Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev is an outstanding classicist who made a huge contribution to Russian and world literature. Until now, many of his works are included in the school curriculum, and children study them in schools.

A special place in his work is occupied by a cycle of stories called “Records of a Hunter.” These stories are devoted mainly to peasants, or rather, to a description of their life, way of life, and problems. The works are based on true stories and incidents.

One of these works from this cycle is the story “Singers”, the action of which takes place in the small village of Kolotovka, which lies on the slope of a mountain hill, which is crossed by several hills and ravines. In this village, in a small quadrangular hut, all the events take place.

Short description

The hut itself is the “Prytynny” tavern, a popular and in-demand place. It is held by Nikolai Ivanovich, a respected man in the area. Despite the fact that the owner is not particularly polite or talkative, his establishment is chosen more often than others. The whole point is that Nikolai Ivanovich knows the needs of the Russian people and offers what is requested in a timely manner. In addition, the owner of the establishment does not have the habit of chatting about other people's secrets, although he knows everything that is happening in the area.

Tavern visitors

One day, in this very tavern, an unexpected event occurs, which the patrons of this establishment came to gawk at. The best local singer under the name Turok-Yashka came here and together with a soldier from Zhizdra they decided to start a competition to see who sings better. The guests of the tavern have gathered around and are expecting spectacles; they need to somehow brighten up these gloomy days. Evgraf Ivanov also came here; he was also nicknamed Obolduy, because not a single drinking party would be complete without this specimen. There is also a broad-shouldered Tatar here, his name is Wild Master, he looks very formidable.

How many times did he come here and he always had money. True, no one knew exactly what he did for a living, and everyone was afraid to ask. However, he was respected everywhere, although he looked angry, but he was fond of singing, which made him a little kinder. Morgach also came to this eatery; he was a small, plump man with cunning eyes. Of course, there were still many people in this establishment, but they took less part in these battles. Everyone was completely different, but they had one thing in common, namely a love of singing and music, which is what the writer wanted to emphasize in this story.

Competition

And so the competition began.

The rower was the first to show his skills. He was a small man, about thirty years old, with a small beard and a thick build. His voice gave off a slight hoarseness, but this did not spoil his pronunciation at all and was liked by the listeners. During the performance, he performed a cheerful live song, where there were many modulations and transitions, the audience liked it all, and they smiled. After the performance, looking at the reaction of the audience, the rower was already confident of his victory.

But Yashka the Turk was also supposed to speak. Yashka was a young guy, he was 23 years old, he was handsome and slender, he had big gray eyes and brown hair, in general, he was a pretty handsome young man. He worked nearby at a local factory. This performance was so strong that even the opponent admitted defeat. Everyone who heard the performer was amazed by the power of the singer’s voice; everyone felt “sweet” and “creepy” at the same time. Yakov himself forgot that he was competing, completely surrendering to his own emotions.

In the work, everything is described quite accurately and vividly, all the experiences of the performers and listeners are very well conveyed, so the reader immediately has a feeling of personal presence.

Victory

Before the performance, Yashka was a little embarrassed. He tried to shield himself from the audience with his hand. And when someone removed his hand, he seemed completely pale. The young man felt such great excitement.

But the love for the song did its job! With each note, Yashka’s voice grew stronger. The sound, which at first seemed weak, gained strength with each note, became louder every second. The performer put his whole soul into his song. Yashka was able to express everything that is in the soul of a Russian person. It was pain, sorrow, youth, passion, strength. The song was performed so well that the author himself forgot that there were spectators there.

When the song was over, he saw that many spectators had tears in their eyes. Some even cried, turning away from everyone. The victory was unconditional!

Story Analysis

As you know, the story “The Singers” is part of the whole cycle of “Notes of a Hunter,” which was created over the course of four years, but ten years later the author decided to add three works there. This entire collection began with a story about peasants “Khor and Kalinich”, which Turgenev wrote under the impression of a walk around the outskirts of the Oryol province. Perhaps the collection was named this way because the writer himself was fond of hunting.

