The book of the young writer Vasily Aksenov Catapult is composed of works written in different years. The circle of life and moral problems that sharply occupy the writer is closely related to the problem of upbringing and formation of a modern young man. The stories "One and a half medical units," "From morning to dark," "Surprises" speak about a person's place in life, his spiritual and physical courage in work and clashes with everyday difficulties. The stories "Catapult," "Dad, fold," "Samson i Samsonikha"