Though Nurk is a small and fairly timid soul, he longs to be like his fabulous grandmother Surka, the warrior shrew who had been a fighter, a dishwasher, and a pirate queen. When an odd message seems to call for action, Nurk overcomes his fearful nature and sets off in the wonderful Snailboat on a wild and weird adventure that eventually leads him to the lair of the terrifying Grizzlemole.