Summary of “Belkin's Tale” by A. S. Pushkin

The Tale of Tsar Saltan

(The tale of Tsar Saltan, his glorious son and mighty hero Prince Guidon Saltanovich and the beautiful swan princess)

This tale is about love and generosity, but its events will also clearly show what envy and anger are capable of.

The two older sisters hated the younger one because Tsar Saltan fell in love with her and took her as his wife. Dreaming of separating them, the villains enlist the support of some people from the royal circle. And so, while Saltan was fighting, his wife and son were brutally expelled from the palace. They find themselves on a distant island, full of unimaginable wonders, where the matured Guidon becomes the prince-ruler. The swan, once saved by the prince from a kite, with her magic helps him visit his father's palace, find out who destroyed their family, and restore justice.

The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish

The moral of this tale is always relevant: in order not to lose what you have, you must have a sense of proportion and be grateful for good.

An old man and an old woman lived in a dugout by the sea. The old man was lucky to catch a goldfish in a net that could fulfill all wishes, but he let it go just like that. But his wife wanted one thing or another - from a new trough to royal greatness. At her command, the old man went again and again to bow to the Golden Fish, but the rich gifts still seemed to be few: the old woman also needed sea dominion! The fish did not answer anything, but punished the ungrateful woman for her irrepressible greed.

The Tale of the Priest and His Worker Balda

Once a greedy priest was walking around the bazaar, looking for a worker, so that he would be a jack of all trades, work for seven and charge inexpensively for it. Balda met him and agreed to work for a whole year with just three clicks on his master’s forehead.

Time passed, and everything would have been fine, but the priest began to fear retribution. To save his forehead, he gave the worker a dangerous task: if he did not fulfill it, then there would be no payment. However, the cunning Balda dealt with this and came to the priest on time. The miser suffered from the promised clicks, so much so that his mind went out of him. Don't look for unprecedented cheapness!

Shot

Officers of an army regiment stationed in a provincial town met a mysterious man named Silvio. He was gloomy and hot-tempered; he once served in a hussar regiment and was a very accurate shooter, but did not take part in duels. Nothing more was known about him.

One day Silvio decided to leave and before leaving he told one of the officers his story. During his years of service, he quarreled with a young aristocrat and challenged him to a duel. The aristocrat came to the duel with a cap full of cherries and after his shot began to feast on them. Enraged, Silvio did not shoot. The enemy declared that he could use this shot whenever he pleased. Now Silvio found out that the aristocrat was engaged, and was going to take revenge.

A few years later, the retired officer met the count and his young wife. In their living room, he saw a painting riddled with “two bullets embedded in one another.” This well-aimed shot reminded him of Silvio. It turned out that the count was that same enemy.

Five years ago, Silvio came to the count and forced him to draw lots. The first shot again went to the aristocrat, but he did not shoot at Silvio, but at the painting. Then the frightened countess appeared, the count also became confused, and Silvio did not shoot. It was enough for him that the count was afraid. Leaving the room, Silvio almost without aiming shot at the painting and hit the place shot through by the count.

The officer later learned that Silvio had died while participating in the Greek uprising.

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The Tale of the Golden Cockerel

According to the author, “the fairy tale is a lie, but there is a hint in it.” Its lesson is this: a debt is worth paying, and those who don’t keep their word will end up in trouble.

The old king Dadon was threatened by neighbors from all sides, and he did not have an army to guard all the borders. The king called the astrologer to help and received from him a golden cockerel, which, sitting high, would scream to warn of danger. For the service, the sage was promised the fulfillment of any desire.

The cockerel served well, and the number of enemies decreased. But then unknown enemies approached; The king had to go on a campaign when his sons could not overcome this misfortune. But the enemy turned out to be the Shamakhan queen, and the princes destroyed each other because of her beauty. Old man Dadon also could not resist her and, forgetting about everything, took her to the palace. The astrologer demanded the beauty for himself, reminding the king of his promise. The answer was a blow to the head with a staff. Then the magic cockerel flew in and pecked Dadon so that the spirit left him; The queen immediately disappeared.

The captain's daughter - summary

• Do it yourself / Summary / Pushkin Alexander Sergeevich / The captain's daughter

In 1836, Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin wrote the story “The Captain's Daughter,” which was a historical description of the Pugachev uprising.
In his work, Pushkin was based on real events of 1773-1775, when, under the leadership of Emelyan Pugachev (Liar Peter Fedorovich), the Yaik Cossacks, who took escaped convicts, thieves and villains as their servants, began a peasant war. Pyotr Grinev and Maria Mironova are fictional characters, but their destinies very truthfully reflect the sad time of the brutal civil war. Pushkin designed his story in a realistic form in the form of notes from the diary of the main character Pyotr Grinev, made years after the uprising. The lyrics of the work are interesting in their presentation - Grinev writes his diary in adulthood, rethinking everything he has experienced. At the time of the uprising, he was a young nobleman loyal to his Empress. He looked at the rebels as savages who fought with particular cruelty against the Russian people. During the course of the story, one can see how the heartless ataman Pugachev, who executes dozens of honest officers, over time, by the will of fate, wins favor in Grinev’s heart and finds sparks of nobility in his eyes.

