The Cook's Wedding and Other Stories

The story centers around a curious seven-year-old named Grisha, who observes an unusual scene in the kitchen. A burly, red-haired peasant is amusingly balancing a saucer on his fingers while drinking tea and crunching sugar loudly, startling Grisha. Aksinya Stepanovna, the old nurse, watches with a mix of seriousness and triumph, while Pelageya, the cook, seems to be hiding her face. This whimsical moment captures the innocence of childhood wonder and the peculiarities of adult life, setting the stage for Grisha's unique perspective on the world around him.