Hatred between Neighbors
Ivanovich and Nikiforovich are introduced as good neighbors living in Mirgorod, Ukraine. These two neighbors are described as gentlemen and great friends. Despite being two great friends, their personalities are entirely different. Ivanovich realizes that his good friend, Nikiforovich has a Turkish rifle, and he develops an interest in owning it. Ivanovich thinks that barter trade is the best way to hold the Turkish gun, and he approaches his neighbor ready to offer a pig and sacks of oat. However, Nikiforovich is not prepared to give away his rifle, and he turns down Ivanovich's offer. Ivanovich is not happy with the reaction of Nikiforovich regarding the exchange, and they break into a quarrel. In the process of quarreling, Nikiforovich abuses Ivanovich, calling him a goose. Ivanovich is annoyed and feels offended by Nikiforovich. From that day, Ivanovich hates Nikiforovich, and they end up being the worst enemies. Nikiforovich and Ivanovich's conflict ends up in court, but the two former friends and neighbors disagree to amend and settle their differences outside court.
Delayed Justice in the Court System
The courts' role is to offer justice to the offended, but ironically, the court system might take years and fail to deliver justice. When Ivanovich first goes to court to accuse Nikiforovich of character assignation and abuse, the court prefers the issue to be solved out of court, but he refuses. It is not clear how the case is solved. Later Nikiforovich proceeds to court to petition Ivanovich, but his appeal is illegally taken away by Ivanovich's brunette pig. The judge orders the arrest of the pig, and a new appeal is filed. However, the case file is put in archives for many issues without resolving the issue. The story ends without the court solving the case between Ivanovich and Nikiforovich. Consequently, the court case between Ivanovich and Nikiforovich reflects reality because many offended people try to seek justice, but they give up in the end.
The Ability to Forgive Is a Virtue
The term 'forgive' is easy to mention, but it is the most challenging action to execute. The Holy books such as the Bible insist that forgiveness is nonstop action, and there is no specific number of times one should forgive one another. However, even forgiving ones is a riddle, as depicted in the quarrel between Ivanovich and Nikiforovich. The conflict between these friends erupts when Nikiforovich disagrees with exchanging the Turkish rifle with a brown pig and two sacks of Ivanovich's oats. Nikiforovich ends up abusing Ivanovich when he realizes that he is adamant about getting the rifle from him.
Despite being initially the best friends, neighbors, and gentlemen, they overlook the virtue of forgiveness and take their case to court. The court finds this case more of a domestic issue and urges the two to consider settling it out of court. However, Ivanovich refuses and walks away because he is not ready to forgive his neighbor. Later, Nikiforovich appeals, but Ivanovich still wants the court to proceed with the issue. Many years pass, but still, the case lies in court files awaiting the hearing. Meanwhile, Ivanovich and Nikiforovich do not see each other directly because of the mushrooming hatred. By coincidence, the Chief of police organizes a party where he secretly arranges Ivanovich and Nikiforovich to attend without knowing that they will meet.
During the party, Ivanovich and Nikiforovich realize that they are both at the same party. However, they do not want to look at each other directly. Those in attendance try to bring Ivanovich and Nikiforovich together to reconcile and forgive each other but in vain. Ivan walks away after Nikiforovich calls him 'goose' again. Therefore, reconciliation and forgiveness do takes place. The story ends, and the reader does not know whether justice in the court of law is ever delivered.
