Vasyutka's Lake

“Vasyutka’s Lake” is an engaging story about a thirteen-year-old boy who went into the taiga for pine nuts for his family and got lost. For a full five days he wandered through the taiga, frightened and chilled, with a matchbox in his pocket and a rifle on his back. After all, without this equipment, it’s better not to go into the taiga.

However, in the taiga Vasyutka didn’t despair. Alone in the dense forest, he fought to get back home again. He had heard many times stories about survival in the wild that his grandfather and father told him. And it turned out that Vasyutka could not only make a fire, but also catch and cook a duck—and he didn’t lose spirit…

Facing the unknown alone, the boy regretted that he used to be a hooligan and smoke.

And on the way to the Yenisei, Vasyutka discovered an unknown lake full of fish. So, by accident, he became the discoverer.

This is a narrative about the silent taiga with all its beauty; about a child who, in an instant, had to become an adult; about courage and will that, despite everything, pave the road home. Vasyutka in V. Astafyev’s tale is a small hero who inspires admiration and awakens compassion. A kind, bright story with a happy ending.