When the Swedish Red Cross drops a load of food i n front of Sampath's house, the villagers think Sampath is destined for greatness. Twenty years later, Sampath has not yet lived up to the prediction of greatness. In fact, he is anything but great. His father tries to counsel him on how he can get a better job or at least a raise in salary at the Post Office where he works. Sampath pays no attention to his father's advice. At the Post Office, Sampath spends hours alone, steaming open letters written to and from neighbors and by so doing, he learns a great deal about their personal lives and their secrets.