The film story follows the final trip of the "Bogatyr", an old tug-boat, which is headed for the scrap heap. Likewise, Stefan, the captain, will retire at end of his final trip down the River Volga. At various stops along the way he reminiscences about his early life, which is told in a series of flashbacks.
The story of the first-grader with a pot on his head to the music from the casket "turu tutu tu turu tu turu tutu".