In 1930’s Yakutia, in Russia’s north-east, Old Mikipper and his wife Oppuos live in the taiga forest where tending to cows, hunting and fishing make up their everyday lives. Early in the winter, an eagle flies into their garden and the couple dare not drive it away because eagles are sacred. All through the winter they feed the bird so that it does not attack their cattle and they grow accustomed to the routine. One cold Christmas day the eagle makes its way into the house and occupies the honorary place in the corner on the shelf next to the icons. From then on, the elderly pair and the bird start their life together in one house.