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Long, long ago there was a really cool boy and that boy's name was Wim.

And Wim had two really good friends. Their names were Jet and Gijs.

Wim, Jet and Gijs got along really well.

Wim was even in the same class as Jet and Jet's father was the teacher.

The teacher taught the children to read in a very special way.

But at the beginning of this story, Wim still didn't have a clue about that.

Wim, that's me, couldn't read at all, because he didn't go to school.

I had never even seen the inside of one before.

Wim, keep walking.

Come here.

Hurry up.

Set the cart down.

Yes, sir, I am still here Ee-ya dee-ya

I ate everything on my plate But I didn't finish my drink, ee-ya dee-ya

Get two buckets of water Pump two buckets of water

The girls are all wearing clogs

- Good morning, children. - Good morning, miss.

There.

Hello. What can I do for you?

- I'd like to go to school. - To school?

- And how old are you? - Ten, I think.

Maybe even ten-and-a-half, but at least nine.

Then your mom and dad should have brought you here long ago.

They are dead. I live in the orphanage and work in the factory.

Hold on.

Here. That way you can start practicing.

- Wim? I knew it. Come here, you. - Sir, you mustn't treat children that way.

No? And why not?

Come here.

- Move. - Let me go.

No.

Come on, hurry op.

Go. Keep working.

Keep working. Come on.

- Come on. - You heard me.

Let's go, hurry up.

Hey, little girl. Grab that spool, will you?

Keep it going, she'll get it.

Wim.

Are you afraid to get that?

Hello, Mr. Director. I'm back again.

Are the children working hard?

Perhaps you should feed them. Some of them pass out in the afternoon.

- They are fed more than enough. - Have you heard about the new law?

- Huh? What? - What new law?

Soon children under twelve are obligated to go to school.

- That doesn't apply to orphans. - Yes, it does. All children under twelve.

That is, if the law passes.

But why should those children go to school? Then they're no use to us.

So can we go to school?

- There is a new law. - What is a law?

I don't know, but children under twelve must go to school.

And not do this awful work anymore.

I want to become an engineer.

- A cobbler. - A captain.

Go to school and you can do everything.

- A baker's wife. - A teacher.

- A dancer. - A fireman.

- A sales lady. - Silence. Go to sleep.

School.

Wim.

Everything?

Absolutely everything.

Come on, wake up. Let's go.

Go, go. Move it.

Go, go, go. Keep moving.

- Move, move, move. - Form a line, quickly.

Do you know how much he charges?

Hello, doctor. It's so nice to see you again.

- Yes. Which child is ill? - Not one. No one is ever ill here.

No, I have to ask you something. Something very important.

It's like this, doctor. We have a tiny problem with our children.

But that tiny problem could become a big problem,

unless you do something about it.

Dear children, you don't know how old you actually are.

That's how it goes in an orphanage and that is unfortunate, of course.

Because isn't it nice to know whether you are five or six or eleven or twelve?

And that is why I have asked our very dear Doctor Stronk

to determine how old you actually are. Yes, go ahead.

Open.

- Well? - Eight.

Eight? Oh.

Next.

Open.

Eight. Nine. Next.

- Nine. - Nine?

- And a half. Nine and a half. - Nine and a half.

Right. Next.

- Eleven. - Eleven, right.

- And a half. - And a half, nice.

And here? Open.

- Yes. - Yes?

- He's is clearly twelve. Twelve. - Twelve.

- I am not twelve. I am ten. - Excuse me?

- Ten-and-a-half tops. Not twelve. - Shut up.

No, I'm telling you I am ten and that's the truth.

Listen, boy. I'm a doctor and if I say that you are twelve--

That doesn't mean it's true. I'm ten and before that I was nine

- then eight, seven and six-- - Move. I'll teach you some manners.

- Let's go. - Next.

I know why I am twelve. So I can't go to school and have to work.

