Life is returning to normal in a half-ruined town in Belarus at the summer of 1945. The children are undernourished and emotionally scarred. The community displays solidarity and common sacrifice, as they recovered from the ravages of war.
The action takes place in the autumn of 1942, when German army was approaching Stalingrad and a group of Belarussian partisans decides to make a disruption in the rear of German's troop trains. Having found themselves without equipment, they send the young Mikhas to mechanic Bugreev. He is accompanied by Sazon Ivanovich, who is also cooperating with Germans - by the secret task of partisans. They come to the lodge, where equipment is hidden, build a fire and start to clarify explosive. Sudden arrival of Germans crushes the heroes' plan.
During jockey's absence, the authorities decide to send his horse to the stud farm.
