Two siblings, Brian and Linda, answer a call from their sick grandma, Marlene, wanting to see them one final time in this poignant tale. Brian, the older brother, gets his grandmother’s house; Linda is left with five rusty old clocks. First contemptuous, Brian exposes his avarice by mocking Linda for inheriting such an apparently useless gift.

Linda discovers Marlene weak and living in appalling conditions when they get there. Linda is resolved to help her grandma feel better since she remembers her earlier sacrifices to look after her. Brian is unhappy and shows his lack of thanks when Marlene presents both grandchildren $5,000. Inspired by her grandmother’s generosity, Linda chooses to contribute her own resources to cover Marlene’s eye operation; only for Marlene to turn down her offer, seeing her own mortality approaching.

Linda misses a month of classes to help her grandmother. She makes Marlene’s house beautiful, thereby restoring happiness into her life. Linda’s efforts really inspire Marlene, who also expresses her want to be happy—which regrettably comes true not long after their renovations. Linda and Brian find Marlene’s will after her funeral. Linda gets the clocks; Brian is happy to inherit the house. Not seeing their hidden worth, Linda leaves for the city with the clocks, unconcerned by Brian’s scorn.

She finds an engraving advising her to unlock one of the clocks one day, exposing a note stating the clocks are rare antiques valued $40,000 apiece.Overburdened with happiness, Linda understands her grandmother’s actual goal: to make sure she got something worthwhile even with Brian’s fortune. Linda decides to keep this secret since she knows her grandma deserves this unanticipated wealth and feels a strong relationship with her through the clocks. She considers the variations between her and Brian’s ideals since she realizes that actual value transcends worldly goods. The hidden jewels of love and knowledge Linda’s grandma left behind permanently alters her life.