In the search for a single good person in the province of Sezuan, three gods finally find only the poor street girl Shen Te, whom they reward with a large gift of money. The now wealthy Shen Te is now so exploited by all men that she has no choice but to slip into the shoes of her hard-hearted cousin, Shui Ta. Accused of murdering the missing Shen Te, the supposed Shui Ta confesses his dual role and the gods avoid a conviction. But Shen Te aka Shui Ta is now abandoned by all humans and also by the gods - helpless in the world.