CHAMPAGNE by ANTON CHEKHOV

Chekhov's story 'Champagne' follows a young railway stationmaster who begins New Year's Eve in a festive, carefree mood. He and his wife open a bottle of champagne—an indulgence that feels like a small rebellion against the monotony of their isolated post. The drink loosens his tongue, and he jokes about omens, fate, and the superstitions tied to the holiday. But as the night unfolds, the celebratory mood gives way to unease. A seemingly harmless toast becomes the hinge on which the entire evening turns, and the stationmaster finds himself confronting a sudden, life‑altering event that shatters the ligh...