Mr. Terle, the elderly but lively owner of Joe Terle's Desert Inn of Arizona, houses only two guests, Mr. Smith and Mr. Fremely, who have both been in residence for over 21 years. In the heat, dust and discomfort of a drought, they long for January 29, the day on which Mr. Terle has assured them it will rain. The 29th arrives, but the rain does not. Then, during the hazy light of the evening, Miss Blanche Hillgood's car breaks down in front of the inn; as she plays her harp for them, the magical instrument is metamorphosed, becoming a beautiful young girl whose evocative music and gracefully flowing dance open the heavens, bringing life-giving rain.