The story unfolds in the old Greenleaf Church where young Clay finds the hidden diary of Lamb Shepherd, a veteran of the Civil War. Through the stories, the boy immerses himself in those days of trial and tribulation, which profoundly affect him and his worldview. From the tragic story of a mentally impaired Billy Watson to the hilarious story of Lem Brown's still, the book chronicles the young boy's exploits and adventures on his grandma's farm down in Mulberry Gap and adds humor and spiritual insight into his emotional maturation.