Eliécer is a middle-aged man whose way of life has pretty much settled. The familiar life can no longer continue when a little girl called Esperanza appears behind his door. The girl claims to be his half-sister and has come to look for him after the death of their father. Not wanting to take Esperanza to live with him, he decides to take her to the capital to look for the mother who left her as a child. The man packs up his unique musical instrument, collects all remains of money and starts looking for a boatman to take them across the water. The boatman found is Toño, who has a dream of a big city and a career as a boxer. The three different paths join into a journey that leads to adventure, self-discovery and intimacy. As events unfold, they all get closer to their true desires.