Thirst

The catastrophically dry weather of 1947 causes immense problems in the countryside. In the small village Klíčov, only farmers Hánek and Bervida and the old Hromádka have water. The others must queue every day for a drop for themselves and their cattle. All the villagers lament over their previous decision to turn down the cooperative chairman Kouba's proposal to built a new village water-supply system. Hánek and several others avoid the state supplies and, with Bervida's help, sell their milk and butter on the black market. The agricultural officer Šejna promises Kouba to support him in the building of the water-supply system which the citizens now had approved unanimously. Kouba vigorously sets off, trying to get the material, organizing brigades, discussing the channel for the water-supply system. Also Bervida pretends to help, but in fact he sabotages the collective work in various ways. One day he is full of promises, the next day he threatens or blackmails. Eventually, his true intentions are revealed. But the inhabitants of the village soon enjoy the first water which flows to the village green in the wooden troughs. (NFA)