Stories

Maxim Gorky (Alexei Maximovich Peshkov, 1868-1936) — an outstanding Russian writer and playwright. He was born in Nizhny Novgorod in a carpenter's family. Becoming an orphan at an early age, the boy spent his childhood years in his grandfather's family. Little Alexei had a difficult life, and from the age of 8, he had to earn a living: as a "boy" at a store, a pantry worker on a steamboat, a baker, and he studied in an icon-painting workshop. Gorky later wrote about his grandfather's harsh upbringing in the novella "Childhood" (1913-1914). Gorky only studied for two years at the Nizhny Novgorod school, and he engaged in self-education throughout his life. His attempts to enter Kazan University in 1884 were unsuccessful, but it was there that he met members of a Marxist circle and became interested in propaganda activities. Maxim Gorky’s first story "Makary Chudra" was published in 1892. Just six years later, "Sketches and Stories" were published, which brought him literary fame. They were followed by the novel "Three", the plays "The Lower Depths" and "The Philistines". Gorky never forgot his difficult childhood; he organized holidays for children from poor families, published a children's magazine, and, of course, wrote fairy tales for children: "The Sparrow", "The Samovar", "Tales about Italy", and others. The story "The Jolt" tells about one day in the life of a boy working in an icon-painting workshop. Every day for Misha — hurry, turn, or else he will receive kicks and slaps from the masters. The only relief for the boy is the memory of a circus performance; even in his sleep, he sees the performance of his favorite clown. Lyonka from the story "Grandfather Arkhip and Lyonka" also had to endure a lot of sorrow in his short life. Without a corner of his own and means of existence, they live on alms. Lyonka is ashamed of this, and he is also ashamed of his grandfather, who is willing to steal for him. The injustice of what is happening deeply outraged the writer, forcing him to repeatedly return to the theme of the meaning of human existence. For younger school age. The text of the works is provided without abbreviations.