During the postwar upheaval, a boy named Akihiro lives in Hiroshima and is raised by his mother alone. Akihiro, still a young child, longs for his working mother. Concerned that he might venture into dangerous places at night, his mother pretends to deceive him and starts the story by sending him to the house of Akihiro's grandmother in Saga.

Grandma's house is extremely poor, and she was a hardworking woman. But more than that, she was a cheerful and resilient "talented grandma." She astounds Akihiro with eccentric ideas and unconventional remarks. Initially constantly surprised, Akihiro gradually becomes accustomed to life in Saga, the friends at school, and the "illustrious poverty" lifestyle with grandma.

The story portrays the eight years Akihiro spent growing up, surrounded by kind people, alongside the tough grandma, in the environment of "illustrious poverty."