Vladimir Galaktionovich Korolenko (1853–1921) was one of the greatest Russian humanist writers, a publicist, a social activist, and a defender of human dignity and freedom. His work is imbued with compassion for the "little man," faith in the power of good, and the conviction that justice is the highest measure of human existence.

This book includes the author's best works, exploring the themes of conscience, trials, and inner resilience. Among them are "Makar's Dream," a philosophical parable about a peasant seeking truth on the border between life and death; "The Old Bell Ringer," a poignant story about a man for whom duty and faith become the meaning of existence; "In Bad Company," "The Blind Musician," "The Forest Rustles," and other works that constitute the golden treasure of Russian classics.

In Korolenko's work, nature is a living participant in the narrative: in its breath, in the rustle of the taiga, in the radiance of the northern stars, the eternal voice of conscience resounds. His heroes are simple yet spiritually strong people, preserving goodness even amid poverty and suffering.

This edition reveals the writer as a master of psychological realism and a moral philosopher, whose words resonate with the same power—a reminder of eternal values: truth, kindness, and human dignity.