A selection of village stories tells about family relationships and troubled human destinies.

The titular short story "In a forest still life" tells about the happy and contented life of a miller's family. The parents raised the orphan František and their own daughter Pavlínka. The miller wants to marry Pavlínka advantageously and ignores her love for František. Out of love and respect for her father, the daughter enters into a forced marriage, which, however, does not bring her happiness. Until time and fate fix everything. Other short stories speak of deep sadness at the death of loved ones, of a fate that is often ruthless and sometimes merciful.