Anna, eight years old, dreams of colorful balloons. However, the balloons burst with a dry sound. It is the morning of April 21st. Tanks have taken to the streets of Athens. Anna's life is turned upside down. She will not celebrate her birthday. She will grow up with her godfather, the professor, as her ideal, who teaches her through his actions what freedom means. [Excerpt from the text on the back cover of the edition]