The story of a father - a hero of the Civil War, a general of the Patriotic War and his son, frivolous and absent-minded in the civilian life, but who took over his father's 'baton' in the 'hard times'. General Rybakov's son Ivan, confident that his father's name will protect him from trouble, commits a number of disreputable acts. Between father and son there is a decisive explanation, as a result of which Ivan leaves home. During the Great Patriotic War, the Rybakovs meet again. The severely wounded general, dying, bequeaths his weapon to his son.