Ebbe Linde

Lunardo is an old fashioned patriarch who strictly forbids his wife and daughter to leave his house. When he decides to marry off his daugther Lucietta without allowing her to meet the man first the women around him conspire to allow the young couple to meet against his wishes.

An Old Man and Old Woman frantically prepare chairs for a series of invisible guests who are coming to hear an orator reveal the old man's discovery.

When the gods appear in disguise the only person who shows them hospitality is the young girl Shen Te and for this she is awarded by them. After a while she finds her new life has also brought new problems.