This joyfully eccentric Polish film has the feeling and charm of a traditional folk tale as it follows the rise and fall of Janicio. Janicio is a bit of a space-case who loves the country life. He is totally attuned to nature. His wife is Weronka who became pregnant after Janicio hung her upside down after sex. Jancio believes himself to be in possession of healing abilities after he sees a water pail climb a ladder and enter a birds nest. He leaves Weronka to become a traveling miracle worker. As his fame grows, he becomes surrounded by adoring peasants who see him as almost divine. Janicio begins making money off his disciples. Things go well until Weronka's child is born with a tail that Janicio cannot make disappear. Soon all of the previous ailments he "healed" return to his followers who naturally turn away from Janicio. Apparently the villagers are suffering the delayed effects of a curse precipitated by a wandering tramp.