Sleepy

"Sleepy" by Anton Chekhov is a haunting tale that delves into the mind of a sleep-deprived young girl named Varka. The story takes place during a restless night in a cramped and stuffy room. Varka, a thirteen-year-old nurse, is responsible for rocking the cradle in which a crying baby lies. She is desperate for sleep, but she must stay awake to tend to the baby or face the wrath of her master and mistress. As Varka battles exhaustion, her surroundings blur together in a surreal and dreamlike manner. The flickering lamp casts eerie shadows on the ceiling, and the sounds of a churring cricket and snoring from the neighboring room only add to her disorientation. Varka's drowsiness transports her into a world of hallucinations.