A family of collective farmers arrives in Kazakhstan. The husband, who had persuaded his wife to come in search of an easier life, is frightened by the very first difficulties and goes back home. But the woman stays, because she has fallen in love with a local man. There are no optimistic declarations—only a timid hope that she will take root in this new place, together with the birch trees she planted near the house.

When the herdsman's son was born, the Great Ruler of the underworld, Erlik Khan, predicted to the newborn that he, having reached the age of seventeen, would be sacrificed to atone for human pride. But Mohammed — that's what his father called him — grew up kind and brave. The young man managed to force the Lord of Darkness to change his destiny.

A fascinating journey through the native land of a schoolboy Ermek, who went to visit his uncle during the summer holidays.