Didar is a poet, but he cannot live from his poetry. He has to write early in the mornings before setting out for his day job as a newspaper editor. Didar is surrounded by a sense of crisis, not just because of his economic situation but also due to discussions at work about the diminishing significance of Kazakh culture, dying languages, and the worldwide dominance of English. He is questioning whether poetry is still relevant in today’s world, but finds solace in contemplating a rebellious 19th-century poet, Makhambet Otemisuly.

The film takes place in a Kazakh village. Aman and Aizhan love each other very much, but they often quarrel. Their neighbor Nagima decides to use one of these quarrels to marry her son Ospan to Aizhan. This leads to a number of ridiculous situations that the characters get into. But good, as always, overcomes evil, and the young people reconcile — Aizhan marries Haman.