A family, consisting of MOTHER, FATHER, BROTHER, and SISTER, are blessed by the surprise arrival of a new addition, CHILD. Although at first enamored with the CHILD, the others in the family (except MOTHER) are concerned that he smiles all the time and seems impervious to pain. MOTHER and FATHER go on a quest to determine if there’s anything wrong with CHILD: they talk with a doctor, a teacher, a member of the clergy, a government official, and a neighbor family. All warn that CHILD will never be normal and will grow up in a world of hostility. After conflicting remedies are offered by these “experts,” MOTHER remains convinced she is the only one who understands CHILD. As time goes on, CHILD is more and more rejected by the family (again, except MOTHER), until finally he dies, alone in a ditch, having experienced tears and pain for the first time in his young life. The play ends in hopefulness as MOTHER is certain a lesson can be learned from his brief existence.