The Slanderer 1901

"The Slanderer" by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov is a story about the spreading of rumors. It shows how gossip can hurt people and change how others see them, even when it starts as just a joke. The story focuses on Sergey Akhineyev, a teacher at his daughter's wedding, when another teacher, Vankin, jokes that Akhineyev was kissing the cook. This harmless comment turns into a big rumor that soon spreads around their town. Akhineyev tries to prove he did nothing wrong and figure out how the rumor started. He finds that it is hard to stop a lie once it starts, and it can cause problems with friends and make people think badly of him.