A parable centering on an old man who lives a secluded life in the desert, alone with only his memories and photographs. His wellspring, once a source of joy and hope for thirsty passersby, is now rarely used. No longer able to find comfort in his memories, he turns all his photographs to face the walls.

In one of the small towns of West Germany there is a camp for displaced persons, where hundreds of Soviet people languish. An underground group, led by Sevastopol sailor Andrei Makarov, operates in the camp. The Americans manage to intercept the first list of people who want to return to the Soviet Union. Major Peterson, with the help of Belin and Tsupovych, tries to recruit Soviet people to work in Brazil. But a second list for repatriation has already been drawn up. Peterson arrests Andrei Makarov. The Americans accuse him of the murder of Anna Robchuk, who actually died at the hands of Belin. The underground, with the help of German anti-fascists, manages to get the list to the Soviet mission. Soon a ship with Soviet people who have returned to their native land approaches the pier of the Odesa port.