This is the story of Sam whose life resembles the journey and discovery of the truth of 30 birds in "The Conference of the Birds" written by Attar, a 12th century Persian poet. Sam was born in 1947 to a loving family in the poverty stricken south side of Chicago. After losing both his parents before becoming a teenager, he struggles to survive, grow up, wed, develop a career and deal with both downfall and wealth. All the while, he seeks the ultimate truth in the study and practice of different religions and philosophies. At the end of his spiritual journey, Sam finds the essence and common ground of all religions. He tries to apply his understandings and faith as a basis for peace and to heal divisions in his community, but only finds success in other surprising ways.