A heartwarming short story by Truman Capote about the joy of giving and the true meaning of friendship, as seen through the eyes of a young boy and his elderly cousin. The story revolves around the baking of thirty-one fruitcakes, which are intended as gifts for various acquaintances and strangers, including President Roosevelt and Baptist missionaries to Borneo. The narrator reflects on the special bond he shares with his cousin, and how their shared experiences and memories make them feel connected to the wider world beyond their small kitchen.