Every year, when Chilean poet and politician Pablo Neruda (Roberto Parada) moves into his summer home on Isla Negra, the letter carrier Mario (Oscar Castro) has an amazing amount of mail for him. Every day, the poet receives mail from all over the world. One day, Mario is in need of help from his famous friend. With the help of Neruda's love stories, he wants to conquer the heart of the beautiful Beatriz (Marcela Osorio). Beatriz falls in love with Mario, but her mother (Naldy Hernandez) knows the author of the poems and reproaches him greatly. Despite everything, the two lovers decide to marry and start a family. Before Neruda flies to Paris as Chilean ambassador, he attends the wedding as best man. During Neruda's absence, there is a military coup in Chile. Neruda returns to the island seriously ill and is guarded in his house by the military. A short time later, Mario is also arrested and torn from his family happiness.... Ardiente Paciencia was remade 15 years later under the title "Il Postino" and won an Oscar.