Alexandre, a young and honest farmer, is oppressed by an authoritarian wife, who makes him work like a dog. When she dies in a car crash, he decides to stay in bed, absolutely free and inactive. Just a dog is occupied to carry food and newspapers to him. Lorsque sa femme meurt, Alexandre décide de se consacrer à sa grande passion: la paresse. Il se couche pour plusieurs semaines. Son chien lui rapporte les provisions que lui sert la jolie Agathe, qui finit par le séduire. Mais, au moment de l'épouser, il se ravise, sa liberté et sa paresse risquant d'être compromises.