Chapter 1. Sergeant of the Guard

At the beginning of the story, the main character Peter Grinev tells the reader about his young life. He is the only survivor of 9 children of a retired major and a poor noblewoman; he lived in a middle-class noble family. The old servant was actually involved in raising the young master. Peter's education was low, since his father, a retired major, hired the French hairdresser Beaupre, who led an immoral lifestyle, as a tutor. For drunkenness and dissolute acts he was expelled from the estate. And his father decided to send 17-year-old Petrusha, through old connections, to serve in Orenburg (instead of St. Petersburg, where he was supposed to go to serve in the guard) and assigned an old servant Savelich to look after him. Petrusha was upset, because instead of partying in the capital, a dull existence in the wilderness awaited him. During a stop along the way, the young master made an acquaintance with the rake-captain Zurin, because of whom, under the pretext of learning, he became involved in playing billiards. Then Zurin suggested playing for money and as a result Petrusha lost as much as 100 rubles - a lot of money at that time. Savelich, being the keeper of the master’s “treasury,” is against Peter paying the debt, but the master insists. The servant is indignant, but gives the money.

Chapter 2. Counselor

In the end, Peter is ashamed of his loss and promises Savelich not to play for money anymore. A long road awaits them ahead, and the servant forgives the master. But due to Petrusha’s indiscretion, they again find themselves in trouble - the approaching snowstorm did not bother the young man and he ordered the coachman not to return. As a result, they lost their way and almost froze to death. As luck would have it, they met a stranger who helped the lost travelers find their way to the inn.

Grinev recalls how then, tired from the road, he had a dream in a wagon, which he called prophetic: he sees his house and his mother, who says that his father is dying. Then he sees an unfamiliar man with a beard in his father’s bed, and his mother says that he is her sworn husband. The stranger wants to give his “father’s” blessing, but Peter refuses, and then the man takes up an ax, and corpses appear around. He doesn't touch Peter.

They arrive at an inn that resembles a thieves' den. A stranger, frozen in the cold in only an army coat, asks Petrusha for wine, and he treats him. A strange conversation took place between the man and the owner of the house in thieves' language. Peter does not understand the meaning, but everything he heard seems very strange to him. Leaving the shelter, Peter, to Savelich’s further displeasure, thanked the guide by giving him a sheepskin coat. To which the stranger bowed, saying that the century would not forget such mercy.

When Peter finally gets to Orenburg, his father’s colleague, having read the cover letter with instructions to keep the young man “with a tight rein,” sends him to serve in the Belgorod fortress - an even greater wilderness. This could not but upset Peter, who had long dreamed of a guards uniform.

Chapter 3. Fortress

The owner of the Belgorod garrison was Ivan Kuzmich Mironov, but his wife, Vasilisa Egorovna, was actually in charge of everything. Grinev immediately liked simple and sincere people. The middle-aged Mironov couple had a daughter, Masha, but so far their acquaintance has not taken place. In the fortress (which turned out to be a simple village), Peter meets the young lieutenant Alexei Ivanovich Shvabrin, who was exiled here from the guard for a duel that ended in the death of his opponent. Shvabrin, having a habit of speaking unflatteringly about those around him, often spoke sarcastically about Masha, the captain’s daughter, making her look like a complete fool. Then Grinev himself meets the commander’s daughter and questions the lieutenant’s statements.

Chapter 4. Duel

By his nature, kind and good-natured, Grinev began to become closer and closer friends with the commandant and his family, and moved away from Shvabrin. The captain's daughter Masha had no dowry, but turned out to be a charming girl. Shvabrin's caustic remarks did not please Peter. Inspired by thoughts of the young girl on quiet evenings, he began to write poems for her, the contents of which he shared with a friend. But he ridiculed him, and even more began to humiliate Masha’s dignity, assuring that she would come at night to someone who would give her a pair of earrings.

As a result, the friends quarreled, and it came to a duel. Vasilisa Egorovna, the commandant’s wife, found out about the duel, but the duelists pretended to make peace, deciding to postpone the meeting until the next day. But in the morning, as soon as they had time to draw their swords, Ivan Ignatich and 5 disabled people were escorted out to Vasilisa Yegorovna. Having reprimanded them properly, she released them. In the evening, Masha, alarmed by the news of the duel, told Peter about Shvabrin’s unsuccessful matchmaking with her. Now Grinev understood his motives for his behavior. The duel still took place. The confident swordsman Peter, taught at least something worthwhile by tutor Beaupre, turned out to be a strong opponent for Shvabrin. But Savelich appeared at the duel, Peter hesitated for a second and ended up wounded.