In 1850, the story “The Singers” was written, which, like other works, described the life of ordinary people, and the plot itself was dictated by what they saw and heard. The story “The Singers,” like the rest of the texts, was published in the Sovremennik magazine and was a great success. Readers were already familiar with Turgenev's work and were waiting for his new publications. The reader liked that each Turgenev character was described in detail, all his manners, habits, and preferences were shown.

At the same time that the author talked about the difficult fate and difficult conditions of existence of his heroes, he tried to convey the poetry and talent of the people. For him, the main thing is that it comes out of nowhere and without unnecessary sentimentality. Although many characters are shown with a degree of humor or irony, however, everyone had something individual.

In this work you can see images of the entire village of Kolotovka. At the beginning of the story, the soul of the company stands out, the owner of the local pub. Also noted is a man nicknamed Stupid, based on whose nickname you can understand what he is like, a buffoon and a bungler. An interesting character, Wild Master, he seems to be formidable and scary, everyone is afraid of him, however, at the same time, he commands respect from society. Individuality and the rower himself with a good voice and funny songs, and of course the winner named Yashka.

The narration comes from the name of the master, who seemed to be watching what was happening from the sidelines. It is not difficult to recognize the author himself - Turgenev. This plot takes place in Prytynnaya, a local drinking establishment. In the work, a fairly large part is devoted to the description of the people present in this eatery. Celebrations take place in this place and, as a result, a large number of people come here to spend time, participants also arrive here for a singing competition, in this case it is Yashka and the rower from Zhizdra. To begin, the participants cast lots, which falls to the rower.

The entire competition is described by the author with special love and respect for all the heroes. The first performer deserves the highest praise, not only because he has songwriting talent, but also because he is able to honestly admit defeat and express his delight to his competitor.

Yashka’s performance is completely disarming. It did not leave a single person indifferent. The performance touched everyone to the core. Even the Wild Master, whom no one saw with emotions, never cried or laughed, here shed a tear. Yashka with his song turned every soul, touched a nerve, showed from the outside their gloomy and difficult life.

The ending of the work deserves special attention. The author conveyed the feelings that he experienced upon witnessing this amazing phenomenon in the outbacks of Russia. He described in detail what the effect was. But it was not Turgenev’s rules to embellish reality. After the described song triumph, the narrator left the drinking establishment, and looking there very soon, he saw how again all the people were drunk and stupid.

The end of the work was left open. Some boy nearby was looking for Antropka, who was supposed to be whipped for misconduct, and the reader can only guess about further events in this village.

Conclusion

In his story, Turgenev showed that against the backdrop of the wretched life of the common people, despondency and despair, a miracle of creativity and beauty can be traced.

The writer is pleased that people accustomed to persecution and poverty are able to discern talent in a person, sympathize with him and make even gloomy men cry.

Ivan Sergeevich spoke about art in the best possible way, which he confirmed more than once with his wonderful works.

Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev

"Singers"

The small village of Kotlovka lies on the slope of a bare hill, dissected by a deep ravine that winds through the very middle of the street. A few steps from the beginning of the ravine there is a small quadrangular hut, covered with straw. This is the Prytynny tavern. It is visited much more willingly than other establishments, and the reason for this is the kisser Nikolai Ivanovich. This unusually fat, gray-haired man with a swollen face and slyly good-natured eyes has been living in Kotlovka for more than 20 years. Not being particularly polite or talkative, he has the gift of attracting guests and knows a lot about everything that is interesting to a Russian person. He knows about everything that happens in the area, but he never spills the beans.

Nikolai Ivanovich enjoys respect and influence among his neighbors. He is married and has children. His wife is a lively, sharp-nosed, quick-eyed bourgeois, Nikolai Ivanovich relies on her for everything, and the loud-mouthed drunkards are afraid of her. Nikolai Ivanovich's children took after their parents - smart and healthy guys.

