are introduced to the character Desiderio, who wakes up each morning in the orphanage, filled with a mix of curiosity and anxiety about the absence of his sick companion, Giulio. The opening reveals the poignant relationship between the orphans, particularly focusing on Desiderio’s attempts to comfort Giulio, despite his own uncertainty regarding their family connections and the concept of hope. The arrival of a new boy also named Desiderio, nicknamed "il Matto" (the Mad), sets off a series of events where their friendship deepens, leading them to discuss dreams of love, fortune, and the realities of their childhood under the shadow of loss and mortality. As both boys yearn for connection and belonging, their friendship is challenged, ultimately leading to profound emotional explorations amid the backdrop of their grim surroundings. (This is an automatically generated summary.)