With her mother deceased and father deployed, Penny Sterling suffers abuse from her uncle, Frank Dixon. After she faints from hunger, Sarah Granger saves her, and Penny's lucky nature rewards Sarah and Amos Granger with unexpected food. Locked out for returning late, Penny stays with the Grangers. Frank then kicks Penny out upon hearing her father, David Sterling, is dead and his stipend stopped. Sarah adopts Penny for 5 pounds of white flour, dividing her household to do so. When Mayor Higgins delivers David's death benefits, a greedy Frank tries to snatch Penny back. Penny then discovers rare herbs and saves Elite Physician Dr. Elias Hawthorne. Just as Rachel Granger plots with traffickers, a recovering David returns to rescue his daughter. He recognizes Dr. Hawthorne as Penny's granddad. The reunited family decides to start anew in the city.
