In three adventures, Hortense, a neat and graceful rhinoceros, and her sloppy classmate, Herbert, learn to enjoy each other's company in spite of, or maybe because of, their differences.
A white rhinoceros and his herd are shipped from Africa to a zoo in England, where the male becomes angry and withdrawn, suffering from the loss of his horn during capture.
Examines rhinoceroses, where they live, the different species of rhinos such as the white rhino, black rhino, and rhinos from Java, India, and Sumatra, how they care for their young, and efforts to protect them in the wild.
Details the conservation efforts of governments, scientists, conservationists, and concerned rhinoceros lovers in trying to prevent the extinction of the great mammal.
Shukudu the young rhinoceros is afraid he will never grow to have horns like his mother, even when he sees the other young animals practicing the ways of their species.