In post-World War II Russia, two children try to survive tough times in a remote mining town in Siberia. Tea sellers Valerka (Pavel Nazarov) and Galia (Dinara Drukarova) are short on food, family and shelter. Valerka, whose mother is a prostitute, acts out by playing increasingly dangerous pranks. As his bad behavior escalates, he leaves town and joins a band of young criminals. However Galia,who is still invested in their friendship, finds him and tries to bring him back home.