Pepánek the Rascal

Pepánek, the eldest child of the Bartoš family who own a farm in the village of Běhlín, is a real rascal who manages to vex the whole village with his pranks. He has a good heart, however. He is the only true friend of Venoušek Klecánek, the sick child of a poor woman. Pepánek also gets on with the other boys of the village but fate takes a hand and he badly injures himself when he jumps into some hay. Children's wounds quickly heal and two weeks later Pepánek is healthy again. One day he is caught taking a crown out of labourer Jakub's pocket and he flogged as punishment. Thus he decides to go out to seek his fortune in the world. He then hurries via a short cut to the nearest village to see his uncle. In order to keep him on his toes, he does not afford Pepánek any of the advantages a relation may deserve and Pepánek soon returns home. He goes back to school. His friend Venoušek dies who thanks him for his friendship. Pepánek is finally publicly commended for his good deeds.