Short Fiction · Chapter
I explained
Levko serenades Hanna under the evening sky, but their romantic moment is interrupted by a group of youths who shower her with kisses.
What happens
Levko serenades Hanna under the evening sky, but their romantic moment is interrupted by a group of youths who shower her with kisses. Hanna then asks Levko to tell her the terrifying story of a nearby old house, involving a witch stepmother, a drowned stepdaughter, and a black cat.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs as the auction transforms the deceased art-lover’s cherished colle…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Supernatural and Folklore
The chapter centers on the folk tale of a witch stepmother, a drowned stepdaughter, and a black cat, reflecting deep-rooted Ukrainian supernatural beliefs.
- Love and Romance
Levko's serenade and intimate conversation with Hanna highlight the romantic relationship between the young Cossack and the girl.
Characters to notice
- Levko Makohonenko
The young Cossack who serenades Hanna and tells her the story of the witch and the drowned girl.
- Hanna Petritchenka
The young girl courted by Levko; she asks him to tell the story of the old house and is kissed by a group of youths.
- The Drowned Girl
The stepdaughter of the witch who drowned herself and now leads the drowned souls each night.
- The Devil
Mentioned in the context of old wives' tales and the story of the witch.
Key passages
“The poor girl perceived that her stepmother was a witch, and that she had wounded her hand.”
The girl realized her stepmother was a witch because she had injured her hand.
Hanna's story reveals the stepmother's supernatural identity.
“Goodbye, Hanna! Sleep well, and don’t think of all that nonsense.”
Goodnight, Hanna; rest well and don't dwell on those old tales.
Levko dismisses the folk story as nonsense before leaving.
“The night is nigh, the sun is down, Come out to me, my love, my own!”
Evening has come; come out to me, my beloved.
Levko's serenade to Hanna at her window.
