TheGodson
ByLevTolstoy"Youhaveheardthatithasbeensaid,aneyeforaneye,andatoothfora tooth:butIsayuntoyou,thatyouresistnoevil."(Matt.V.38,39.)
"Vengeanceismine,Iwillrepay."(Rom.xii.19).
IApoorpeasanthadasonborntohim.Greatlydelighted,hewentofftoa neighbour'stoaskhimtostandgodfather;buttheneighbourrefused,sincehe wasunwillingtostandgodfathertoapoorman'sson.Thenthefatherwentto anotherneighbourwiththesamerequest,butthismantoorefused.
Infact,thepeasantmadetheroundofthevillage,butnoonewouldstand godfather,andhewasdriventopursuehisquestelsewhere.Onthewayto anothervillagehefellinwithapasser-by,whostoppedwhenhemethim.
-Good-daytoyou,friendpeasant,-hesaid.-WhereisGodtakingyou?
-Hehasjustgivenmeachild,-repliedthepeasant,-thatitmaybeajoyto meinmyprime,acomforttomeinmyoldage,andamemorialtomysoul whenIamdead.Yet,becauseofmypoverty,nooneinourvillagewillstand godfather,andIamjustofftoseekgodparentselsewhere.
-Takemyselfasgodfather,-saidthestranger.
Thepeasantwasdelighted,and,thankinghimfortheoffer,inquired:
-Whom,then,shallIasktobegodmother?
-Amerchant'sdaughterwhomIknow,-repliedtheother.-Gotothetown, tothestonebuildingwiththeshopsinitwhichfrontsthesquare.Enterand asktheproprietortogivehisdaughterleavetostandgodmother.
Thepeasantdemurredtothis.
-But,mygoodfriend,-hesaid,-whoamIthatIshouldgoandcallupona richmerchant?Hewillonlyturnawayfrommeindisgust,andrefusehis daughterleave.
-Thatwillnotbeyourfault.Goandaskhim.-Arrangethechristeningfor tomorrowmorning,andIwillbethere.
Sothepoorpeasantreturnedhome,firstofall,andthensetouttothe merchant'sinthetown.Hewasfasteninguphishorseinthecourtyardwhen themerchanthimselfcameout.
-Whatdoyouwant?-hesaid.
-This,sir,-repliedthepeasant,-Godhasjustgiventomeachild,thatitmay beajoytomeinmyprime,acomforttomeinmyoldage,andamemorialto mysoulwhenIamdead.Praygiveyourdaughterleavetostandgodmother.
-Whenisthechristeningtobe?
-Tomorrowmorning.
-Sobeit.Godgowithyou.Tomorrowmydaughterwillbeatthechristening Mass.
And,sureenough,onthefollowingmorningboththegodfatherandthe godmotherarrived,andthechildwaschristened;butassoonaseverthe christeningwasover,thegodfatherdepartedwithoutrevealinghisidentity, andtheyneversawhimagain.
Thechildgrewuptobeadelighttohisparents,forhewasstrong, hardworking,smartandobedient.Whenhewastenyearsoldhisparentssent himtolearnhisletters,andhelearntinayearwhatotherstookfiveyearsto master.Andtheycouldteachhimnothingelse.
OneHolyWeektheboywentasusualtovisithisgodmotherandgiveherthe Easterembrace,thenhehadreturnedhomeandasked:
-Dearfatherandmother,wheredoesmygodfatherlive?Ishouldliketogo andgivehimtheEastergreeting.
Butthefathersaidtohim:
-Wedonotknow,belovedson,whereyourgodfatherlives.Weourselves haveoftenbeentroubledaboutthat.Neversincethedayofyourchristening haveweseteyesuponhim,norheardofhim;sothatweneitherknowwhere helivesnorwhetherhebealiveatall.
Thentheboykneltdownbeforehisfatherandmother.
-Letmegoandlookforhim,dearfatherandmother,-hesaid.-Imightfind himandgivehimtheEastergreeting.
Sothefatherandmotherlettheirboygo,andhewentoffsearchingforhis godfather.
II
III
Leavingthehome,theboystartedalongthehighroad,andhadbeenwalking abouthalfthedaywhenhemetastranger.
Thestrangerstopped.
-Good-daytoyou,littleboy,-hesaid.-WhereisGodtakingyou?
-Thismorning,-answeredtheboy,-Iwenttovisitmygodmotherandgive hertheEastergreeting,afterwhichIreturnedhomeandaskedmyparents: “Wheredoesmygodfatherlive?Ishouldliketogoandgivehimalsothe Eastergreeting.”Butmyparentssaidtome:“Sonny,wedonotknowwhere yourgodfatherlives.Assoonaseveryouhadbeenchristenedheleftour house,sothatweknownothingabouthimnorwhetherhebealiveatall.”Yet Ifeltagreatlongingtoseemygodfather,andnowhavecomeouttoseek him.
Thenthestrangersaid:
-Iamyourgodfather.
Theboywasoverjoyed,andstraightwaygavehisgodfathertheEaster embrace.
