Excerpt from "Chameleon"

"The Chameleon" is a short story by Anton Chekhov, the last Russian critical realist writer in the late 19th century and a world-class short story master.

The novel tells the story of a goldsmith whose finger was bitten by a dog of unknown origin. When he asked for an explanation, the police officer who judged the case guessed the owner of the dog from the crowd's conversation, and asked for an explanation. Unconcerned by the incident itself, his attitude swayed depending on the dog's owner.

The novel makes many guesses about the origin of the dog through onlookers, and the police officer’s attitude changes from just and awe-inspiring to questioning and then threatening. Chekhov’s “just police officer” brings the officialdom and the The true meaning of a "chameleon" under power is brought to life.

The following are excerpts of some of the highlights:

1. The goldsmith told police officer Ochumelov that his finger was bitten by a dog and that his work and life would be affected, and asked him to help him. Make your own decision, Ochumelov's attitude is upright

"That's right. Whose dog is this? I won't let this happen! They let the dogs run around here, I will give them Look at the color! ... Find out whose dog this is and report it! This dog must be killed." 2. There are more and more people watching, and everyone is observing. Guessing who owns the dog that bit the goldsmith, someone suddenly said that the dog seemed to belong to the general. Police officer Ochumelov felt like he was covered in a cold sweat. He was so nervous that he took off his coat and asked the goldsmith if he suspected that the dog belonged to the general. Craftsman

"One thing I don't understand is, how did it bite you? Obviously it couldn't reach your finger. ... You must have let the nail scratch your finger, and then you thought of this idea. Pay you money. We all know people like you! I know you devils!" 3. The crowd was noisy, and some people said it was caused by the goldsmith smoking. , someone was praising the police officer Ochumelov for being "as divine as God". Ochumelov calmed down and analyzed, and determined that the dog was not owned by the general's family, and his attitude towards the goldsmith changed again

What a nonsense. Do you know what would happen if such a dog appeared in Petersburg or Moscow? ...You have been bitten, Khryugin (the goldsmith's name), and we cannot ignore this matter. ...We must teach them a lesson!

4. But the crowd was still speculating about the dog's identity, and police officer Ochumelov was wavering in his heart. What if this was really the general's dog? He asked his subordinates to treat the dog well, and was going to send the dog to the general's house for verification

This might be a valuable dog, if every pig (implying the goldsmith) poked it with a cigar Mouth, it will soon be killed. Dogs are delicate animals. …Hands down, you fool (goldsmith). No need to show that stupid finger. Then blame yourself...

5. Suddenly the cook of the general's family came. They asked the cook if this dog was raised by the general's family. The cook said that this was not a dog raised by the general's family, but... the cook Before he finished speaking, police officer Ochumelov's attitude changed again

"There's no need to waste time asking," Ochumelov said, "This is a wild dog! No need to say anything. What's wrong... Since he said it's a wild dog, it's a wild dog. ...It should be killed."

6. The cook at the general's house heard the words "wild dog" and "kill it." "Death", he hurriedly explained that this is indeed not the general's dog, but it is the dog raised by the general's brother, and the police officer who was "like God" in the people's mouth was full of smiles, facing the general's dog The cook was flattering, but when the cook left, his face immediately turned dark, and everyone around him was laughing at the goldsmith, sarcastically, and laughing at the common people's overestimation

(To the cook) Take it back with you Bar. Nice puppy. ...the lively little thing... bit this guy's finger! Hahaha...

(To the goldsmith) "I will teach you to be smart!" Ochumelov threatened him