 The begining of the 20th century. The young cooper Lio is recognized by the cooper guild as a master of his trade, but no one believes in his abilities. Even the local Moslem priest, for whom Lio made his first barrel, doubts its strength because the hoops are made of wood. Lio throws the barrel in the foaming rocky cauldron of the mountain river, wins a bet against the priest and shaves his beard as has been agreed. This is a parable about genuine mastery and the creative spirit.