The Soviet government entrusted Ybrai Abdrakhmanov with transcribing Sagynbai Orozbakov’s version of the epic “Manas”, but then forgot about it. In the course of four years Ybrai succeeded in writing down only the first part of the trilogy because “Manas” was so voluminous. Upon learning of the formation of the independent Kyrgyz Republic, Abdrakhmanov decides to show his work to the new leaders in the hope of receiving financial support and promises Sagynbai honor and the end to his sufferings. However, the new authorities not only fail to honor the great hard workers, but do not even bother to listen to a passage from the story.