In the Palm of Your Hand

Macario is a humble peasant whose only wish is to enjoy a complete meal all by himself. This idea soon becomes an obsession, which is why his wife decides to steal a turkey. Fleeing to the forest, Macario meets God and the Devil, who offer him favors in exchange for his dish, but he refuses. He later talks with Death, who convinces him to share—and gives him, as a token of gratitude, a liquid capable of curing any disease.

Federico, a Mexico City engineer, is sent to the mountains of Veracruz in search of barbasco root, which is used to obtain cortisone. Pedro, an indigenous man from this region, guides Federico through the jungle, but they get lost. Pedro is bitten by a snake and dies; Federico falls into a river and passes out. When he wakes, he finds himself in the hut of Santos, whose daughter Yáscara falls in love with him.