A contemporary story concerning themes of immigration, poverty, and self-discovery.

The family of a bear-keeper -- an Ursari, as the Romani say -- never settles for long in the same place. Harassed by the police and the locals, Ciprian and his family decide to set their bear free and flee to Paris where, rumor has it, work and money are easy to find. Once settled in a shantytown on the outskirts of Paris, all the members of the family are forced into petty crime by the local mafia. That is, until Ciprian discovers the Luxembourg Gardens, where he spends all day spying on chess players. Although the boy knows nothing about chess, he can replay an entire game in his head. And this proves the beginning of a new life for the family.