Maria is promised to marry in two days the rich son of the chorbadjiya. But her heart belongs to Atanas, the poor shepherd.
Every morning the two lovers meet below the branches of their favorite tree, this morning is
no exception. During the day her father- Vasil, works at the inn. The chorbadjiya
enters to tell Vasil about the rumors regarding Maria and Atanas that have been
spreading throughout the village. This makes the father feel immense shame in the presence
of the chorbadjiya. In the evening when he returns home, Vasil confronts his daughter and
forbids her from seeing Atanas. The next time the two lovers meet under the tree she
Maria tells Atanas about the argument. The two exchange their final gifts and fearfully
discuss what awaits them. Maria refuses to come to terms with the situation and
spontaneously proposes for the lovers to attempt to take their lives the night before the wedding.
That night they meet but before they end their lives, they marry each other. They eat the poisonous berries but Atanas had brought poison only for him. The next morning Maria is forced to marry the chorbadjiya’s son. She cries singing Atanas’s favourite song.

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