Chapter 5. Love

The wounded Peter was nursed by his servant and Masha. As a result, the duel brought the young people closer together, and they were inflamed with mutual love for each other. Wanting to marry Masha, Grinev sends a letter to his parents.

Grinev made peace with Shvabrin. Peter's father, having learned about the duel and not wanting to hear about the marriage, became furious and sent his son an angry letter, where he threatened to be transferred from the fortress. At a loss as to how his father could have found out about the duel, Peter attacked Savelich with accusations, but he himself received a letter of dissatisfaction from the owner. Grinev finds only one answer - Shvabrin reported the duel. His father’s refusal to give his blessing does not change Peter’s intentions, but Masha does not agree to get married secretly. They move away from each other for a while, and Grinev realizes that unhappy love can deprive him of his reason and lead to debauchery.

Chapter 6. Pugachevism

Trouble begins in the Belgorod fortress. Captain Mironov receives an order from the general to prepare the fortress for an attack by rebels and robbers. Emelyan Pugachev, who called himself Peter III, escaped from custody and terrified the surrounding area. According to rumors, he had already captured several fortresses and was approaching Belgorod. It was impossible to count on victory with 4 officers and army “disabled” soldiers. Alarmed by rumors about the capture of a neighboring fortress and the execution of officers, Captain Mironov decided to send Masha and Vasilisa Yegorovna to Orenburg, where the fortress was stronger. The captain's wife speaks out against leaving and decides not to leave her husband in difficult times. Masha says goodbye to Peter, but she fails to leave the fortress.

Chapter 7. Attack

Ataman Pugachev appears at the walls of the fortress and offers to surrender without a fight. Commandant Mironov, having learned about the betrayal of the constable and several Cossacks who joined the rebel clan, does not agree to the proposal. He orders his wife to dress Masha as a commoner and take her to the priest’s hut, while he opens fire on the rebels. The battle ends with the capture of the fortress, which, together with the city, passes into the hands of Pugachev.

Right at the commandant’s house, Pugachev commits reprisals against those who refused to take the oath to him. He orders the execution of Captain Mironov and Lieutenant Ivan Ignatyich. Grinev decides that he will not swear allegiance to the robber and will accept an honest death. However, then Shvabrin comes up to Pugachev and whispers something in his ear. The chieftain decides not to ask for the oath, ordering all three to be hanged. But the old faithful servant Savelich throws himself at the ataman’s feet and he agrees to pardon Grinev. Ordinary soldiers and city residents take the oath of allegiance to Pugachev. As soon as the oath was over, Pugachev decided to have dinner, but the Cossacks dragged the naked Vasilisa Yegorovna by the hair from the commandant’s house, where they were plundering property, who was screaming for her husband and cursing the convict. The chieftain ordered to kill her.

Chapter 8. Uninvited Guest

Grinev's heart is not in the right place. He understands that if the soldiers find out that Masha is here and alive, she cannot avoid reprisals, especially since Shvabrin took the side of the rebels. He knows that his beloved is hiding in the priest's house. In the evening, the Cossacks arrived, sent to take him to Pugachev. Although Peter did not accept the Liar’s offer of all sorts of honors for the oath, the conversation between the rebel and the officer was friendly. Pugachev remembered the good and now granted Peter freedom in return.

Chapter 9. Separation

The next morning, in front of the people, Pugachev called Peter to him and told him to go to Orenburg and report his attack in a week. Savelich began to bother about the looted property, but the villain said that he would let him go to sheepskin coats for such impudence. Grinev and his servant leave Belogorsk. Pugachev appoints Shvabrin as commandant, and he himself goes off to his next exploits.

Peter and Savelich are walking, but one of Pugachev’s gang caught up with them and said that His Majesty was granting them a horse and a sheepskin coat, and half a rouble, but he supposedly lost it. Masha fell ill and lay delirious.

Chapter 10. Siege of the city

Arriving in Orenburg, Grinev immediately reported on Pugachev’s actions in the Belgorod fortress. A council met, at which everyone except Peter voted for defense rather than attack.

A long siege begins - hunger and need. On his next foray into the enemy’s camp, Peter receives a letter from Masha in which she begs to be saved. Shvabrin wants to marry her and keeps her captive. Grinev goes to the general with a request to give half a company of soldiers to save the girl, but he is refused. Then Peter decides to help out his beloved alone.

