"In Bad Company" by Vladimir Korolenko, summary

The story was written in 1885, based on the author’s personal memories of his early childhood in Rivne. It depicts the difficult lives of marginalized people through the eyes of a young child from a well-off family, encountering social injustice and extreme poverty for the first time. Director Kira Muratova adapted the story into a feature film, "Among the Gray Stones," which was released in 1983.

Life in the town of Knyazhye-Veno

The action takes place in the quiet western village of Knyazhye-Veno. Vasya, a six-year-old boy from a wealthy family, is grieving the death of his mother. His father is a local judge. Overwhelmed by his own grief, the grown man completely distances himself from his son. The judge occasionally pays attention to his youngest daughter, Sonya, recognizing in her small face the features of his late wife. Vasya grows up without proper supervision, like a wild tree in an open field. No one restricts his personal freedom, but no one surrounds him with warmth either. The boy wanders dusty streets all day long, acutely experiencing a deep inner loneliness. Neighbors mistakenly consider him a hopeless brat and a juvenile street vagrant. Vasya gradually explores the surrounding area, including the wooden bridge, government buildings, the prison building, and the quiet old cemeteries.

The father is absolutely certain of his son’s ultimate depravity. The high, impenetrable wall of misunderstanding that arises between them brings them both intense emotional pain. Vasya closely observes the daily life of this small town, methodically exploring all the forgotten places and remote outskirts. The child’s attention is particularly drawn to a large body of water and a round island with an old, dilapidated castle. Previously, this gloomy building — an ancient architectural structure — served as a free shelter for all the local beggars. Any vagabond could easily find temporary, safe shelter there. Strange, mysterious rustlings were constantly heard within the high walls. Local elders often passed on frightening legends about captured Turks, on whose human bones this island was supposedly artificially erected.

The Separation of the Poor and the Old Chapel

One day, an old servant named Janusz decides to impose his own order on the ancient ruins. He sorts out the unfortunate inhabitants and leaves only the former count’s servants of the strictly Catholic faith in the castle. The remaining weak inhabitants are mercilessly driven out into the cold, pouring rain. The homeless exiles find a new secret refuge near an ancient Uniate chapel on a high mountain. Among them, some rather colorful and unusual characters stand out. Vasya spends a long time observing a quiet, harmless madman, whom the townspeople mockingly call "the professor." The boy constantly sees the alcoholic minor official Lavrovsky, who once wore a handsome uniform, and the formidable retired general Turkevich. Lavrovsky often sits in dirty puddles, muttering terrible, frightening stories about his ruined life, while Turkevich performs caustic satirical performances on the noisy streets, loudly ridiculing local officials until he is forcibly taken away by the butari Mikita.

The leader of this outcast, impoverished community is the enigmatic outcast Mr. Tyburcy Drab. He is distinguished by his very tall stature, coarse, expressive features, and astonishingly extraordinary education. Tyburcy often loudly recites long texts from ancient Latin authors in local taverns. He constantly and devotedly cares for two small children. The tall, thin seven-year-old Valek and the fragile three-year-old Marusya are always by his side. The exact origins of Tyburcy and his young adopted children remain an absolute, unsolved mystery for all the townspeople. Locals actively spread rumors that he was a simple servant of a wealthy noble count who accidentally absorbed the complex, bookish wisdom of the strict Catholic Jesuit Fathers.

Getting to know each other under the temple’s vaults

Childish curiosity inevitably leads Vasya to an abandoned Uniate chapel — an old, abandoned religious structure. He spends a long time persuading three neighbor boys to climb this steep, clayey mountain. A huge owl suddenly appears, startling them, and they quickly and cowardly flee. Vasya, left completely alone, boldly peers inside through a high, broken window. He deftly descends on a tightly tied harness and suddenly comes face to face with Valek. From the dark stone dungeon, little, sick Marusya emerges slowly and hesitantly. These completely different children quickly find common ground. Vasya generously treats his new, unusual acquaintances with ripe, sweet apples from his large garden.

Valek warns her frankly and directly that the strict city judge might not approve of their close friendship. However, Vasya firmly promises to return. From that very day on, the boy regularly and secretly visits the mountain. He constantly brings various delicious sweets and large apples. Marusya looks very weak, pale, and rarely smiles softly. Valek explains this in all seriousness as the detrimental physical effects of the cold gray stone of the deep, dark dungeon. The constant grave-like cold and thick, sticky dampness mercilessly rob the little, weak girl of her last meager life force.

Discoveries and life in the dungeon

The boys spend a great deal of free time together. Valek tells Vasya in great detail about Tyburtius himself. The stern streetwalker loves his adopted children sincerely, ardently, and tenderly. Vasya realizes with great bitterness that his biological father doesn’t show him such open warmth. Valek also confidently defends the reputation — the good, honest name in the eyes of others — of the city judge. He firmly calls Vasya’s father the most honest, incorruptible, and just man in the entire city. The judge, as a matter of principle, never accepts bribes — hidden, illegal monetary rewards — and strictly judges even the most influential and fabulously wealthy nobles according to the law.

