Entranced by the allure of real magic, a market boy is appointed court magician for a cruel regent. Only when he begins to lose the things he loves does he realize he was not ready to pay the cost.

A stubborn and grumpy letter writer is detained in a palace for the crimes of his so-called brother during the Iranian Revolution.

A shy American librarian and her abrasive mother travel to Italy, where a visit with a beautiful Italian countess stirs up the daughter's insecurity about her terrible teeth — and re-animates her rage at her mother, who neglected to have them fixed.