Alyosha Ptitsyn, a third-grader decides that he wants to improve his personality and immediately starts to act.

A boy named Volka discovers an ancient vessel on the bottom of a river. When he opens it, a genie emerges from there. He calls himself Hassan Abdurrahman ibn Khottab, or in Russian style Khottabych. Grateful Khottabych is ready to fulfill any of Volka's wishes. But it appears that Volka should use the powers of the genie carefully, for they can have undesirable results.

A mysterious man under the name Mister X performs in the circus, playing violin on a chair suspended in the air by ropes. His breathtakingly sad melodies reflect his internal turmoil - he's in love with a noble lady and this relationship is frowned upon in their society.

Semyon Frolov returns to his native village of Krutye Gorki, as chairman of the Kolkhoz. The hero will have to sort out the embezzlement, convince and attract to his side the majority of proprietors, reconicle his feelings for Anna, whom he once loved, and give her the right to decide their future, when Anna's husband unexpectedly returns from prison.