-Butwhereareyougoingnow,deargodfather?-Heasked.-Ifinour direction,comewithmetoourhut;andiftoyourownhome,letmecome withyou.
Andhisgodfatherreplied:
-Nay,Ihavenotimenowtogotoyourhome,forIhavebusinesstodointhe villages;butIshallbebackatmyownhometomorrow,andyoumaycome tomethen.
-AndhowshallIfindthewaytoyou,deargodfather?
-Walkstraighttowardstherisingsun,andyouwillcometoaforest,andin themiddleoftheforesttoaclearing.Sitdownthereandrestyourself,and observewhathappensinthatspot.Thencomeoutoftheforest,andyouwill seeinfrontofyouagarden,andinthatgardenapavilionwithagoldenroof toit.Thatismyhome.Walkstraightuptothegardengates;andIwillmeet youthere.
Thusspokethegodfather,andthenvanishedfromhisgodson'seyes.
Sotheboywentbythewaythathisgodfatherhadtoldhim.Onandonhe went,untilhereachedtheforest,andthenalittleopenfieldinthemiddleof it.Inthecentreofthisfieldstoodapinetree,toonebranchofwhicharope wasfastened,andtotheotherendoftheropeanoakenlogsomefifty kilograms.Exactlybeneaththelogtherewasplacedapailofhoney.Justas theboywaswonderingwhythehoneyhadbeenputthere,therecamea cracklingsoundfromtheforest,andhesawsomebearsapproaching.Infront walkedthemotherbear,behindherayoungyearlingbear,andbehindhim againthreelittlebearcubs.Themotherbearraisedhermuzzleandsniffed, andthenmadestraightforthepail,withtheyoungonesbehindher.Firstshe plungedherownnoseintothepail,andthencalledtheyoungones.Upthey ran,andfelltoworkonthehoney;buttheirdoingsocausedthelogtoswing alittle,andtothrustthecubsawayasitswungback.Seeingthis,theoldshebearpusheditawayagainwithherpaw.Itswungfurtherthistime,and, returning,strucktwoofthecubs oneofthemonthehead,andtheotherone ontheback sothattheysquealedandjumpedaside.Thisangeredthe motherbear,and,raisingbothpawstothelog,shelifteditaboveherhead andflungitfarawayfromher.Highupitswung,andimmediatelythe yearlingbearleapttothepail,buriedhisnoseinthehoney,andmunched awaygreedily,whilethecubsalsobegantoreturn.Before,however,theyhad reachedthepailthelogcameflyingback,strucktheyearlingbearonthe head,andkilledhimoutright.Themotherbeargrowledmorefiercelythan everassheseizedthelogandflungitawayfromherwithallherstrength. Up,upitflew higherthanthebranchitself,andwell-nighbreakingthe rope.Thentheshe-bearapproachedthepail,andthecubsafterher.Thelog hadgoneflyingupwardsandupwards,butnowitstopped,andbeganto descend.Theloweritcame,thefasterittravelled.Fasterandfasteritflew, untilitstruckthemotherbearandcrashedagainstherhead.Sheturnedover, stretchedoutherpaws,anddied,whilethecubsranaway.
IV
Theboymarvelledatwhathesaw,andthenwentonuntilhecametoalarge garden,inthemiddleofwhichstoodaloftypavilionwithagoldenrooftoit. Attheentrancegatesofthegardenstoodhisgodfathersmiling,whogreeted hisgodson,drewhimwithin,andledhimthroughthegrounds.Never,even inadream,hadtheboyseensuchbeautyanddelightaswerecontainedin thatgarden.
Next,hisgodfatherconductedhimintothepavilion,theinteriorofwhichwas evenmorebeautifulthanthegardenhadbeen.Througheveryroomdidhis godfatherleadhim eachonemoremagnificent,moreenchantingthanthe last untilhehadbroughthimtoasealeddoor.
-Doyouseethisdoor?-Hesaid.-Thereisnolockuponit-onlyseals.Yet, althoughitcanbeopened,Ibidyounotdoso.Youmaylivehereandplay here,whereyoulikeandhowyoulike,andenjoyallthesedelights;butthis onechargedoIlayuponyou-thatyoudonotenterthatdoor.Ifeveryou shoulddoso,youwillrememberwhatyouhavesolatelyseenintheforest.
Thushisgodfatherspoke,anddisappeared.Leftalone,hisgodsonlivedso happilyandjoyfullythatheseemedonlytohavebeentherethreehourswhen inrealityhehadbeentherethirtyyears.Attheendofthosethirtyyearsthe godsondrewneartothesealeddoorandthoughtwithinhimself,"Whydid mygodfatherforbidmetoenterthatroom?SupposeIgoinnowandsee whatitcontains?"
