In 1939 the 13-year-old Carl arrives at the lighthouse Lågskär in the Åland Islands, for a position as lighthouse disciple. He is trained by the demanding lighthouse keeper.
An isolated island in the Baltic Sea in the summer of 1939: Thirteen-year-old Karl comes to the island to work as lighthouse master Hasselbonds assistant. Master Hasselbond turns Karl down because of his young age. Karl struggles desperately to stay on. Karl and Hasselbonds oppressed son, Gustaf, make friends but their friendship changes to rivalry and hate when Hasselbond starts to favor Karl over his own son.
