Rosario, an elderly woman who lives with Ofelio, her disabled son, her donkey, and her goat, earns a living selling fig tree salt to the elderly, who know its ancient uses... and to the not-so-elderly, mixing it with pharmacy tranquilizers and other ingredients. The village in La Mancha where they live is ruined by the gambling addiction of its inhabitants and its rulers, who decide to sell it. Everyone resigns themselves to the forced sale, but Rosario's house and pond are in the middle of the municipality.