Sohepushedatthedoor,thesealsparted,andthedoorflewopen.Ashe enteredhecouldseeroomslargerandmoresplendideventhantheothers, andthatinthemidstofthemtherewassetagoldenthrone.Onandonhe walkedthroughthoserooms,untilhehadcometothethrone.Ascendingthe steps,hesatdownuponit.Hardlyhadhedonesowhenheperceiveda sceptrerestingagainstthethrone.Hetookthissceptreintohishand andlo! inamomentallthefourwallsofallthesurroundingroomshadrolledaway. Helookedroundhim,andseesthewholeworldataglanceandallthat
V
peopleweredoinginit.Infrontofhim-hesawtheseaandtheshipssailing overit.Tohisright-heviewedthelifeofallforeign,non-Christiannations. Tohisleft-hewatchedthedoingsofallChristiannationsotherthanthe Russian.Andlastly,onthefourthside,-heobservedhowourown-the Russian-nationwasliving."Letmesee,"-hesaidtohimself,-"whatis happeninginmyownhome,andwhetherthecrophascomeupwell?"Sohe lookedtowardshisownnativefield,andsawsheaves(bunchesofwheat) standingthere;hebegantocountthem,toseehowmanytherewere.While hewasdoingthis,hecaughtsightofacartgoingacrossthefield,witha peasantsittinginit.Atfirsthethoughtitmustbehisfathergoingtocarry sheaveshomebynight,butwhenhelookedagainhesawthatitwasVassili Kudnishoff,thethief,whowasdrivingthecart.Uptothesheaveshedrove, andbegantoloadthemontothecart.Thegodsonwasenragedatthis,and criedout:Fatherdear!Theyarestealingsheavesfromyourfield!"
Hisfatherawokeinthemiddleofthenight."SomehowIdreamtthatmy sheaveswerebeingstolen,"-hesaid.-"Letmegoandlook."Sohemounted hishorseandsetoff.
Assoonashecametothefield,hesawVassilithere,andcalledmen.Other peasantscame,andVassiliwasbeaten,bound,andcarriedofftojail.
Next,thegodsonlookedtowardsthetownwherehisgodmotherwasliving, andsawthatshewasnowmarriedtoamerchant.Thereshelayasleep,while herhusbandhadgotoutofbedandwassneakingofftohisparamour'sroom. Sothegodsoncriedouttothemerchant'swife:"Arise!yourhusbandisabout anevilbusiness."
Hisgodmotherleaptoutofbed,dressedherselfandwenttolookforher husband.Sheshamedhimutterly,beathisparamour,andturnedhimoutof doors.
Thenthegodsonlookedathismother,andsees-whileshewaslyingasleep, arobberenteredthehut,andbegantobreakopenherchest.
Atthismomentsheawokeandcriedout,whereupontherobberseizeda hatchet,flourisheditoverher,andwantedtokillher.
Thegodsoncouldnotrestrainhimself,butflungthesceptretowardsthe robber.Strikinghimrightonthetemple,killedhimonthespot.
VI
Instantlywhenthegodsonhadkilledtherobber,thewallsofthepavilion closedinagain,andtheplacebecameasbefore.
Thenthedooropened,andthegodfatherentered.Hewentuptohisgodson, and,takinghimbythehand,ledhimdownfromthethrone.
-Youhavenotobeyedmycommand,-hesaid.-Onethingyouhavedone whichyououghtnot:youhaveopenedtheforbiddendoor.Asecondthing youhavedonewhichyououghtnot:youhaveascendedthethroneandtaken mysceptreintoyourhands.Andathirdthingyouhavedonewhichyou oughtnot:youhavecausedmuchevilintheworld.Hadyousattherebut anotherhouryouwouldhaveruinedthehalfofmankind.
Thenthegodfatherledhisgodsonbacktothethrone,andtookthesceptre intohishands.Onceagainthewallsrolledback,andalltheworldbecame visible.
-Looknow,whatyouhavedonetoyourfather,-saidthegodfather.–By then,Vassilisatforayearinprison,andtherehelearnteverykindofvillainy andbecamecompletelyembitteredagainsthisfellow-man.Now,see,hehas juststolentwoofyourfather'shorses,andisatthisverymomentintheactof firinghisfarmalso.Thatiswhatyouhavedonetoyourfather.
Yet,assoonasthegodsonsawthathisfather'sfarmwascaughtbyfire,his godfatherclosedthatviewfromhimandtoldhimlookinanotherdirection.
-Lookthere,-hesaid.–It’salreadyayearsincethehusbandofyour godmotherhasdesertedher,nowheleadsalustfulfivewithothers,andshe hasbeendrivenbyhergrieftodrink,andherhusband'sparamouris downrightruined.Thatiswhatyouhavedonetoyourgodmother.
Thengodfatherclosedthispicturefromhisgodsonandpointedtowardthe godson'sownhome.Initsathismother,weepingtearsofremorseforher
sinsandsaying:"ItwouldbebetterifI’dbeenkilledbytherobber,-forthen Iwouldn’thavesinnedthatmuch."
-Thatiswhatyouhavedonetoyourmother.
Thenthegodfatherhidthisviewalsofromhisgodson,andpointedbelowit. Therethegodsonsawtherobber:standingbeforeadungeon,withtwo wardersholdinghim.
