Baker Heinrich Hintzpeter rules his family and bakery with stubborn certainty, silencing everyone’s voice. His mother Dora and daughter Gisela wrestle with the fallout - between ex-wife Selma’s return and Gisela’s suitors - while Heinrich’s refusal to listen prolongs the mess until he finally learns to hear others.

Emilie Kappelhoff runs the household for her brother Julius. One day she discovers a savings book with a balance of 350,000 DM, which he wanted to keep secret from the family. Emilie and the children believe they have hit the jackpot, which will solve all their money worries. They quickly spread the news. Suddenly, many so-called friends come forward.