At age nine, Kati lives with her grandparents on their Finnish farm following her mother's departure for work in Germany three years earlier. Severe financial hardship grips the family after a poor harvest and the loss of their only cow to a bear. Defying her grandparents' initial objections, Kati secures physically demanding work on a neighboring farm to help support them. Her perseverance and positive attitude carry her through these challenges. While working, she learns reading and writing under the guidance of an elderly woman, Gunilla, who also shares Finnish cultural stories like the Kalevala, providing the foundation for Kati's intellectual growth.

As World War I erupts, Finland remains under Russian rule, severing outside communication. Kati endures prolonged separation from her mother, receiving neither news nor financial support. Her circumstances lead her to become a nanny for a wealthy family; this family later enables her formal education in Turku. She excels academically, significantly aided by Gunilla's earlier instruction.

Historical events including the Russian Revolution and Finnish independence occur during her adolescence, shaping her environment indirectly. After the war ends, Kati reunites with her returning mother. As an adult, she channels her life experiences into writing children's stories.

Her journey evolves from a determined child laborer to a student seizing educational opportunities, culminating in a stable adulthood defined by literary creativity. The narrative underscores themes of familial duty, resilience through adversity, and the transformative power of education.