Andthegodfathersaidtohisgodson:
-Thismanhastakenninelives.Hewouldhavehadtoatonehissins,butyou havekilledhim,andnowyouhavetransferredthosesinstoyourself,andfor themallyoumustanswer.Thatiswhatyouhavedonetoyourself.
Rememberbear?Thefirsttimethattheoldshe-bearpushedawaythelog,she onlyfrightenedhercubsalittle.Thesecondtimethatshepusheditaway,she killedtheyearlingbearbydoingso.Butthethirdtimethatshepushedthelog away,shekilledherself.Soalsohaveyoudone.YetIwillsetyounowaterm ofthirtyyearsinwhichtogoforthintotheworldandatoneforthesinsof thatrobber.Shouldyounotatoneforthemwithinthattime,thenitwillbe yourfatetogowherehehasgone.
Andthegodsonsaid:
-InwhatmannershallIatoneforhissins?
Tothisthegodfatherreplied:
-Whenyouhaverelievedtheworldofasmuchevilasyouhavebroughtinto it,thenwillyouhaveatonedforthesinsofthatrobber.
-Butinwhatmanner,-askedhisgodsonagain,-amItorelievetheworldof evil?
Andthegodfatherreplied:
-Goyoutowardstherisingsun,untilyoucometoafieldwithmeninit.Note
carefullywhatthosemendo,andteachthemwhatyouyourselfhavelearnt. Thengoforwardagain,stillnotingwhatyousee,andonthefourthdayyou willcometoaforest.Withinthatforesttherestandsahermit'scell,andin thatcellanoldmanlives.Tellhimallthathasbefallenyou,andhewill instructyou.Whenyouhavedoneallthatheordersyoutodo,thenwillyou haveatonedbothforthesinsofthatrobberandforyourown.
Thusspokehisgodfather,anddismissedhimfromtheentrancegates.
VII
Thegodsonwentonandon,andashewalkedhekeptthinkingtohimself: "HowamItorelievetheworldofevil?Theworldrelievesitselfofevilby sendingevilmenintoexile,bycastingthemintoprison,byexecutingthem uponthescaffold.How,then,willitbepossibleformetoridtheworldof evilwithouttakinguponmyselfthesinsofothers?”Thusdidheponderand ponder,yetcouldnotresolvetheproblem.
Onandonhewent,untilhecametoafieldinwhichthecornhadgrownup richandthick,andwasnowreadyfortheharvest.Suddenlyheperceivedthat acalfhadwanderedintothecorn,andthatsomepeasants,havingalsoseenit, hadmountedtheirhorsesandwerenowchasingthecalffromonesideofthe fieldtotheotherthroughthecorn.Wheneverthecalfwasonthepointof breakingoutofthecornamanwouldcomeridingupandthecalfwould doublebackinterror.Thenoncemoretheriderswouldgogallopingabout throughthecropinpursuitofit.Yetallthistimeanoldwomanwasstanding weepingonthehighwayandcryingout:
-Mycalfisbeingdriventodeath!
Sothegodsoncalledouttothepeasants:
-Whyrideaboutlikethat?Comeoutofthecorn,allofyou,andthentheold womanwillcallhercalfbacktoher.
Thepeasantslistenedtohisurging,and,advancingtotheedgeofthecorn, theoldwomancriedaloud:
-Here,here,littlemadcap!Comehere,then!
Thecalfprickedupitsearsandlistened.Foralittlewhileitlistened,andthen rantotheoldwomanandthrustitsheadagainstherskirt,almostpushingher fromherfeet.Anditallendedinthepeasantsbeingpleased,andtheold womanlikewise,andthecalfaswell.
Asthegodsonwentonhethoughttohimself:"Iseenowthatevilcannotbe removedbyevil.Themorethatmenrequiteevil,themoredoesevilspread. Thusitismanifestthatevilispowerlessagainstevil.YethowtoeradicateitIdon’tknow.Itwaspleasanttoseethecalflistentotheoldwoman'svoice. Yet,haditnotlistened,howcouldsheeverhaverecovereditfromthecorn?"
Thusthegodsonponderedandponderedashewent.
Onandonhewalked,untilhecametoavillage,whereheaskedatthefirst hutforanight'slodging,andwasadmittedbythegoodwife.Shewasall aloneinthehut,andengagedinwashingitandthefurniture.
Havingentered,thegodsonwentquietlytothestove,andstoodwatching whatthewomanwasdoing.Shehadfinishedthefloorandwasnowstarting towashthetable.Firstofallsheswilleditover,andthenbeganwipingit withadirtyclout.
Sherubbeditvigorouslyoneway,butstillitwasnotclean,sincethedirty cloutleftstreaksuponitssurface.Thensherubbedittheotherwayabout, andclearedoffsomeofthestreaks,whilemakingfreshones.Lastly,she rubbeditlengthways,andbackagain,yetonlywiththeresultofstreakingits surfaceafreshwiththedirtyclout.Onepieceofdirtmightbewipedaway hereandthere,yetotherswouldberubbedinallthefirmer.
