In the center of the plot children's writer Valentin Shubin, accustomed to live in seclusion. His books about the elephant Mishka, written in his youth, enjoyed great success both at home and abroad. A series of random events causes a new surge of interest in the personality and creativity of the writer-introvert. Adults and young readers waiting for new books, but Shubin them does not want to write.

Olga travels to her native village to visit her mother, with whom she hasn’t spoken in years. Her mother, the village’s “whisperer,” is sought out by those in need of help when all else fails.