The young Bulgarian Muslim woman Zyulker wants to study and become a teacher. Her father decides to arrange a marriage to her. After the wedding, she runs away and goes to the town. There she starts work in a hostel. Her husband takes her back. He beats and humiliates her. She gives birth to her child prematurely, takes the baby and goes to the school for Muslim in the town. She has to surmount many difficulties. The young woman meets her first teacher Stefanov. The two fall in love. With his help, Zyulker finishes her study successfully and makes up her mind to return to her native village as a teacher. Stefanov follows her and proposes to her. The two embrace.

A young journalist comes across interesting report material: talented marine engineer Maria died while on duty. Her story turns out to be quite a puzzle though - people who knew her are not willing to share much. Trying to make them speak, the journalist presents himself as her son. He hopes to dig up the truth about her and spares no effort, ending up at the bureau for investigation. The report he's writing never gets published but his belief system certainly gets challenged.