The plot of the story "White Poodle" A.I. Kuprin took from real life. Indeed, wandering artists, whom he often left for lunch, visited his own country house in Crimea more than once.
Among these guests were Sergei and the organ grinder. The boy told a story that happened to a dog. She became very interested in the writer and later formed the basis of the story.
A. I. Kuprin, “White Poodle”: contents I chapters
A small wandering troupe made its way along the southern coast of Crimea . Arto, the white poodle clipped under a lion, ran ahead. Behind him was Sergei, a boy of 12 years old. In one hand he carried a dirty and cramped cage with a goldfinch, who was taught to get notes with predictions, and in the other a rolled-up rug. The procession was completed by the oldest member of the troupe - Martyn Lodyzhkin. On the back, he carried the same ancient as the barrel organ itself, playing only two melodies. For five years now, he has taken Sergei Martyn from a drinking widower-shoemaker, promising to pay him 2 rubles each month. But soon the cobbler died, and Sergei remained forever with his grandfather. The troupe walked with performances from one holiday village to another.
A. I. Kuprin, “White Poodle”: summary II chapters
It was summer. It was very hot, but the artists kept going. Serezha was surprised at everything: outlandish plants, old parks and buildings. Grandfather Martyn assured that he was not going to see it: there were big cities ahead , and then Turks and Ethiopians. The day was unsuccessful: almost everywhere they were driven away or paid extremely little. And one lady, having watched the whole performance, threw a coin to the old man, which was no longer in use. Soon they reached the Druzhba cottage.
Summary: Kuprin, "White Poodle",
III chapterOn a gravel lined walkway, the artists approached the house. As soon as they prepared for the performance, a boy of about 8-10 in a sailor suit suddenly jumped out onto the terrace, followed by six adults. The child fell to the ground, screeched, fought back, and everyone implored him to take the potion. Martyn and Sergey first watched this scene, and then grandfather gave the command to start. Hearing the sounds of the barrel organ, everyone fell silent. Even the boy fell silent. At first the artists were kicked out, they packed up and almost left. But then the boy began to demand that they be called. They returned and began the performance. At the end, Artaud, holding the cap in his mouth, approached the lady who had taken out her wallet. And then the boy began to scream heart-rendingly that he wants this dog to be left for him forever. The old man refused to sell Artaud. The artists were kicked out of the yard. The boy kept yelling. Leaving the park, the artists went down to the sea and stopped there to swim. Soon the old man noticed that a janitor was approaching them.
Summary: Kuprin, White Poodle,
IV chapterThe lady sent the janitor nevertheless to buy a poodle. Martyn does not agree to sell a friend. The janitor says that the boy’s father - engineer Obolyaninov - builds railways throughout the country. The family is very rich. They have one child and there is no refusal to him. The janitor achieved nothing. The troupe is gone.
Summary: Kuprin, White Poodle, V chapter
Travelers stopped near a mountain stream to have lunch and relax. After eating, they fell asleep. Through the slumber, it seemed to Martyn that the dog was growling, but he could not get up, but only called the dog. Sergei woke up first and realized that there was no poodle. Martyn found nearby a stub of sausage and traces of Artaud. It became clear that the dog was taken away by the janitor. Grandfather is afraid to turn to a judge because he lives on someone else's passport (he lost his own), which he once made a Greek for 25 rubles. It turns out that he is actually Ivan Dudkin, a simple peasant, and not Martyn Lodyzhkin, a tradesman from Samara. On the way to the lodging for the night, the artists deliberately walked past Friendship again, but Arto did not see it.
Summary: Kuprin, "White Poodle", VI chapter
In Alupka they stopped for the night in a dirty coffee house of a Turkish Ibrahim. At night, Sergei in one tights made his way to the ill-fated country house. Artaud was attached, and even closed in the basement. Recognizing Sergei, he began to bark furiously. The janitor went into the basement and began to beat the dog. Sergey screamed. Then the janitor ran out of the basement without closing it to catch the boy. At this time, Artaau came off and ran out into the street. Sergey wandered around the garden for a long time, until, quite exhausted, he realized that the fence was not so high, and he could be jumped over. Arto rushed out after him, and they fled. The janitor did not catch up with them. The fugitives returned to their grandfather, which made him incredibly happy.