Famed composer Reuben Walrus is going deaf, even as he finishes up his greatest symphony. To stave off the encroaching silence, he embarks on an odyssey that will, hopefully, lead him to Maximilian, a fabled creature rumored to have miraculous healing powers. But exactly who--or what--is Maximilian? According to Wolf Diaz, Maximilian, unlike the other stuffed animals of Mollisan Town, did not arrive by green delivery truck. He cannot be identified as any particular species and is made from a material unlike any other with almost invisible seams. And, as he's matured, he's begun preaching odd parables, attracting a legion of followers hoping to learn from his teachings. But his acolytes aren't the only plush figures paying attention. The dark forces currently ruling Mollisan Town are listening as well--which has sent Maximilian into hiding. Now time is running out if Reuben hopes to find him before the sounds of his world fade out forever.