he goes to the waterfall. He crosses the liquid wall, and a huge crocodile emerges and swallows him. He finds himself transported into a multicolored whirlwind. At the bottom of the crocodile's belly, Kala meets the spirit Nita and falls in love with Luvuandu.
At the bottom of the waterfall, in the swirling waters, Kala and Luvuandu love each other deeply.
Kala starts leading a double life. During the day, he is in the village, working the land, fishing, weaving, and helping Nganga-Mfumu. At night, he joins Luvuandu, and their love grows more intense each time. But Nganga-Mfumu suspects something. Kala lies to her. He has committed an irreparable act by defying the sacred laws that guaranteed the village's harmony.