Ivan the Fool Page #4

"Ivan the Fool" is a novella by Leo Tolstoy that examines the themes of wisdom, folly, and the nature of happiness. The story follows the life of Ivan, a simple and good-hearted peasant who is often regarded as foolish by those around him. Despite his lack of worldly wisdom, Ivan possesses a profound understanding of what truly matters in life—love, kindness, and contentment. Throughout the narrative, Tolstoy contrasts Ivan's humble perspective with the greed and pretentiousness of others, ultimately suggesting that genuine wisdom may reside in sincerity and simplicity rather than in societal conventions. Through a blend of humor and moral reflection, Tolstoy invites readers to reconsider their definitions of intelligence and success.

								


The moujiks then appeared on the scene and began to fight among
themselves for the possession of the yellow objects. In the mêlée one
old woman was nearly crushed to death.

Ivan laughed and was greatly amused at the sight of so many persons
quarrelling over a few pieces of gold.

“Oh! you duratchki” (little fools), he said, “why did you almost crush
the life out of the old grandmother? Be more gentle. I have plenty
more, and I will give them to you;” whereupon he began throwing about
more of the coins.

The people gathered around him, and Ivan continued throwing until he
emptied his bag. They clamored for more, but Ivan replied: “The gold is
all gone. Another time I will give you more. Now we will resume our
singing and dancing.”

The little children sang, but Ivan said to them, “Your songs are no
good.”

The children said, “Then show us how to sing better.”

To this Ivan replied, “I will show you people who can sing better than
you.” With that remark Ivan went to the barn and, securing a bundle of
straw, did as the little devil had directed him; and presently a
regiment of soldiers appeared in the village street, and he ordered
them to sing and dance.

The people were astonished and could not understand how Ivan had
produced the strangers.

The soldiers sang for some time, to the great delight of the villagers;
and when Ivan commanded them to stop they instantly ceased.

Ivan then ordered them off to the barn, telling the astonished and
mystified moujiks that they must not follow him. Reaching the barn, he
turned the soldiers again into straw and went home to sleep off the
effects of his debauch.

CHAPTER VII.

The next morning Ivan’s exploits were the talk of the village, and news
of the wonderful things he had done reached the ears of his brother
Simeon, who immediately went to Ivan to learn all about it.

“Explain to me,” he said; “from whence did you bring the soldiers, and
where did you take them?”

“And what do you wish to know for?” asked Ivan.

“Why, with soldiers we can do almost anything we wish—whole kingdoms
can be conquered,” replied Simeon.

This information greatly surprised Ivan, who said: “Well, why did you
not tell me about this before? I can make as many as you want.”

Ivan then took his brother to the barn, but he said: “While I am
willing to create the soldiers, you must take them away from here; for
if it should become necessary to feed them, all the food in the village
would last them only one day.”

Simeon promised to do as Ivan wished, whereupon Ivan proceeded to
convert the straw into soldiers. Out of one bundle of straw he made an
entire regiment; in fact, so many soldiers appeared as if by magic that
there was not a vacant spot in the field.

Turning to Simeon Ivan said, “Well, is there a sufficient number?”

Beaming with joy, Simeon replied: “Enough! enough! Thank you, Ivan!”

“Glad you are satisfied,” said Ivan, “and if you wish more I will make
them for you. I have plenty of straw now.”

Simeon divided his soldiers into battalions and regiments, and after
having drilled them he went forth to fight and to conquer.

Simeon had just gotten safely out of the village with his soldiers when
Tarras, the other brother, appeared before Ivan—he also having heard of
the previous day’s performance and wanting to learn the secret of his
power. He sought Ivan, saying: “Tell me the secret of your supply of
gold, for if I had plenty of money I could with its assistance gather
in all the wealth in the world.”

Ivan was greatly surprised on hearing this statement, and said: “You
might have told me this before, for I can obtain for you as much money
as you wish.”

Tarras was delighted, and he said, “You might get me about three
bushels.”

“Well,” said Ivan, “we will go to the woods, or, better still, we will
harness the horse, as we could not possibly carry so much money
ourselves.”

The brothers went to the woods and Ivan proceeded to gather the oak
leaves, which he rubbed between his hands, the dust falling to the
ground and turning into gold pieces as quickly as it fell.

When quite a pile had accumulated Ivan turned to Tarras and asked if he
had rubbed enough leaves into money, whereupon Tarras replied: “Thank
you, Ivan; that will be sufficient for this time.”

Ivan then said: “If you wish more, come to me and I will rub as much as
you want, for there are plenty of leaves.”

Tarras, with his tarantas (wagon) filled with gold, rode away to the
city to engage in trade and increase his wealth; and thus both brothers
went their way, Simeon to fight and Tarras to trade.

Simeon’s soldiers conquered a kingdom for him and Tarras-Briukhan made
plenty of money.

Some time afterward the two brothers met and confessed to each other
the source from whence sprang their prosperity, but they were not yet
satisfied.

Simeon said: “I have conquered a kingdom and enjoy a very pleasant
life, but I have not sufficient money to procure food for my soldiers;”
while Tarras confessed that he was the possessor of enormous wealth,
but the care of it caused him much uneasiness.

“Let us go again to our brother,” said Simeon; “I will order him to
make more soldiers and will give them to you, and you may then tell him
that he must make more money so that we can buy food for them.”

They went again to Ivan, and Simeon said: “I have not sufficient
soldiers; I want you to make me at least two divisions more.” But Ivan
shook his head as he said: “I will not create soldiers for nothing; you
must pay me for doing it.”

“Well, but you promised,” said Simeon.

“I know I did,” replied Ivan; “but I have changed my mind since that
time.”

“But, fool, why will you not do as you promised?”

“For the reason that your soldiers kill men, and I will not make any
more for such a cruel purpose.” With this reply Ivan remained stubborn
and would not create any more soldiers.

Tarras-Briukhan next approached Ivan and ordered him to make more
money; but, as in the case of Tarras, Ivan only shook his head, as he
said: “I will not make you any money unless you pay me for doing it. I
cannot work without pay.”

Tarras then reminded him of his promise.

“I know I promised,” replied Ivan; “but still I must refuse to do as
you wish.”

“But why, fool, will you not fulfill your promise?” asked Tarras.

“For the reason that your gold was the means of depriving Mikhailovna
of her cow.”

“But how did that happen?” inquired Tarras.

“It happened in this way,” said Ivan. “Mikhailovna always kept a cow,
and her children had plenty of milk to drink; but some time ago one of
her boys came to me to beg for some milk, and I asked, ‘Where is your
cow?’ when he replied, ‘A clerk of Tarras-Briukhan came to our home and
offered three gold pieces for her. Our mother could not resist the
temptation, and now we have no milk to drink. I gave you the gold
pieces for your pleasure, and you put them to such poor use that I will
not give you any more.’”

The brothers, on hearing this, took their departure to discuss as to
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