Almost a week ago, I stumbled upon a site featuring 201 of AC's short stories. A moment of retrospection has prompted the search. After reading The Lady with the Little Dog, there was no stopping me anymore. So far, I have finished 15 in the last three days and especially liked:
Joy - is about this lowly clerk who was so happy to have been published. The fact that the article referred to his being ran over by a sledge due to his state of drunkenness did not seem to matter.
At the Barbers - is a lesson about not thinking of getting something in return for a job done. The young barber Makar has been cutting Erast hair for free with the hope of someday marrying his daughter. In the middle of cutting Erast hair one day, he found out that the former has already bethrothed his daughter to another man, with better prospects. Makar has finished cutting only half of Erast hair and refused to finish the job. Erast, who considered it extravagance, to pay for a haircut, did not go to another barber and sported a half done hair from that day forward.
An Enigmatic Nature - is about a kept woman who swears to have accepted the arrangement only for a time until she takes back her family fortune, have traveled and enjoyed some excesses. She dreamt of someday finding a man to love and would love her back when her old, rich lover dies. But when that finally day came, she sighed about an obstacle to that dream...you bet, another old rich general.
The Death of a Government Clerk - Forgiveness comes easily for some people. It is something that Ivan could not fathom. Distressed about offending a high official after spattering his bald head the night before, he bugged the poor man with apologies at every chance he could get. Meaning well, the general dismissed the case considering perhaps that it was accidental after all. But Ivan would not be still and took on every opportunity to make amends which no doubt left the general more pissed than appeased that finally the general raised his voice. The dismissal might have confirmed Ivan's doubts, shocked him to the core and left him lifeless. Unbelief can kill a man.
The Trousseau - Mean what you say and say what you mean is what this story has taught me. An ailing colonel has sent off a young officer to his home, the purpose of which was not disclosed. It was apparent though that he would want the lad to be his son-in-law as the young officer found mother and daughter busily sewing and embroidering a trousseau. The old woman explained that it was for her daughter's wedding in the future. The daughter vehemently denied any interest of getting married which the expression of her eyes belied. It's a pity. She could have married the young officer had she been true to herself.
Tara: fawn, female, pug and sis to Bella which we collected from Talisay three days before we brought Cuchi home. Feisty yet yelped real loud during her final shot for Parvo today which we nearly missed. Willful and smart that she has successfully escaped the confines of the carrier countless times in the past week. She has a making of another spoilt pug. 
And of course, you have already met the awesome Shifu and our most special one, Bella.
