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A Day in the Country
Do your students enjoy a good laugh? Do they like to be scared? Or do they just like a book with a happy ending? No matter what their taste, our Creative Short Stories series has the answer.We've taken some of the world's best stories from dark, musty anthologies and brought them into the light, giving them the individual attention they deserve. Each book in the series has been designed with today's young reader in mind. As the words come to life, students will develop a lasting appreciation for great literature.
The humor of Mark Twain...the suspense of Edgar Allan Poe...the danger of Jack London...the sensitivity of Katherine Mansfield. Creative Short Stories has it all and will prove to be a welcome addition to any library.
The humor of Mark Twain...the suspense of Edgar Allan Poe...the danger of Jack London...the sensitivity of Katherine Mansfield. Creative Short Stories has it all and will prove to be a welcome addition to any library.
32 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 1985
49 people are currently reading
1083 people want to read
About the author
Anton Chekhov
5,890 books9,755 followersDramas, such as
The Seagull
(1896, revised 1898), and including "A Dreary Story" (1889) of Russian writer Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, also Chekov, concern the inability of humans to communicate.
Born ( Антон Павлович Чехов ) in the small southern seaport of Taganrog, the son of a grocer. His grandfather, a serf, bought his own freedom and that of his three sons in 1841. He also taught to read. A cloth merchant fathered Yevgenia Morozova, his mother.
"When I think back on my childhood," Chekhov recalled, "it all seems quite gloomy to me." Tyranny of his father, religious fanaticism, and long nights in the store, open from five in the morning till midnight, shadowed his early years. He attended a school for Greek boys in Taganrog from 1867 to 1868 and then Taganrog grammar school. Bankruptcy of his father compelled the family to move to Moscow. At the age of 16 years in 1876, independent Chekhov for some time alone in his native town supported through private tutoring.
In 1879, Chekhov left grammar school and entered the university medical school at Moscow. In the school, he began to publish hundreds of short comics to support his mother, sisters and brothers. Nicholas Leikin published him at this period and owned Oskolki (splinters), the journal of Saint Petersburg. His subjected silly social situations, marital problems, and farcical encounters among husbands, wives, mistresses, and lust; even after his marriage, Chekhov, the shy author, knew not much of whims of young women.
Nenunzhaya pobeda , first novel of Chekhov, set in 1882 in Hungary, parodied the novels of the popular Mór Jókai. People also mocked ideological optimism of Jókai as a politician.
Chekhov graduated in 1884 and practiced medicine. He worked from 1885 in Peterburskaia gazeta.
In 1886, Chekhov met H.S. Suvorin, who invited him, a regular contributor, to work for Novoe vremya, the daily paper of Saint Petersburg. He gained a wide fame before 1886. He authored The Shooting Party , his second full-length novel, later translated into English. Agatha Christie used its characters and atmosphere in later her mystery novel The Murder of Roger Ackroyd . First book of Chekhov in 1886 succeeded, and he gradually committed full time. The refusal of the author to join the ranks of social critics arose the wrath of liberal and radical intelligentsia, who criticized him for dealing with serious social and moral questions but avoiding giving answers. Such leaders as Leo Tolstoy and Nikolai Leskov, however, defended him. "I'm not a liberal, or a conservative, or a gradualist, or a monk, or an indifferentist. I should like to be a free artist and that's all..." Chekhov said in 1888.
The failure of The Wood Demon , play in 1889, and problems with novel made Chekhov to withdraw from literature for a period. In 1890, he traveled across Siberia to Sakhalin, remote prison island. He conducted a detailed census of ten thousand convicts and settlers, condemned to live on that harsh island. Chekhov expected to use the results of his research for his doctoral dissertation. Hard conditions on the island probably also weakened his own physical condition. From this journey came his famous travel book.
Chekhov practiced medicine until 1892. During these years, Chechov developed his concept of the dispassionate, non-judgmental author. He outlined his program in a letter to his brother Aleksandr: "1. Absence of lengthy verbiage of political-social-economic nature; 2. total objectivity; 3. truthful descriptions of persons and objects; 4. extreme brevity; 5. audacity and originality; flee the stereotype; 6. compassion." Because he objected that the paper conducted against Alfred Dreyfus, his friendship with Suvorin ended
Born ( Антон Павлович Чехов ) in the small southern seaport of Taganrog, the son of a grocer. His grandfather, a serf, bought his own freedom and that of his three sons in 1841. He also taught to read. A cloth merchant fathered Yevgenia Morozova, his mother.
"When I think back on my childhood," Chekhov recalled, "it all seems quite gloomy to me." Tyranny of his father, religious fanaticism, and long nights in the store, open from five in the morning till midnight, shadowed his early years. He attended a school for Greek boys in Taganrog from 1867 to 1868 and then Taganrog grammar school. Bankruptcy of his father compelled the family to move to Moscow. At the age of 16 years in 1876, independent Chekhov for some time alone in his native town supported through private tutoring.
