Shadow of a Flying Bird

After a short acquaintance, Štěpán Sochor and waitress Jana spend a wonderful time together in the countryside. On the way back, they have a car accident. Štěpán is killed and Jana ends up in the hospital with a broken arm. The Sochors, reputable citizens of the town of Švamberk, are devastated by the death of their only son. Neither Sochor, nor his wife knew about Jana. Sochor visits her in the hospital, but the encounter with the girl comes as a shock to him. He cannot understand how his gentle, sensitive boy could date such an ordinary, even vulgar, girl. Mrs Sochorová is more tolerant and invites Jana to stay with them until she recovers. Jana accepts and quickly makes herself at home in Štěpán's room. Jana's living together with the Sochors is not easy. Sochor especially, who has trouble coming to terms with his son's death, is annoyed by Jana's presence and by what he thinks to be her carelessness. Gradually, though, he and the girl start understanding and influencing each other. Sochor overcomes his grief and starts to work again. Jana eventually leaves the Sochors' home, but promises to come back to visit. She learns never to forget Štěpán's words that a goal achieved is like the shadow of a flying bird; over and over again, man must push on to pursue new ambitions.