The author's collection contains stories on the theme “man and fate.” Rubina derives her formula for the relationship between man and fate. Does fate exist or is everything that a person has within his area of responsibility? Is it possible to change fate? Pay off? Avoid her sentence? The author gives answers to these questions in artistic form. The writer depicts reality in a complex interrelation of all its components, in contradictions and complex combinations with such categories as God, fate, fate. Without simplification. She was called Masha the charabanc, after the famous tavern song, which no one sang better than her: “Oh, my charabanc, oh, my charabanc, there will be no money, I’ll sell you...” Indeed, one of those traps that sets for us fate, you can get out, get out. Whether by selling a shawl, earrings, a charabanc (“Medallion”) or... giving up love, calling, life (“Fog”). But it is impossible to beat fate. After exactly seven years of a happy marriage, as the fortune teller predicted, Misha dies (“The Spell”), and for the rest of his life David is forced to suffer from the irreparable mistake of David (“Insomnia”). But fate is changeable. Taking one thing, it gives another. It doesn't matter that you didn't ask for it. Fate is not Santa Claus to make wishes come true! For some reason you need what she sent down (“High Water of the Venetians”). Look around and think! Works included in the collection: Napoleon's convoy, The spell, Insomnia, Two on the roof, Dog, Fog, Suicide, You have to live a long time in Russia, High water of the Venetians, Medallion.