In 1879, Chekhov left grammar school and entered the university medical school at Moscow. In the school, he began to publish hundreds of short comics to support his mother, sisters and brothers. Nicholas Leikin published him at this period and owned Oskolki (splinters), the journal of Saint Petersburg. His subjected silly social situations, marital problems, and farcical encounters among husbands, wives, mistresses, and lust; even after his marriage, Chekhov, the shy author, knew not much of whims of young women.
Nenunzhaya pobeda , first novel of Chekhov, set in 1882 in Hungary, parodied the novels of the popular Mór Jókai. People also mocked ideological optimism of Jókai as a politician.
Chekhov graduated in 1884 and practiced medicine. He worked from 1885 in Peterburskaia gazeta.
In 1886, Chekhov met H.S. Suvorin, who invited him, a regular contributor, to work for Novoe vremya, the daily paper of Saint Petersburg. He gained a wide fame before 1886. He authored The Shooting Party , his second full-length novel, later translated into English. Agatha Christie used its characters and atmosphere in later her mystery novel The Murder of Roger Ackroyd . First book of Chekhov in 1886 succeeded, and he gradually committed full time. The refusal of the author to join the ranks of social critics arose the wrath of liberal and radical intelligentsia, who criticized him for dealing with serious social and moral questions but avoiding giving answers. Such leaders as Leo Tolstoy and Nikolai Leskov, however, defended him. "I'm not a liberal, or a conservative, or a gradualist, or a monk, or an indifferentist. I should like to be a free artist and that's all..." Chekhov said in 1888.
The failure of The Wood Demon , play in 1889, and problems with novel made Chekhov to withdraw from literature for a period. In 1890, he traveled across Siberia to Sakhalin, remote prison island. He conducted a detailed census of ten thousand convicts and settlers, condemned to live on that harsh island. Chekhov expected to use the results of his research for his doctoral dissertation. Hard conditions on the island probably also weakened his own physical condition. From this journey came his famous travel book.
Chekhov practiced medicine until 1892. During these years, Chechov developed his concept of the dispassionate, non-judgmental author. He outlined his program in a letter to his brother Aleksandr: "1. Absence of lengthy verbiage of political-social-economic nature; 2. total objectivity; 3. truthful descriptions of persons and objects; 4. extreme brevity; 5. audacity and originality; flee the stereotype; 6. compassion." Because he objected that the paper conducted against Alfred Dreyfus, his friendship with Suvorin ended
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 4, 2016
A beautiful, moving story about two orphaned siblings named Fyolka and Danilka and a cobbler named Terenty who were together in the woods after Terenty rescued Danilka when his hand was stuck into a hole in a tree. In just one day, Danilka's life changed after learning a lot of things from Terenty.
This short story is touching. Anton Chekhov's powerful prose explores a child's desire to learn more about the world and to live in a normal society where childhood experiences should be explored. It's a real life expressed through every spectrum, with deep and entertaining dialogues that will somehow give you unexpected emotions. The writing is simplistic yet the message imparted in the story tugs the heart. :)
Rating:
This short story is touching. Anton Chekhov's powerful prose explores a child's desire to learn more about the world and to live in a normal society where childhood experiences should be explored. It's a real life expressed through every spectrum, with deep and entertaining dialogues that will somehow give you unexpected emotions. The writing is simplistic yet the message imparted in the story tugs the heart. :)
Rating:
February 9, 2016
A Day in the Country is the first of a collection of short stories written by Anton Chekhov set in early 20th century Russia, that depicts everyday life for its rural inhabitants. While this story has its charm, and does effectively and simplistically illustrate "an average day in the country", it is also mundane, unexciting, sluggishly constructed, and remarkably ordinary. The characters are without personality, the plot is nonexistent, the writing is oversimplified, and the events are... well, uneventful. Perhaps if I continued on with reading the subsequent shorts in this particular collection, I would be able to connect better, and this story would then resonate more with me. But honestly, this feels more like reading to study rather than reading for enjoyment or entertainment. Sure, book can most certainly be both, but sadly this short story is not.
May 13, 2014
A Day in the Country is a story of two orphaned children at play when a threatening storm is looming forcing inhabitants to take refuge. Danilka manages to have his hand trapped requiring assistance. Luckily Danilka's sister Fyokla enlists the town cobbler Terenty's assistance and he rescues Danilka. The storm passes and the rest of the afternoon the trio enjoy the splendors of the country. Danilka is awed by nature and its beauty. Chekhov demonstrates that the simple things in life bring the most joy and the countryfolk are loving and helpful in times of trouble. A sweet short story by the master Chekhov.
January 4, 2020
“And no one sees his love. It is seen only by the moon which floats in the sky and peeps caressingly through the holes in the wall of the deserted barn.”
Love how this short story is descriptive and poetic at the same time. You’d want a guardian like Terenty.
Love how this short story is descriptive and poetic at the same time. You’d want a guardian like Terenty.
September 20, 2017
I have arranged my thoughts on this short story into a haiku:
"Even with vices
Lowering one’s own fortunes,
One can still do good."
"Even with vices
Lowering one’s own fortunes,
One can still do good."
