Adaptation of a Russian folk-tale into an Irish setting. When Akainyas' husband dies she goes to live with the nuns, she dresses her young son Coilin as a girl. Coilin joins the army in his early teens. When he returns home some years later he finds he mother dead, and his extended family ignore him. After adopting two orphaned cousins he persuades a wealthier cousin, Platonida to give him some clothes. With some supplies he builds a hut and educates his young cousins. Meanwhile Platonida has been promised a fortune by her father in law, however when he tries to rape her, she attacks him and flees. He accuses Platonida of trying to kill him and she goes to live in the convent.