- But I'm pretty sure I'm ten. - Really? Come here.

Have you seen your birth certificate?

What birth certificate?

What difference does it make? You can't read. Get in there.

- Tibor. - What?

- Where can I find a birth thing? - By looking for it.

Birth certificate. Here, take a look.

No, that's right. You can't read.

- Oh look, this one is Wim's. - He was asking about it.

Ten years, two months and eleven days. I don't think so, Wim.

It's nice and safe in there.

Tibor, we are going to enjoy our orphans for many years to come.

And then we'll go to Paris with plenty of money.

To the city of light and avenues and theaters and champagne.

- Tibor, won't that be wonderful? - Delphine. It would be wonderful.

- Hurry up. Come on. They are here. - I am Delphine, the director here.

Rub your cheeks.

The girls can sew and cook well. They can do anything, really.

And the boys can carry coal and... So if you were to need someone...

- Yes, hello. I'm Delphine, the director. - I'm looking for a girl.

- Have a look. - Not too old.

Choose me, choose me.

Aw, this one is cute.

Look, she's rich. She's wearing clean clothes.

- All are in good shape. - Forget it.

I choose you. What's your name, little girl?

You see? We're too old. And they never want boys.

- I won't stay a day more than I have to. - But what will you do?

Go away, find a school on the outside.

- Thank you, ma'am. - But you don't know anyone outside.

I don't care. Here you'll always be thick as a brick.

Thanks for the bread.

When I'm a millionaire in America, I'll come and get you in a hot air balloon.

- Just go, blabbermouth. - And when I can write, I'll send a letter.

Good look.

- See you. - See you.

O, mon amour!

Now what?

What is he doing?

- There. - I knew it.

Wake up.

Hey, come on, wake up. We have to get to work.

This early?

Wim!

Hey, get lost, you.

Go.

- Delphine. - What? Wim is gone?

The little brat.

All right, so call the police.

- Yes. - Go.

- Potatoes for sale. Fresh potatoes. - Ma'am, I'm so hungry.

- Please. - Get lost, rascal.

Move away from here, boy.

Ma'am, I could eat cow. Will you give me something to eat?

- Stop that, street urchin. - Here, eat it over there.

- Thank you. - There's your cow.

The one called Wim? Believe me, officer, he's the worst of the lot.

Is that so?

- Here, take a look. What do you see? - Nothing at all.

That's right. That is where I wore my ring, but it was stolen.

- By Wim. - Where could he have gone?

In the moonlight, in the moonlight

Hello, miss.

I'm glad you want to go to school, but the lady of the orphanage must approve.

But she won't, because then she only has little children for the factory

and they can't do the work.

Maybe I could live with you?

Wouldn't that be cozy, Wim?

Oh no.

Get him. Come here.

Out of the way. Get him.

Get out of the way, man. Get him. Idiot.

Come here.

See you.

Come here.

Wim, help.

I've been looking for you. There, up against the wall.

Now tell me, where is that ring?

- I don't have a ring. - Come with me.

- Ow! - In there. Lie down.

- No, sir. Please-- - Quiet.

Kids these days.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven Where has Berend Botje gone off to

He's not here, he's not there He went to America

America, America Spin around three times and hop-sa-sa

Look, there's a market over there.

- I going to buy a card for Gijs. - Let's meet up at the barge, okay?

- Okay, fine. - Come on, Hans and Sientje.

- See you in a bit. - Let's go and sell some eggs.

Give me your hand.

- Catch me if you can. - I'll get you.

No way. See?

Come, let's prod that monkey. Prod the monkey.

Here, prod the monkey. Come on, hurry.

Hey, monkey. See that, stupid monkey.

- Hey, stop it. That's mean. - 'Stop it, that's mean.'

Hey, go away. Don't play with that monkey.

Monkey face!

No, let go.

What did you do? My monkey!

Hey, monkey.

Monkey, come here.

Are you hungry, monkey?

