Shinichi is a young man growing up in Japan during the early twentieth century. His father owns a large violin factory, where hundreds of people are employed. As a child, he learns a Japanese poem about appreciating one’s homeland. While playing around in the factory, Shinichi finds an English typewriter and begins to tap out English words. An employee finds this out and scolds him. Upset, he escapes to a bookstore and finds a copy of Tolstoy’s Diary. The unflinching honesty within its pages startle the boy. When Shinichi moves to Germany for university in his early twenties, he brings the book with him. Abroad, he goes on a biological research trip with several other scholars. When he returns to Europe, he lodges with two elderly women. Through their connections, Shinichi meets Albert Einstein. The two men find common ground in their interest in music. Shinichi attempts to play some of Einstein’s favorite pieces, but he struggles. After a while, he improves and puts on a performance for his university colleagues. They marvel at a Japanese violinist’s ability to so beautifully render a German classical composition. Dr. Einstein retorts that people are all the same—music and emotion are universal. At an orchestra concert, Shinichi is so moved by the works of Mozart that he resolves to eschew melancholy. Upon returning home to Japan, Shinichi has dinner with his father. The older man glows with pride at his son’s maturity and contentment.