Latvia, late 19th century. Farm-hand boy Jancis lives on a homestead with his mother, grandfather and grandmother. His world does not reach beyond the horizon, and life progresses according to the seasonal cycle – from winter through spring, summer and autumn to the next St. George's Day when farmhands often had to move to the next farm.
After twelve years in the city Jānis returns to the country and marries his first love - now a widow with three children - Aija. But the happiness is not meant to be because the husband and the wife share different views of life and, ultimately, can't work out their relationships.
