Anatoli Bukovsky

The murder of an ordinary policeman happened in a provincial town Limansk. Police officer Lyubov Virtanen comes from Moscow to investigate the crime. Her appearance is troubling the local authorities.

David Motuzka, demobilized Red Army soldier, returns to his native village, hoping to see the changes caused by the revolutionary events. But he cannot see no improvement. The village is ruled by the kulaks and David's childhood friend Kornii Matiukha helps them.

Many years brings the collective-farm postman Arina post to home folks. This village in one corner is calledl; Chistuy Kolodets; in other ; Chistaya Krinitsa Russians and Ukrainians live there. Arina's stories about village people and the contemporaries create big story which in many recalls their favourite songs.