Ivane, a poor peasant, asks a permission to cut timber in the forests of a local nobleman’s widow. He gets it and with the help of his son starts working there. His only dream is to cut enough timber that he can sell o earn some living. Meanwhile, the widow decides to sell the forest but changes her mind after Datiko, a local outlaw persuades her not to do it. Ivane is happy to hear about it but he still has to cross the treacherous Paliastomi Lake to take the timber to the market.