A pastor adopts a blind, orphaned girl, setting off a chain of events that challenges his moral convictions and religious devotion. Driven by a desire to provide a sheltered existence for the girl, Isabelle, the pastor attempts to educate her in a world devoid of visual reality. His efforts to shield her from the complexities of human sin and the harshness of the physical world lead to a growing, complicated attachment that conflicts with his role as a spiritual leader. The narrative is presented through the pastor's journal entries, providing an intimate look at his internal rationalizations and the gradual erosion of his self-awareness.

Readers and critics frequently discuss the work as a sharp critique of religious self-deception and the dangers of paternalistic control. The pacing is noted for its steady, introspective quality, which mirrors the pastor's descent into his own biased logic. Discussion often centers on the reliability of the narrator and how his subjective account obscures the true nature of his relationship with Isabelle. Many highlight the effectiveness of the novella's brevity in delivering a potent examination of human fallibility and the consequences of willful ignorance.