A young monk named Do-nyum, just nine years old, has spent most of his solitary life in a serene mountain monastery under the guidance of his elderly mentor. Despite being subjected to a rigorous routine of Buddhist teachings, meditation, and chores, the boy often finds himself longing for his mother, whom he cannot recall but deeply misses, hoping for a future reunion. He also yearns to be like the other local children who play games and go to school. Do-nyum’s other source of companionship is an older monk, Jung-sim, who is also grappling with his own journey toward enlightenment. The temple’s caretaker frequently assures Do-nyum that his mother will eventually return. However, tired of waiting for a mother who might never come back, Do-nyum decides to be adopted by the monastery’s patron, a wealthy widow who annually visits the temple to grieve her deceased son.