The Beggar is a short story written by Famous Russian playwright and short story writer, Anton Chekhov. The story centers around a life of fraud Beggar who fools people and rob their money.
The Beggar Class 9 By Anton Chekhov
Summary of The Beggar Class 9 By Anton Chekhov
Anton Chekhov’s “The Beggar”s story begins with main character, Lushkov, a drunk beggar who fool people and grab money from them. One day, Lushkov meets a lawyer named, Skvortsov. Lushkov tells Skvortsov that he has not eaten anything since three days and has no shelter to spend the night.
I was a teacher in school but school principal tricked him and kick me out of the school. Due to no job I’m roaming on roads and begging money for food and shelter. Lushkov doesn’t know that this time he is facing clever Lawyer whose work is to catch lies.
Skvortsov saw beggar carefully, beggar’s clothes are dirty, his eyes are looking reddish in color because of drugs and has red spots on his face. Skvortsov immediately finds out that this beggar is a fraud who is fooling people with his clever lies.
Lushkov tells lawyer that he has got a job opportunity in another city but has no money to go there. Lushkov say I know its not a good thing to beg money but he is stuck in a such situation where he has no other option.
Skvortsov feels like that he has seen this beggar before, and then he remembers that he saw him in Sadovaya street. Skvortsov tells Lushkov that he has met him before, and that time you told me that you are a student and your college kicked you out.
Lushkov is shocked and tells lawyer that he must have seen somebody else because he used to be a teacher and I have my documents as well. Skvortsov gets angry and yells at Lushkov, don’t lie to me becuase I clearly remember that person was you only and that time you told me different story.
Skvortsov says, you are fraud and clever thief, I will hand over you to police. I know that you are poor but that doesn’t mean you will fool people and stole their money. Society respect teacher and student so why are you defaming their names. Skvortsov is very angry and his face has turned red due to anger while Beggar has turned his face down in shame.
Lushkov put his right hand on his heart and honestly tells lawyer that he was lying to him, you are right I’m neither teacher nor a student. I used to work in Music Band but I got addicted to drink due to which I lost my job. I lies to beg money because If I does not lie then no would give me money. Skvortsov ask Lushkov to do a job instead of begging money.
The beggar replies I can work but no one gives me job or work to do. No one gives me any kind of work. Skvortsov says what rubbish you are saying, you are young and strong so you can get work easily. The only reason you are not getting job is because you are addict, lazy and don’t want to work. Your mouth is smelling like a vodka. You don’t know anything except begging and drinking. Lushkov replies I have no work and talent, who would give me a job as I don’t know anything.
Skvortsov says don’t give excuses, I’m giving you work, Can you cut woods ? The Lushkov replies Yes, he can cut woods. Thereafter, Skvortsov brings Lushkov to his home, he calls his servant, Olga and ask her to teach wood cutting to Lushkov.
Lushkov has come to Skvortsov home though but he is not in a mood to work as he has become lazy by drinking daily. The story now features new character, Olga, a rude and arrogant servant of Skvortsov. Olga see Lushkov with hate and bring him to cut wood.
She throws her axe towards Lushkov and starts abusing him. Lushkov is scared, he pick one piece of wood and starts cutting it with axe. After one hour, Olga goes to Skvortsov and tells him that they have completed his work. Skvortsov gives 50 ruble to Lushkov and tells him that he can come at his home every month starts for small kinds work.
Lushkov started coming every month at Skvortsov home for small work. He used to earn 50 ruble from him every month. He used to do work like cleaning, cutting woods and dusting. Skovortsov impressed with Lushkov, one day he calls him and gives him few money, since you have changed by my words. I would like to help you more by giving you a good job opportunity. Can you read and write, Skvortsov ask to Lushkov.
Lushkov replies yes that he can read and write. Thereafter, Skvortsov give one letter to Lushkov and tells him to go at his freinds home where he just need to copy the documents. Do your work with honesty and does not touch alcohol. Skvortsov is very happy, he feels like that he has changed one beggar life. Afterwards, Lushkov never comes at Skvortsov home.
After two years, Skvortsov see Lushkov at theatre. He gets very happy after seeing Lushkov and immediately hug him. How are you, Lushkov ? Lushkov replies I’m good and working with your friend. Skovortsov say, finally I have changed your life, my words were bitter but it changed your life.
Lushkov thanks to Skvortsov and says If you did not help me then I would still be beggar today. I really thank you for your help. Thereafter, Lushkov starts praising Olga, he told him that his life is changed by Olga honestly. Skvortsov ask how she changed your life ?
Lushkov tells him that when he came into his house to cut woods, then Olga abuses him a lot and yelled at him. One day, Olga comes near to me and says, Oh poor guy, you are not even happy in this world, and even after death you will burn in hell. Lushkov tells him that his life has changed only by Olga. I quit drinking and tricking because of Olga harsh words.