Are you hungry?

I have some food for you.

Now do something for me.

See those keys over there?

No, you silly animal. Over there.

Yes, up there. Higher.

Yes, those. Grab them.

Yes. Come here.

Well done.

Thank you.

- Good afternoon, officer. - Good afternoon.

Hey, back again, eh?

Are you hungry, monkey? Here.

Hey.

Look what I have for you.

- Hi. - Hi.

- What are you writing? - I'm writing a card for Gijs.

From my village.

GREETINGS...

- You write beautifully. - My father taught me.

- Aren't you in school? - Of course.

- My father is my teacher. - Oh.

- When are you all leaving? - Later. By boat.

Drinking sweet milk with cream

Sweet milk with bits of rye

Children should not lie

Don't be afraid.

What's the matter, Jet?

- Go on ahead. I'll be right there. - All right.

You can sleep in the barn. It's the farm at the end of the dike.

Thank you.

Monkey, come on.

Hey, little lamb.

Oh my!

You can't beat that, monkey.

Sleep tight.

- I'll see to the animals, Teun. - All right, son.

Hello, Kees.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

- Did you sleep well? - Yes.

Good to hear.

Hey, monkey.

Take it easy, ladies. You will all get a turn.

Hello, Johanna. Hello, Bella.

Hello, Ella.

- Are we eating that one? - What?

- The fat one? - No, she's pregnant.

Otto is on the ladder.

Come on.

Let's start with you.

Relax.

- Hi, Jet. - Hi, Gijs.

Will you help me milk the cows?

All right.

- So when do I get my card? - Maybe this afternoon.

Shall we ride in the goat cart this afternoon?

We'll see.

Well done, girl.

Did you sleep well?

No. The animals pooped, peed and burped the whole night.

And when they farted? Whoa, they blew the roof right off.

- So why did you come here? - I really want to go to school.

- And your father is a teacher, right? - It's not that simple.

- How old are you? - Ten, I think.

- Then you are too old to go to school. - How old are you then?

Ten as well, but I've been going for four years.

- Here. - Thank you.

You could become a farmer, just like Gijs.

I want to learn how to read, count and write.

That's so amazing. I want that more than anything, Jet.

- How do you know my name? - It's what that fatso called you.

- I better go. School starts soon. - Right. See you.

Hey, Uncle Teun. Make some delicious blood sausage.

I'll do that this afternoon. I need to bone it some more first, Gijs.

Yes, school. School.

Come on.

- The bell. Come. - See you later.

- Good morning, children. - Good morning, teacher.

Come inside.

Hey, you're back.

You want to learn how to read too?

- L-A-M-B. - Lamb.

Very good. All right, write that down, okay?

And for the big children:

Make this long division for me, all right? Get to work, everybody.

I'll be right back.

Hi.

- Who is that? - Wim.

- He is skinny. - Yes.

- That's because of the orphanage. - Hi.

- So what is he doing here? - He wants to be in our class.

- What is this? - A sum.

Three hundred and seventy-two divided by twelve.

You can't divide that. But a loaf of bread, that you can divide.

- What is that? - That's the map of the Netherlands.

The Netherlands looks like it has the measles.

- How do you do that? - What's your name?

Wim.

- This is a W. - Of wind and wool.

- And warm waffles. - And that's how you write Wim.

I wrote my own name.

Where did that strange animal come from?

Look, he can do sums.

Quick, the teacher.

Hurry.

No, in here. And be quiet.

Right.

How is it going?

- We haven't started yet. - And why is that?

There was a really weird bird out there.

- Yes, with very strange colors. - Yes, that is more fun than a sum.

- But a bird won't teach you how to count. - No.

All right, three hundred and seventy-two divided by twelve is? Antje?

- Thirty-one, sir. - Very good.

- Good afternoon, teacher. - Good afternoon.

- Teacher? - Antje?

- Can I stay and finish my work? - Me too.

