After the army, Emzar returns to Inguri. Gual, the top lumberjack, cuts young trees to surpass plans. Tamara, secretly in love with Gual, exposes his methods, straining his friendship with Emzar. At a festival, Emzar wins a horse race and Manol, Gual’s love, announces her marriage to Emzar. A year later, Gual is sullen. During a storm, he cuts young trees, pushing Emzar into a ravine. Manol goes into labour, and Gual carries her to the hospital, where she gives birth to a boy. He then rescues Emzar and brings him to the village, where Tamara meets him.