Markku is a nine year old boy, who lives on his family's farm in Niinisalo, Finland. He's always sick, and his mother worries about him so much that she never smiles. He wants to work in the forest with his older brothers and help the family, but his mother won't let him. While he is sick, he decides to buy her a Christmas gift to make her smile.

Read about how Markku, with the help of a neighborhood lady, finds a way to earn a Christmas gift for his mother. He also learns how to be a contributing member of his family.