It was a hot July day when, tormented by thirst, I approached the Pritynny tavern. Suddenly, a tall, gray-haired man appeared on the threshold of the tavern and began to call someone, waving his hands. A short, fat and lame man with a sly expression on his face, nicknamed Morgach, responded to him. From the conversation between Morgach and his friend Obolduy, I understood that a singing competition was being started in the tavern. The best singer in the area, Yashka Turok, will show his skills.

Quite a lot of people had already gathered in the tavern, including Yashka, a thin and slender man of about 23 years old with large gray eyes and light brown curls. Standing next to him was a broad-shouldered man of about 40 with black shiny hair and a fierce, thoughtful expression on his Tatar face. His name was Wild Master. Opposite him sat Yashka's rival - a row clerk from Zhizdra, a stocky, short man of about 30, pockmarked and curly-haired, with a blunt nose, brown eyes and a thin beard. The Wild Master was in charge of the action.

Before describing the competition, I want to say a few words about those gathered in the tavern. Evgraf Ivanov, or Stunned, was a bachelor on a spree. He could neither sing nor dance, but not a single drinking party was complete without him - his presence was endured as a necessary evil. Morgach's past was unclear, they only knew that he was a coachman for a lady, became a clerk, was released and became rich. This is an experienced person with his own mind, neither good nor evil. His entire family consists of a son who took after his father. Yakov, who was descended from a captured Turkish woman, was an artist at heart, and by rank he was a scooper at a paper mill. No one knew where the Wild Master (Perevlesov) came from and how he lived. This gloomy man lived without needing anyone and enjoyed enormous influence. He did not drink wine, did not date women, and was passionate about singing.

The clerk was the first to sing. He sang a dance song with endless decorations and transitions, which brought a smile from the Wild Master and the stormy approval of the rest of the listeners. Yakov began with excitement. In his voice there was deep passion, and youth, and strength, and sweetness, and fascinatingly carefree, sad grief. The Russian soul sounded in him and grabbed his heart. Tears appeared in everyone's eyes. The rower himself admitted defeat.

I left the tavern, so as not to spoil the impression, got to the hayloft and fell fast asleep. In the evening, when I woke up, the tavern was already celebrating Yashka’s victory with might and main. I turned away and began to go down the hill on which Kotlovka lies. Retold Yulia Peskovaya

On the edge of the village of Kotlovka, located on a hillside, there is the “Prytynny” tavern - a small thatched hut. This is a favorite place for the villagers, where the kisser Nikolai Ivanovich, a fat man with a swollen face, who has lived in Kotlovka for more than twenty years, is in charge. He knows how to attract guests and can conduct a conversation on any topic that worries a Russian person, and he knows how to keep his mouth shut. His neighbors respect him. His wife is a strong and lively woman, capable of calming unbridled drunkards. They have two children.

On the threshold of the tavern, Oboldui, a gray-haired man, waving his arms, beckoned to someone. Morgach approached him - a small, fat and lame man with slyness on his face. From his conversation with Obolduy, it became clear that a singing competition would take place in the tavern - Yashka the Turk would show his singing skills.

There are a lot of people in the tavern. Yashka the Turk is there - a slender guy with light brown curls and big gray eyes, twenty-three years old. Standing nearby was the Wild Master, a 40-year-old man with a fierce Tatar face. Opposite is Yashka's rival, a soldier from Zhizdra, a short and stocky 30-year-old man, with a blunt nose and a thin beard. The show was led by the Wild Master.

Different people gathered in the tavern. There was also the drunken bachelor Oboldui, without whom not a single drinking party took place, the former coachman of the lady Morgach, who received his freedom and became rich. Yakov is the son of a captured Turkish woman, a paper mill worker. And no one knew anything about the teetotal Wild Master, a lover of songs, although he enjoyed great influence.

