11-year-old Rufus is on holiday with his family on a farm in Namibia. One day, a missing cow was seen some miles away and Rufus is asked to fetch it. His father encourages him by saying that this is the traditional way to become a man – alone in the wilderness. Rufus takes the challenge and makes his way even though problems may arise. He is bored, it is quite hot and he runs out of water. Finally, he finds the cow, but he is not alone: a huge wild elephant arrives. Rufus had heard many stories of wild elephants trampling down men. He hides; full of fear, but the longer he watches the elephant, the more he realizes the beauty and calmness of the animal. From this moment on he sees wildlife differently and understands what really made him a man that day.