A boy named Haroun Khalifa lives with his parents—Rashid and Soraya—in the country of Alifbay. They live in a city that is so sad that it has forgotten its own name. It is always raining, and there are factories that are rumored to make sadness.

Rashid Khalifa is a famous storyteller who has two nicknames: Rashid the Ocean of Notions, and the Shah of Blah, to his detractors. Haroun’s mother, Soraya, is a kind woman who loves to sing. However, one day she stops singing. Rashid doesn’t notice. He travels frequently and can be oblivious to what is happening in his home. Haroun is amazed at how many stories Rashid knows. When he asks Rashid where they come from, his father says they come from the “Story Sea.”

A man named Mr. Sengupta lives above them with his wife, Oneeta. Mr. Sengupta asks what is the point of stories that aren’t true. Politicians often use Rashid to help tell stories for their campaigns.

Soraya runs off with Mr. Sengupta, who lives above them with his wife, Oneeta. After the betrayal, Rashid breaks all the clocks in the house. Soraya’s note says that Rashid’s head is too filled with make-believe.