Nasser-Ali Khan appears to care more about his career than his family, but there is more to him than just the surface. After his beloved violin breaks, he sets out to replace it with his son's help. But when he cannot replace the instrument, he decides that the only solution to his sorrow is death. As he lies in bed waiting to die, his wife provides him with delicacies, such as chicken and plums, to help him find a reason to live again. Along the way, the family explores life with a view of beauty and humor.