TEHRAN- The audio version of “The Bet,” a short story by prominent Russian writer Anton Chekhov, has recently been released for Persian listeners.

The audiobook is narrated by Bahman Vakhshour and produced by Avaye Chirok, a well-known Iranian institute specializing in audiobook production.

Translated by Hossein Bidarmaghz, the Persian print edition of “The Bet” has been published by Qesseh Baran Publications in Tehran.

Written in 1889, "The Bet" explores themes of morality, isolation, and the value of life. The narrative centers around a banker and a young lawyer who engage in a provocative wager during a discussion about capital punishment versus life imprisonment. The banker believes that the death penalty is more humane, while the lawyer argues that he would prefer the latter. To settle their debate, they agree on a bet: if the lawyer can endure fifteen years of voluntary solitary confinement, the banker will reward him with two million rubles.

The story was prompted by a request from Nikolai Khudekov, the editor of the Peterburgskaya Gazeta, who sought a new piece from Chekhov. After writing it quickly to meet a deadline, "The Bet" was published in the January 1, 1889 issue of Novoye Vremya, initially titled "Fairytale." Later, it was revised and included in Chekhov's Collected Works.

As the plot unfolds, the lawyer is confined to a lodge on the banker's estate. Initially overwhelmed by loneliness and despair, he gradually immerses himself in reading and studying various subjects. Meanwhile, the banker faces financial ruin as his fortunes decline, leading him to contemplate drastic measures to avoid losing the bet.

On the eve of the fifteen-year mark, the banker considers killing the lawyer to escape his obligation. However, he discovers the lawyer emaciated and asleep at a table. In a note, the lawyer reveals his decision to forfeit the bet, having realized that material wealth is insignificant compared to spiritual fulfillment. Moved by this revelation, the banker returns to bed. Later, he learns that the lawyer has escaped through a window, leaving him with a locked note in his safe to conceal the truth of their bet.

With a duration of approximately one hour and 24 minutes, the production of "The Bet" was overseen by Bahman Vakhshour, with editing by Hasti Sadeqi.

SAB/