Denev is a specialist in his area. and has no time to write his dissertation. His cousin Ivan offers his help to switch places wich leeds to catostrophe.
There is a dragon, which threatens the life of the shacked village. The attempts of lumberjacks, shepherds and hunters to get rid of the menace are without success. Their battle with the imaginary mythical monster makes them realize that their real enemies are the master Kolota and his servants. The dragon is beaten not physically but spiritually.