Lefty by Nikolai Leskov
"Lefty" is a short story by Russian author Nikolai Leskov that explores themes of craftsmanship, national pride, and cultural identity. The narrative follows the story of a Don Cossack named Platov, who, during a visit to England, showcases Russian ingenuity against the backdrop of an English gift—a miraculous mechanical flea. As the plot unfolds, Platov and his compatriots, including a skilled craftsman named Lefty, are challenged to outdo the English by creating something even more remarkable.
The story contrasts the confidence of the Russian artisans with the expectations of the czar, Nicholas I, leading to a humorous yet poignant exploration of cultural competition. Lefty ultimately impresses the czar with his creation that includes tiny shoes for the flea, displaying the exceptional skill of Russian craftsmen.
However, the narrative takes a somber turn as Lefty’s journey back to Russia ends in tragedy, reflecting the neglect of talented individuals in society and the impact of bureaucratic indifference. Leskov's story serves as a commentary on the changing nature of craftsmanship and the loss of artisanal traditions in an increasingly mechanized world. Through its whimsical yet tragic tone, "Lefty" invites readers to reflect on the value of human skill and cultural heritage.
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Lefty by Nikolai Leskov
First published: "Levsha (Skaz o tul'skom kosom levshe i o stal'noy blokhe)," 1881 (English translation, 1906)
Type of plot: Fantasy
Time of work: 1815-1826
Locale: London, St. Petersburg, and Tula
Principal Characters:
Lefty , the protagonist, a gunsmith of folksy ways but consummate skillPlatov , a Don Cossack of patriotic bent who accompanies Alexander I abroadCzar Alexander I , the ruler of Russia from 1801 to 1825Czar Nicholas I , the ruler of Russia from 1825 to 1855
The Story
The Don Cossack Platov sets the tone for this whimsical tale by keeping the English off balance from the beginning. Alexander I's faithful but grumbling companion, in London with the czar, refuses to acknowledge English superiority in anything. When the czar exults over a gun in a museum, Platov pulls out a small tool, disassembles the gun, and proves that the mechanism was fashioned in Tula by a Russian craftsman. While the Englishmen stay up late endeavoring to come up with something the Russians cannot surpass, Platov sleeps soundly. In fact, each of the first two chapters ends with the Englishmen unable to sleep and Platov slumbering contentedly. When in need of guidance, the czar's man quotes a Russian proverb, and when in need of sleep, he prays in the Orthodox manner, downs a shot of vodka, and drops off forthwith. However, the result of his behavior is that the English hosts are frustrated, and the czar is embarrassed. Thus, Alexander is pleased when the Englishmen present him with the gift of a miraculous steel flea. There could be nothing finer than this, he says; his own workmen could make nothing like it. The flea is wondrous in its workmanship, for, despite its exquisite daintiness, it has a key that winds up a motor within. Activated by the key, the mechanical insect executes kicks and dance steps and twitches its minuscule mustache. When Alexander praises the object lavishly, Platov must retreat for a time and accompanies the czar home in obstinate silence.
In a short time, Alexander dies and is succeeded on the throne by his brother Nicholas I. After settling in to the job of being czar, Nicholas one day notices the flea, which has been passed on to him, and wonders what it is. None of his courtiers can tell him, but Platov soon appears and explains the matter to him. He also suggests to Nicholas that it would be a fine idea to allow the czar's craftsmen in Tula to examine the piece and determine whether they might be able to design something better and outdo the English. Nicholas agrees, expressing faith in his men of Tula, and puts Platov in charge of the undertaking.
Wasting no time, Platov whirls into Tula with Cossack aides and negotiates with the workmen there, charging them with upholding the honor of Russia. Lefty and two other workmen promise to do their best but are vague about what they will do and how. As Platov's warnings not to bring shame to their native land still hover in the air, the three craftsmen set off for a nearby workshop. They take a few belongings with them because they will be sequestered there for days on end. Once they are locked in and hard at work, their complete secrecy begins to intrigue those outside, who can hear them laboring but can see nothing. The townspeople even resort to trickery, shouting that the building is in danger because of a fire next door, but Lefty and the others inside ignore them and remain steadfast in their purpose, laboring feverishly up to the very moment of Platov's return.
Platov, who discerns no change in the flea, makes no effort to hide his chagrin but pulls out some of Lefty's hair, expresses his outrage, and departs posthaste for St. Petersburg, dragging Lefty with him. When they arrive in the capital in two days, Platov leaves Lefty under guard and goes to report to the czar. Nicholas asks expectantly what has been accomplished by his workmen and refuses to believe Platov's report that the men have done nothing. The flea, however, will not work when wound up by the czar's daughter. Platov is furious and threatens to exact a dear price from the unfortunate Lefty. Nicholas still believes in his men, however, and asks that Lefty be brought in to explain, though he is shabbily dressed and knows no court manners. Lefty is unabashed in the czar's presence and does proceed to explain the whole matter to him. Instructing the ruler to view one foot of the flea at a time under a powerful microscope, Lefty shows him that the Tula men have, indeed, done something even more remarkable than the Englishmen—they have put shoes on the flea. The czar is delighted, and Platov asks Lefty's forgiveness. Lefty goes on to explain that each artisan has signed the pieces he has made, except that he himself has made the nails for the shoes, and the nails are too minute to be signed.
It remains for Lefty to act as the czar's emissary and deliver the flea back to London, showing the foreigners what Russian craftspeople can do. Accompanied by an interpreter, Lefty speeds across Europe and to the English capital with the newly shod flea. When the Englishmen see what the Tula craftspeople have done, they are indeed impressed and give Lefty no respite from their questions. Because he has outdone their own workmen, they try to persuade him to wed an English lass and move to their country. Lefty, though not so blunt as Platov, is just as Russian and meets their suggestions with firm rebuttals, agreeing only to stay for a short visit. The English hosts reluctantly give in and shift their efforts to impressing Lefty with a round of visits to museums and factories, just as they had done with Alexander and Platov. Lefty takes in the sights with only mild interest—until he comes across a superior English method of cleaning rifle barrels. Immediately, the crafty Lefty recognizes this secret as something of potential military value to his country, and he demands to be taken home to St. Petersburg.
The English ship on which Lefty sails takes a long time to reach Russia, and to pass the time, Lefty engages in a drinking contest with an Englishman. As a result, he is in a deplorable condition on reaching home shores, and he is taken to the police and finally to a lowly hospital. Although Lefty pulls himself together sufficiently to make his report, various petty officials fail to recognize him or his mission and eventually conspire to keep the report from the czar. Lefty thus dies among the poor and insignificant in the hospital, a victim of ignorance, suspicion, and exceedingly rough treatment.
At the tale's end, the narrator observes that Lefty's real name is long since forgotten and that machines have taken over the work formerly done by such skilled artisans. There are no more master craftsmen such as Lefty, and therefore the legends that revolve around him continue to grow in the popular imagination.