Chapter 11. Rebel settlement

On the way to the fortress, Peter ends up on Pugachev’s guard and is taken for interrogation. Grinev honestly tells everything about his plans to the troublemaker and says that he is free to do whatever he wants with him. Pugachev's thug advisors offer to execute the officer, but he says, “have mercy, so have mercy.”

Together with the robber chieftain, Peter travels to the Belgorod fortress; on the road they have a conversation. The rebel says that he wants to go to Moscow. Peter pities him in his heart, begging him to surrender to the mercy of the empress. But Pugachev knows that it’s too late, and says, come what may.

Chapter 12. Orphan

Shvabrin holds the girl on water and bread. Pugachev pardons the AWOL, but from Shvabrin he learns that Masha is the daughter of an unsworn commandant. At first he is furious, but Peter, with his sincerity, wins favor this time too.

Chapter 13. Arrest

Pugachev gives Peter a pass to all outposts. Happy lovers go to their parents' house. They confused the army convoy with Pugachev's traitors and were arrested. Grinev recognized Zurin as the head of the outpost. He said that he was going home to get married. He dissuades him, assuring him to stay in the service. Peter himself understands that duty calls him. He sends Masha and Savelich to their parents.

The military actions of the detachments that came to the rescue ruined the robber plans. But Pugachev could not be caught. Then rumors spread that he was rampant in Siberia. Zurin's detachment is sent to suppress another outbreak. Grinev recalls the unfortunate villages plundered by savages. The troops had to take away what people were able to save. News arrived that Pugachev had been caught.

Chapter 14. Court

Grinev, following Shvabrin's denunciation, was arrested as a traitor. He could not justify himself with love, fearing that Masha would also be interrogated. The Empress, taking into account his father's merits, pardoned him, but sentenced him to lifelong exile. The father was in shock. Masha decided to go to St. Petersburg and ask the Empress for her beloved.

By the will of fate, Maria meets the Empress in the early autumn morning and tells her everything, not knowing who she is talking to. That same morning, a cab driver was sent to pick her up at the house of a socialite, where Masha had settled down for a while, with the order to deliver Mironov’s daughter to the palace.

There Masha saw Catherine II and recognized her as her interlocutor.

Grinev was released from hard labor. Pugachev was executed. Standing on the scaffold in the crowd, he saw Grinev and nodded.

The reunited loving hearts continued the Grinev family, and in their Simbirsk province, under glass, a letter from Catherine II was kept, pardoning Peter and praising Mary for her intelligence and kind heart.

The Tale of the Dead Princess and the Seven Knights

This fairy tale tells about black envy, murderous malice and the all-conquering power of love.

The king left for distant lands. Meanwhile, the queen gave birth to a daughter, and then died, unable to bear the joy of his return. A year later he married again. The new queen only cared that there was no one more beautiful in the world than her, and she kept asking the magic mirror about this.

But then the princess grew up, blossomed, and a groom was found for her - Prince Elisha. The mirror told the stepmother that she was no longer the first beauty. Inflamed with hatred, she decided to harass her stepdaughter and ordered her to be taken to the forest to die. However, the girl ended up in the house of seven heroes, who began to take care of her like brothers. Having learned about this, the stepmother forced the maid to trick her into giving her the poisoned apple and achieved her goal: the princess fell dead.

The heroes put the named sister in a crystal coffin and took it to a mountain cave. Soon Elisha, having gone around the whole world in search of the missing bride, with the help of the sun, the month, the wind and a loving heart, found her and freed her from the captivity of eternity. They got married, and the queen tormented herself with anger and frustration.

Blizzard

The daughter of a wealthy landowner, Marya Gavrilovna R., was in love with her poor neighbor, army ensign Vladimir. He believed that Masha’s parents would not bless their marriage, and persuaded the girl to get married secretly.

Vladimir prepared a wedding in a neighboring village and was supposed to meet the bride at the church, but he got lost in a snowstorm, wandered all night, and, upon reaching the village, found the church locked.

By the evening of the next day, Masha had a fever. From their daughter's delirium, the parents realized that she was in love with their neighbor and decided to marry her to him. They sent an invitation to Vladimir, but he replied that he would not set foot in their house, went to the army, was wounded near Borodino and died.

Soon after, Mashin’s father also died. The girl became a rich heiress, but refused all suitors. After World War II, Masha had a new neighbor - the wounded hussar colonel Burmin. Sympathy arose between them.

Burmin admitted to Masha that he loves her, but he is married and does not know who his wife is. One day, during a severe snowstorm, he lost his way, drove into an open church and frivolously married an unfamiliar girl, who fainted when she saw him after the ceremony. Turning pale, Masha admitted that it was her, and Burmin threw himself at her feet.

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