The story is set in a lovely village by Zegrzynskie Lake, just north of Warsaw. The main character is an architect who realizes that the drive for profit, success and fame in an industrialized society cannot equal the joys of life close to nature. The striking scenes are those dealing with the everyday life of a fisherman, the dropout's new commitment to life, and the dignity of leisure. His contacts with people lead in the end to a simple, philosophical statement on life, and its demand for human fulfillment. Then his wife, a professional actress, pays him a visit.