Theo has always been a very intelligent, hardworking, and kind boy. He is quite poor and wants to do everything he can to give himself, his younger sister, and his sick mother a better life, as her medicine is expensive. Many times he can barely afford to bring food for them, since he studies and rarely manages to work. He often finds himself crying because he can't take care of his mother and sister, and also because he is treated like he has a contagious disease at school.