the collection presents the tale of Világbiró Nagy Mátyás, who is raised by a poor scholar and possesses the unusual ability to speak seventy-seven languages. Following a troubling encounter with his parents, who plot against him after he shares a prophecy foretold by a singing bird, Mátyás is cast into a river. He is rescued by a king who takes him in, and he eventually begins to demonstrate his talents, which lead to various adventures, notably his promise to teach the king's daughters languages. The narrative sets the stage for a rich exploration of Mátyás's character, his relationships, and the unfolding of his fate, hinting at the classic elements of folklore that weave through the rest of the collection. (This is an automatically generated summary.)