Nello Tarth is a poor but content orphan who lives with his grandfather, Jehan, in a small village near Antwerp. From a young age, Nello has shown a talent for drawing, inspired when he first saw a painting by the renowned artist Rubens. While helping Jehan deliver milk to Antwerp each day, Nello encounters Patrash, a work dog that has been mistreated and abandoned by his former owner. Nello cares for the exhausted animal, and soon a strong, dependable friendship develops between them. Nello’s best friend is Alois Cojez, the daughter of the richest and most influential man in Blacken Village. When Nello decides to pursue a career as an artist, he must confront the ignorance and cruelty that surround him…