Maksim Perepelitsa is a cheerful and quick-witted guy from a Ukrainian village, well-known in his native town for his fantastic ability to invent all sorts of stories and take time off from work.

When he receives a summons to the army, he wishes to "protect" himself against potential rivals and sends pumpkins to all the guys in the village on behalf of his beloved girl, Marusya – a traditional rejection of courtship in Ukraine.

This causes a stir in the village, and the kolkhoz assembly even considers depriving Maksim of his honorable duty to serve in the Soviet Army.

During his holiday break back in his village, Maksim demonstrates true heroism when he saves his grandfather, Musiy, from a pit.

Anatoly Granik for most of the major roles invited Ukrainian theater actors, as all of the rural scenes of the film took place in Ukraine.