When Maria is having troubles with her attempts to become a nun, she is assigned to become a governess for seven mischievous Austrian children. Their father, a wealthy and strict Naval officer, recently widowed, needs help with his resentful children. After hiring many different governesses and having them run out by the children, Maria finally steps in.

She is judged at first and treated the same as other governesses. However, her kindness and forgiving manner eventually win the children over. When she introduces them to the joys of music, she eventually gains their father's love and instills a sense of immense passion for love and music in all.