Well, aren't we diligent today. It's fine.

- What are we going to do? - Wait there.

Stay there, Wim. We'll be right back.

Hello, Dad.

Can we borrow the bike?

- Can you ride it? - Easily.

- All right, then. - Hooray.

- Give us a hand. Help us. - Yes, yes. Thank you.

Yes.

Wim. Wim, come on out.

In here. Come, come.

Joepie came over And took away my girl

But I don't really mind I found myself another

You're heavy, you know?

- We're here, Wim. You can get out now. - Okay.

Bink will pick you up tomorrow in his dog cart.

All right.

The poor child.

He could be dead in a ditch. Wouldn't that be terrible?

- Yes, but-- - Well, then do something about it.

- Look, lady, we're doing everything-- - It was market day, right?

Maybe he left town.

Have you looked there?

Van Boxtel, van Boxtel! A letter from the city.

- Well. - Yes.

Maybe I finally get a promotion. Wanted: A boy.

On the run at present and in his possession of a lady's golden ring

with a ruby.

His name is Wim. I can only get a promotion if I arrest somebody.

See you around.

But nothing ever happens around here.

- He's coming, he's coming. - Hurry up.

Jet, open up.

You can come out.

Hurry.

Good morning.

- Good morning, teacher. - Good morning.

- Good morning, children. - Good morning, teacher.

Good morning, teacher.

- Where is Bink? - He is slaughtering a cow with his father.

Yes.

Well, if he must, that's it then.

And it is a celebration And then you know for sure

That the Easter Bunny came this way

Pretty.

Now you're an Easter egg.

Well, what shall I paint on this one? It has to start with a short A.

Dawn. Swan.

It started, it started.

- Jet, Sien, it has started. - It started, it started.

Come.

Very good.

Yes.

Come on.

Yes, nearly there. Nearly there.

- Good, good. - Yes. He's so sweet.

Well done, girl.

- It's beautiful. - It's a ram.

- Can I pat him? - In a little while. Wait a bit.

- Mommy sheep needs to rest a little. - Look, how cute. He's so tiny.

Today: The koff.

Koff?

Hoogezand-Sappemeer.

Hoogezand?

Does, come here.

No, no, no. Come here. Does, come here.

- Isn't Kees allowed to play with Does? - No.

- Why not? - It's that time of the year. Come along.

Father, are we allowed to play if it's that time of the year?

- Dear child, are you that hungry? - Yes, Jet is a growing girl.

Yes, my clogs are almost too small.

- Bye, Dad. - Bye, son.

That's enough now. You can make two carrot cakes with that.

Yes, Mom.

- There you are. - Thanks.

- Well, well, Jet. - Hello, officer.

I still had some shopping to do for my mother.

That's good, girl. Hold on to them.

Strange things have been going here on lately.

The doctor has lost his watch. The mayor's wife lost her necklace.

Yes, we hid Easter eggs and they also disappeared.

You see?

Didn't I tell you?

Strange things are going on here.

There you are.

That stupid school.

- I don't understand any of it. - What do you expect? You just started.

But I really don't understand any of it.

I don't understand arithmetic, I don't understand biology.

I don't even know where Hoogezand is.

- It gives me a headache. - Of course.

Your brain doesn't know Hoogezand yet.

- Come, show me where Hoogezand is. - No. Not in the mood.

Then you should go back to the orphanage.

- Boy, you're strict. - That's right.

I am very strict. Okay, Hoogezand?

- There. - You see? You can do it.

You're really smart, for an orphan.

Thank you.

I have an idea.

I'm going to ask Dad if you can stay.

- Really? - I'll ask him tonight.

It's raining, it's raining The roof is getting wet

along came two farmer's daughters they fell on their chins

Father?

Are there children who start school at the age of ten?

Ten?

Ten is quite lat.

But it is possible, if he's smart.

Why?

