The novel is set in ancient Egypt around 1400 B.C., and tells the story of a young Egyptian boy named Ranofer who tries to reveal an evil crime and reshape his life.

Ranofer makes two new friends, the Ancient and Heqet, but things take a turn for the worse when Gebu moves him to his stone cutting shop to be an apprentice after Ibni is caught.

After Heqet suggests they work together to spy on Gebu and his evil helpers, they meet in a thicket near the river, share food, and talk about what they have heard during midday when Ranofer gets a break from his awful job at the stonecutters' shop.

Ranofer runs out of the tomb after extinguishing the robbers' torch and one of the giant steps crumbles, trapping Gebu and his companion Wenamon.

Ranofer finally gets an audience with the queen, and after telling her about the golden goblet with Thutmose's name on it, she decides to test his truthfulness about the tomb robbery by asking him, "What was the object leaning against the north wall of my parents' burial chamber?"

Ranofer answers, "Majesty, it was your father's oaken staff," and the queen immediately sends out soldiers, who catch Gebu & Wenamon.

"A donkey," Ranofer said, "so that I may earn a living for myself like the Ancient, be a student of Zau the Gold Master & make fine jewellery for Your Sublime Majesty."

"[1] The Golden Goblet was the central text For Los Angeles City Schools teachers who had gifted pupils in their class[2] and is part of school study and reading programs[3][4][5] The Golden Goblet was retroactively named a Newbery Honor book when the award for runners-up to the Newbery Medal was initiated in the year 1971.