The Businessman by Franz Kafka. Short summary

5 seconds

A short story tells the story of the owner of a small grocery store who spends every day at work. In the evening the man goes home and takes the elevator up to his apartment, where he is overcome with all kinds of thoughts.

1 minute

The story is told in the first person. The narrator has his own little shop. But one should not envy him, because his business is rather heavy and brings a small income. His head is cracking from the daily worries. He has to take into account all the trends of modern fashion and not to forget anything.

In the evening the narrator leaves the office and it wakes up the irrepressible energy. But he has to go home, because he is wearing dusty work clothes. The narrator lives nearby and quickly finds himself in his entranceway. Here he calls the elevator and enters the cabin. He is all alone in the elevator.

All sorts of thoughts begin to haunt the man: of wings carrying someone to the village or Paris, of demonstrations taking place in the streets, of a mugged passerby strolling dejectedly down the street, of cops scurrying around, to whom the deserted streets spoil his mood.

But here comes the elevator to the right floor. It’s time to get out. The narrator takes the elevator down, rings the bell. The maid opens the door, he greets her.