Thegodsonwatchedherforatime,andatlastsaid:
-Mygoodwoman,whatareyoudoing?
-Doyounotsee?-Shesaid.-Iamcleaningagainstthefestivalday,but, althoughIamtiredout,Icannotgetthistableclean.
-Butyoushouldfirstofallrinsethecloth,andthenrubthetablewithit."
Thewomandidso,andverysoonhadthetableclean.
-Ithankyou,-shesaid,-forwhatyouhavetaughtme.
Inthemorningthegodsontookleaveofhishostess,andwenton.Hewalked andwalked,untilhecametoaforest.Therehesawsomepeasantsbending felloes.Thegodsondrewnearthemandsawthat,howevermuchtheykept walkingroundthefelloe-block,afelloewouldnotbend.
VIII
Sohewatchedthem,andrealizedthatthiswasbecausethefelloe-blockkept turningwiththem,sinceitlackedastay-pin.
Assoonashesawthis,hesaid:
-Mybrothers,whatareyoudoing?
-Wearebendingfelloes,-theyreplied.-Twicehavewesoakedthese felloes,andwornourselvesout,yettheywillnotbend.
-Butyoushouldfirstofallmakefastthefelloe-block,-saidthegodson,andthenthefelloewillbendasyoucircleround.
Hearingthis,thepeasantsmadefastthefelloe-block,andthereaftertheir workprospered.
Thegodsonspentthenightwiththem,andthenwentonagain.Awholeday andanightdidhewalk,untiljustbeforedawnhecameupwithsomecattle drovers,andlaydownbesidethem.Hesawthattheyhadpicketedtheircattle andwerenowtryingtolightafire.Theykepttakingdrytwigsandsetting firetothem,yettheflameshadnosoonersprungupthantheyputwet brushwooduponthem.Thebrushwoodonlygaveahiss,andtheflameswent out.Againandagainthedroverstookdrytwigsandlitthem,yetalwayspiled wetbrushwoodonthetop,andsoextinguishedtheflames.Foralongtime theylabouredatthis,yetcouldnotmakethefireburnup.
Andthegodsonsaid,
-Donotbesohastyinpilingonthebrushwood.Firstdrawupthefireintoa goodflame.Whenitisburningfiercely,thenputonthebrushwood.
Thedroversdidso.Firstofalltheydrewuptheflamestoagoodheat,and thenappliedthebrushwood,sothatthelattercaughtsuccessfully,andthe wholepileburstintoablaze.
Thegodsonstayedwiththemforawhile,andthenwentonagain.Hekept wonderingandwonderingwhyheshouldhaveseenthesethreeincidents,yet
couldnotcomeupwithareason.
Forthewholeofthatdayhepressedon,untilhecametotheforestinwhich stoodthehermit'scell.Heapproachedthecellandknockedatthedoor, whereuponavoicefromwithincalledouttohim:"Whoisthere?
-Agreatsinner,-repliedthegodson,-whohascomeheretoatoneforthe sinsofanother.
Thenanoldmancameoutandaskedhimfurther:
-Whatsinsofanotherarethosewhichhavebeenlaiduponyou?
Sothegodsontoldhimall-abouthisgodfather,andthebearandheryoung, andthethroneinthesealedroom,andthecommandwhichhisgodfatherhad givenhim,andthepeasantswhomhehadseeninthefield,andtheir tramplingofthecorn,andthecalfrunningtotheoldwomanofitsown accord.
-Itwasthen,-saidthegodson,-thatIunderstoodthatevilcannotbe removedbyevil.YetstillIknownothowtoremoveit.Iprayyou,teachme.
Andtheoldmansaid:
-Yettellmefirstwhatelseyouhaveseenbythewaysideasyoucame.
Sothegodsontoldhimaboutthewomanandthewashingofthetable,asalso aboutthepeasantswhowerebendingfelloesandthedroverswhowere lightingafire.
Theoldmanheardhimout,andthen,turningbackintothecell,broughtout thencealittlenotchedaxe.
-Comewithme,-hesaid.
Hewentacrosstheclearingfromthecell,andpointedtoatree.
IX
-Cutthatdown,-hesaid.
Sothegodsonappliedtheaxeuntilthetreefell.
-Nowsplititintothree.
Thegodsondidso.Thentheoldmanwentbacktothecell,andreturned thencewithalightedtorch.
-Burn,-hesaid,-thosethreelogs.
Sothegodsontookthetorch,andsetfiretothethreelogs,untilthere remainedofthemonlythreecharredstumps.
-Now,burythemhalftheirlengthintheground.So.
Thegodsonburiedthemasdirected.
-See,underthathill,-wentontheoldman,-thererunsariver.Goandbring thencesomewaterinyourmouth,andsprinklethesestumpswithit.Sprinkle thefirststump,justasyoutaughtthewomaninthehut.Sprinklethesecond one,asyoutaughtthefelloes-makers.Andsprinklethethirdone,evenasyou taughtthedrovers.Whenallthesethreestumpswillsprout,andchangefrom stumpstoappletrees,thenwillyouknowhowevilmayberemovedfrom amongmen,andthenalsowillyouhaveatonedforyoursins.
