What's this story?

[Marilyn M. Hoogen]

We're wracking our brains for the title and author of this story:  a little boy, poor, Jewish (?), befriends a boy of higher social status.  The poor boy is full of despair, particularly about his family.
He attempts to drown himself in a rain barrel (?); his grandfather pulls him out, and the boy has to face the truth that he is stuck with his family and life.
This story was part of an anthology of Russian Short Stories found in high school lit classes in the '70's among other places.  Can you help us with the details?
Thanks,
Marilyn Hoogen

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