The Russian revolutionary Bashilov was exiled by the tsarist authorities to Turkestan, to the waterless Hungry steppe. Here he saw the lack of rights, poverty and humiliation of the people. The intimidated dehkans are afraid even to stand up for the little Batyr, the son of Hakim, who raised his hand against the bai. And only Bashilov stands up for the boy and adopts him.

About the fate of Hamza Hakim-zadeh Niyazi, an Uzbek poet, playwright, and public figure.

About the struggle of Uzbek women against the reactionary clergy in the 1920s.

Young Iskander is the first to learn that his father has been killed at the front, but he hides the news to protect his mother. He finds strength in his friendship with Rano and Igor, who has also lost his father in the war.