As young children, Otto and Ana become best friends, leading to the marriage of Ana's mother to Otto's father. When Otto and Ana become teenagers, they begin a sexual relationship, which they hide from their parents. The two fall deeply in love and seem destined to spend the rest of their lives together. However, their relationship is tested when Otto's mother dies and the two are separated.

In 1938, at the height of the civil war, the musicians of the military band were very worried about their next concert. Agustín receives a letter from his girlfriend, who tells him about the difficulties he is going through with the rice harvest. She then decides to ask permission to go and help her, but as Lieutenant Urquiza refuses, she escapes. Two companions sent to bring him back, finally, stay with him. Also Sergeant Perez and several musicians who go looking for him stay with them.

Young Benigno is institutionalized after witnessing his mother murder his father. Years later, Benigno is released back into the world, now considered sane, intelligent and literary man. He leads a peaceful life in a mission for the homeless run by nuns until one day, on his birthday, something snaps.

In 1946, an irishman joins a group of 'gancheros' (wood workers) while they drive wood thru the Tajo river, discovering human solidarity.