The Man Who Went to Moscow

The Man Who Went to Moscow is set in a small village not far from Moscow in Tsarist Russia. Yakov Gudonov, one of the town's citizens, lives a contented life dominated by his favorite pastimes sitting in his chair and reading. One day, his contentment is upended by a visit from the Tsar. While addressing the villagers, the Tsar asks Yakov what he likes most about Moscow. Yakov, who has never had a desire to go to Moscow, replies that he has never been there. The Tsar is aghast. When he returns home from his trip, the Tsar issues an ukase prohibiting Yakov Gudonov from visiting the city of Moscow. Yakov is outraged and seeks legal and other help in an attempt to overturn the ruling. He eventually obtains a reversal, but whether or not he travels to Moscow is left unresolved. The provocative ending is intended to ask the reader (the child) what he/she thinks Yakov will do and why. The tale flirts with themes of change, fear of the unfamiliar and why we always want what we can't have.