Well, I was at the market with Teun and Sien--

- Good evening, everyone. - Good evening, officer sir.

- Teacher. - Come on in.

Apparently he's quite a rascal. And he's clever too.

He managed to escape from jail.

Without a key.

And he stole ring of the orphanage's director.

Boys like that should be kept under control. That's better all around.

That's true. Sad, but true.

- How old is he? - The orphanage claims he's twelve.

And his name is Wim, so if you see him...

- After all, you know the kids around here. - I know where to find you.

Come on, Ot. I know a nice spot.

It's raining, it's raining The roof is getting wet

Well, is it okay? Am I allowed to go to school?

Are you a thief?

Did you steal a ring?

- No, I didn't. What ring? - From the director.

- Who says so? - The officer. Just now.

I've never stolen anything, except some bread. Monkey was starving.

- When you were twelve? - I'm not twelve. I'm ten.

And I'm not a thief. If I'm lying you can push my head in a chamber pot,

or push me in a bath filled with cow piss.

That's disgusting.

- And make me swallow some of it. - You really are nuts.

But now I can't ask anymore, if you can go to school.

Dad would take you to the police.

- Hello. - Good morning.

Good day. I have mail.

There you are.

Mailman.

- Yes? - What does it say?

Greetings from Jet.

It's beautiful.

Hey, why do you beat them?

They're trying real hard.

Good morning, ladies.

Hi, Bella.

I'll be darned. How did that get here?

Jet, there is a monkey here.

- Come here. - Don't, he bites.

He'd better not.

- Would you like a peanut? - Don't do that.

You like that, eh?

Yes, show me where you're hiding.

Gijs. Gijs, don't.

Who are you?

- So this is Wim, Gijs. - What is he doing here?

- Wim is from the city. - From the orphanage?

- He must be that thief. - Gijs, wait. He came here to learn.

Learn? Here in the barn?

No, at Jet's school, but I live here.

- You really don't have any parents? - No, I never had any.

It was not nice in the orphanage, Gijs. They had to work ten hours a day.

So? What's wrong with that?

- And they beat us. - How hard?

As hard as the plowman beats his horse.

- Look here, read what I just wrote. - I can't read.

- Can you do an addition for me? - No.

- You can't do arithmetic? - No. I like being with animals.

- Gijs is going to be a farmer. - That's tough enough.

He can stay, right? I'd let you stay too.

I'm with Teun. He's family.

It will be summer soon. And you will be swamped with work.

Teun is getting old. You could use some help, right?

Wim's help? What does he know about farming? Nothing at all.

- He can learn it, can't he? - Who from?

From you, of course. You're already a farmer.

He really is smart. He learned how to write.

So you think that milking a cow is just as easy as writing?

Just give him a chance.

Fine, but he must learn everything.

Lesson one: Milking.

This one is empty.

Like this.

- Go ahead and pick one. - That one.

It's a bull.

Another lesson learned.

- So how do you get chocolate milk? - From the brown cows.

Pull hard to get chocolate milk.

What a shame, she just pooped all the chocolate.

No way. Whoa, Jet.

Farming is not for me.

Almost finished? Then I'll check it, okay?

Almost.

Done.

The O is not quite round. The A is not bad.

Not bad? Not bad? This is not bad, miss.

What do I have to do?

Poke this stick in there and take out the honey.

- Won't they sting? - Not if you stay calm.

- I can't see a thing. - Then stick it in deeper.

Sweet.

Go away.

Ow, they sting.

Go away, nasty insects.

Wim.

Jump in the water.

You failed, Wim.

Gijs, why did you do that?

Gijs didn't really mean it.

I'll never be a farmer.

It's much too difficult.

I'll find a boat and become a cabin boy. At least I'll be something.

But if you stay you'll be able to read, count, write and know about farming.

Then you will have a real chance of staying.

Only if I never have to work with bees and bulls again.

It's a deal.

Deal.

Come.

Gijs.

