Young Friedrich is a loner. He doesn't want to work in his father's company later on, he wants to travel the world, become a writer and find the meaning of life. One day, by chance, he meets an old man who is traveling through the country with a strange suitcase. This suitcase is said to contain a kind of machine with which the old man can show people their own truth. Friedrich's life is about to change forever.

In an old house in the middle of nowhere, the two elderly ladies Ottilia and Milva lead a cozy life. Suddenly, a circus director appears on their doorstep and gives them an intimidated ox, which they kindly take into their home. They have no idea what his hidden intentions are.