The rower began the competition with the performance of a cheerful dance song, with shades of play and transitions in rollicking singing, which the listeners approved with a smile. Then it was Yashka’s turn, who excitedly began to sing his soulful song. A young and strong voice was heard, permeated with deep sad sorrow, which brought involuntary tears to the eyes of the thoughtful listeners. The rower admitted defeat.

Until late, people walked in the "Prytynny" tavern, celebrating the victory of Yashka the Turk.

The small village of Kolotovka lies on the slope of a bare hill, dissected by a deep ravine that winds through the very middle of the street. A few steps from the beginning of the ravine there is a small quadrangular hut, covered with straw. This is the Prytynny tavern. It is visited much more willingly than other establishments, and the reason for this is the kisser Nikolai Ivanovich. This unusually fat, gray-haired man with a swollen face and slyly good-natured eyes has been living in Kolotovka for more than 20 years. Not being particularly polite or talkative, he has the gift of attracting guests and knows a lot about everything that is interesting to a Russian person. He knows about everything that happens in the area, but he never spills the beans.

Nikolai Ivanovich enjoys respect and influence among his neighbors. He is married and has children. His wife is a lively, sharp-nosed, quick-eyed bourgeois, Nikolai Ivanovich relies on her for everything, and the loud-mouthed drunkards are afraid of her. Nikolai Ivanovich's children took after their parents - smart and healthy guys.

It was a hot July day when, tormented by thirst, I approached the Pritynny tavern. Suddenly, a tall, gray-haired man appeared on the threshold of the tavern and began to call someone, waving his hands. A short, fat and lame man with a sly expression on his face, nicknamed Morgach, responded to him. From the conversation between Morgach and his friend Obolduy, I understood that a singing competition was being started in the tavern. The best singer in the area, Yashka Turok, will show his skills.

Quite a lot of people had already gathered in the tavern, including Yashka, a thin and slender man of about 23 years old with large gray eyes and light brown curls. Standing next to him was a broad-shouldered man of about 40 with black shiny hair and a fierce, thoughtful expression on his Tatar face. His name was Wild Master. Opposite him sat Yashka's rival - a row clerk from Zhizdra, a stocky, short man of about 30, pockmarked and curly-haired, with a blunt nose, brown eyes and a thin beard. The Wild Master was in charge of the action.

Before describing the competition, I want to say a few words about those gathered in the tavern. Evgraf Ivanov, or Stunned, was a bachelor on a spree. He could neither sing nor dance, but not a single drinking party was complete without him - his presence was endured as a necessary evil. Morgach's past was unclear, they only knew that he was a coachman for a lady, became a clerk, was released and became rich. This is an experienced person with his own mind, neither good nor evil. His entire family consists of a son who took after his father. Yakov, who was descended from a captured Turkish woman, was an artist at heart, and by rank he was a scooper at a paper mill. Nobody knew where the Wild Master (Perevlesov) came from and how he lived. This gloomy man lived without needing anyone and enjoyed enormous influence. He did not drink wine, did not date women, and was passionate about singing.

The clerk was the first to sing. He sang a dance song with endless decorations and transitions, which brought a smile from the Wild Master and the stormy approval of the rest of the listeners. Yakov began with excitement. In his voice there was deep passion, and youth, and strength, and sweetness, and fascinatingly carefree, sad grief. The Russian soul sounded in him and grabbed his heart. Tears appeared in everyone's eyes. The rower himself admitted defeat.

I left the tavern, so as not to spoil the impression, got to the hayloft and fell into a deep sleep. In the evening, when I woke up, the tavern was already celebrating Yashka’s victory with might and main. I turned away and began to walk down the hill on which Kolotovka lies.

