Nello Tarth is a poor but happy orphan who lives with his grandfather Jehan in a little village nearby Antwerp. Nello has a talent for drawing pictures and has been fascinated by it since he saw one of Rubens (a famous artist) pictures as a little boy. Helping Jehan with the daily milk delivery to Antwerp, Nello one day discovers Patrash, a working dog who has been mistreated and abandoned by his former owner. He treats the exhausted animal and after a little while a close and dependable friendship develops. Alois Cojez, the daughter of the richest and hence most influential man in Blacken Village, is Nellos best friend. When Nello decides to become an artist he has to experience firsthand the ignorance and cruelty of the villagers. Especially Alois father thinks of him as a slacker who cannot earn his living by drawing pictures. Nontheless Nello perseveres and never gives up to achieve his dream and to win their appreciation and respect while strenuously struggling with his poverty.
Nello
Jan 5, 1975
As every morning, Nello and his grandfather Jehan take the milk to Antwerp. In the city he sees a man brutally beating the dog that is harnessed to his cart. Nello is very distressed by the fate of the dog and wants to help him.
With Alois in the Forest
Jan 12, 1975
Grandfather Jehan brings the milk to town alone today. Nello and Alois want to collect strawberries. When a thunderstorm comes up, they both seek shelter with Michel, a woodcutter. Meanwhile, Alois' parents are very worried about the whereabouts of their daughter.
At the Town of Antwerp
Jan 19, 1975
In front of the cathedral in Antwerp, Nello sees a painter and lets him teach him the art of painting. In the evening, before going to sleep, he thinks about his experiences in the city. Above all, he can't get the poor dog out of his mind.
New Friends
Jan 26, 1975
Nello wants to go fishing and meets George and Paul at the canal. They tease him. When Paul falls into the water, Nello rescues him together with a bargeman and thus gains two new friends.
Patrasche
Feb 2, 1975
George and Paul are waiting for Nello. They watch the ironmonger maltreat his dog. Later they learn that the dog's name is Patrasche. Back home, Nello cannot forget the poor animal.
Don't Give Up, Patrasche
Feb 9, 1975
Nello has helped the grandfather. Now he is looking for Patrasche, who collapsed and was left for dead by the ironmonger. On his way home, Nello finds the dog and takes him home.
Eat Your Soup
Feb 16, 1975
Patrasche is very sick. Nello gives the animal some medicine, but the dog is getting worse. Jehan comes by and brings meat. From it they cook a soup for Patrasche. And lo and behold, a small miracle happens: Patrasche eats again.
He Barked, Grampa
Feb 23, 1975
Thanks to the food that Alois brings daily, Patrasche recovers quickly. Alois and Nello build a dog bed for their friend. When the grandfather returns home, a nice surprise awaits him.
Memories of a Bell
Mar 2, 1975
Patrasche has fully recovered and even wants to pull the cart again. On the way to town they meet George and Paul. In town, a merchant advises Nello to beware of the ironmonger. A little later they meet the evil man.
Alois's Brooch
Mar 9, 1975
Patrasche is told to go and collect wood, and Alois accompanies him. While playing, she loses her brooch. Nello finds it again. Together they visit the woodcutter Michel and have a lot of fun. But Alois' father does not like this at all. He is against his daughter's friendship with Nello.
Elina's Garden
Mar 16, 1975
The grandfather and Nello return from Antwerp. At home, the steward Hanse is already waiting for them to collect the rent. Furious, he claims that Nello's dog Patrasche has ravaged the tulip field.
Grampa's Piggy Bank
Mar 23, 1975
The grandfather can no longer keep Patrasche from pulling the milk cart. So he makes him a pulling harness. Patrasche's old owner, the ironmonger, sees this and demands the dog back. With a lot of skill, the grandfather can prevent Nello from finding out about it.
A Windmill from Napoleon's Times
Mar 30, 1975
A storm has damaged the old windmill. Noël is supposed to repair it. Nello observes and draws him as he does so. When the mill starts moving again, Nello sees Hanse's son, Andras, tumbling around on one of the wings. Quick-witted, he intervenes.
A Picture Painted in the Sky
Apr 6, 1975
The grandfather is on his way to town. He is talking to some neighbors about his grandson's future. He wants him to become a farmer or a lumberjack. Nello doesn't like that at all. He wants to become a painter.
