Vanka
Author: Anton Chekhov
Read “Vanka” by Anton Chekhov in Russian, English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Chinese in Bibliott on your phone and tablet.
Languages: RU, English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese
Genre: Historical, Satire, Short story
Free to read
On Christmas Eve, nine-year-old apprentice Vanka secretly writes a desperate letter to his grandfather, unaware that its naïve address will leave his hope no more than a dream.
Characters
- Vanka Zhukov — a nine-year-old shoemaker’s apprentice: An orphaned boy who begs his grandfather to take him away from Moscow.
- Konstantin Makaritch — Vanka’s grandfather and a night watchman: A lively sixty-five-year-old man associated with Vanka’s happiest memories.
- Alyahin the shoemaker — the workshop owner and Vanka’s master: The harsh shoemaker with whom Vanka lives and learns the trade.
- Olga Ignatyevna — a young lady of the country house: A kind young woman who taught Vanka reading, writing, and dancing.
- Pelageya — Vanka’s late mother: A former servant in the country house.
- Eel — the grandfather’s dog: A long black dog with an affectionate look and a cunning nature.