96 – What an absent-minded man!

96 – What an absent-minded man!

Author: Daria Molchanova December 19, 2021 Duration: 37:55

Today we talk about another wonderful poem by Samuil Marshak. Please, read the text in Russian and English. 

Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian 

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Спасибо!

Here is the text:

Жил человек рассеянный
На улице Бассейной.

Сел он утром на кровать,
Стал рубашку надевать,
В рукава просунул руки —
Оказалось, это брюки.

Вот какой рассеянный
С улицы Бассейной!

Надевать он стал пальто —
Говорят ему: не то.
Стал натягивать гамаши —
Говорят ему: не ваши.

Вот какой рассеянный
С улицы Бассейной!

Вместо шапки на ходу
Он надел сковороду.
Вместо валенок перчатки
Натянул себе на пятки.

Вот какой рассеянный
С улицы Бассейной!

Однажды на трамвае
Он ехал на вокзал
И, двери открывая,
Вожатому сказал:

— Глубокоуважаемый
Вагоноуважатый!
Вагоноуважаемый
Глубокоуважатый!
Во что бы то ни стало
Мне надо выходить.
Нельзя ли у трамвала
Вокзай остановить?

Вожатый удивился —
Трамвай остановился.

Вот какой рассеянный
С улицы Бассейной!

Он отправился в буфет
Покупать себе билет.
А потом помчался в кассу
Покупать бутылку квасу.

Вот какой рассеянный
С улицы Бассейной!

Побежал он на перрон,
Влез в отцепленный вагон,
Внёс узлы и чемоданы,
Рассовал их под диваны,
Сел в углу перед окном
И заснул спокойным сном...

— Это что за полустанок? —
Закричал он спозаранок.
А с платформы говорят:
— Это город Ленинград.

Он опять поспал немножко
И опять взглянул в окошко,
Увидал большой вокзал,
Удивился и сказал:

— Это что за остановка —
Бологое иль Поповка?
А с платформы говорят:
— Это город Ленинград.

Он опять поспал немножко
И опять взглянул в окошко,
Увидал большой вокзал,
Потянулся и сказал:

— Что за станция такая —
Дибуны или Ямская?
А с платформы говорят:
— Это город Ленинград.

Закричал он: — Что за шутки!
Еду я вторые сутки,
А приехал я назад,
А приехал в Ленинград!

Вот какой рассеянный
С улицы Бассейной!

1930

 

English:

There lived an absent-minded lad,
Whom on Basseynaya street we met
 
In the morning, on his bed,
He, when putting on his shirt,
In the sleeves then placed his arms-
Sleeves turned out to be his pants.
 
Such an absent-minded lad
There once lived in Basseynaya street!
 
When he tried to don his coat-
They all tell him: wrong stuff, man!
When he started putting gaiters-
They all tell him: It's not yours!
 
Such an absent-minded lad
There once lived in Basseynaya street!
 
In a hurry, on his head,
Frying pan replaced his hat.
His felt boots, he couldn't get
So his heels got gloves instead.
 
Such an absent-minded lad
There once lived in Basseynaya street!
 
By tram and to some station
He, once, was heading towards
Then, opening the doors, said he
To the conductor-man:
 
- My dearest of friends, you are
The best of all conductors!
Respected by all carriages
Respected by all people!
Cost what it may, my chap
I need to exit here.
So it is ever possible
This "stam" stop at the "tration"?
Conductor-man got so surprised-
The tram was stopped that instant.
 
Such an absent-minded lad
There once lived in Basseynaya street!
 
Heading down to the canteen
Tickets tried to purchase he.
Later, ran to the cashier,
Thinking he could get a drink.
 
Such an absent-minded lad
There once lived in Basseynaya street!
 
Having reached the platform, then
Found our lad a detached train.
Got his sacks and cases in,
Stuffed his stuff under the seats,
Facing one of the corner windows
There he found a restful sleep.
- What's this simple country station? -
Cried our lad, the morning dawning.
Platform people tell our man:
- Leningrad's this town's name.
 
He again dozed off a little
And anew looked out the window,
Saw a great big station then,
Got surprised, and asked again:
 
- What is, now, this current station -
Bologoye or Petrovka?
Platform people tell our man:
- Leningrad's this town's name.
 
He again dozed off a little
And anew looked out the window,
Saw a great big station then,
Yawned and stretched, and asked again:
 
- And what is supposed to be this station -
Dibuny? Maybe Yamskaya?
Platform people tell our man:
- Leningrad's this town's name.
 
Then he cried: Is this some joke, eh!
I've been on this train for days now,
And you're telling me I'm back,
I am back to Leningrad!
 
Such an absent-minded lad
There once lived in Basseynaya street!

If you want to support my work, you can do it in one of these ways:

Patreon – http://patreon.com/realrussianclub

Slow Russian Podcast Transcript and audio download for $20 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/slowrussian 

Join my free email course with A LOT of useful materials for self-learning – http://realrussianclub.com/subscribe 

My premium step-by-step course for Russian language learners – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/

Get all three levels together and save $102 – https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/bundles/all-of-from-zero-to-fluency 

UNDERSTANDING RUSSIA (cultural course, no knowledge of Russian language required)– 

https://russian.fromzerotofluency.com/courses/understanding-russia 

Спасибо!


Daria Molchanova’s Slow Russian offers a patient, accessible path to understanding spoken Russian. As an experienced teacher, Daria structures each episode around clear, deliberately paced conversation, removing the common hurdle of native speed that can overwhelm learners. The core of this podcast is its namesake pace: spoken Russian delivered slowly enough to follow, yet naturally enough to feel authentic. Each segment typically includes a vocabulary breakdown, where key words and phrases are explained in context, turning listening practice into a direct lesson. Beyond grammar and pronunciation, Daria weaves in observations on Russian culture, traditions, and the nuances of daily life, providing the contextual glue that makes language stick. It’s designed for those who want to move beyond textbooks and engage with the rhythm and substance of the language in a manageable way. The result is a learning tool that feels less like a lecture and more like a guided tour of the Russian language, building comprehension and confidence with each slow-spoken episode. You can find more resources and episodes on the podcast’s main website.
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