Manuelita 1999

The Patriarch of the Birds El Patriarca de los Pájaros opens the tale by telling the story of Manuelita, a curious turtle born in Pehuajó whose adventurous spirit shines from the moment she hatches. As she grows, she attends school with her two best friends, Topi and Bartolito. On the way, three dogs mock and bully them; when they snatch Manuelita’s backpack and toss it around, Bartolito bravely stands up for her, pouncing one bully and sparking a scuffle on the ground. The other two crooks are chased away by the school janitor and assistant teacher, Larguirucho on his bicycle. That night, Manuelita dreams of Bartolito as a knight coming to her rescue, while the crooks reappear as a fearsome three-headed dragon.

The years pass, and Manuelita blossoms into a confident teenager. Bartolito is in love with her as well, and he confesses his feelings in a letter, but when he tries to deliver it, they learn there is a carnival in Pehuajó. Since the family plans to go, Bartolito decides to save the letter for later and join them. Seeing a giant hot air balloon, Manuelita asks for permission to ride, despite her parents’ concern; Manuelita’s father and her mother watch anxiously, but Grandpa Manuelita’s grandfather convinces them to let her go. [Larguirucho] grips the ropes, and the wind lifts the balloon and carries Manuelita away with her basket, before anyone can rescue her.

At first, she enjoys the ride, but a mischievous seabird pops the balloon, and she plunges into what seems like the Atlantic. A crew of pirate pigs on a ship mistake the basket for a treasure chest and take her aboard. The captain orders her imprisoned in the brig, where she meets Veni, Vidi and Vici, three cheerful mice who brighten her mood with song. Their lively singing and dancing rouse the captain, and Manuelita and the mice manage to escape. They are surrounded by the pigs and the ship starts to sink under their weight; the trio grabs a board and swims, while the pirates are left stranded. A giant elderly sea turtle later rescues them and guides them safely to land.

Arriving at a French coast town, Manuelita and the mice part ways. While looking for shelter, she watches a fashion show from outside a building and is welcomed by François, who introduces her to fashion designer Coco Liché and promises a modeling career in Paris. Meanwhile, in Pehuajó, Bartolito, Topi, [Larguirucho] and Manuelita’s grandfather are busy building an airship to go searching for her, and after several failed attempts they succeed. After seeing her on the cover of a fashion magazine, Manuelita’s mother informs everyone about her stay in Paris. Ready to travel, [Larguirucho] and Topi climb aboard the airship, while Bartolito and Grandpa stay behind to fetch a compressor. The same seabird returns, but this time they prevail. In Paris, Manuelita entrusts François with her money to be sent to her parents each month, along with letters to Bartolito; he keeps the money and hides the letters, gradually revealing his deceit.

After a fashion show sabotages a dress she is modeling, Manuelita discovers François’ lies and the danger he poses to her career. In panic, François drops his bag and it bursts, exposing his scheme; he falls from a balcony and hangs from a pole, leaving Manuelita alone with only a few dollars. She wanders the city, finds Notre-Dame de Paris and recalls her past. The next day, she hears music from under a bridge—an Edith Piaf-like bowerbird singing about her—and discovers it is Larguirucho and Topi playing. The trio reunites and travels home by plane with the little money she still has. Back in Pehuajó, Manuelita is joyfully reunited with her family and with Bartolito, who is now the head teacher at the school. The couple’s wedding is a joyful affair attended by friends from across the world, including Anteojito, Oaky, Hijitus and Trapito, while the Patriarch of the Birds continues narrating and breaking the fourth wall, assuring the audience that Manuelita and Bartolito have a bright future ahead. The story closes with the newlyweds taking off on another hot air balloon, waving goodbye to their loved ones as they begin their honeymoon.