The film centres on Moncho and his coming-of-age experience in Galicia in 1936. Moncho develops a close relationship with his teacher Don Gregorio who introduces the boy to different things in the world. While the story centres on Moncho's ordinary coming-of-age experiences, tensions related to the looming Spanish Civil War periodically interrupt Moncho's personal growth and daily life.

Two children, Pancho and Birutas, who live peacefully in the same village, are platonically in love with Xonxa. One of them, El Birutas, has to emigrate in search of a better future, leaving Xonxa and Pancho in the village.