Summary of Turgenev's story “Singers”

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Singers

In the village of Kolotovka, in a tavern nicknamed "Pritynny", men argued, competing in singing. The owner of the tavern was Nikolai Ivanovich - a cunning and efficient man who knew how to listen, but did not say much. It was a pleasure to communicate with Nikolai Ivanovich; he had a special gift for attracting and keeping guests. Nikolai Ivanovich had a wife and children. The tavern "Prytynny" was a favorite place for the entire area. The rower and Yashka the Turk are going to compete in singing. Wild Master bet on the fact that Yashka the Turk sings better. The author, having heard about the dispute, hurried to the tavern, since rumors were circulating throughout the area about how well Yashka the Turk sings.

Yashka the Turk. “A thin and slender man of about twenty-three, dressed in a long-skirted blue nankeen caftan. He looked like a dashing factory fellow, and it seemed that he could not boast of excellent health. His sunken cheeks, large restless gray eyes, a straight nose with thin, mobile nostrils, white a sloping forehead with light brown curls thrown back, large but beautiful, expressive lips - his whole face revealed an impressionable and passionate man." Yakov was nicknamed the Turk, since he actually descended from a captive Turkish woman, “he was by heart an artist in every sense of the word, and by rank a scooper at a merchant’s paper mill.”

Wild Barin. “A man of about forty, broad-shouldered, high-cheeked, with a low forehead, narrow Tatar eyes, a short flat nose, a square chin and black shiny hair, hard as stubble. The expression of his dark, leaden face, especially his pale lips, could be would be called almost ferocious if it weren’t so calmly and thoughtfully. He was dressed in some kind of shabby frock coat with smooth copper buttons; an old black silk scarf wrapped around his huge neck.” The first impression that the sight of this man made on you was a feeling of some rough, heavy, but irresistible strength. He was clumsily built, ... but he reeked of indestructible health. There was no more silent and gloomy person. He did not engage in any craft..., but he had money. The wild master enjoyed enormous influence throughout the entire district... He spoke - people obeyed him; strength will always take its toll... It seemed that some enormous forces rested gloomily within him... What was especially striking... was a mixture of some kind of innate ferocity and the same innate nobility.

Rower. A short, stocky man of about thirty, pockmarked and curly-haired, with a blunt upturned nose, lively brown eyes and a thin beard. He looked around briskly, tucked his hands under him, carelessly chatted and tapped his feet, shod in dandy boots with trim. He was wearing a new, thin coat made of gray cloth with a corduroy collar, from which the edge of a scarlet shirt, tightly buttoned around the throat, sharply separated."

Among the spectators there were two interesting figures: Obolduy and Morgach. Obolduy Her real name is Evgraf Ivanov) - “he was a spree, single courtyard man, from whom his own masters had abandoned him a long time ago and who, having no position, not receiving a penny of salary, nevertheless found a way every day to go on a spree at someone else’s expense ... He could neither sing nor dance, from birth he did not say not only a smart, even a worthwhile word..." Blinker ("the name of a blinker also came to him, although he did not blink his eyes more than other people...) he was a coachman for an old lady, he fled, but a year later he returned, repented and worked so well that after the death of the lady he was set free... He is careful and at the same time enterprising, like a fox; talkative, like an old woman, and never lets slip... He is happy and believes in his happiness, believes in signs. They don’t like him because he doesn’t care about anyone, but they respect him. Morgach has a small son.

Yakov and the rower cast lots to decide who should sing first. The rower was the first to sing.

The rower began to sing a cheerful dance song in a pleasant but hoarse voice. Everyone listened attentively. “The rower sang for a long time, without arousing too much sympathy in his listeners: he lacked the support of the choir... Obolduy and Morgach began to pick up and pull up in a low voice... Only the Wild Master did not change in his face and still did not move from his place; but his gaze his gaze, directed at the clerk, softened somewhat, although the expression on his lips remained contemptuous."

The rower finished singing and was praised. It was Jacob's turn to sing. “Yakov paused, looked around and covered himself with his hand. ... The first sound of his voice was weak and uneven and, it seemed, did not come out of his chest, but came from somewhere far away, as if it had accidentally flown into the room. This first sound was followed by another .

