The main character, Rodion Ruban, lives these days in a small town. He has excellent eyesight, and sees creatures and phenomena that other townspeople do not see, which is why everyone considers him an inventor and a madman. Ruban meets different people and creatures and finds himself in interesting situations. For example, he meets an old woman with a Crazy Thought following on her heels. An elderly lady asks Rodion to bring her a candle from a tree that has candles instead of leaves. Ruban agrees to help, and completing this assignment leads him to a series of good and not so good events that gradually change his life...