The plot consists of several parallel lines with flashbacks in time. These are the fates of heroes. Almost all of them work in the circus – whether it's the Ilyin family, or a boy working as an assistant who dreams of becoming a real circus performer. These are both happy and tragic fates (an acrobat's partner dies almost through his fault, in front of his eyes). The polyphony of feelings is further enhanced against the background of animals working in the circus – bears, donkeys, monkeys (each with their own character) and often similar to humans. Or the people on them.