I admit, I have rarely heard such a voice: it was slightly broken and rang as if cracked; it even felt somewhat painful at first. The Russian, truthful, ardent soul sounded and breathed in him and grabbed you by the heart, grabbed you right by its Russian strings. Yakov, apparently, was overcome by rapture: he was no longer timid, he surrendered himself entirely to his happiness; his voice no longer trembled - it trembled, but with that barely noticeable inner trembling of passion that pierces like an arrow into the soul of the listener... He sang, completely forgetting both his opponent and all of us, but, apparently, lifted up like a vigorous swimmer by the waves, our silent, passionate participation. He sang, and from every sound of his voice there was something familiar and vastly expansive... My heart... began to boil and tears rose to my eyes...

I looked around - the kisser’s wife was crying... Nikolai Ivanovich looked down, Morgach turned away; The fool, all effete, stood with his mouth open stupidly; the gray little man sobbed quietly in the corner, and a heavy tear slowly rolled down the iron face of the Wild Master; the rower brought his clenched fist to his forehead and did not move..."

Yakov finished singing, everyone seemed to be waiting for the continuation. “The clerk quietly stood up and approached Yakov. “You... your... you won,” he finally said with difficulty and rushed out of the room. His quick and decisive movement seemed to break the spell: everyone suddenly started talking noisily, joyfully ...Yakov enjoy his victory, like a child; his whole face was transformed; especially his eyes shone with happiness.”

Comments.

This story reveals to us the sense of beauty inherent in a Russian person who is ready to cry over a song dear to his heart. Ryadchik sang beautifully, but in Yakov’s voice one could feel the pain, so close and familiar to the Russian people. Suffering, Russian suffering, without which our people cannot imagine themselves, was conveyed in Jacob’s song. And the ability to compassion is also a trait of our people.

Retelling plan

1. Description of the owner of the tavern and his establishment.
2. Description of the tavern's visitors. Competition for the best performance of the song.
3. Singing of a soldier from Zhizdra.
4. Victory of Jacob the Turk.
5. Drunken revelry in a tavern.

Retelling

The village of Kolotovka, which once belonged to a landowner nicknamed Stryganikha, and now belongs to some St. Petersburg German, stands on the slope of a bare hill, dissected by a terrible ravine. At the very beginning of the ravine there is a small hut covered with straw. This is a tavern nicknamed “Pri-tynny”. It is often visited because of the kisser (tavern salesman) Nikolai Ivanovich. This once slender and curly-haired guy, and now an unusually fat, graying man with a swollen face, has been living in Kolotovka for more than twenty years. He is an efficient and quick-witted person, not distinguished by his talkativeness or special courtesy, but he has the gift of attracting and retaining guests. He knows a lot about everything that is important or interesting for a Russian person. He knows a hundred miles around what is going on, and never spills the beans, and doesn’t even show that he knows. His neighbors respect him, he is a man of influence. He is married and has children. The wife, a lively bourgeois woman, has also recently gained weight, just like her husband. He relies on her for everything. Drunkards and revelers are afraid of her.

On a hot July day, the narrator approached the tavern and heard a conversation: Yashka the Turk, the best singer in the area, will sing on a bet. The internal structure of the zucchini is described: the light hut is divided in two by a partition, in which a large longitudinal hole has been made above a wide oak table. Wine is sold on this table, or stand. Nikolai Ivanovich stood behind the counter. He poured wine for Morga-chu and Obolduyu, who had just entered. In the middle of the room stood Yashka the Turk, a thin and slender man of about twenty-three, dressed in a long-skirted blue caftan. His whole face said that he was a passionate and impressionable man. He was in great excitement. Next to him stood a man of about forty, broad-shouldered, high cheekbones, with a low forehead, narrow Tatar eyes and black shiny hair. His face was calm and thoughtful. He hardly moved, just looked around slowly. He was dressed in some kind of shabby frock coat with smooth copper buttons. His name was Wild Master.

