The tragic and captivating persona of Vsevolod Garshin wouldn't be out of place at the heart of a grand drama, complete with breathtaking plot swings and poignant dialog. As it was, over the course of his short life, Garshin created a sizable and formidable body of work. The tales in this collection were initially intended for children. However, following the tradition of Hans Christian Andersen and Oscar Wilde, Garshin's stories transcend one age group and one audience, offering something to people of all ages.