Unemployed Anna leaves her son Olavi to be raised by Antti, a shoemaker. When the shoemaker dies, Olavi is sent to an orphanage, from which he runs away with a cat and a violin under his arm. After many misfortunes, the talented Olavi becomes a student of a professor at a music academy and travels to London to compete in an international violin competition.

A young heiress settles into a holiday hotel in search of a suitable husband. There are enough groom candidates, some gentlemen, and some cheaters. All that is certain is that the misfortunes will not end.

After ending up in an orphanage, Olavi sets out to find his mother. While playing the violin on the street, his exceptional talent catches the attention of a music school professor, who takes him under his wing.