
In a wind‑swept wilderness, a wandering narrator meets Makár Tshudrá, a towering, dark‑haired nomad who tends horses by a flickering campfire. Their conversation drifts between the roar of distant waves and the hush of night, offering cryptic reflections on wandering, freedom, and the fleeting purpose of human life. The scene, scented with burning leaves and sea mist, sets an elemental yet thoughtful tone.
The volume also holds quieter tales—a grandfather's gentle bond with his granddaughter Lenjka, the haunting song of a blue hawk, and the mysterious wanderings of Tshelkash. Each vignette blends folklore, nature, and a touch of humor into lyrical sketches of remote lands and restless souls. Listeners are invited to linger on simple encounters that open larger questions about identity and destiny, leaving a lingering warmth like embers after a night fire.
Language
fi
Duration
~2 hours (171K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2016-11-19
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1868–1936
A self-taught writer who rose from deep poverty to become one of Russia’s most influential literary voices, he brought workers, wanderers, and outsiders to the center of modern fiction. His stories and plays helped shape socialist realism, but they also carry a raw sympathy for people struggling to survive.
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