The Witch and Other Stories

The Witch and Other Stories by Anton Chekhov

The Witch and Other Stories is a collection of short stories by Anton Chekhov, one of the greatest Russian writers of all time. The stories in this collection explore the human condition, from the mundane to the extraordinary. The title story, “The Witch,” is a darkly humorous tale of a woman who believes she is a witch and the consequences of her actions. Other stories in the collection include “The Darling,” a story of a woman’s struggle to find her place in society; “The Lady with the Dog,” a story of a man’s love for a woman he can never have; and “The Bishop,” a story of a man’s struggle with faith and doubt. The Witch and Other Stories is a timeless collection of stories that will captivate readers of all ages. Chekhov’s writing is both humorous and profound, and his stories are sure to leave readers with a greater understanding of the human condition.

By Anton Chekhov · First published 1900 · Genre: Short Story, Realism, Fiction · 40 chapters · 74,322 words

First lines

IT was approaching nightfall. The sexton, Savely Gykin, was lying in his huge bed in the hut adjoining the church. He was not asleep, though it was his habit to go to sleep at the same time as the hens. His coarse red hair peeped from under one end of the greasy patchwork quilt, made up of coloured rags, while his big unwashed feet stuck out from the other. He was listening. His hut adjoined the wall that encircled the church and the solitary window in it looked out upon the open country. And out there a regular battle was going on. It was hard to say who was being wiped off the face of the earth, and for the sake of whose destruction nature was being churned up into such a ferment; but, judging from the unceasing malignant roar, someone was getting it very hot. A victorious force was in full chase over the fields, storming in the forest and on the church roof, battering spitefully with its fists upon the windows, raging and tearing, while something vanquished was howling and wailing.... A plaintive lament sobbed at the window, on the roof, or in the stove. It sounded not like a call for help, but like a cry of misery, a consciousness that it was too late, that there was no salvation. The snowdrifts were covered with a thin coating of ice; tears quivered on them and on the trees; a dark slush of mud and melting snow flowed along the roads and paths. In short, it was thawing, but through the dark night the heavens failed to see it, and flung flakes of fresh snow upon the melting earth at a terrific rate. And the wind staggered like a drunkard. It would not let the snow settle on the ground, and whirled it round in the darkness at random.

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1860-1904 · Anton Chekhov, 1860-1904 · Anton Pavlovich · Chekhov · Fiction · Russia · Short stories · Social life and customs · Translations into English · called · children · church

Contents

More by Anton Chekhov