The animation is essentially Chinese painting in motion,[1] with a heavy emphasis on the flute melody.

The story is about a young cow herding boy with an extraordinary flute playing ability, who is accompanied by his faithful water buffalo.

The dream sequence is delightfully whimsical, beginning with falling leaves that turn into butterflies and gradually lead the cow herder to a beautiful mist-filled valley.

Here the buffalo refuses to budge from his hiding spot, leaving the cow herder to find an alternate musical solution to his problem.

The Cowboy's Flute has been released on DVD as part of the Chinese Classic Animation Te Wei Collection set.