It was Nikolayev’s birthday, which in ordinary years would always start bright and early... but this was no ordinary year...

In Russia, valenki are as near as you can get to the country's number-one footwear after regular leather boots.

In which the Rural Council takes up the case of “The Conduct of Nikolayev, N. N.”

When the district medic comes around, the stage is set for a skirmish between modern and traditional medicine.

“On Saturdays, smoke drifts over the village. The banyas are being heated.” Let’s go!

It is surprisingly simple (in certain circumstances) to mix up homebrew with other, less harmful things.

“Nikolayev hated the cat, wet socks, and his mother-in-law.”