[1] The story, told in first-person, is about two boys, Davie and Stephen, who can make clay come to life.

However, things quickly go downhill as the two become involved in a plot to rise a life-size sculpture they name "Clay".

They get into all kinds of mischief, such as stealing altar wine and fighting with a group from a rival school.

One day, they spot a strange new boy named Stephen Rose, who has a passion for making sculptures, moving into his aunt "Crazy" Mary's house.

Father O'Mahoney urges the two boys to befriend him, thinking they could be the friends Stephen needs to get over the trauma of losing both his parents.