For mature readers

224 pages; soft cover; B&W

In a world where forest creatures can take human form, a member of the sparrow clan, Komazu, is one day saved from a boar stampede by a cold but eye-catching white snake named Shiratoh. Dealing with both animal problems (fear of predation by their common enemy, the eagle), and human problems (class differences, loneliness, and prejudice), these two boys learn to overcome the difficulties that come their way through an open mind and heart.