For some reason, Ilias (Pantelis Trivizas), a twelve-year-old boy, has decided to publish his own newspaper. He lives in a tiny rural village in Greece, and nobody has heard of such a thing. For a while he does publish something, calling it "The Flea," and gains his nickname in the process. His parents are sure it is a waste of time and forbid him to continue, and the villagers are full of affectionate contempt for the whole enterprise. It is only when his efforts come to the attention of a big-city reporter that they perk up and start showing some respect. However, it seems to him that their respect is shallow -- based not on his own accomplishments but on the possibility that the reporter's mention of him will improve the village's tourism prospects. The reporter, too, was just using him, and the boy's feelings about the whole thing go sour, so that he decides to try something else.
by Clarke Fountain
synopsis
