Master and Man

I would recommend this short story about life and death and the relation ship between master and peasant for its meanings are still relevant today. The end was quite unexpected but really portrays the ever ongoing tragedy of Russian life. One expects a happy ending but not to be, at some point the sceptre of the king and the staff of the shepherd come together. Tolstojs great attention to minute details is wonderful and describes Russian country life and ways of thinking beautifully. The worry about material wealth falls away in the end and thoughts of the next world take over mixed with reflection over past events.