One day, Vasya learns the incredibly bitter, cruel truth about his new friends’ daily sustenance. Valek calmly admits to stealing fresh bread rolls from the bustling town market that morning for his perpetually hungry sister. Vasya experiences a profound emotional shock. Never before in his life had he experienced true, acute physical hunger. The boy gradually understands the terrible, forced necessity of petty theft in their desperate, hopeless situation. Pure, sincere childish affection is inextricably intertwined with a deep, burning compassion for these unfortunate, outcast people.

During a violent, noisy summer thunderstorm, the children quickly descend into a damp, dark, cold dungeon. Suddenly, a drenched, angry Tyburcy appears before them. He sternly and menacingly interrogates the frightened, trembling Vasya. Upon learning of the boy’s high birth, Mr. Drab visibly and quickly softens. He generously and calmly allows Vasya to visit, but strictly forbids anyone from telling anyone about the secret hiding place they’ve seen. Tyburcy generously treats the hungry children to delicious, hot roast meat and a rich, thick stew. He says, "I bought this from the chaplain, and if he makes the barn doors stronger, we’ll be even." The mad "professor" quietly and mindlessly assents to Tyburcy’s strange utterances.

Autumn cold and Marusya’s serious illness

A cold, damp, rainy autumn sets in. The company members hide permanently in deep, gloomy earthen caves beneath the old, ruined chapel. Vasya often sees the unconscious, drunken Lavrovsky there, along with many other unfortunate, ragged exiles. The atmosphere of abject, appalling poverty weighs heavily and painfully on the impressionable, sensitive boy. The health of the fragile little Marusya rapidly and inexorably deteriorates with each passing day. The girl never again ventures into the bright, warm sunlight. She lies motionless and quiet in her old bed, slowly fading away. Vasya constantly brings his beautiful toys, but they do practically nothing to cheer up the sick child.

The boy decides to commit a desperate, bold, and daring act. He spends a long time persuading his younger sister, Sonya, to lend him a large, elegant porcelain doll. This very valuable and expensive toy was left to them by their beloved late mother. The elegant porcelain doll produces a truly incredible miracle. Marusya suddenly comes to life briefly, begins to laugh joyfully and even walk a little around the stone dungeon, leading her new, brilliant, blonde daughter. This bright joy is short-lived. At home, the loss of the valuable memento is soon discovered. The grumpy old nanny raises a loud, loud alarm. Sonya timidly tries to defend her beloved brother, but her childishly naive words only further increase everyone’s suspicions. The spiteful old man, Janusz, actively tries to inform the judge on Vasya and his ragged, suspicious friends.

The father angrily dismisses the old, sycophantic informer, but strictly forbids his son from leaving the safe confines of the courtyard. Vasya agonizes over the inevitable, harsh punishment. After several long, agonizing days, his father suddenly summons the boy to his office. The judge, with extreme severity and sternness, demands the immediate return of the stolen valuable item. He loudly asks where Vasya secretly took this gift from his deceased mother. The boy stubbornly and steadfastly refuses to say. He simply cannot betray his loyal friends from the cold, stone dungeon. The exasperated judge’s inner anger rapidly mounts to a dangerously high pitch.

Conflict resolution and farewell

The dangerously tense moment is suddenly interrupted by the unexpected appearance of Tyburcy. Mr. Drab boldly and decisively enters the judge’s house. He carefully brings the same elegant porcelain doll. Tyburcy insistently and gently asks for the immediate release of the frightened, crying child. The streetwise tramp frankly and honestly asserts that Vasya has done absolutely nothing wrong. The grown men quickly retreat to the empty room next door for a long, serious conversation. Vasya is left completely alone, painfully and painfully experiencing an internal storm of mixed childish emotions.

After a long, frank conversation, the judge returns a completely different, understanding man. He looks at his own son with genuine, warm love and deep, sincere remorse. The father honestly and openly admits his guilt toward the little, defenseless boy. The impenetrable wall of long, painful misunderstanding finally and irrevocably crumbles forever. Tyburtius quietly and sadly shares the very sad news. With great sadness, he says that Marusya has just died peacefully. The judge tenderly and carefully allows his son to go up the high mountain and say goodbye to the poor, sick girl.

Vasya’s father gives him some government paper money to give immediately to Tyburtius. He also asks him to warn one of the vagabonds about the impending grave danger. Vasya quickly runs along the familiar path to the old chapel. In the darkest, dampest corner of the stone dungeon, poor Marusya lies lifeless. A gloomy, tall, bayonet-cadet is diligently crafting a small, narrow coffin from old, torn-out planks. A sober, sad Lavrovsky carefully and meticulously decorates the dead girl’s body with freshly picked autumn flowers. Exhausted, tired Valek sleeps soundly in the far corner, sobbing nervously in his sleep.

The further fate of the heroes

Soon, this strange, outcast community leaves this quiet town forever. Tyburcy and Valek quickly and without a trace disappear in a completely unknown direction. Only a quiet, delirious old man and a retired, hard-drinking general, Turkevich, remain. The old stone chapel gradually crumbles under the merciless force of time and harsh weather. In the quiet, deserted cemetery, Marusya’s small childhood grave is constantly and carefully tended. Vasya and Sonya often visit this sad, memorable spot. Many years later, before leaving their hometown for good, the now-adult brother and sister make their brightest vows here.