The Orator by Anton Chekhov. Short summary

5 seconds

At a funeral, Zapoikin, known for his eloquence, gives a speech in honor of the deceased, but confuses him with a living person.

1 minute

At the funeral of Kirill Ivanovich Vavilonov, a collegiate assessor, his colleague Polavsky went to see Zapoikin.

He was famous for his oratory and the ability to make beautiful speeches at any event. Zapoikin speaks smoothly and eloquently when he is drunk, asleep, in fever.

Poplavsky promised Zapoikin good hors d’oeuvres and payment for a cabman. He considered the deceased a crook, but he agreed.

When the coffin is lowered into the grave, Zapoikin gives a farewell speech. He speaks of the deceased, calling him Prokofy Osipovich.

Zapoikin notes his honesty and devotion to official duty. The «orator» adds that he was ugly in the face, but had a good heart.

The crowd murmurs, for the deceased’s name was Kirill Ivanovich. It turns out that Zapoikin mixed up the officials.

Prokofy Osipovich, alive and well, approaches Zapoikin and reproaches him for calling him ugly.