Teffi’s short stories are often backgrounded by elements of religion and/or superstition. Sometimes she takes religion and superstition seriously, but sometimes she adds that little touch of satire which turns the whole thing around and reminds us that life is best lived when sprinkled with a bit of humour. ‘Kishmish’ is the nickname of an eight-year old girl who is at the stage in life when she’s wondering what she could be when she grows up. A strongman. A brigand. An executioner. All seem to her to be marvellous ideas, but Kishmish makes her final decision after a visit to the church. She wants to become a saint. “But how could she become a saint? She would have to work miracles – and Kishmish had not the slightest idea how to go about this. Still, miracles were not where you started. First, you had to lead a saintly life”. Kishmish’s idea of leading a saintly life made me laugh out loud, and this almost never happens to me. It’s best if you discover by yourself if she does become a saint or not, but let me just say this: her efforts, sincere and funnily misguided poke fun at the absurdities of adult expectations and shine a light on the grit of everyday reality.
First published in English in Slav Sisters, ed. Natasha Perova, Dedalus Books, 2019
A Personal Anthology 