That Pair of Arms!

Friends Severina and Maria José struggle to survive in a suburb of Rio de Janeiro. The first is a widow who sells flowers and the second has a lover who does little to help with expenses. Their children sell peanuts during the day. One day, the children get lost and are found again at Jaks' house, who offers to sell Severina certain suspicious merchandise, disguised among the roses.

Machado de Assis, the most famous Brazilian writer, is transported, without further explanation, to current times. Received with skepticism by the Brazilian Academy of Letters, where he will be questioned by immortal colleagues who suspect they are dealing with an imposter, Machado defends himself vehemently. Is he the true Immortal, founder of the Academy?

Marcos, famous goalkeeper who made history in Palmeiras and in the Brazilian NT - with which he was world champion in 2002 -, has a reputation as a saint due to the beautiful defenses he makes in capo. Players, coaches, journalists and fans praise the skills of São Marcos and pay homage to the admirable man and tireless athlete who became an idol.

Sabô marries Lindolfo Ezequiel in exchange for the life of his brother, who was sworn to death by the captain. The brunette is known as the most desired woman in the region and her husband is reputed to be a killer. One day, Ubaldo Capadócio arrives in the city of Cachoeira, in Bahia, and takes away hearts. The poet is a handsome man, has nine children and is married to three women: Rosecler, Romilda and Valdelice. Rosecler is the most fiery and spendthrift, Romilda abandoned her butcher husband for Ubaldo and Valdelice is the most daring. In Cachoeira, Ubaldo sees Sabô and is attracted by so much beauty. The captain's wife surrenders to the poet's charms, but they are caught by Lindolfo Ezequiel. Then begins the saga of Ubaldo to escape death. That's where the miracle of birds happens.

A writer married to an older man falls in love with an art dealer. She resists his advances, but through romantic, handwritten letters, she expresses her innermost desires and feelings for him. With her husband's illness and death, she breaks off contact.

In 1883, in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian Navy rebelled against the country's government (an episode known as the Navy Revolt). Six months of intense fighting caused incalculable material and human losses. Inside one of the Navy ships, a deserter is captured. The commander punishes the French mercenary with the most unlikely of punishments: the torture of silence.

A couple accompany their son's piano concert. While classical music touches their hearts, the suffering memories of the past - the poverty and alcoholism of the father - contrast with the victory and success of the present.