A deeply heartfelt story set during the early part of the 20th century in the Ukrainian Carpathians, centering on Ivan whose life is marked with sadness. First his brother is killed while saving him from a falling tree. Then his father is murdered, forcing Ivan and his mother to live in poverty. He falls in love with Marichka, the daughter of the man responsible for his father's death. Marichka drowns rescuing a lamb from a river, but Ivan remains devoted to her. He marries another, but he finds no solace in their childless marriage.