The Star of Solomon by Alexandr Kuprin. Short summary

5 seconds

Ivan loved to solve puzzles. He became the heir of his alchemist uncle. By solving the cryptogram, he got omnipotence, which did not bring happiness. Toward the end, Ivan was glad it was a dream.

1 minute

Ivan Color is a humble judicial clerk, sings in the church choir, and at his leisure likes to solve puzzles. At the choir dinner, the singers begin to dream about what they would do if a lucky lottery ticket fell to them.

That same night, Ivan is awakened by a man who calls himself Methodius Isayevich Toffel and tells him that the employee has become a rich heir. Ivan goes to see his uncle’s estate. Toffel tells him that the deceased was an alchemist and asks him to burn his books.

Ivan decides to read his uncle’s notes. He realized that he had been struggling for years to unravel the cryptogram of Solomon’s Star. Being skilled in solving puzzles, Ivan put the puzzle together. As soon as he recited the received incantation, M. I. Toffel, Mephistopheles, appeared and became his slave.

Ivan conjures up the fulfillment of all wishes and the reading of other people’s thoughts. He becomes rich and powerful. But this does not bring him happiness. And knowing other people’s thoughts also alienates him from people.

Waking up in his cozy little house, Ivan is relieved.