Driven by the allure of a profitable venture, Brekhunov is determined to purchase a grove of oak trees in the village of Gorachkin. He fears that if he delays, another buyer will snatch the opportunity away. With plans to turn the timber into sledge-runners and sell the leftovers for firewood, he anticipates making a significant profit, estimating the grove's value at over twenty thousand rubles; meanwhile, the seller asks only ten thousand but might accept seven thousand.

Preparations for the Journey

In the biting cold of winter, with temperatures plummeting to twenty degrees below zero, Brekhunov prepares for his journey undeterred. Despite the dreary, windy afternoon, he insists on setting off immediately, adhering to his business philosophy, "Lose an hour and you can’t catch it up in a year." His wife, concerned about his solo trip, persuades him to take their devoted servant, Nikita, along for the journey.

The Road to Gorachkin

The initial leg of their expedition is relatively smooth, even with snow-covered paths. However, the wind intensifies, severely reducing visibility, and soon they reach a fork in the road. Brekhunov, despite his rhetorical inquiry to Nikita, has already resolved to take the less traveled, shorter route to hasten their arrival in Gorachkin, disregarding the potential hazards.

Lost in the Snow

Shortly after setting on the chosen path, they realize they have veered off course. Nikita dismounts to survey their surroundings, but the relentless wind and increasing snowfall make navigation difficult, exhausting their horse. Their attempts to find the correct path lead them to another village instead. After asking for directions and setting back out, they soon find themselves lost again, with the snow obscuring all traces of the road and markers. As darkness descends, they let the horse lead the way, only to find themselves back in Grishkino, having traveled in circles.

An Offer of Shelter

Seeking direction in front of a grand, brick house, the owner invites Brekhunov to stay the night. Brekhunov declines the offer, driven by his business ambitions, and insists on pressing forward. Nonetheless, he agrees to a brief respite inside, where he and Nikita are offered food, tea, and vodka—though Nikita, a reformed heavy drinker, refuses the latter. Confident once more after the break, Brekhunov believes they will succeed, provided someone guides them back to the correct turn.

A Desperate Situation

Resuming their journey, the worsening weather presents a formidable challenge. The fierce wind destabilizes their sledge and misdirects the horse. Despite assistance reaching the intersection, their struggle to stay on course persists, leading to a third bout of confusion. As they navigate the drifts, the horse inadvertently descends into a hollow, where it becomes too exhausted to continue. Realizing their predicament, Nikita prepares to bivouac, securing the horse and marking their position in the snow.

Brekhunov’s Crisis

Brekhunov remains preoccupied with thoughts of the financial loss due to this delay and regrets not staying in Grishkino overnight. Fear creeps in, exacerbated by the chilling howl of wolves, and he contemplates the futility of waiting for death. In a moment of self-preservation, he considers abandoning Nikita to escape on horseback, rationalizing that his own life holds more value. "It’s all the same to him whether he lives or dies. What’s his life worth?" he reasons, assessing his servant’s fate.

Return to Compassion

Attempting his escape, Brekhunov rides the horse into what he supposes is a nearby village, only to find himself in a stand of wormwood. Realizing he is simply circling back, he eventually reunites with his horse and returns to Nikita. Finding his servant half-frozen, Brekhunov sheds his initial fear and selfishness....