A collection of short stories written when the author lived in Jakarta in the 1950s. Mid twentieth century Indonesia provided a fertile ground for these insightful stories. Ranging from portraits of individual lives, beautifully drawn characters, depictions of a culturally diverse country in a time of change, these stories reflect a poignant past. Who is the baroness? Sumekto believes in the Pancasila and heads to Jakarta to seek a new life. Can little Nipa's life be turned around? Experience the strange influence of wayang kulit shadow puppetry, and join Guido on his visit to the Gedeh. These stories and more will entrance the reader.