A Finn preparing a work on the Russian hunting traditions and customs, comes to Russia to collect materials and is invited to take part in a hunting party. His flamboyant companions include an Army general, with more than a passing resemblance to Aleksander Lebed, a police detective, local forest ranger (a devotee of Zen Buddhism) and some big-city types from St. Petersburg. Inevitably, their good intentions soon give way to endless drinking, visits to local farm girls and much else besides.
About hardships of the first years of War, which fell to the lot of ordinary people in Ukraine, who got under the yoke of fascist occupation, and heroic struggle against the invaders. A young Russian woman asks a Red Army soldier to spend the night with her in the wake of the Nazi invasion. Fearing she may soon perish, the woman hopes for one night of romance before what could be a horrible demise.
It is 1920. After three years of the Russian Civil War, communist government is finally established in Odessa. Young Volodya Kozachenko, who dreams of being a detective like Sherlock Holmes, joins the newly forming Odessa Criminal Police.
A story about Sofijka, a young girl who is just starting her singer career.
How did Ivan Ivanovich quarrel with Ivan Nikiforovich? Ivan Ivanovich went to his bosom friend Ivan Nikiforovich, wishing to beg for the gun he liked. Yes, it didn’t work out. And in the heat of the argument, take Ivan Nikiforovich and call Ivan Ivanovich a gander. And take it and be angry. And what happened next ... Oh, what happened!
About a merry, smart boy Tom Soyer, that, testing, as him it seemed to, all facilities, to be good, decided nevertheless to go away from home and become a marine robber.