A retelling of an Eastern European tale in which Shlemazel, the laziest man in town, is convinced he has no luck and is tricked into believing that the lucky spoon given to him by a neighbor will bring him fortune and fame, if it is used in the right way. Shlemazel gets busy, tilling the poretz's field, helping the miller, and baking cakes with pretty Chaya Massel. Although "luck" remains elusive, what Shlemazel does find is even better.