Jet.

They're delicious, Wim.

I caught one.

Your turn.

Whoever finds the most in one minute.

One, two, three, four...

- Eleven, twelve... - Jet, catch.

Thirteen.

Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nine--

I've never seen you around here before.

- What's your name? - Wim.

Wim?

- Good evening, everybody. - Good evening, officer sir.

Jet, who is that?

This is Wim and he lives in your barn.

Did you know that?

So that's who all those sandwiches were for, Jet.

- Is that Wim from the orphanage? - But he's not a thief. Honest.

No, don't do that.

So tell us, Wim. Where does that come from?

I don't know, teacher. Honest.

Where did you sleep, sonny?

Well, look at that.

Look at that.

Our Easter eggs.

- But Wim didn't steal them. - No, Jet. The monkey did it for him.

- Wim trained him. - Is that true?

- Did you train that monkey to steal? - No, he did that himself.

- I didn't know he could do that. - Come on, sonny,

I'm sure not even you believe that. Let's go.

Come.

Well, well. I finally get to see some action.

Come, get inside.

Right, you too. Hop inside. There.

Sit.

Right.

Get a move on. Let's go.

Wim!

Wim?

- That's impossible. I never-- - Silence.

Order in the court.

Next case.

The theft of a watch, a silver fork and a pearl necklace.

Plus eleven painted Easter eggs.

How old are you?

- About ten, sir. Maybe eleven. - About, maybe...

- Don't you have a birth certificate? - No, sir.

- Madam. - Your Honor.

I would like to know how old the boy is to determine his punishment.

- Does he have a birth certificate? - Yes, or...

- No. Yes, I do have it, but it's... - What is it? Do you or don't you have it?

Alas, no, alas. Wim was brought to us without a birth certificate.

That is a real shame, especially in the light of this.

- Wim, can you read a little bit? - I sure can, sir.

Read this to us, son.

Ha! Read, right...

Child welfare law passed.

School compulsory for children under twelve.

So if you can find out how old you are, maybe you can go to school.

But for now you must return to the orphanage.

The monkey must go. Take it to the zoo.

Next case: The Verbruggen case.

Go. Go, move. Not so slow.

- Come on. Get to work. - Hurry up, let's go.

- Yes, go. - Get a move on, boy.

Come on, get to work.

I knew it.

What a coincidence, this one is yours.

So that is your birthday. I forgot all about it.

What shall we do about that? - No!

Oh yes.

And now it's gone. Now no one will know when you were born.

Not true. I was born September 15th, 1889.

The teacher will find out where, so I can attend his class...

- Tibor. - ...and go and live with Jet.

And why would your teacher do that?

You are nothing but a common thief in an orphanage.

Not true.

Right, give him a proper beating, lock him up tonight

and triple his workload tomorrow.

- What are you waiting for? - Right, come.

There. Get inside.

We do everything for those children and this is the thanks we get.

- No, sir, Wim would rather run away. - The first child in all these years.

It puts ideas in the heads of the other children.

Before you know it this place is empty.

Well, by then you and me will be in Paris, won't we, Delphine?

I beg your pardon?

You and me, together along an avenue, all those electric lights

and a glass of champagne.

Do you really think I would go to Paris with scum like you?

You can't even write, let alone speak French.

I'm tired.Bonne nuit.

Get lost.

So you have been to school.

Yes.

Was it difficult? Reading and writing and things?

You don't know how to either?

No.

- Not even your own name? - I usually put down a cross.

T-I

B-O-R.

Look, this is your name.

Now you.

- Is that the T? - Yes.

- I can do the T. I made the T... - Whoa.

I wouldn't be satisfied with only one letter. We still have to do I-B-O-R.

I-B-O-R.

- Well, the O is not quite round. - No.

Your A is all wrong.

But the rest is not bad, for a pupil, Tibor.

Do I really have to go to Adoption Day? It's not like anybody wants me.

