Poetic miniatures with philosophical overtones by Anne-Lou Steininger (1963) translated from French by Natalia Mavlevich. “Collector of Illusions” by Rose-Marie Peignard (1943) translated from French by Nina Kulish. “The hero of the story,” says the introduction, “sells off his beloved paintings, but finds a way to remain their owner.” Three stories by Corinne Desarzance (1952) from the collection “The Verb “to be” and the Secrets of Caramel” translated from French by Maria Lipko. The sensuality of this prose is fraught with unexpected conclusions - this is how a culinary and medical sketch about decoctions turns into an essay on the psychology of literary creativity: “No, the writer does not extract the essence, the essence. He is only a filter that distributes and selects, withdraws and accumulates, hesitates, pondering. It squeezes or brings water.”Two stories by Anne-Lise Grobety (1949–2010). “Die, Vile Creature” is about a mentally ill girl and her mother, who dreams of “floating” her daughter to some hospital. Translation from French by Maria Anninskaya. And “Nilly in the Night” is a study about snoring filled with black humor. Translation from French by Mikhail Yasnov. Monique Schwitter (1972) with the story “And if it’s snowing, the crocodile…” Loneliness and hope for love is the simple theme of this seemingly intriguing story. Translation from German by Maria Zorka. “The Book of Lucas” by Jean-François Sonnet (1954) translated by Nina Khotinskaya. A story about a Greek, a liar-islander, and about the “uncomfortable affinity” of his inventions and temperament with the work and temperament of the author of the short story, as, indeed, of writers in general. “Short Stories” by Aurelio Buletti (1946). Miniatures that combine skepticism with good nature. Translation from Italian by Anna Yampolskaya. Franz Holer (1943), a living classic of Swiss literature. The story “Stone” - the origin of the Earth and the origin of life, European history and the present day through the eyes of a stone. Translation from German by Vyacheslav Kupriyanov. And they complete a short anthology of the modern Swiss story “Polars” by Georges Pirouet (1920–2005) translated from French by Asya Petrova. A string of lyrical associations associated for the author with these city trees: “Because every person carries, clutching to his chest, his own invisible tree...”