# Arto — Short Fiction character guide

> Arto in Short Fiction by Aleksandr Kuprin.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Arto

**First appearance:** 0058-the-white-poodle

## Snapshot

A trained poodle whose tricks earn bread for a wandering old man and a boy, and whose loyalty is tested when a wealthy lady tries to buy him.

## Who they are

Arto performs with his companions — an old organ-grinder and a young boy — in the courtyards of summer cottages, balancing on a barrel and pulling a toy pistol from his master's pocket. He is the household's livelihood and its heart, obedient and clever, yet his bond with the boy runs deeper than any trick. When a rich, capricious lady offers to purchase him, the poodle becomes the centre of a struggle between money and love, and his fate turns on the question of what loyalty can and cannot be bought.

## In the story

### [The White Poodle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/the-white-poodle)

The trained white poodle who is the troupe's main attraction and is stolen by the wealthy family.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/i)

The white poodle, shorn like a lion, leads the troupe with a knowing sense of direction.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/ii)

The dog, part of the troupe, shows signs of heat and fatigue.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/iii)

The poodle that accompanies the troupe; he barks and jumps about the shore during their bath.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/iv)

The poodle that the wealthy family wants to buy; catches sausage thrown by the porter.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/v)

The poodle who eats his share of bread, later lured away with sausage; his paw prints are found in the dust.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/vi)

The poodle trapped in a cellar, whose barking and loyalty drive Sergey's actions.

### [Dogs' Happiness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/chapters/dogs-happiness)

An old white poodle and professor of equilibristics, who argues that dogs cannot escape human authority due to human strength and cunning, but later realizes his mistake.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/characters/arto
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_se/characters