Matei (11) lives with his grandfather in a coalmining region in Romania. His parents have left to work in Italy a couple of years ago. The relationship
the child formed with his grandfather is very close. After an incident, Matei is unfairly kicked out of school and his grandfather reacts violently
to this. Their mutual trust is destroyed. Matei flees from home and seeks shelter at Isidor, a mountain shepherd, who sends him back to school. Instead
Matei goes to Bucharest where he discovers The Museum of Natural Science. He returns home. Shortly after his arrival his grandfather dies and
Matei is sent to a children’s home. When his mother and younger brother return to Romania to take him to Italy, Matei hides and they are forced to
leave without him. He decides to stay and follow in his grandfather’s footsteps.