Every year in the summer the guys meet in order to go on another sailing trip. All of them were very lucky to have faithful and devoted friends. But the seventh grader Kirill is keenly aware of the lack of friendship in his class. He especially felt this when he was accused of stealing a wallet. Kirill himself found a thief — he turned out to be a quiet and defenseless Chirok, following the courtesy of yard hooligans. Taking Chirok under his protection, Kirill managed to fend for himself and his new friend.

In 1919 workers arrive by train in the middle of the Taiga in order to construct a town. They fell trees and unload bricks from the train for that purpose. The newly arrived hero Vasilij is made chief of the depot, meets hostility and has to put down corruption.