Aboard a steamship, a priest tells his fellow passengers his life story, which he admits is the story of a great sinner.

To build a house and feed his family, Deles went to the mountain camps as a shepherd. With all sorts of promises and temptations, local businessmen gradually connected Deles to their machinations — and the young shepherd very soon built a huge house, bought a car, found prosperity and lost his family.

The Russian Descendant of the Snow Leopard is based on a famous Kirghizian folktale. Apparently the Kirghizian folks had plenty of time to tell this story: to print a full synopsis would result in a novelette. Essentially, the story involves a proud group of highland hunters called the Snow Leopards, who in order to survive a brutal winter must request help from the Lowland people. The price for this assistance is the hand of the Snow Leopard's daughter, who is promised in marriage to a wealthy Lowland trader. During the Springtime wedding celebration, the trader becomes fascinated by a stranger who wins all the athletic contests. This "male" contestant turns out to be a woman, who has arrived to seek freedom for her imprisoned husband. The subsequent romance between the trader and the beautiful stranger results in disaster and bloodshed for both the Snow Leopards and the Lowlanders.

Sagyn returned to his homeland, got a job, fell in love, and received this advice from his family: “The most important thing is to stay on good terms with Almaz. Those who have a good relationship with him will thrive. But if he gets offended, you’d better run. He’s used to everyone respecting him and always agreeing with him. If he asks for something, don’t even think about refusing.” And then one day, Sagyn witnesses a crime...