The Old Account Book
Apr 13, 1975
Nello has discovered that he can draw with charcoal. Alois is thrilled. She runs home to get paper and takes one of her father's account books. When she brings it back, an important page is missing. Suspicion falls on Nello.
10 Cents Picture Album
Apr 20, 1975
In town, Nello sees a store for drawing materials. But where is he going to get ten cents for a sketchbook? Working hard, he earns the money and uses it to buy a sketchbook and two pencils.
Under the Tree on top of the Hill
Apr 27, 1975
Nello is all excited about his sketchbook. In Antwerp, he tries to draw on the old tower, but he doesn't succeed. Alois suggests him to draw Patrasche, which Nello succeeds.
Kuro, the Prankster
May 4, 1975
Mrs. Noulette is supposed to move in with her daughter Milene, but she is attached to her house and her animals. When Blacky disappears, Nello and Alois set out to find him. Patrasche rescues the duck from a river hole. Milene doesn't have to worry now, because her mother has the nicest neighbors.
A Hardware Salesman is in Town
May 11, 1975
A month has passed and Jehan has to pay for Patrasche. With difficulty he is able to raise the money. But unfortunately too late: the ironmonger has already kidnapped Patrasche because he did not want to wait any longer for his money. In vain, Nello and Jehan set out on a search.
Friends Forever
May 18, 1975
George and Paul also join the search for Patrasche. Nello moves away from the others, and in the end Patrasche finds his master half fainting from weakness. With the last of their strength, the two make their way home.
Alois' Aunt
May 25, 1975
Alois' aunt Sophie comes to visit. She wants to take the girl to England to take care of her education there. Nello is sad. He thinks he will never see his girlfriend again.
Presents from England
Jun 1, 1975
Nello dreamed that Alois left for England on a big ship. There she wants to go to school. When Alois then also gives him a glass ball, Nello believes it is her parting gift.
Alois' Birthday
Jun 8, 1975
Alois celebrates her birthday. Of course, Nello is also invited. The friends play and in the process a precious vase gets broken. Immediately the celebration is stopped. Later, Alois asks Nello to draw it. Quickly the trouble is forgotten.
Alois' Portrait
Jun 15, 1975
Nello helps Alois' father with the hay harvest. When he is finally relieved by his grandfather, he can finally start drawing Alois. Alois' father wants to reward Nello with a coin, but he refuses.
Alois is Gone
Jun 22, 1975
Alois has run away from home because her father wants to send her to England. Patrasche finds the girl again. Nello is able to convince her that her father's decision is for her own good. Sadly, the children part away. They will miss each other very much.
Goodbye, Alois
Jun 29, 1975
Secretly, Alois and Nello meet in a store. They study maps. They discover that Antwerp and England are not that far apart. The day of departure approaches. The children have to say goodbye to each other.
Christmas without Alois
Jul 6, 1975
Nello is missing Alois. After weeks, mail finally arrives from her in England. The letter, however, is addressed to her mother. But Nello also has a big surprise waiting for him.
A Kind Lady
Jul 13, 1975
Nello is on his way to the Antwerp Cathedral. There he wants to talk to Alois, as she suggested in her letter. In the city, Nello makes the acquaintance of a woman who becomes very important for him.
Two Paintings by Rubens
Jul 20, 1975
Nello is alone in Antwerp and immediately goes to the cathedral. The lady has told him about two other Rubens paintings. However, the paintings are covered and the visit costs money.
Meeting in the Snow
Jul 27, 1975
In Antwerp, Nello meets the friendly lady again. She tells him about her deceased son. Then she wants to see Nello's sketchbook. She suggests that he look at two Rubens paintings the very next day.
Nello's Decision
Aug 3, 1975
The woodcutter Michel has injured his foot. Nello helps him with the work. He spends the night in his hut. While collecting wood, he sees the huge tree that Michel wanted to cut down. Nello decides to cut down the tree himself.
A Big Oak Tree
Aug 10, 1975
Nello wants to cut down a mighty oak in the forest. In the process, he catches Hanse hunting without permission. When grandfather Jehan overhears that George and Paul are helping their friend to collect wood, a misunderstanding ensues.
Letter from the Heart
Aug 17, 1975
Aunt Noulette is not the only one who worries about Nello's future. Michel suggests to his grandfather that Nello should become a lumberjack. Jehan does not have the heart to tell his grandson, because the boy would never leave his grandfather voluntarily.
Mrs. Nulette
Aug 24, 1975
Aunt Noulette's moving day has come, and everyone pitches in. Nello gets Blacky the duck from her, for whom he builds a duck pen. Finally, by chance, he learns about a very big news.
