“Watercolor”, an unpretentious short story by Alexander Grin, is about an almost ruined family relationship, yet it carries much sense. The main characters, the stocker Clisson and laundrywoman Betsy lead a wretched existence: his laziness and drunkenness and her hard work have turned their feelings into nothing. The beginning of a sunny day does not promise anything nice: a quarrel, petty theft, escape and chase. The finale is quite unpredictable – the pursuit brings the couple to unfamiliarsurroundings, to the Spring Watercolor Exhibition with its trendy entrance, a sun-drenched stairway and rooms filled with paintings to which they wouldn't give a second glance…. Suddenly, one of the pictures draws their attention subduing their hostility – it shows their house, familiar and new at the same time! Clisson and Betsy, glad to see the artist's creation, reconcile and start talking and finally realize that the main thing is that they are close people!
Key words: A.S. Grin, “Watercolor”, Clisson, Betsy, stocker, laundry woman, the house on the painting.