Scarecrow. Moth game. The final parade

Vladimir Karpovich Zheleznikov (1925–2015) invariably wrote about childhood and youth, but so that his books carry readers of any age. His characters often act without special reflection - as their nature requires. Nature may require unjustified cruelty, and maybe self -sacrifice. But sometimes suddenly a special moment of insight occurs and everyone sees everything - including himself - in the true light, surprisingly clearly, without any embellishment. Then the despised “scarecrow” and a ridiculous eccentric from the sixth “B” suddenly turn around with wonderful aliens, carriers of good, and yesterday the hero turns out to be a traitor and a coward ...
Zheleznikov’s novels were repeatedly filmed. The film Scarecrow, shot by Rolan Bykov in 1983, with young Christina Orbakaite in the title role, became truly cult