Thusspoketheoldman,andretreatedtohiscellagain,whilethegodson ponderedandpondered,andyetcouldnotunderstandwhattheoldmanhad saidtohim.Nevertheless,hesetaboutdoingashehadbeenbidden.
Goingtotheriver,andtakingafullmouthfulofwater,hereturnedand sprinkledthefirststump.Again,andyetagain,hewent,andsprinkledthe othertwo.Nowhebegantofeeltiredandhungry,sohewenttothecellto begbiteandsupoftheoldman;yet,hardlyhadheopenedthedoor,whenhe sawtheoldmanlyingdeadacrosshispraying-stool.Thegodsonlooked aboutuntilhefoundsomedrybiscuits,whichheate.Thenhefoundalsoa spade,andbegantodigagravefortheoldman.Bynighthebroughtwater andsprinkledthestumps,andbydayhewentondiggingthegrave.Just whenhehadfinisheditandwasabouttoburytheoldman,somepeasants fromaneighbouringvillagearrivedwithpresentsoffoodfortheagedhermit.
Learningthattheoldmanwasdead,andbelievingthathehadblessedthe godsonashissuccessor,theyhelpedtoburythebody,leftthefoodforthe godson'suse,anddepartedafterpromisingtobringhimsomemore.
Sothegodsonlivedintheoldman'scell,subsistinguponfoodbroughthim bythepeople,anddoingashehadbeenbidden-thatistosay,bringingwater inhismouthfromtheriverandsprinklingwithitthestumps.
Helivedthusforayear,andmanypeoplebegantocometohim,sinceithad gotabroadthataholymanwaslivingthedevoutlifeintheforestwho broughtwaterinhismouthfromunderthehilltosprinklewithitthree charredstumps.Verymanyfolkvisitedhim,andevenrichmerchants broughtpresents,butthegodsonwouldacceptnothingforhimselfbeyond necessaries.Allotherthingswhichweregivenhimhehandedtothepoor.
Thushisorderoflifebecameasfollows.Halfthedayhewouldspendin fetchingwaterinhismouthforthesprinklingofthestumps,andtheother halfhewouldspendinrestingorreceivingvisitors.
Intimehebegantobelievethatthismustreallybethewayinwhichitwas appointedhimtolive,andthatbythisverymodeoflifehewouldsucceed bothinremovingevilfromtheworldandinatoningforhisownsins.
X
Asecondyearpassedwithouthisonceomitting,oranysingleday,to sprinklethestumps:yetnoneofthethreehadyetbeguntosprout.
Oncehewassittinginhiscell,whenheheardamanridebyonhorseback, singingtohimselfashewent.Goingouttoseewhatmannerofmanthiswas, thegodsonbeheldafine,strongyoungman,well-dressed,andmountedona valuablehorseandsaddle.
Sothegodsonhailedhim,andaskedhimwhathisbusinesswas,andwhither hewasgoing.
Themanstopped.
-Iamahighwayman,-hesaid,-andridetheroadsandkillpeople.Themore Ikill,themerrierismysinging.
Thegodsonwashorrified,andthoughttohimself:"HowamItoremovethe evilthatmustlieinsuchaman?Itiseasyformetocounselthosewhovisit me,becausetheyarethemselvesrepentant,butthismangloriesinhis wickedness."However,hesaidnothing,butwentonreflectingashewalked besidetheman:"Whatistobedonenow?Ifthishighwaymantakestoriding thiswayhewillfrightenthepeople,andtheywillceasetovisitme.Whatuse willitbeformethentogoonlivinghere?"
Sohestopped,andstartedtellingtothehighwayman:
-Peoplecomeheretovisitmenottogloryintheirwickedness,buttorepent andtoprayfortheirsins'forgiveness.You,too,repentifyouhaveanyfearof God.But,ifyouwillnot,thenridetheroadselsewhere,andnevercomethis wayagain,sothatyoumaynottroublemypeaceandterrifythepeople.
Shouldyounotlistentome,assuredlyGodwillchastiseyou.
Thehighwaymanlaughed.
-IneitherfearGodnorwilllistentoyou.-Hesaid.-Youarenotmymaster. Youlivebyyourprayersandpiety,andIbymurder.Everyonemustlive somehow.Doyougoonwithyourteachingoftheoldwomenwhocometo
you,butdonotattempttoteachme.Yetbecauseyouhaveremindedmeof Godthisday,Iwillkilltwomorepeopletomorrow.Iwouldhavekilledyou yourselfthisinstant,butthatIdonotwishtosoilmyhands.Fortherest,keep outofmyway.
Havingutteredthesethreats,thehighwaymanrodeaway.Yethecameno moreinthatdirection,andthegodsonwentonlivingquietlyasofoldfor anothereightyears.
