Zé-do-Burro, a law-abiding Christian, makes a promise to carry a large cross to the altar of Saint Barbara in Bahia after his donkey, Nicolas, is injured in a storm. He carries out his vow, accompanied by his wife, Rosa, but is met with hostility from the priest and local zealots when they discover he made the promise in a Candomblé session. The situation escalates into a brawl, and Zé-do-Burro is killed. However, the black people in the community take his body, place it on the cross, and carry it into the church, where they lay it at the altar of Saint Barbara.
The Given Word
A well-intentioned act of kindness is misconstrued, leading a man to confront the true meaning of his pledge to a revered figure as he navigates the challenges of upholding his commitment.
