Vitus is a boy who almost seems to be from another planet--he has hearing like a bat, he plays piano like a virtuoso and studies encyclopedias. No wonder his parents begin to anticipate a brilliant future for him. They want Vitus to become a pianist. However, the little genius prefers to play in his eccentric grandfather's workshop. He dreams of flying and of a normal childhood. Ultimately, with one dramatic leap, Vitus takes control of his own life.