Ivan Hálek, son of the famous poet Vítězslav Hálek, studied medicine and devoted his life to the Slovak countryside. In the poor Kysuce region, he not only treats the local villagers, but also makes an extraordinary contribution to education. At the same time, he struggles with lingering superstitions and mistrust. However, the hero and his young wife also become acquainted with folk customs, songs, and the colorful culture of the poorest. And he proclaims that only those who rid them of terrible mass poverty can provide these poor people with true living water.