Towel with Rooster by Mikhail Bulgakov. Short summary

5 seconds

A young girl is brought to the hospital after being hit by a crusher. The chances of survival are slim. The doctor decides to operate. The girl recovers and comes to thank the doctor.

1 minute

A young doctor arrives at a rural hospital to work. He is only 23 years old and recently graduated from college. Lacking experience, the young doctor undertakes to treat patients at his own risk.

The young specialist asked to go as a second doctor to a precinct in the city. But the authorities decided otherwise.

To his surprise, the hospital had a room for forty people and a pharmacy with medicines, which the previous doctor got. Of the staff, a paramedic and several midwives. The hero prayed that he would not have to face the operations, as he had only seen them, but never participated.

On the first night, a disheveled man came running in, tearfully begging to save his only daughter. A girl with a long, blond plait fell under the chaff.

The doctor pulled himself together and performed the operation brilliantly. He amputated one of her legs. All night long he waited for news of the girl’s death. But she survived, and a couple of months later she came to thank the doctor. She brought him a snow-white towel with an embroidered rooster.