The story concerns a ghetto character, called Jacob, who tells the other prisoners that the Russians are winning the war against the Germans and are advancing on Warsaw. But how does he know? He says he has a radio hidden away, which, if true, could earn him immediate execution. In fact, there is no radio, and his prediction (for such it is) is years ahead of events. When the Germans begin executing residents and shipping the rest to concentration camps, his lie is shown for what it is. Indeed, his best friend commits suicide as soon as he gets to know the truth. However, for a little while, Jacob the Liar kept hope alive in a hopeless situation.