The beggar approaches Sergei, claiming to be a poor, hungry village schoolteacher who lost his job due to intrigues and calumny
Sergei offers the beggar a job chopping wood after discovering inconsistencies in the beggar's story
The beggar, named Lushkoff, admits to lying about being a student and a schoolteacher, revealing that he was actually a choir singer dismissed for drunkenness
Lushkoff is hired by Sergei for various tasks, such as chopping wood, shoveling snow, and helping with moving furniture
Sergei later encounters Lushkoff, now working as a notary and earning a monthly salary of thirty-five roubles
Lushkoff credits Sergei's cook, Olga, for his transformation, as she showed him kindness and compassion, even chopping wood for him
Olga's actions and words had a profound impact on Lushkoff, leading him to change his ways and stop drinking
