The action takes place at the beginning of the 20th century in the provincial Bulgarian town, Turnovo. A rich young doctor suffers because of his love to his housemaid. Meanwhile the First World War is beginning.
The rich villager Yuftalana discovers that someone has broken corn from the cornfield. By chance he sees the thief - a child of a poor man. Blinded by rage, Yuftalana kills him with a stone...