Francie is scared to go to the dentist. She has a toothache and her mother insists on taking her to the dentist in a neighbouring town. Once she is there, however, Francie is terrified and she runs away in a panic. She finds herself on a train surrounded by the only people scarier than the dentist- the Basket Women! Francie and the Basket Women is a tale about understanding and overcoming prejudice. Francie has heard terrible stories about the Mi'kmaq basket women that prove to be untrue when she overcomes her fear and talks to them. The women help Francie with her toothache and Francie lea s a valuable lesson.