Hortensio and the Magic Stories: 10 Unique Stories in One Collection

The first story, Cloudy, tells the tale of a cloud who befriends a bird while overcoming self-doubt.
The Storyteller films the entire narrative with a camera and also appears as a character within it. Cloudy, a melancholic cloud, becomes joyful by the end of the story after seeking advice from his newfound bird friend.

The second story, The Stone, Peli and Pag, follows a pelican, a parrot, and a talking stone.
The pelican and parrot, best friends, decide to rest on some rocks during their flight—unaware that the rocks are the prized possessions of a mighty power.

In the third story, The Boy and the Laughing Owls, a red-haired boy who enjoys writing and sometimes struggles with anger encounters magical owls while seeking solitude in the forest.
They spend time together with the goal of writing a book collaboratively. By the end of the tale, the boy learns the true value of friendship.

The fourth story, Shiny and Goldy, centres on a golden grain and a diamond grain.
The narrative explores the time when the diamond grain tries to polish itself like its golden counterpart. However, as diamonds shine much brighter than gold, this leads to comical situations. Eventually, the golden grain realises that family warmth matters most.

The fifth story, The Nerd Dragon, revolves around a dragon, a hippopotamus, and a colourful bird.
The dragon's love for reading leads him to lose his beloved encyclopaedia in the forest—unbeknownst to him, the hippopotamus finds and keeps it. Along the way, the dragon meets the bird, and by the end of the story, all three become close friends.

In the sixth story, Cups of Ice Cream, two cups of ice cream—one natural and one made of plastic—live together as friends in a house.
The natural cup sells ice cream to moody children, who prove difficult to please.

The seventh story, Flamingo, features a dancing flamingo watched by three frogs in a swamp.
At one point, the flamingo receives a package that brings him great joy. Overall, he is naturally happy, always singing and dancing.

The eighth story, The Magic Girl, unfolds in a kingdom ruled by a King and Queen who have just welcomed a newborn baby girl.
The plot revolves around the search for the perfect name for the princess, which is finally revealed at the last moment.

In the ninth story, Susan and the Butterfly, an immortal butterfly becomes fond of a black-eyed Susan flower.
However, that year, the flower blooms in a different part of the field, making it difficult for the butterfly to find her again.

The tenth story, Hortensio the Coloured Snail, gives the book its name and tells the tale of a vibrantly coloured snail living in a grey world.
With help from Clara, his mother sends him from their village to the big city, hoping he will achieve something significant. By the end of the story, Hortensio fills the entire grey world with his magnificent colours.