DocfollowsthelifeofaboynamedTinar,ahiredcowherd.Tinarworksalone;hisfatherliveselsewhereonthemountainwithhisnewwifeandfamily.Tinar'sjobistokeepcarefulwatchoverafairlylargeherdofmilkingcows.Heeats,sleeps,andevenplayswiththem;theyarehisonlycompanions.Astheseasonschange,apastoralportraitofTinarandhislifegraduallyturnsintoaharrowingandlonelyaccountofaboylongingforescapeandlove.WhatTinarwantsmostistogotoschoollikehisstep-siblings,ortojoinhisbrother,whohasescapedtheirfatherandnowworksinthecitywiththeiruncle.