A poor builder tries, with the help of his wife, to raise his three children.

Lymberis, a poor builder, has three sons: disabled Antonis, who lost both his hands during the German occupation, from a grenade explosion, bad-tempered Giagos, desperately seeking for a job, and little Fotakis, the family's pride, that his mother wishes that he will finish school. The life of the three will dramatically change, after the death of their father on a work accident.—[email protected]

It's been almost six long years since the liberation of occupied Greece from the Germans in World War II, and the proud Athenians are still trying to find their feet. Thanasis Lyberis, an impecunious and ailing mason, is working his fingers to the bone to provide for his wife and three boys--Antonis, a defeated bilateral amputee; Yagos, a rebellious high school dropout, and young Fotis, the apple of his mother's eye--however, life and happiness are too expensive. Then, to make matters worse, an unfortunate work accident incapacitates the weary father, and as a result, the survival of the family now rests on the shoulders of reluctant Yagos. Now, life's burdens crush the dreams of youth, and innocent, bookish Fotis is next in line to do his part. Will the kid be spared further sorrow?—Nick Riganas