"Lefty" - a summary and a plot

Nikolay Leskov created many beautiful works about the life of ordinary Russian people. The whole world appreciates and loves this talented Russian writer for his foresight, patriotism and humanism. One of the brightest creations of Leskov was and remains the story "Lefty".

It begins with the travel of the sovereign Alexander Pavlovich across Europe: in order to "see the miracles". Platov, a Cossack from the Don, does not support the Tsar's surprise, for he is confident that the Russians know how to do nothing worse.

The story "Lefty", the summary of which is the history of the creation of a masterpiece (a savage flea), describes in detail the various wonders that exist in the world. Upon returning to his homeland, the sovereign boasts of his courtly amazing acquisition - a dancing mechanical flea.

After the death of Alexander, his successor, Nikolai Pavlovich, appreciates this flea, but vanity and national pride push him to find among the Tula people masters capable of disgracing foreigners.

Further, the short story "Lefty" describes Platov's trip to Russia, his meeting with three masters, one of which is Lefty. The same, before starting work, they decide first to visit the temple with the icon of Nicholas the Wonderworker, and after that they are already locked for three days in the house of the skew master Lefty.

Only does not want to tell Platov the secret of the action of the created masterpiece Lefty. The summary is further based on the fact that Platov needs to take Lefty to the palace. However, the king and his daughter are enraged, seeing that the "abdominal mechanism" of the flea is inactive. Therefore, the masters not only did not improve the curiosity, but also caused damage to it!

For this, Platov cruelly "rubs" the deceiver, demanding that he confess his sin. But in response to him, the master explains that looking at the miracle should be in a stronger "melkoscope." And the sovereign does as Lefty tells him.

The brief content of the story should be continued because this microscope also did not disclose a secret to the Tsar. And then Lefty proudly declares: it is necessary to look not on the whole flea, but only on one leg.

How surprised the autocrat, having seen on each flea foot a tiny horseshoe! A Lefty still states that on the hat of every nail the master wrote his name - how!

Further, the story "The Left-hander", a brief summary of which is presented here, carries the reader along with the master abroad, where he is sent, in order to present the flee as a present to the British or, more simply, to wipe the nose of foreigners.

The English genuinely are surprised at the mastery of a commoner, they propose to him to stay there, to take any beautiful woman. But from these honors refuses, but the state of "aglitsky" rifles draws his attention after all Left-handed!

The summary of the final part of the story is a description of Lefty's journey to his homeland. How great is the grief of the Russian patriot! How great is his desire to get home as soon as possible! He is not even frightened by the approaching storm.

On the way, the Left-hander is a godless drinker on a dispute with the skipper, as they say, to the devil. Because of this, the skipper gets to the ambassador's house, and Lefty to the "quarter", where he is deprived of English gifts. From there, the masters are sent straight to the hospital in the open sledges for the poor.

Polshkiper, who was quickly put to his feet thanks to the "kutta-percha pill", is looking for his "comrade" for a long time and finds out that he is already dying. Skilled to the skipper, Dr. Martyn-Sobolsky, Lefty manages to say a phrase that disturbs him.

The last words of the patriot were not personal requests, but excitement about cleaning Russian guns. After all, the British do it not with the help of a brick, as in Russia! However, these words never reach the sovereign. That's why (in Leskov's words) the Crimean War ended tragically . Ah, if the ruling world listened to the voice of the people!

Leskov's unforgettable story today remains one of the most read and republished not only in Russia, but all over the world, because it contains ideas that are relevant to this day.