Viy Summary

"Viy" is a name given by people in little Russian (The Ukraine) to the Chief of the Gnomes. Translator's note: The story is a popular legend in The Ukraine. This story begins at the Bratsky Monastery in Kiev. The students and professors are finished for the semester and are going home for the summer. Three students, Khoma Brut, Tiberiy Gorobets and Khalajava, lose their way in the dark night. They come upon a farmstead and convince the proprietor, an old lady, to let them stay the night. She separates them into different sleeping areas. The old woman enters Khoma's sleeping area, transfixes him and rides him like a horse into the dark night. He has no power over his body and realizes she is a witch. Khoma beats the old hag and he kills her. As the old hag lies dying she turns...