Albert, whose mother runs street traffic, is dropped off at Flugum. He has to work with other resident children as a slave, but only gets lousy food. They are sung by Flugum and his wife. Albert escapes, but avoids punishment. A young girl, Gunda, comes to the farm, and Albert falls in love with her, even though she is to have children with a guardianship council inspector. Things look dark for Albert, but things change when one of the children is visited by a relative.