We better go, or she'll start ranting and raving again.

Right, take that.

- Hurry up. - Well done.

Now rub your cheeks.

Welcome, welcome.

How are you doing? How are you?

Voilà: Boys. Girls.

René, let's pick a healthy child. I don't think could handle--

Of course, darling, this first thing we'll do is have a doctor examine him.

I believe this one has fleas. Doesn't look very clean.

- Hey, he looks rather fit. - Good afternoon.

- Wim, you stand a chance. - They look nice. You're really lucky.

Hello. What's your name?

- Wim, ma'am. - My name is Madeleine.

- How old are you, Wim? - I was born September 15, 1889.

No idea where, but I am ten plus a bunch of days.

So, Wim, when were you last sick?

I have never been sick.

See that gorilla there? I can push him flat on his back with one hand.

- Would you like to live with us a while? - Do you live near Jet?

- Jet? - Yes, Jet.

And Gijs and Ot and Sien and Bella, Johanna, Ella Eleven--

- Ella Eleven? - She's a cow.

No, Wim, we don't know that cow.

If I come and live with you, can I go to school?

It looks like you might be losing him.

- Coming? - Good luck, Wim.

- Good luck, Wim. - Good luck.

Keep practicing, pupil Tibor.

Welcome home, Wim.

- No way. - Yes indeed.

Way.

Go on inside.

This is your room.

Come on.

Whoa, a real train.

And if you need anything, just pull on this cord.

Can I help you?

I could eat a meatball right now.

There you are, sir.

Delicious.

- So am I going to school tomorrow? - Of course you can go to school.

- Great. - You like school, don't you?

I love dictations and the koff, but most of all fractions.

Then you will enjoy Master Sipke.

Right, I'm going to school.

Where is it?

Here is your school.

But where is the teacher?

- Good day. - Wim, this is Master Sipke.

Hi, teacher.

- So, Wim, have you ever been to school? - You bet.

But where are the other children?

You are the children, Wim. You are the class, you are the school.

- Will I be the only one in class? - Yes, that is the best method.

Have a seat. Master Sipke will teach you many things. Good luck.

Look, Wim, it's like this with mankind.

In the old days he'd look at the sky at night and see maybe a thousand stars.

And if it was a cloudy night he didn't see a thing.

May I continue?

Then he inverted the telescope and saw about 10,000 stars.

Then he invented the giant telescope and then he saw 100,000.

Then he started digging in the earth and found lots of pebbles.

Then he dug deeper and deeper and then he found coal.

- Wow. - Oil, iron,

copper, gold, sodium, chlorine, helium, hydrogen.

That's how he knew that the universe was made of various elements

with which you could do amazing things.

It's how mankind can make light and fire.

It's how he can float on water, fly through the air.

He can make steam out of water, he can bake clay, he can make paint,

he can extract glass from sand. The possibilities are endless.

Do you understand?

No, teacher.

And stuff like atoms and molecules I don't understand at all.

You're in school. I'm explaining all that.

Maybe I'll understand it when I am 100.

Are we going to do fun things too?

Have fun with the hula hoops.

Hey.

- How do you like it here? - It's fine, ma'am.

If you like...

...you could call me Mommy.

The teacher is pleased with you, Wim.

And because you did well, we'll do something fun today.

What would you like to do?

The zoo, where they keep Monkey.

- Monkey? - Yes, my own monkey.

- I bet he misses me. - Joris also loved the zoo.

- Hold on tight. - Hello, Wim.

Isn't it fun?

Bend your knee. Bend your knee. Very good.

- Do you want to ride the camel? - No, I want to see Monkey.

Monkey. Monkey.

Monkey, it's me: Wim.

Look, he has already made friends with the other monkeys.

Remember when we lived with Jet and Gijs?

I wish I had given you a name. Then I could call out your name.

Frits. Frits!

Well, Wim. What do you feel like doing today?

