Carting his lovingly handcrafted rugs to town, Mendleman discovers that the shop that carried his wares has been taken over by a new, bottom-line-oriented owner who stocks only cheaply made merchandise. With the disappearance of his patron, Mendleman's world is upended. His only recourse is to sell his rugs for a pittance to a grand new emporium. Although he must accept the insult for the survival of his young family, the blow drives the sensitive artist to the breaking point.