Elena Maksimovna Tyurina devoted her entire life to children, trying to raise them to be worthy people in all respects. She hoped that her son and daughter would be grateful to her. In addition, the reason to show her gratitude was not long in coming: overnight Elena Maksimovna found herself bedridden. However, the grown-up children were in no hurry to give up everything and devote themselves to caring for their mother. Black, wild ingratitude! Or maybe there was some underlying reason for this ingratitude? Maybe a caring mother created it with her own hands? It's hard to believe! And, nevertheless, there was a person who was able to explain to Elena Maksimovna her mistake - someone from the past, whom she once, with a light conscience, sent to slaughter for the benefit of her beloved son.