The plot closely follows the Grimm fairy tale. Hans, a hard-working miller's apprentice, sets off on a journey to discover the big, wide world. As a reward for his work, his master gives him a lump of gold to take with him. On his journey home, he encounters a series of swindlers who gradually rob him of his reward. First, Hans exchanges his gold for a horse, the horse for a cow, the cow for a pig, the pig for a goose, and the goose for a grindstone and a simple field stone. Finally, while drinking, he drops both stones into a well. At last he is happy. He is freed from all burdens, in every respect.