George and Effie, high school sweethearts from poor families, dream of becoming a teacher and a research physicist, respectively. Despite their teacher’s support, George fails his university exams and moves to Athens for work, finding only temporary construction jobs. Effie, pressured by her father’s financial struggles, agrees to marry a wealthy man to support her family, despite her love for George. Heartbroken by Effie’s marriage and facing unemployment, George decides to emigrate to Germany, ending their love story tragically.