For the Children

In response to the death of her husband and young son peasant Zhang Meili founds a school in the dry desert landscape of northwest China When cultured and chipper Xia Yu arrives from Beijing to help her out the two women bond and learn from each others character how to best serve the children Various subplots include the arrival of Xias husband who tries in vain to persuade her to return to the city Xias quick abortion and the comically clandestine relationship between Zhang and a local projectionist