Welcome Back, Alois
Aug 31, 1975
When Nello goes to pick up Alois from the ship, he receives the disappointing news that his girlfriend is sick. A week later, he wants to visit her in the hospital, but is not allowed to see her.
Alois's Medicine
Sep 7, 1975
It was a big mistake not to let Nello see Alois, because she is getting worse and worse. Finally she comes home. The doctor orders Nello to visit her, because that is the best medicine for her.
Good News
Sep 14, 1975
Now Alois is waiting for Nello again like before. One senses that she will get well again because of his presence. The father doesn't want to know about it and still behaves hostile towards the boy. He even considers whether it is time to send Alois back to England.
Nello's Big Dream
Sep 21, 1975
Nello is determined to win the prize in the drawing competition. But what should he draw? Alois will go to school in Antwerp, and so the two will have the same path in the future.
Flag Connecting Two Hearts
Sep 28, 1975
Since Alois is taken to school by Hanse, the children rarely see each other. One day the car breaks down, and Alois walks the long way with Nello. The boy learns from Alois' father that his grandfather still works in Antwerp on the side.
Grampa's New Job
Oct 5, 1975
Grandfather Jehan works at the vegetable market in Antwerp. He convinces Nello that the work is not exhausting him. Nello wants his grandfather to take it easy and helps him for the next few days. But Jehan doesn't like that at all, because he wants his grandson to concentrate on the painting competition.
A Familiar Long Road
Oct 12, 1975
The grandfather has to stay in bed after a fainting spell. Therefore Nello takes over all the work in the house. Because of this, he no longer comes to practice for the competition. But Jehan recovers and everything seems to be fine.
The New Neighbor
Oct 19, 1975
Once again, grandfather Jehan has to stay in bed. His condition worsens. In addition, the new neighbor takes the farmers' milk into town for free. Nello now has only one customer.
Alois's Help
Oct 26, 1975
Nello did not tell his grandfather that he had to work in the port, nor for what reason. From Alois, who takes care of the sick man, Jehan finally learns the whole truth.
Grampa's Gift
Nov 2, 1975
Nello has worked well and receives his first wage. He buys a big piece of meat and cooks a good soup for his grandfather. The grandfather is very touched. He tells the boy that he knows about the port job and praises him. Finally, Jehan dies in the arms of his stunned grandson.
Nello Is Alone
Nov 9, 1975
After the death of his grandfather, Nello goes to the cemetery with Patrasche. It is actually Alois' birthday and she waits in vain for her friend. Finally she finds out what happened and meets Nello at the grandfather's grave.
Grampa's Face
Nov 16, 1975
Now Nello is alone in the house with Patrasche and Blacky. Uncle Michel learns from Alois that Jehan has died, and he wants to take the boy to live with him. Nello, however, now knows that he has to draw his grandfather, and that's how long he wants to stay in the old neighborhood.
Fire at the Windmill Hut
Nov 23, 1975
Alois' mother Elena tries to put in a good word for Nello with her husband Peter. Unfortunately, she is not listened to. When Peter's mill burns down, Hanse accuses Nello of arson. The boy runs off into the night in despair.
No More Work
Nov 30, 1975
The villagers are against Nello, who now also loses his job. Even Alois is not allowed to see him again. His only consolation are the thoughts of his grandfather and his real friends Uncle Michel and Aunt Noulette. With new courage he paints his picture.
I Finished the Painting, Grampa
Dec 7, 1975
Finally the painting for the competition is ready. Nello goes with Paul to Antwerp to deliver it to the town house. Back home, Uncle Michel is waiting for him and wants to take him home. But Nello wants to wait for the result of the competition first.
Day of the Announcement
Dec 14, 1975
On the day of the award ceremony, Nello sees Alois and George again. Hanse tells the boy that he will have to leave the house if he cannot pay the rent. When he doesn't get the first prize in the painting competition, Nello loses all hope.
Two Thousand Francs
Dec 21, 1975
Peter, Alois' father, loses a bag with a lot of money. The dog Patrasche finds it, and Nello brings it back. Alois' father owes the boy a great debt of gratitude.
Picture of the Angels
Dec 28, 1975
Patrasche sets out to find Nello, who has left a suicide note. Now everyone is looking for the missing boy who has been wronged so much. Patrasche finally finds him in Antwerp Cathedral, where Nello has a wonderful dream.
