Three girls in three different worlds, ranging from New York City to a fantasy kingdom, all grow diamonds in their bodies when they are sad, and each is exploited for this in a different way. As they grow older, this ability determines the shape and outcome of their lives.

An American man sits by a river in Africa, waiting for his friend to return, as he is unwilling to wade across after him due to a cut in his leg that he worries will become infected by the water - but his insistence on staying where he is leads to cultural misunderstandings.