Plot Summary

Kulak Walter's successor, Robert, calls his fellow villagers to form a collective farm. The poor peasantry of the village actively supports his call. The first collective farm of German colonists "Rote Fane" (Red Flag) is created. Local kulaks begin to fight against him. Under the influence of the kulaks' agitation, part of the middle-class colonists went to Germany. The collective farm grows and becomes stronger, and the kulaks weaken. Walter bribes his watchman, old Shakir, and incites him to kill Robert. But Shakir can't beat Robert. He exposes Walter's nefarious intentions and joins the collective farm. A letter comes from the departed colonists, reporting that there is an economic crisis and unemployment in Germany, and expressing regret for following the provocation and leaving the Soviet Union.