A humorous narrative by Alexander Zhitinsky, written from the perspective of a young research assistant, Petya Verlukhins, was published over different years as stories/novellas—“Hay-straw,” “Broom Effect,” etc.—that won readers’ recognition for amusing situations, humor, and a lively style of language. However, under one single cover the book had never been published before. This edition corrects the unfortunate oversight of the publishers of previous years and gives readers a chance to remember those times when everything wasn’t the way it is now.