Nikolai Yakovlevich Agnivtsev (Николай Яковлевич Агнивцев, 1888–1932) was a Russian poet, playwright, and satirist known for his wit, elegance, and nostalgic evocations of pre-revolutionary St. Petersburg. Born in Moscow, he became part of the Silver Age of Russian poetry, contributing to journals and cabaret performances before the Revolution of 1917.

After emigrating for a short time—living in Warsaw and Berlin—Agnivtsev returned to Soviet Russia in the early 1920s. His later work often celebrated the charm and artistry of the old imperial capital, most notably in his poetry collections such as Zolotye zhitʹya (“Golden Living”) and Peterburgskie nochi (“Petersburg Nights”).

He also wrote light verse for children, including Little Screw (Маленький винт), published in 1925, which uses humor and fable-like mechanics imagery to teach industriousness and teamwork.

Agnivtsev’s refined, ironic style and his affection for the vanished world of tsarist Russia made him a distinctive voice bridging the old and new eras. He died in Leningrad in 1932.

Little Screw
The children’s book Little Screw (1925) by Nikolai Agnivtsev (Николай Агнивцев, 1888–1932) is a charming and satirical fable that reflects Agnivtsev’s playful, poetic style and the spirit of early Soviet children’s literature—celebrating work, craftsmanship, and cooperation in a mechanical world.

“Little Screw” tells the story of a tiny screw who lives inside a grand machine—a complex piece of equipment filled with gears, levers, bolts, and pistons. Though small and seemingly unimportant, the Little Screw takes great pride in his work, keeping the mechanism steady and ensuring that everything runs smoothly.

However, the other machine parts—especially the larger and more imposing ones—mock him for his size. They tell him that he is insignificant, that a screw so small could never matter in such a grand contraption. Hurt but curious, the Little Screw decides to prove his worth. He loosens himself and falls away from his place.

At first, he feels free and proud of his independence. But soon, the entire machine begins to shake, sputter, and collapse. Chaos ensues as the big gears grind to a halt and the pistons jam. Only then does everyone realize that the tiny screw had been vital all along.

With help from the mechanic, the Little Screw is put back in his place—now greeted with respect by all the parts. He resumes his work proudly, understanding that even the smallest piece is essential to the whole.

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