The article describes an interesting and instructive story, presents its summary. "Reception" (Mamin-Sibiryak) teaches readers true love when you sacrifice your personal interests and desires for the sake of your neighbor.
What is this story
So, let's start our summary. "Reception" (Mamin-Sibiryak is its author) is a short story in three parts. The first part can be called "Acquaintance", in it the main character meets the adopted swan. In the second part, the owner of the hut, the old man Taras, lovingly tells the guest about his new pet. The third part is the final and saddest, in which the hero finds out that the swan left the foster home and flew away with his relatives to warmer climes.
Summary
"Reception" (Mamin-Sibiryak) begins with a description of how a hunter walks through the woods in the warm summer rain and admires the surrounding nature. He approaches Lake Svetly and heads to the old hut, which is almost completely hidden in tall grass. A dog runs out to meet him. At first he barks loudly, but then he recognizes the guest and joyfully greets him. The hunter enters the hut, melts the Russian stove and waits for the owner - old Taras, who is already under ninety years old. The old man himself does not remember when he was born, he says that this was before the French invasion of Russia in 1812. Grandfather Taras used to have a family, but his wife and children died, and he began to live in a hut in the forest, hunting and fishing.
And then the guest finally saw the old man: he sailed in a boat, pushing a beautiful white swan in front of him. The hunter, of course, was surprised and began to ask the owner what kind of bird it was. Grandfather Taras said that "city gentlemen" came, shot a "swan with a swan", and their chick hid in the reeds. The old man pulled him out and brought him home, settled in the barn and took care of him. The adoptive swan is accustomed to his grandfather and dog, became a member of their small family. The guest said to himself with what love and warmth the owner spoke about his reception.
After spending the night, the hunter left, promising the old man to return in the fall. He kept his word and returned to the hut at the beginning of winter. Old Taras was very saddened and sadly told the guest that he had to let go of his foster child. The Bird King cannot survive in the barn; she needs a will.
Readers' Opinions
That’s all summary. "Reception" (Mamin-Sibiryak), the reader’s reviews of which are presented below, is a short but instructive story. Everyone who has read it notes that this work is poetic, touching and sad at the same time. He teaches the understanding of true love when he is ready to sacrifice his desires for the sake of another.