Summary A man stops a young boy from stealing a wallet and then tells him the story of the children of “the barefooted battalion” and their efforts to survive during the occupation. Putting their life in danger, they stole food and medicine from the Germans and their associates and gave them to people who needed them. They also assisted members of the National Resistance by helping an allied army officer to escape. In the end, the young boy follows the man to the orphanage and decides to stay there.