This book is about a clever Persian (Iranian) boy that is very interested in education. Since his family is poor due to having a father who is addicted to opium, he must struggle to achieve even a high school education. Most of the book is set in a mountain village that the family moves to in an attempt to change their fortunes. Aside from having a school that only goes up to the fourth grade, the other hardships that are faced in the village include fierce winters and a deadly outbreak of measles. With much determination and effort, the boy finally finishes his high school education by self-study and finds a job in the city.