Onenightthegodsonhadbeensprinklingthestumps,andthenreturnedto hiscelltositandrestawhile.Ashesattherehekeptlookingalongthelittle forestpathtoseeifanyofthepeasantswerecomingtovisithim.Yetnone camethatday,andthegodsonsataloneuntilevening.Growingweary,he begantothinkoverhispastlife.Herememberedhowthehighwaymanhad reproachedhimforlivingbyhispiety,andbegantorecallhiswholelife.
"Iamnotlivingastheoldmantoldmeto,"-hethought.-"Theoldmanlaid uponmeapenance,butthatpenanceIhaveturnedintoasourcebothof breadandofpublicrepute.IhavebeensoledintotemptationbyitthatIfind timehangheavyonmyhandsifnovisitorscome.Yet,whentheycome,Iam pleasedonlyiftheyextolmypiety!ItisnotthusthatImustlive.Ihavebeen ledastraybythepraiseofmen.Sofarfromatoningformypastsins,Ihave beenincurringnewones.Iwillgoawayintotheforest-awaytosomenew spotwherethepeoplecannotfindme,andthereIwillliveentirelyalone,so thatImaybothatoneformypastsinsandincurnofreshones."
Thusthegodsonponderedinhisheart.Thenhetookalittlebagofbiscuits andthespade,andsetoutfromthecelltowardsaravine,insomeremote cornerofwhichhehopedtodigforhimselfanearthenhut,andsohide himselffromthepeople.
Ashewaswalkingalongwiththebagofbiscuitsandthespade,therecame ridingtowardshimthehighwayman.Thegodsonwasafraid,andtriedtoflee,
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butthehighwaymanovertookhim.
-Whereareyougoing?-askedthebrigand.
Thegodsonrepliedthathewishedtohidehimselfinsomespotwherenoone couldvisithim.Thehighwaymanwassurprisedatthis.
-Buthowwillyoufeedyourself,-heasked,-whennoonecancometovisit you?
Thegodsonhadnotthoughtofthisbefore,butassoonasthehighwayman putthequestionherememberedthematteroffood.
-WithwhateverGodwillgiveme,-hereplied.
Thehighwaymansaidnothingmore,butstartedtorideonhisway.
"WhatcanIbethinkingof?"-saidthegodsonsuddenlytohimself."Ihave saidnotawordtohimabouthismodeoflife.Maybeheisrepentantnow.He seemedsoftenedtoday,andneveroncethreatenedtokillme."
Sohecalledafterthehighwayman:
-YetIbeseechyoutorepent,fornevercanyouescapeGod.
Uponthisthehighwaymanturnedhishorse,seizedadaggerfromhisbelt, andbrandisheditatthegodson,whostraightwayfledinterrorintotheforest. Thehighwaymandidnotpursuehim,butsaid:
-Twicenowhaveletyougo,oldman;butthethirdtime,don’tappearin frontofme,forIwillkillyou.
Thissaid,herodeaway.
Thateveningthegodsonwenttosprinklethestumpsasusual and,behold! oneofthemhadputforthshoots,andalittleappletreewasgrowingfromit!
Sothegodsonhidhimselffrommen,andentereduponalifewhollysolitary. Whenhissmallstockofbiscuitscametoanendhebethoughthim:"Imustgo outandsearchforroots."Yet,hardlyhadhesetforthuponthisquest,when hesawhangingfromaboughinfrontofhimalittlebagofbiscuits.Hetook themdownandatethem.Nosoonerhadhedonesothanhesawanotherlittle baghangingonthesamebough.Thusthegodsonlivedon,withnoanxieties totroublehim,saveone-fearofthehighwayman.Wheneverheheardhim cominghewouldhidehimself,thinking:"IfheweretokillmeIshoulddie withmysinsunpurged."
Helivedinthismannerfortenyears.Theappletreeontheonestumpgrew apace,buttheothertwostumpsremainedastheyhadalwaysbeen.
Onedayheroseearly,andwentouttoperformhistaskofsprinklingthe stumps.Hehaddonethis,whenhefeltwearinessovercomehim,andsat downtorest.Ashesatrestingthere,thethoughtoccurredtohim:"SurelyI havesinnedthemore,sincenowIhavebeguntofeardeath.Yetitmaybe thatitisbydeathitselfthatGodmeansmetoatoneformysins."
Hardlyhadhethoughtthis,whenofasuddenheheardthehighwayman ridingtowardshim,andcursingashecame.Assoonasheheardhimthe godsonthought:"NonebutGodHimselfcanworkmewealorwoe,"andso wentstraighttomeettherobber.
Thenhesawthatthehighwaymanwasnotridingalone,butwascarryinga manbehindhim,andthattheman'shandswereboundandhismouthgagged. Themancouldutternoword,butthehighwaymanwascursinghimwithout ceasing.Thegodsonadvancedtowardsthem,andstoodinthehorse'spath.
-Whitherareyoucarryingthisman?-hesaid.
-Intotheforest,-repliedthehighwayman.-Heisamerchant'sson,and refusestosaywherehisfather'smoneyisconcealed,soIamgoingtoflog
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himuntilhetellsme.
Andthehighwaymantriedtorideon,butthegodsonseizedhisbridle,and wouldnotlethimpass.
