Set in rural Armenia in the early twentieth century, the story follows Khechan, a young servant who recounts an incident that turns his peaceful service into a source of anxiety and doubt. In his master's absence, the master's wife uses familiar words and playful teasing to test how far Khechan's obedience will go. Through the narrator's naive, at times comical perspective, the tensions hidden within the household, village gossip, and the poor servant's vulnerability during the investigation into his master's death come to light.
