The Viy

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"Viy" is a horror short story by Nikolai Gogol, first published in 1835. The narrative centers on three students from the Brothers' Monastery in Kiev—Khaliava, Khoma Brut, and Tibery Gorobets—who, after a summer term, embark on a journey home. As they travel, their numbers dwindle until only the three remain. Seeking rest and food for the night, they become lost in the wilderness and stumble upon a farm with two small houses. An old woman reluctantly offers them shelter, assigning them to various accommodations: the rhetorician in a hut, the theologian in a closet, and the philosopher in a sheep's pen. As night falls, the old woman approaches Khoma, initially perceived as a seduction attempt. However, her glowing eyes reveal her true nature. She leaps onto his back, and he finds himself galloping across the countryside with newfound strength. To regain control, he chants exorcisms, eventually slowing her down. In a twist, he discovers that the old woman transforms into a beautiful girl after he punishes her with a piece of wood. The story blends elements of horror and the supernatural, exploring themes of fear, transformation, and the unknown.