arye and his daughter itke are musicians, or "klezmorim", who became impoverished and were evicted from their home in kazimierz dolny. arie sees no choice but to embark on a career of a travelling band, but fears for the safety of his daughter on the dangerous roads. itke solves the problem by disguising herself as a boy and adopts the persona of "yidl", ostensibly arie's son.