In a Greek village at the end of the 19th century, a young widow raises her four children alone. Although she loves them all tenderly, little Annio, the only girl in the family, holds a special place in her heart. However, Annio is ill, and her mother’s tender care fails to save her.

When Annio dies, the mother nearly goes mad. She decides to adopt a little girl, which helps her forget her pain over Annio for a while. But when the girl grows up and gets married, the mother brings home a second little girl she wants to adopt. A child who is not happy and smiling, who is not easily liked by anyone, yet she loves her.

What is happening to the mother? Why does she always want to have a little girl among her children? What is the secret she has kept for so many years, known only by God and the priest?

This is a simplified version of the book, suitable for foreign language learners who are learning Greek as a second/foreign language. It is mainly appropriate for learners at the B2 proficiency level, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF) of the Council of Europe.