Moni, the goat boy, was a very cheerful young man who loved his job and his flock with all his heart. When young Paula first encounter's Moni's jubilant nature and happy song, she is captivated by his joy and becomes his friend. Moni spends each day up in the mountains with the goats and has a particularly special attachment to a kid named Maggerli. One day, Moni runs into a boy from another village who has discovered a beautiful diamond cross and the boy tells Moni that if he keeps his secret about the gross, he will buy Maggerli for Moni to save her from death. Moni struggles with keeping the deceitful secret, and finally confesses the truth to Paula (the owner of the cross) what has happened. Paula, further touched by Moni's honesty and love for Maggerli, decides to do something that will bring about a happy ending for everyone.

Johanna Spyri (1827-1901) was a Swiss children's author, best known for her novel Heidi. Her stories are heavily influenced by her own life and the area of Switzerland in which she grew up.