This is the tale of the forthcoming appointment of the King´s first councellor. Who deserves this post? Is it the exceptional Nugloze who has promised to provide meat for the entire village for a month? Or is it Mr. Podogan, his father -in -law, a well-fed, high -ranking dignitary and a devious man who would not hesitate to use the most terrifying methods to archieve his goals? In the tough struggle between Nugloze and his father -in-law it is the tortoise who makes the decision using its magic formula- 'Whoever sets a trap will get caught in it himself.'