Claire makes the most important decision of her life before she is even born. In a place like heaven, she trades places with a baby boy and is born to his mother and lives his childhood in his place. Claire’s choice means that she will grow up desperately poor and suffer at the hands of abusive parents.

One day, Claire has an opportunity to escape her terrible plight and live with a kind relative in a big beautiful house, but she is haunted by her past and worries that she will never fit in with her wonderful new family. She considers running away from her new home, but has no idea where she will go.

Desperate for help, Claire discusses the situation with the cook, who seems to have unusual wisdom. With his help, Claire finally discovers why she made the choice she did and is finally able to enjoy her growing happiness, knowing that she accomplished so much by choosing to accept her fate as the Perfect Beggar.