In 1911, Maydanyk authored his first humorous piece. A serialized version of his stage play Manigrula [The Immigrant] was published in a Ukrainian-language newspaper shortly after he arrived in Winnipeg (Wynnyckj, 87). It is a story about three boarders and landlords who enjoy their liquor and make degrading witticisms during their get-togethers. The lead character is “Штіф Періг” [Shtif Perth/Steve Perogie]. Manigrula is the first Ukrainian language play written in Canada with a Canadian theme (87). Due to popular demand, in 1915, the play was republished in booklet form; another edited version was printed in 1926 (Marunchak 480). In retrospect, this Shtif may have been the first rendition of Maydanyk’s now-famous character ‘Uncle Shtif’. Appendix 4 – Uncle’s Book further discusses the character’s evolution.