On the deathbed of his childhood friend, sculptor Andreas promises that he will look after his little daughter Heidemarie. But Andreas is unmarried and the authorities are working slowly. A distant Uncle Theo and his wife see a chance to increase their house allowance by taking the little orphan girl. Heidemarie is accepted without love and often flees to her fatherly friend Andreas. She finds a real friend in little hunchbacked Peter, the beggar boy pushed around the village. The village school teacher Calix campaigns for Heidemarie to be awarded to Andreas. Based on the novel by "Heidi" author Johanna Spyri.