-Letthemango,-hesaid.
Thehighwaymanwasenragedatthis,andshookhisfistatthegodson.
-Doyouwantthesameashe?-Heaskedhim.-Ipromisedyoulongagothat Iwouldkillyou.Letmepass.
Butthegodsonfeltnofearnow.
-Iwillnotletyoupass,-hesaid.-Ifearnotyou,butonlyGod,andGodhas biddenmedetainyou.Letthismango.
Thehighwaymanknithisbrows,thenseizedhisdagger,cutthebonds,and releasedthemerchant'sson.
-Awaywithyouboth,-hesaid,-andnevercrossmypathagain.
Themerchant'ssonleapttothegroundandfled,butwhenthehighwayman triedtorideonagainthegodsonstilldetainedhim,andtoldhimthathemust abandonhiswickedlife.Thehighwaymansatquietlylistening,butsaid nothinginreply,andthendeparted.
Inthemorningthegodsonwenttosprinklethestumpsasusual andbehold! anotheroneofthemhadsprouted,andfromitasecondlittleappletreewas growing.
Anothertenyearspassed,andoneday,ashewassittingfreefromanxietyor fearofanykind,andwithhisheartlightwithinhim,thegodsonthoughtto himself:"WhatblessingsaregiventomenbyGod!Yettheyvexthemselves invainwhenallthetimetheyshouldbelivinginpeace."
Hethoughtofthevastsumofhumanwickedness,andhowmendistressed themselvestonopurpose.Andhefeltagreatpityformen."Ioughtnottobe livingthus,"-hethought.-"RatheroughtItogoforthandtellmenwhatI know."
Justasthishadpassedthroughhismindheheardoncemorethehighwayman approaching.Atfirsthewasforavoidingthebrigand,thinking:"There’sno pointspeakingwiththisone,hewouldn’tunderstand."
Thushethoughtatfirst,butthenhechangedhismind,andsteppedforthinto theroad.Thehighwaymanwasridingupset,andwithhiseyesfixeduponthe ground.Asthegodsonlookeduponhimhefeltagreatpityforhim,and, runningtohisside,claspedhimbytheknee.
-Dearbrother,-hecried,-havemercyuponyourownsoul,forinyoutoo theredwellsaGod-givenspirit.Ifyoucontinuethustotormentyourselfand totormentothers,assuredlyworsetormentswillawaityou.Yetthinkhow Godyearnstowardsyou,andwhatblessingsHehaslaidupforyou!Donot destroyyourself,mybrother,butchangeyourwayoflife.
Butthehighwaymanonlyfrownedandturnedaway.
-Leaveme,-hesaid.
Yetthegodsonclaspedhimstillcloserbytheknee,andburstintotears.
Atthatthehighwaymanraisedhiseyesandlookedatthegodson.Helooked andlooked,andthensuddenlyslidfromhishorseandthrewhimselfuponhis kneesontheground.
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-Oldman,-hesaid,-youhaveovercomemeatlast.TwentyyearshaveI strivenwithyou,butyouhavegraduallytakenawaymystrength.NowIam notmasterofmyself.Dowhatyouwillwithme.Thefirsttimethatyou pleadedwithmeIwasbutthemoreenraged.Itwasnotuntilyouwithdrew yourselffrompeople,andrecognisedthatyoudidn’tneedanythingfrom them,thatIbegantothinkoveryourwords.ButfromthatmomentIbeganto hangthebagsofbiscuitsforyouonthebough.
Thenthegodsonrememberedhowitwasonlywhenthewomanrinsedthe cloththatthetablewascleaned:evenso,onlyoncehehadceasedtoworry forhimselfandthuspurifiedhisheart,andhehadbeenabletopurifythe heartsofothers.
Andthehighwaymanwenton:
-Butthefirstrealchangeofhearttookplaceinmewhenyouceasedtofear deathatmyhands.
Instantlythegodsonrememberedthatitwasonlywhenthefelloes-makers hadfastenedfirmlythefelloes-blockthattheyhadbeenabletobendthe felloes.Evenso,hesawitwasonlywhenhehadestablishedfirmlyhislifein Godandhumbledhispresumptuousheartthathehadceasedtohaveanyfear ofdeath.
-And,-saidthehighwayman,inconclusion,-itwaswhenyourheartwent outtomeinpity,andyouweptbeforeme,thatmyownheartwaschanged entirely.
Rejoicinggreatly,thegodsonledthehighwaymantothespotwherethethree stumpswere-andbeholdfromthethirdstumpalsoanappletreehad sprouted!Thenthegodsonrememberedthatitwasonlywhenthedrovers' firehadkindledtoablazethatthewetbrushwoodhadkindledwithit.So also,hesaw,hadhisheartwithinhimkindledtoablaze,andwithitsflame hadsetfiretotheheartofanother.Withjoyherecognisedthathissinswere atlastredeemed.
Hetoldallthistothehighwaymananddied.Thehighwaymanburiedhim,
andlivedthereafterasthegodsonhadbiddenhim,andtaughtmentodo likewise.