Nello Tarth is a poor but happy orphan who lives with his grandfather, Jehan, in a small village near Antwerp. Nello has a talent for drawing and has been fascinated by it since he saw a picture by Rubens (a famous artist) as a little boy. While helping Jehan with the daily milk delivery to Antwerp, Nello one day discovers Patrash, a working dog who has been mistreated and abandoned by his former owner. He treats the exhausted animal, and after a little while, a close and dependable friendship develops. Alois Cojez, the daughter of the richest and therefore most influential man in Blacken Village, is Nello's best friend. When Nello decides to become an artist, he has to experience firsthand the ignorance and cruelty of the villagers. Especially Alois's father thinks of him as a slacker who cannot earn his living by drawing pictures. Nevertheless, Nello perseveres and never gives up in his effort to achieve his dream and to win their appreciation and respect, all while strenuously struggling with his poverty.