Plot Summary

The farmer Christen, his wife Änneli, their sons Resli and Christeli, and their daughter Annelisi live together harmoniously on the Liebiwyl farm. The harmony is disrupted when Christen allows himself to be persuaded by the deceitful village clerk to speculate with his ward's money. As a result, all the money is lost, and the defrauded farmer has to pay the community for the damage out of his own pocket. This angers Änneli, whose great willingness to help is thwarted by Christen, who is becoming increasingly stingy. One harsh word leads to another, and soon the couple is facing a shambles. The children also suffer from the unfriendly atmosphere at home. Only a visit to church on Pentecost and the corresponding sermon make reconciliation possible.