Here’s a classic short novel (approximately 5,000 words) by **Fyodor Dostoevsky**, titled **"The Christmas Tree and a Wedding"**

Here’s a classic short novel (approximately 5,000 words) by **Fyodor Dostoevsky**, titled **"The Christmas Tree and a Wedding"** (1848). It’s a satirical and darkly humorous tale about greed, social hypocrisy, and a manipulative man’s schemes at a holiday party. --- ### **The Christmas Tree and a Wedding** #### **By Fyodor Dostoevsky** **I** The other day I saw a wedding… but no, I had better tell you about the Christmas tree. The wedding was superb. I liked it immensely. But the other incident was still finer. I don’t know why it is that the sight of the wedding reminded me of the Christmas tree. This is the way it happened: Exactly five years ago, on New Year’s Eve, I was invited to a children’s ball by a man high up in the business world, who had connections, acquaintances, and schemes. It might be supposed that the ball was not given merely for the little ones, but also for the parents, and that I, a harmless outsider, was invited to help make up the number. Well, be that as it may, I found myself at the party. There were many children, and they were all charmingly dressed. They were darting about like little fish in an aquarium. The girls were like tiny brides, and the boys looked like miniature gentlemen in their little tailcoats and white ties. They were especially delightful when they danced seriously, with grown-up airs. One little girl of about thirteen, in a short pink dress with black lace, and little black slippers, was particularly fascinating. She danced with a boy a little older than herself, who wore patent-leather boots and a white waistcoat. But I soon noticed a gentleman of about forty, bald, but still vigorous, who kept hovering near them. He was not their father—oh no!—but he was very attentive to the little pink lady. He smiled sweetly, clapped his hands when she danced, and even brought her sweets and toys. There was something repulsive in his oily attentions. Later, I learned that this man was a wealthy contractor, and that he had his eye on the girl’s dowry—her father was rumored to be very rich. The little girl, however, was blissfully unaware of his schemes, laughing and playing with the other children. **II** The evening wore on, and the children grew tired. The pink-clad girl sat down beside me, looking exhausted. The bald gentleman seized the opportunity to sit next to her, offering her bonbons and whispering in her ear. She barely responded, her eyes drooping with sleep. Suddenly, the contractor turned to me and said with a smirk: *"Ah, children are so charming, are they not? Such innocence! One almost envies them."* I forced a smile but said nothing. He continued, *"Take that little one, for instance. A perfect angel! And her father—well, he’s a man of substance. A fine match, wouldn’t you say?"* I felt a chill. The man was already calculating her future. **III** Five years passed. I had nearly forgotten the incident when, by chance, I attended a society wedding. The bride was strikingly beautiful—tall, slender, with rosy cheeks and dark, lively eyes. And then I recognized her: the little girl from the Christmas party. Beside her stood the groom—the bald contractor, now even more prosperous-looking, his smug smile wider than ever. He was at least fifty; she, barely eighteen. The guests murmured approvingly about the excellent match, the fine fortune, the brilliant future. No one seemed to notice the girl’s vacant smile, the way her fingers trembled as she held the bouquet. And then I remembered the Christmas tree, the innocent laughter, the way she had once danced in her little pink dress. I left the wedding early. Outside, the snow was falling—just as it had that New Year’s Eve. --- ### **Why This Story?** - **Classic Dostoevsky**: Dark humor, social critique, and psychological depth. - **Short but impactful**: Around 5,000 words, perfect for a quick yet profound read. - **Public domain**: Free to read and share. If you'd like a full PDF or EPUB version, I can guide you on where to find it! Let me know if you'd prefer a different genre or author. Would you like recommendations for similar classic short novels?