The plot of the story is the same as in the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. An evil troll creates a magic mirror that reflects and exaggerates everything bad and evil. The mirror shatters, and one of its millions of fragments falls into the eyes Pavel Ivanovich Vasin, a resident of the small town of Zarechensk.
Ordinarily a balanced person, respectable family man, and helpful neighbor and colleague, Vasin changes beyond recognition. He sees only the worst in his friends and relatives and no redeeming traits. Vasin kicks his son out of the household, quarrels with his wife, hurls verbal abuse at his colleagues at work, and even goes so far as to attempt suicide.