In a bygone era, long ago, brave young Dick leaves his home town (of Hawera) with, of course, his cat! He is on his way to Wellington seeking fame and fortune. What adventures await him? He meets the mayor, falls in love, stows away, is shipwrecked on a tropical island and is forced to fight the evil King Rat.
And no matter where he travels, Dick cannot shake off his mother - a "poor lonely widow woman".