On the banks of a stream in southeast Iran, an old woman and her husband are washing their gabbeh. From this carpet comes forth a beautiful young woman named Gabbeh who shares her epic tale: she is desperately in love with a mysterious horseman who follows her clan from afar. Although her father has agreed to let her marry the man, he keeps putting off the date because of family responsibilities. Since she is allowed no other outlet to express her grief, Gabbeh's hopes and shattered dreams come to life and are illustrated in the details of the carpet she weaves.