A lonely artist lives on the shore of a dry lake. From time to time the postman comes to him, but instead of letters he brings paintings. A powerful man takes them, giving them alcohol and food in return. The artist is trying to find out who owns the paintings.

In a kingdom shrouded in darkness, the malevolent VileGuile seized power, casting a wicked enchantment over the Queen and imprisoning the blind little princess, Darya, within the Enchanted Tinderbox. Fate intervenes as the box finds its way into the hands of the carefree roisterer Johnny whose only dream was to live an easy life. Travelling with Darya, John undergoes a profound transformation. His once-selfish nature gives way to courage and generosity, evolving into a true hero. Alongside their faithful companions, the merry aeronaut Jean and the magical horse Good Pathfinder, John and Darya's journey takes them to the sombre caves of dwarf miners, where they forge the unbreakable friendship, and to the ethereal sky kingdom of magic ladybirds, leading John to understanding the boundless power of love and self-sacrifice.

The film tells the story of a veteran of the Russian-Turkish War who returns to his village, where his son is accused of having connections with the devil. The story tells about the confrontation between different poles of faith in the struggle for the fate of a child.