The classic Russian short story. According to Wikipedia: "Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin (1799 - 1837) was a Russian Romantic author who is considered to be the greatest Russian poet] and the founder of modern Russian literature. Pushkin pioneered the use of vernacular speech in his poems and plays, creating a style of storytelling, mixing drama, romance, and satire, associated with Russian literature ever since and greatly influencing later Russian writers."