Agast, a boy in elementary school, lives with his father, mother, and older sister in a small Indian village. The obedient Agast spends a lot of time with his best friend, Shyam.

One day, while buying a new ballpoint pen, Agast notices a fountain pen costing 87 rupees on the top shelf and begins to dream about that expensive pen. As if by chance, a new boy named Ashutosh arrives in class, carrying in his pencil case the very same fountain pen that Agast had admired at the village store.

The principal announces a writing contest in which the most beautiful handwriting will be awarded a prize. The boys decide to enter, but unfortunately for Agast and Shyam, Ashutosh wins the contest. His success must be due to Ashutosh’s fancy pen, which always produces beautiful writing. Agast dreams of that pen even more than before. He can’t afford the expensive pen, and his parents refuse to pay for it. Determined Agast doesn’t give up but comes up with ways to earn money—though it doesn’t go smoothly. But will the boy’s patience hold out?