In the dark middle ages young unruly Goldmund is sent to a monastery by his father to atone for the sins of his mother, who abandoned them. It is there that he meets Narcissus, a brilliant, scholarly novice, who is introverted and aloof. A unique and deep life-long friendship is born. Narcissus chooses to remain detached from the world in prayer and meditation. Goldmund, who is passionate, sensual and impulsive, runs away from the monastery to live a picaresque wanderer’s life, his amorous and artistic adventures leading him to discover the extremes of both ecstasy and pain. Several thrilling years pass, until one day these friends cross paths again...

In a kingdom where plants are banned, the king's short son befriends Laurin, ruler of the dwarves, who is a great plant lover. But things spiral out of control when he steals his magical power belt to win a jousting tournament.

A movie based on the book by Christine Nöstlinger “Maikäfer, flieg! Mein Vater, das Kriegsende, Cohn und ich”