- To write. - What do you want to write?

A letter.

Dear Madam,

You are very nice...

...and your husband is too.

You have a very nice house and your servants are good with a hula hoop.

- In spite of being very boring. - Yes.

I am also learning a lot from Master Sipke...

...but I miss the animals.

I miss Jet, and Gijs.

Although he let those bees sting me, I miss him anyway.

And Ot and Sien, and school.

I want to go see they.

- 'They' is an error. - Look, Wim.

We are here to find out if we all get along.

And of course we really hope that you like it here.

I do like it here, but it is so empty and quiet here.

And I want to go see Jet.

Yes, but if you want to leave, you'll have to go back to the orphanage.

- No, never again. I'm not going back. - Then we have a problem.

I want to go to Jet. She needs my help with the lambs and the calves.

There is a lot of work on the farm. Jet needs me.

I can only take you to the orphanage. Those are the rules.

- I don't want to. - Stop shouting or I'll have to punish you.

Really? Go ahead. Children are like animals to you.

If they don't do what you want, you lock them in a cage.

Oh no, Wim, we would never do that. We would never lock you up.

All we want is for you to like being with us.

And that we can sign this adoption paper so you can become our son.

I'd rather be outdoors with the animals.

I understand.

You can go.

I can milk you.

Here, take a big, fat one.

Thank you.

Come on. Upsy-daisy.

Very good. What will you call him?

Because they have turned into wolves.

- No. - But they are wolves.

What a muddle, muddle, muddle The king rides through the puddle

And great, great, great The king rides through the gate

And lurch, lurch, lurch The king goes to church

And that's one, two, three Yippee

Get two buckets of water Pump two buckets of water

The girls are wearing clogs The boys on their wooden leg

You can ride down my street

- Hello, Wim. - Hello, Jet.

Adoption form. What is this for?

I belong here.

Mommy, look. Wim has come back.

Wait here a moment.

- What do we do? - We can't just pick him off the street.

- But we're all he's got. - Jet.

- But still, we can't just take him in. - Why not?

You are a teacher.

If he can't stay with us...

That boy has come here twice just to go to school. He deserves a chance.

- And he can help out this summer. - He can't even milk a cow.

Well, you got that wrong, Gijs.

I won't take all the milk, so they have enough for the calves.

Whoa.

- Whoa! - It's Wim.

There.

What a pity. Now we can't make it official.

One moment.

No, Tibor, that's my fountain pen. It's an expensive new invention.

- No. - Give it here.

No.

Let's see if it works.

Tibor.

Hey, there. It works.

Jet, you have a little brother.

Oh well, we was pain in the neck. I'm glad to be rid of him.

Well, ma'am, you'll be rid of many more children.

As of September first all these children must go to school.

And I will make sure to find them nice parents.

Maybe I can help you.

- Delphine, get out of the way. - No.

Out of my way. Move.

CIVIL REGISTRATION

- Aafje, you will be eleven next week. - And how old am I?

- Wim, how old am I? - You know what, ma'am?

I'll take them all with me. And you can work in your own factory.

We're not going home yet Not for a while, not for a while

We're not going home yet Because mother is not at home

And even if mother was home We wouldn't go, we wouldn't go

And even if mother was home We wouldn't go home

- Come along. - Can I come too?

- We'll find one for everyone. - Do you want to come?

Great, they can help you.

But when summer is over, I want to see them in school. Agreed?

- Thank you, Jan. - And I'll teach you how to milk a cow.

- Bye. See you. - Giddy-up.

But Wim isn't the only new one here. We have plenty more new children.

And with a new class comes a new teacher.

- Hello, everybody. - Hello, miss.

Hey.

- I believe I know you. - And I know you too.

- Find a nice place to sit. - Right there.

- Yes, by the window. Have a seat. - And you all follow me.

So I can always look outside.

Frits!

We're open, come and have a look. See what we have in store for you.

Go again.