9 The Shot by Alexander Poushkin

The narrator was in the army. One day, a man named Silvio joined the army. Silvio was well respected and had good shots. Silvio and narrator were good friends until one day when Silvio refused to kill the man who threw a brass candle-stick at him. Narrator thought Silvio was a coward. One day, Silvio received a letter that his enemy is going to get married. Silvio told the narrator his past and how he got red cap with a hole in it. His rich young enemy stole his respected status and did not treat their duel seriously in the past. He was eating cherries when Silvio aimed at him with a gun. Silvio thought he was not ready to die yet and went away. Now, this enemy is getting married to a beautiful lady, so he must treat his life more seriously now. Silvio went to have a duel with him. Then the narrator never heard of him anymore and retired. One day, a beautiful countess and her husband the count came to live near the narrator. The narrator went to see her, and was welcomed warmly by them. Then he saw 2 holes, one on top of the other, on the wall. The count told him that a man gave him this souvenir. The narrator said that he knew a person who can shoot this well and said that he was Silvio. The count was surprised, because it was Silvio who gave him one of the shot. The count said that Silvio came one day asking for a duel and he was really scared. Silvio told him to shoot first and he did, but missed. Then Silvio aimed at him. Silvio did not shoot, because he was satisfied to see the count got nervous. Before he left, Silvio shoot the other one into the painting. Silvio was never heard of anymore, but probably died in a war.