Onceuponatime,JuanPérez,thepoorestofthepoor,reachesfameinaflukeaccidentinwhatseemedtobeanattemptofsuicide,toprotestagainstthegovernmentandhissocialcondition.TheMinistryofEconomy,surroundedbythescandalinwhichheisblamedbyPérez'sdecision,decidestorewardhimchanginghislifegivinghimalittlehouse,acarandajob.Butwhenotherpoorpeople(Pérez'sclosefriends)findoutabouthisreversaloffortune,decidetoimitatehimfakingsuicideattemptsindifferentbuildingsinMexicoCity.TheMinistryofEconomy,terrifiedbytheglanceofhavingaplagueofbeggars,decidestodeclarepovertyacrimeandhencefinishforonceandforallwithallthepoorinthecountry.Pérezendsupbehindbars.Threeyearslater,Pérezisreleasedandgoesbacktohisprevioussocialcondition,butthistime,awareofhavingonedayasarichmanisbetterthanalifeaspoor,hewilldoanythingtogetoutofhismisery...Andhewillmanagetodoso!