In 1923, tribesman Norbu steals horses to support his family. After committing a robbery, he and his family are banished by their tribe and live in exile. Norbu prays devotedly but to no avail. Sudden deaths of his loved ones begin shaking his Buddhist faith, and he steals horses again. When caught as a thief and almost beaten to death, Norbu crawls up the sky burial with the last ounce of his strength.