Arcadio is an 85-year-old Quechua-speaking man who lives alone on the shores of Lake Titicaca, which he affectionately calls Mamá Qocha. One day, he witnesses two young men dumping trash by the lake—an activity they see as an easy way to make money. Determined to protect Mamá Qocha, Arcadio decides to confront them. He tries to reason with the young men, but they ignore him due to his old age and cannot understand him because of the language barrier. Despite Arcadio’s efforts, they continue their actions. Desperate, he tries to clean and save Mamá Qocha himself, but during one of these attempts, he falls into the water.