1930's Pittsburgh, a brother comes home to claim "my half of the piano", a family heirloom; but his sister is not wanting to part with it. This is a glimpse of the conditions for African-Americans as well as some of the attitudes and influences on their lives. But whether he is able to sell the piano so that he can get enough money to buy some property and "no longer have to work for someone else" involves the story (or lesson) that the piano has to show him.
Boy Willie

Berniece Charles

Doaker
Avery

Wining Boy

Lymon

Maretha

Grace

Ace

Miss Ophelia
Papa Willie Boy

Horse Trainer-Owner (uncredited)
Mama Berniece
Sutter

Watermelon Man
Watermelon Lady
Nolander