Plateas, a professor of Greek who is deeply aware of his growing girth, which propels him to maintain a daily walking routine. During one of his walks, he attempts to keep his fitness in check while sensing the disapproval from his peers regarding his bathing habits. His life takes a dramatic turn during a coastal outing when he nearly drowns but is saved by his friend K. Liakos. This act of heroism forges a strong bond between the two men, particularly as Plateas feels an overwhelming sense of gratitude, leading him to a realization of the nature of friendship and the complexities of human relationships. The narrative weaves humor and poignancy, laying the groundwork for the exploration of themes of gratitude, love, and companionship that will likely unfold in the subsequent stories. (This is an automatically generated summary.)