Actions of the movie occurred in Post-WWII years in small village. Mother with three children. Father was lost in the war, like many other. 11-year old son rather smart boy is main help in housekeeping. But here was primary school only, and he was sent to study to neighbor village over 50 km. He lives with his mother's friend - woman and two children. Mother brought food one time per 3 weeks, and he cooks and eats separately from householders. To buy more food he plays game 'money'. He was beaten by older boys – usual child's cruelty.

Twelve years old boy escapes summer camp in order to meet his brother currently serving in the army.

Kirilyuk, the director of the timber processing plant, decides to cut down Oleniy Top, a large forest on the steep slope below which the village is located. Cutting down the massif will enable Kirilyuk to easily fulfill the timber farm's plan and help him regain his fame as the head of an advanced enterprise. But the bare slope can be eroded by rains, and then the village is threatened with a landslide...