Bulgaria is on the eve of World War I. King Ferdinand survives an attempt on his life thanks of high-school teacher Irina Radionova. The monarch is generous in his gratitude. He assures the teacher that he will not permit Bulgaria's involvement in a war. Back in the village where she lives, Radionova learns that war has just been declared. Her son Boyan has to leave for the front. Irina becomes a nurse. At the front, Boyan is facing trial for having taken the side of mutinous soldiers. Irina goes to the King to beg for clemency. Ferdinand promises to do something about it. However, when Irina arrives back, the presiding judge tells her that the sentence has already been carried out and hands her the telegram from the King. It says that His Majesty has graciously condescended to command that Irina Radionova be granted permission to receive the body of her son
Thomas Crimmins is a new warder, or guard, in an Irish prison. He is young, naive, and idealistic, determined to serve his country by his part in meting out justice to criminals.
Raja, the son of a rich man who was cheated of his wealth by Jambu, grows up in an orphanage. He becomes a famous poet in the city with the help of Jambu's family, unaware of his past.
Five short stories.
(1) “Czas przybliża, czas oddala” – Edward recalls his unfulfilled love for Anna and, years later, writes to her sister Zofia, mistaking her for Anna.
Jean Wells believes she kills a man during a hit-and-run one evening. A man named Joe appears and, in exchange for keeping silent about the murder, blackmails Wells.
A young boy discovers the existence of a group called the Mooncussers - a gang of pirates that work at night and sends out false homing signals to ships at sea.
A happy-go-lucky guy falls in love with his professor's daughter. Although his brother supports him, his financial situation forces him to make many sacrifices in life.
A day in the life of London and the Home Counties in 1962, seen from the perspective of the use of London Transport facilities from buses and tubes to long distance coach routes, accompanied by extracts from BBC radio.
Albert, a cheeky, womanising, door-to door salesman, with a never-take-no-for-an-answer attitude, lives his life for the moment, and with no thought of his future, or the consequences of his actions on the people he encounters.
