The builders of the hydroelectric power station face a difficult task: it is necessary to speed up the work in order to provide electricity to a number of other industrial facilities in the region. Construction managers are taking different paths to solving this problem.

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.

Zhaukhaz leaves her father's house, as custom dictates and her stepmother wishes. Zhaukhaz does not love her future husband, but she does not dare to break the old custom. Zhaukhaz, along with her husband and his parents, lives in a remote high-altitude pasture. The entire family tends a flock of collective farm sheep. The daily life of the shepherd's family is harsh, and the work is monotonous: cleaning the kennels, feeding the sheep, and, on sunny and quiet days, taking them out for grazing. The winter house is surrounded by silence. Sometimes it seems scary. On one of those days, when she fell in love with a young machine operator from Tanabay's neighboring brigade, Zhauhaz realized how vast life was and how fragile the bonds of old customs that tied her to an unloved man were.

Ichthyologist Tonya Tikhonova and the chief engineer of the fishery plant, Ryazanov, are heading to the fishing seiner "Squall" (Shkval). Tonya loves Ryazanov, and this love frightens her. Ryazanov is also the object of affection of Panna, the wife of Ermak, the captain of the seiner. "Squall" is on course for Krutaya Bay — promising a good catch. Ryazanov and Panna go to the bay to check the composition of the plankton.