Against a rugged landscape and the forces of nature, a group of shepherds, led by the experienced Martia, move their flock to winter pastures. Martia's son, Gela meets Maria, a fisher girl. They fall in love. But his obsession with living in the city ultimately prevails. In quest of a better life, he moves to the city, leaving behind his herd and newfound love. The rural way of life is contrasted with the lure of the big city and Gela's decision to break with tradition eventually comes to haunt him. The life of the shepherds is mundane and complex to the extent that even a minor mistake is fraught with serious consequences. In his attempt to save the herd scattered by the storm, Martia dies. Gela returns home from the city, blames himself for the accident and is profoundly repentant.