In the summer of 1940, the horror of World War II reached West Flanders. In Heist-aan-zee lives a poor fishing family with thirteen children, who are known as 'the Kavijaks'. The father tyrannizes his wife and abuses his children. Moreover, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get enough food, because father prefers to exchange their ration coupons for alcohol. Four of the oldest children join forces to turn this situation around and together form 'The Society of the Crow'. Blackmail, theft and above all perseverance appear to be the perfect means to take their fate into their own hands.