Young gravedigger apprentice Deodato's job is at risk. The other gravediggers doubt his ability to do the work. His uncle Jaca tries to make him appreciate the job, but it's useless: the work distresses Deodato, who has artistic aspirations. He prefers to play the church organ in secret and wander around the cemetery writing poems. After fainting during one of the burials, he is called to the office, where he is confronted by Aloizio, the cemetery administrator...