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 -- differences in class, loneliness, and prejudice — these two boys learn to overcome the difficulties that come their way through an open mind and heart.