The Chameleon by Anton Chekhov. Short summary

5 seconds

The police warden wants to kill the dog that bit the master and fine its owner. But when he learns that it is the general’s brother’s dog, he changes his mind and scolds the master.

1 minute

Ochumelov, a policeman, walks along the market square. He is followed by a policeman with a confiscated tray of gooseberries.

Suddenly he hears a dog squealing and a man’s scolding near the wood storehouse. When Ochumelov comes closer, he sees a half-drunken master Khrukin with a blood-stained finger and a frightened greyhound puppy biting him.

The police warden shudders and thinks that the biting dog should be destroyed and its owner punished. But on learning that it is supposedly the General’s dog, Ochumelov immediately changes his mind and blames Krukin for what has happened.

However, the policeman says that it is not the general’s puppy and Ochumelov again suggests killing the dog.

The general’s cook comes along and says that it is not the general’s puppy, but his brother’s. Ochumelov spreads a smile and lets the dog go with the cook. He scolds Khrukin and leaves.