In 1872, in the Flemish village of Hoboken in Belgium, a young boy named Nello Daas lives with his grandfather Jehan, having lost his parents at an early age. The two earn their living by transporting milk from their village to the nearby city of Antwerp. After finishing their work each day, Nello spends time with his childhood friend Alois, and although their life is poor, they live modestly and contentedly. One day, while accompanying his grandfather to Antwerp, Nello encounters an elderly large dog that is being forced to pull heavy loads for a hardware merchant. The dog, Patrasche, draws Nello's concern, and when he later learns that the merchant has abandoned the weakened animal on a riverbank, Nello rescues him and brings him home. Although Patrasche initially shows fear toward humans, he gradually grows trusting in response to the kindness shown by Nello and his grandfather. In time, Patrasche begins to assist with the milk deliveries of his own accord, becoming an irreplaceable presence in the lives of both Nello and Alois. Nello possesses a great talent for drawing, admires the paintings of
Rubens, and deeply wishes to see the great painter's works displayed in the city's
cathedral—
The Elevation of the Cross and
The Descent from the Cross—which, however, can be viewed only for a fee that the boy cannot afford. As Nello deepens his interest in drawing and as Alois discovers her enjoyment of lace-making, it is decided that Alois will study abroad in England. Her father Cogez, a major landowner in the area, disapproves of the closeness developing between his only daughter and Nello. However, the following year Alois is forced to return due to illness and recovers thanks to Nello's closeness. Some time later, Nello's grandfather dies, leaving Nello and Patrasche in deep grief. Shortly thereafter, a fire breaks out at the windmill on the Cogez estate. Because of his longstanding dislike of Nello, Cogez begins to suspect him of having caused the fire. The villagers, unable to oppose Cogez, cease to employ Nello for milk deliveries. Following the death of his grandfather, the loss of his livelihood, and his loss in a long-cherished drawing competition, Nello falls into despair and loses the will to live. At this time, Patrasche finds a purse containing a large sum of money that Cogez has dropped. Nello returns it to the Cogez household. Although Alois and her mother Elina are grateful and attempt to invite him inside, Nello refuses, leaves Patrasche in their care, and returns home, where he departs after leaving behind a note and all of his remaining possessions. When Cogez later learns that the returned purse was delivered by the boy he had long treated harshly, he is filled with remorse and resolves to make amends. On Christmas night, after hearing from the mill worker Noel that Nello was innocent, Cogez and the villagers set out to apologize to him. A judge from the painting competition also comes to take Nello in. However, Nello has already disappeared. Despite their frantic search, they are unable to find him in time. Patrasche escapes from the Cogez household and discovers Nello collapsed in the cathedral while gazing at paintings by Rubens. Nello says to him, “Patrasche, you must be tired. I am tired too. Somehow, I feel very sleepy.” They then pass away, departing for heaven, escorted by a host of angels, where Nello's parents and grandfather await them, and where they are said to live together in eternal peace, free from suffering. == Cast and characters ==