 Deals with the intolerably hard life of a family of four, the only inhabitants of a very small Japanese island in the Setonaikai archipelago. Several times a day they row over to the neighboring island to fetch water for their miserable fields. One day the boys catch a big fish, which is sold in the city. Shortly after, the older boy falls ill. The father is desperately trying to find the doctor, while Taro is dying. After the funeral which is attended by the dead boy s classmates, the mother experiences a short fit of rebellion against their hard fate. But then resumes watering the plants.