STORY OF THE DAY

Public domain 

Via WIKIMEDIA COMMONS 

VANKA 

Short story by ANTON CHEKHOV 

Summary

“Vanka” is a touching short story by Anton Chekhov about a nine-year-old orphan boy named Vanka Zhukov, who works as an apprentice for a Moscow shoemaker. He is poorly treated—beaten, overworked, and given little food. On Christmas Eve, while others are celebrating, Vanka sits alone and writes a letter to his grandfather, Konstantin Makarich, a night watchman in a village.

In the letter, Vanka pours out his misery: he describes the cruel master and mistress, his hunger, exhaustion, and constant beatings. He recalls fond memories of village life with his grandfather, the freedom of the countryside, and the warmth of simple joys like sledding and caring for dogs.

Vanka begs his grandfather to take him away from Moscow, promising to work hard and be obedient if only he can return to the village. He addresses the envelope simply: “To Grandfather in the Village”, without a proper address. After dropping the letter in the mailbox, he falls asleep with hope in his heart, dreaming of a better life.

The story ends poignantly: while Vanka believes his grandfather will receive the letter and rescue him, the reader realizes the letter will never reach its destination — symbolizing the hopelessness of his situation and the innocence of childhood hope amidst harsh reality.

Grateful thanks to ChatGPT for the summary and Wikimedia Commons for the image