Since their parents died in a tragic car accident 4 years previously Saverio and his seven-year-old brother Augusto have been living, in a village in the Italian Alps, with Uncle Fausto and Aunt Domenica. Saverio has a strong spiritual bond with nature and is planning to spend part of his summer break in the high prairies to experience life as a shepherd and to learn how to make the local cheese. However, one day whilst exploring the meadows by the river in the company of Augusto and his best friend Charlie (the nanny goat), Saverio falls and fractures a leg. Although disappointed that he has to put his plan on hold his summer still turns out to be the most memorable of his childhood when he finds his first 'Porcino' mushroom - the highly esteemed 'Boletus Edulis'.