An old gaucho tells his young friend about a time in the big city when he went to the Opera, and narrates to him the whole plot of Gounod's Faust. His young friend reimagines the story he's hearing, with himself in the central role.
Plaquita, the widow of a Paraguayan officer, rescues a wounded sergeant who has been a companion of her husband. She takes care of him and nurtures him back to health. But they only have one hope, to keep fighting for Paraguay against the Argentine Army.
