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Question
This short story revolves around a single important event. Discuss how the narrative is woven around this central fact.
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Solution
The story has a simple plot and revolves around it. Iona Potapov, an aging man, a poor Russian cab driver lost his dear son earlier week. A load that he carries, weighing his heart, Iona wishes to speak and share his grief desperately with someone. Thus, on finding no companion or friend to mourn over his grief he tries to share it with everyone he comes across. He tries to share it with the passengers that board his sled only to find how disinterested everyone is in his story. His agony grows and he is thrown into despair. All the while there is one thing that remains constant in the story, the loss Iona suffers, and his attempt to overcome it. So, overwhelmed is the old father that he finally decides to go on and talk his heart out to his horse. The horse proves to be a true companion and listens to Iona's story patiently while munching hay.
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