A heartfelt story of a poor young boy dealing with the hardships of having to grow up too fast in a world that doesn't care. Based on a Flemish folk story set in the 1800s. The artist Nello, a young peasant boy, has only his beloved grandfather and his faithful dog Patrasche. When his grandfather suddenly dies, Nello must fend for himself. Dog and boy master brave a frightful snowstorm, at the end of which Nello is finally able to view the work of his idol, Reubens.