The two boys, Franz and Bruno, both living in the lower village, often sit by the lake for hours, fishing and observing the happenings in the village. Franz is the son of an alcoholic. His mother works during the day in a chocolate factory. Bruno, originally from Italy, lives alone with his Czech mother. Due to the boys' backgrounds, their academic performance is rated as inadequate to poor. When Franz and Bruno are not fishing, watching traffic, or counting animals in the forest, they build huts or try to figure out the paths that men and women take in the village for immoral activities. With youthful recklessness, they later chase after girls on their mopeds and experience a puberty filled with dreams, fears, and distress. Inspired as children by the puppet theater in Dutti Park, they produce one as adults.