A Little Hero

A Little Hero is a short story by Fyodor Dostoyevsky that portrays the inner world of a sensitive young boy who experiences his first encounter with love and the complexities of adult emotions.

Set during a summer at a noble’s country estate, the story follows the young narrator as he observes the behavior of adults around him, particularly the elegant and kind Madame M—, with whom he becomes infatuated. Through his innocent yet profound reflections, Dostoyevsky captures the confusion, jealousy, and tenderness of childhood feelings.

Although written before Dostoyevsky’s imprisonment, the story already reveals his deep psychological insight and his ability to explore the subtleties of human emotion. A Little Hero stands as a delicate and introspective tale that foreshadows the themes of moral struggle and emotional complexity found in his later masterpieces.