An elderly veterinary assistant in a small Ukrainian town, Grinia, married to Natalia (he calls 'the old woman'), leaves his isba which has been destroyed by fire. The old couple choose to go to Siberia and move in with their daughter Nina rather than to settle down in Caucasus with their more balanced son. They are welcomed by Ivan, their son-in-law, a man ravaged by alcohol that his wife has left to live with a married man. Grinia and Natalia stay mainly to bring up Irena, their granddaughter. They soon become friends with the local miners and help Ivan get his feet back on the ground. The reformed drunkard falls in love with Galya, his young neighbor but, to his distress, Nina reappears, broken but cynical, after being dumped by her lover. Her parents side with Ivan and kick her out of home...