Minds in Ferment by Anton Chekhov. Short summary

5 seconds

Two townspeople stopped in the square, watching a flock of starlings. A crowd gathers around them, suspecting that there is a fire somewhere. Hearing the organ, the crowd moves toward its sound.

1 minute

Two townspeople stopped in the square when they saw a flock of starlings. They began to discuss where the birds were flying. The men argued about whether the feathered birds would settle in the archpriest’s garden or in the deacon’s.

Soon a crowd began to gather around them: Godmothers and priests, clerks, vacationers.

People begin to worry if there is a fire somewhere. More curious people approach, the crowd grows larger and more anxious. To avoid unrest, the people call the mayor.

He begins to disperse the assembled crowd. Fire-fighters appear, carrying neither water nor equipment.

Suddenly an organ from Moscow begins to play in the tavern. Hearing its sounds, the crowd moves on to the pub.

In the evening, the town governor writes a letter in which he reports on the incident, modestly describes his participation and thanks «with tears the One who has prevented bloodshed.