Vasilis Maras, a poor orphaned child with ambitions to study, ends up on the streets shining shoes.
His mother Anna, who worked as a maid in a wealthy household, is unjustly imprisoned, convicted of robbery and murder.
With the help of lawyer Giorgos Karalis, the young boy manages to prove his mother's innocence.
Subsequently, armed with the love of his tormented mother and his shoeshine box, he sets out to conquer life.
Through his work on the streets and by making significant savings, he completes his high school education and attends university, earning a medical degree.
Simultaneously, his love for Maria, a spoiled rich girl, blossoms. However, Maria's mother and Karalis' sister want to marry her off to someone of their social class.
Maria's love for Vasilis proves stronger than her mother's will.
The end of the story finds the two young people united and happy.