October 29, 2016
A short story and my first foray into Chekov. Simple tale of 2 orphaned, Russian peasant children and their day spent with Uncle Terenty. Great sense of trust between child and adult who makes the world their classroom. Particular in time and place but universal in its themes. Simple in style and structure but rich in imagery and significance.
November 25, 2025
A homeless cobbler is beloved by two children and that self-same love changes them all.
August 10, 2017
Two for writing, three for nature references, would like to round up on principle that more books should celebrate experiencing the outdoors but the story was written a little too wrong for that from my perspective. Here's why:
At first I expected this to end in tragedy. A tiny orphan girl had to run over a mile one way to a forest to bring help to her "brother" in the thunder and rain. The helper whined the whole way about miserable orphans and don't be scared of the rain even those the girl expressed no fear. Is this normal for Russian literature? Seems so so far, by the handful of short stories and one novel I've read: embrace misery. Onward, she had welts on the back of her neck while the cobbler who helped the brother said it was probably a certain type of fly. Then she almost passed out while the boy was excited marching along and asking questions about the world and the cobbler was more than happy to disseminate knowledge--both overlook the girl's condition, and she ruminates about how she can't stop because she has no one.
That is why I thought the story was only "okay." Turns out the title is more true to the plot than how easy it was to misread hints in the story. It also could've been written in a way to better emphasize the "point" of the story. I say "point" in quotes because the story continues to be interpreted by the little girl who suffers physically and is ignored. It seems to be besides the point to be in love with nature and all the fascinating details of natural history, as would be the interpretation of the day in the country by the older boy or the cobbler.
At first I expected this to end in tragedy. A tiny orphan girl had to run over a mile one way to a forest to bring help to her "brother" in the thunder and rain. The helper whined the whole way about miserable orphans and don't be scared of the rain even those the girl expressed no fear. Is this normal for Russian literature? Seems so so far, by the handful of short stories and one novel I've read: embrace misery. Onward, she had welts on the back of her neck while the cobbler who helped the brother said it was probably a certain type of fly. Then she almost passed out while the boy was excited marching along and asking questions about the world and the cobbler was more than happy to disseminate knowledge--both overlook the girl's condition, and she ruminates about how she can't stop because she has no one.
That is why I thought the story was only "okay." Turns out the title is more true to the plot than how easy it was to misread hints in the story. It also could've been written in a way to better emphasize the "point" of the story. I say "point" in quotes because the story continues to be interpreted by the little girl who suffers physically and is ignored. It seems to be besides the point to be in love with nature and all the fascinating details of natural history, as would be the interpretation of the day in the country by the older boy or the cobbler.
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February 17, 2016i READ THIS..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2016
simply amazing!
August 12, 2021
This is my first prose of Chekov. Randomly chosen from the book The beauties published from Pushkin Press.
I loved the story so much. There are certain stories that shall not be rated in stars ⭐️ , this is one of them. A day from the life of some unimportant people - but still one can live his life with content and kindness towards the ones who are in need of, is depicted here.
I loved the story so much. There are certain stories that shall not be rated in stars ⭐️ , this is one of them. A day from the life of some unimportant people - but still one can live his life with content and kindness towards the ones who are in need of, is depicted here.
July 21, 2021
"Looking at . . . the birds he can tell what sort of weather it will be the next day." What silly superstitious nonsense! just ask a meteorologist. Granted, birds must have altimeters or they would impact the ground. But how could an altimeter be used to predict the weather?
March 8, 2018
This is probably one of the loveliest short stories I have ever read. The description was very detailed to the extent that I was able to put myself in the characters' shoes. 100% would recommend!
May 31, 2018
He longs to tell someone all that is haunting him now in the darkness and agitating his soul, but there is no one to tell.
A beautiful but simple short story that is heartwarming.
A beautiful but simple short story that is heartwarming.
November 21, 2018
this is good to read
February 26, 2019
Beautifully written
April 9, 2021
2.5 stars
Read this for school.
Read this for school.
September 21, 2022
3.75* I miss russia maybe I regret switching 🤔
April 29, 2025
im so emotional right now 😭 this is too good
September 1, 2009
Who can feel pity for the children of the woods? The men and women who are taught by nature and understand it though they have never once read a book. The intuitive life. There are definitely parts worth admiring though Chekhov doesn't mention the less than admirable. However, that aside the book is an interesting take on the living classroom. At some point in our lives we separate children from the world and make them read about it in books instead. The awe, majesty and mystery of life is reduced to written explanations and lectures. However, it may be possible that through reading books one may rekindle that burning thirst for living and feeling life.
August 15, 2016
>be 6
>get orphaned
>feelsbadman.jpg
>luckily, Terenty is here to save the day
>givemealltheknowledge.jpg
>sleep in a barn
>wake up happy
>get orphaned
>feelsbadman.jpg
>luckily, Terenty is here to save the day
>givemealltheknowledge.jpg
>sleep in a barn
>wake up happy
July 27, 2025
An old man shares his wisdom of the land as he looks after the two orphans. Beautiful, touching story of the day in the life of two young orphans. I love Chekhov's prose.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews