young elephant trainer. Forced into a slave caravan that takes him through perilous lands and into a world at war, Ashoka befriends a special elephant. In a time of constant danger and uncertainty, he finds beauty and kindness when he becomes enchanted by a forbidden tanner's daughter and must help others enslaved for the pleasure of ruthless rulers. To survive this remarkable journey, the elephant trainer calls upon his unique ways with the great greys and a strength known only to those with nothing to lose.