Every year, the indigenous Nenets people, who live in Russia's Arctic tundra, bid farewell to their children to send them to school in the "great land." Some of them will return later to become nomads and reindeer herders, while others will choose to stay and build a new life. Young Alesha is one of those who return, but Aliko, the love of his life, has remained distant. His mother chooses a new wife for him, but Alesha awaits his beloved's return, hoping to build a happy life with her.