Opposite on a bench under the icons sat Yashka’s rival, a contractor from Zhizdra. He was a short, stocky man of about thirty, pockmarked and curly-haired, with lively brown eyes and a thin beard. He was wearing a new, thin overcoat made of gray cloth, a scarlet shirt and smart boots with trim. The narrator took the beer and sat down next to him. We began to decide who should sing first. They cast lots and it fell to the rower. The narrator makes a digression, describing the opponents. Stunned, whose real name was Evgraf Ivanov, was a single houseyard man who had gone on a spree, from whom even his owners lagged behind. He, having no position and not receiving a salary, found means every day to go on a spree at someone else’s expense. He had many friends who gave him wine and tea. He couldn’t sing or dance, didn’t say a single smart word, he was always “gushing” and lying at random. They treated him with contempt, and only the Wild Master could tame his absurd impulses.

Morgach, no one knew his real name, was once a coachman for an old childless lady, but he ran away with the horses, and a year later he returned lame, begged forgiveness from his lady, and after a few years of exemplary behavior became a clerk. After the death of the lady, he was somehow released, registered as a bourgeois, became rich and now lives happily ever after. He is careful and at the same time enterprising, like a fox, talkative, although he never lets it slip. He is happy and believes in his happiness. He is generally very superstitious. His whole family is one son, in whom he dotes.

Yakov, nicknamed the Turk because he was descended from a captured Turkish woman, was an artist at heart, and by rank a scooper at a merchant's paper mill. The fate of the clerk remained unknown to the hunter; “he seemed like a resourceful and lively city tradesman.” Wild Master (his real name was Perevlesov) gave the impression of rude, heavy, irresistible strength. He was awkwardly built. No one knew where he came from in this district and what class he was. No one could say what he lived for, what trade he did. He didn’t go to anyone, didn’t know anyone, but he had money. He lived quietly, as if not noticing anyone around, but enjoyed enormous influence throughout the entire district. He hardly drank wine, did not date women, and passionately loved singing. There was a mixture of some kind of innate, natural ferocity and the same innate nobility.

So, the rower began to sing in the highest falsetto. His voice was quite pleasant, although somewhat hoarse. “He played and wiggled this voice like a top, constantly poured and shimmered from top to bottom and constantly returned to the upper notes, which he sustained and pulled out with special diligence, fell silent and then suddenly picked up the same tune with some kind of rollicking, arrogant prowess.” He sang a cheerful dance song, and everyone listened to him with great attention. Stunned and Morgach began to pick up in low voices. When, sweating profusely, he finished, Stupid threw himself on his neck, and Yakov, like a madman, shouted: “Well done, well done!”

It was Jacob's turn. He stood up and covered himself with his hand. When he opened his face, everyone saw that he was pale and his eyes were flickering. He took a deep breath and sang. At first it seemed as if his voice had accidentally flown into the room. But little by little the mournful song became heated and expanded. “There was more than one path in the field,” he sang, and everyone felt sweet and eerie. In his voice there was genuine deep passion, and youth, and strength, and sweetness, and some kind of fascinatingly carefree, sad grief. The Russian, truthful, ardent soul sounded and breathed in him and grabbed you by the heart, grabbed you right by its Russian strings. Yakov sang, completely forgetting about his opponent, about everyone else. From every sound of his voice there was a breath of something familiar and immeasurably wide, and tears came to everyone’s eyes.

When he finished singing, everyone stood dumbfounded. The clerk quietly stood up and approached Yakov: “You... yours... you won,” and ran out of the room. Everyone started talking at once, congratulating Yakov, and he enjoyed the victory like a child. The narrator, afraid to spoil the impression of the song, left. I reached the hayloft and lay down on the grass, still feeling the song.

He woke up when it was already dark, and, going out into the street, he heard a discordant, vague din coming from the tavern. Through the window he saw that everyone there was drunk, including Yakov... The air was filled with the shadows of the night...