In 1876, the echoes of the war between the Serbs and the Turks were felt in Vranje. Captain Mustafa appears in Vranje, at Efendi Mita's house, and gives his daughter, Sofka, a revolver, saying that through it he will know who visited him.

When Efendi Mita sees that revolver, he realizes that it is Turcin Saros, his brother who fled from Vranje more than twenty-five years ago, because he was afraid of blood revenge.

Saros headed towards Tasana's house, the woman he was passionately in love with in his youth. When he sees Tasana, his pain increases when he realizes that she does not recognize him.

Little Tomcha has grown into a handsome young man and Sofka is now enjoying her marriage with him. A dark shadow is cast on their relationship by the fact that Sofka's father, Efendi Mita, expects Tomcha to give him money.

He humiliates Tomcha by telling him that he only gave Sofka to him for money. Tomcha took out his anger on Sofka. An angry Tomcha goes to a pub and there he sees young Koštana, who sings beautifully. Koštana wins Tomčina, but also the attention of numerous residents of Vranje who enjoy her song.

Tomcha is ready to buy Koštana, but she tells him that if she were to lose her freedom, she would be just a dead bird. Koštana's voice continues to captivate everyone who sees and hears her - until tragedy strikes.