On his ninth birthday, Omri receives an old cupboard from his brother and a toy Native American "Indian" from his best friend Patrick. Omri finds a special key and locks the toy in the cupboard. The next morning, he hears a small tapping noise coming from the cupboard, and finds that the toy has magically come to life. Frightened by Omri's size, the tiny man pulls out a dagger and points it at Omri. Omri closes and locks the cupboard and decides to keep it a secret.