Ivan the Fool Page #6

"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.

								

battle.

Simeon, on the advice of his new General, ordered all young men above a
certain age to report for drill. On the same advice Simeon established
gun-shops, where immense numbers of cannons and rifles were made.

The next move of the new General was to have Simeon declare war against
the neighboring kingdom. This he did, and with his immense army marched
into the adjoining territory, which he pillaged and burned, destroying
more than half the enemy’s soldiers. This so frightened the ruler of
that country that he willingly gave up half of his kingdom to save the
other half.

Simeon, overjoyed at his success, declared his intention of marching
into Indian territory and subduing the Viceroy of that country.

But Simeon’s intentions reached the ears of the Indian ruler, who
prepared to do battle with him. In addition to having secured all the
latest implements of warfare, he added still others of his own
invention. He ordered all boys over fourteen and all single women to be
drafted into the army, until its proportions became much larger than
Simeon’s. His cannons and rifles were of the same pattern as Simeon’s,
and he invented a flying-machine from which bombs could be thrown into
the enemy’s camp.

Simeon went forth to conquer the Viceroy with full confidence in his
own powers to succeed. This time luck forsook him, and instead of being
the conqueror he was himself conquered.

The Indian ruler had so arranged his army that Simeon could not even
get within shooting distance, while the bombs from the flying-machine
carried destruction and terror in their path, completely routing his
army, so that Simeon was left alone.

The Viceroy took possession of his kingdom and Simeon had to fly for
his life.

Having finished with Simeon, the old devil next approached Tarras. He
appeared before him disguised as one of the merchants of his kingdom,
and established factories and began to make money. The “merchant” paid
the highest price for everything he purchased, and the people ran after
him to sell their goods. Through this “merchant” they were enabled to
make plenty of money, paying up all their arrears of taxes as well as
the others when they came due.

Tarras was overjoyed at this condition of affairs and said: “Thanks to
this merchant, now I will have more money than before, and life will be
much pleasanter for me.”

He wished to erect new buildings, and advertised for workmen, offering
the highest prices for all kinds of labor. Tarras thought the people
would be as anxious to work as formerly, but instead he was much
surprised to learn that they were working for the “merchant.” Thinking
to induce them to leave the “merchant,” he increased his offers, but
the former, equal to the emergency, also raised the wages of his
workmen. Tarras, having plenty of money, increased the offers still
more; but the “merchant” raised them still higher and got the better of
him. Thus, defeated at every point, Tarras was compelled to abandon the
idea of building.

Tarras next announced that he intended laying out gardens and erecting
fountains, and the work was to be commenced in the fall, but no one
came to offer his services, and again he was obliged to forego his
intentions. Winter set in, and Tarras wanted some sable fur with which
to line his great-coat, and he sent his man to procure it for him; but
the servant returned without it, saying: “There are no sables to be
had. The ‘merchant’ has bought them all, paying a very high price for
them.”

Tarras needed horses and sent a messenger to purchase them, but he
returned with the same story as on former occasions—that none were to
be found, the “merchant” having bought them all to carry water for an
artificial pond he was constructing. Tarras was at last compelled to
suspend business, as he could not find any one willing to work for him.
They had all gone over to the “merchant’s” side. The only dealings the
people had with Tarras were when they went to pay their taxes. His
money accumulated so fast that he could not find a place to put it, and
his life became miserable. He abandoned all idea of entering upon the
new venture, and only thought of how to exist peaceably. This he found
it difficult to do, for, turn which way he would, fresh obstacles
confronted him. Even his cooks, coachmen, and all his other servants
forsook him and joined the “merchant.” With all his wealth he had
nothing to eat, and when he went to market he found the “merchant” had
been there before him and had bought up all the provisions. Still, the
people continued to bring him money.

Tarras at last became so indignant that he ordered the “merchant” out
of his kingdom. He left, but settled just outside the boundary line,
and continued his business with the same result as before, and Tarras
was frequently forced to go without food for days. It was rumored that
the “merchant” wanted to buy even Tarras himself. On hearing this the
latter became very much alarmed and could not decide as to the best
course to pursue.

About this time his brother Simeon arrived in the kingdom, and said:
“Help me, for I have been defeated and ruined by the Indian Viceroy.”

Tarras replied: “How can I help you, when I have had no food myself for
two days?”

CHAPTER XI.

The old devil, having finished with the second brother, went to Ivan
the Fool. This time he disguised himself as a General, the same as in
the case of Simeon, and, appearing before Ivan, said: “Get an army
together. It is disgraceful for the ruler of a kingdom to be without an
army. You call your people to assemble, and I will form them into a
fine large army.”

Ivan took the supposed General’s advice, and said: “Well, you may form
my people into an army, but you must also teach them to sing the songs
I like.”

The old devil then went through Ivan’s kingdom to secure recruits for
the army, saying: “Come, shave your heads [the heads of recruits are
always shaved in Russia] and I will give each of you a red hat and
plenty of vodka” (whiskey).

At this the fools only laughed, and said: “We can have all the vodka we
want, for we distill it ourselves; and of hats, our little girls make
all we want, of any color we please, and with handsome fringes.”

Thus was the devil foiled in securing recruits for his army; so he
returned to Ivan and said: “Your fools will not volunteer to be
soldiers. It will therefore be necessary to force them.”

“Very well,” replied Ivan, “you may use force if you want to.”

The old devil then announced that all the fools must become soldiers,
and those who refused, Ivan would punish with death.

The fools went to the General; and said: “You tell us that Ivan will
punish with death all those who refuse to become soldiers, but you have
omitted to state what will be done with us soldiers. We have been told
that we are only to be killed.”

“Yes, that is true,” was the reply.

The fools on hearing this became stubborn and refused to go.

“Better kill us now if we cannot avoid death, but we will not become
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