A couple of English tourists arrive at the island of Almanzora, off the Spanish Mediterranean coast, where they discover that there are no adults in a small fishing village, only some children who stare at them and smile mysteriously.

Fortunato is a loser, a family man, who has lost his job and tries his luck in all the trades he finds. However, it seems that his name —that means “fortunate” in English— is not in line with his situation, since, no matter how hard he tries, fortune does not want to smile at him.

In 1918, a young woman is taken to a coastal resort by her parents to find her a suitable husband.

At the end of the 19th century, young Rosita and her cousin are engaged to be married, shortly before he has to leave for Cuba.