"This animated fable by Eliot Noyes, Jr., gently challenges stereotyped and sexist thinking and celebrates the joys of individual expression. On the island of Baramel, hardybars and mushamels live together in families. The strong hardybars hunt for food and build houses. They are content with their duties, except for Hebar, who would rather paint and make things pretty. Mushamels cook and take care of the children. They, too, are happy with the way things are, except for Shemel, who wants to build houses. On the day of a big picnic, disaster causes the island to split apart, leaving the two groups separated at opposite ends of Baramel. After some panic, the hardybars and musamels learn to cope with the new situation. The mushamels follow Shebar's lead and learn to build houses and tame wild beasts - their methods aren't the same as the hardybars', but they are effective. Meanwhile, the hardybars have learned from Hebar how to cook, and quiet the children. When a "reversaquake" brings the island the two groups back together, the hardybars think that things will be as they were before. But the mushamels don't want to give up their new duties. So, together, the hardybars and the mushamels work out new ways of cooperation which allow each individual to do what best suits "He" or "She."" - Summary from the teacher's guide.