Osvaldo, the Fakir Rat

by Sérgio Firmino Mendes; Illustration: Pedro Brito

Osvaldo, the Faquir Mouse is a tale that talks about the magic of friendship, about the desire to catch up, about the importance of sharing acquired knowledge.

Osvaldo is us, the teachers of so many children, parents in this world that sometimes seems to have no clear direction. Two unique characters emerge from this tale: Osvaldo, a country hamster who sleeps in a drawer of nuts, nails and bolts, and Agulhas, a hedgehog who dreams of becoming a barber.

They both love researching in the old lady’s library and on the computer that won’t turn off. They research exotic countries and places to visit on their upcoming vacations. Unfortunately, Needles can’t let go of the customers who frequent his barbershop.

Despite Agulhas’ sadness, Osvaldo decides to set off for the Himalayas in search of the mythical mountain of Shangri-La. It is on this mountain that he meets the master who gives him the key to knowledge and inner magic. But it’s no use having a lot of knowledge if you don’t share it with your friends,” said the master to Osvaldo. Osvaldo decides to return to his Christmas garden with the circus of imaginary animals.

Osvaldo has become a renowned fakir, assisted by a sylph, a salamander and a mapinguari. All the insects and animals in the garden are invited to the show, which is put on using recycled materials.

Some say that Osvaldo’s circus performs in the gardens and lawns of Europe, the jungles of the Amazon and the swamps of Patagonia, but the truth is that it could be coming to the street where the child who fits inside the fantasy tent lives.

Age: +6