The story plays in the countryside of north east Germany. Irka, a young girl lives with her father on a farm when they decide to buy a mare called Raya. She used to be a great show horse but now was old and almost blind. Nevertheless Irka rides out with Raya every day, describing her the way. But then she gives birth to a stallion which they name Mischka and Irka convinces her father to keep the foal forever. Her father though realizes that it's financially not possible to keep both horses and he wants to give Mischka to a stud where it would be cheaper to raise him. Irka has to decide if she wants to keep the old mare or the foal.