Mongolia, 1960's. An old herdswoman lives alone in her yurt in the great Gobi Desert. Visitors from the national registration office come to collect information from her for the census. Sarcastically naming the elderly woman "pretty lady", they question her about her identity - but she divulges little. However, when one of the officers stays the night to count her livestock, she opens up to him with a dramatic tale of love, sacrifice, and motherhood.