Charles Nodier (1780–1844) was a very versatile writer; Russian readers know his terrible and sensitive romantic stories, as well as his learned bibliophile essays. However, Nodier’s legacy includes a number of works that have never been published in Russia as a separate book. In France, a tradition has developed to call them “fairy tales of a sane scoffer.” In form, these are really fairy tales, with fabulous beginnings and miracles, with various amazing inventions like a fox who fell in love with a hen, and fantastic characters like a king made of rosewood, fit only to sign laws. But in essence it is a witty and caustic mockery of modern civilization, a brilliant parade of satirical sketches and inventive games with words.