GrannyputSashabyherkitchen-gardenandtoldhertokeepwatchthatthegeesedidnotgoin。ItwasahotAugustday。Thetavernkeeper’sgeesecouldmaketheirwayintothekitchen-gardenbythebacksofthehuts，butnowtheywerebusilyengagedpickingupoatsbythetavern，peacefullyconversingtogether，andonlythegandercranedhisheadhighasthoughtryingtoseewhethertheoldwomanwerecomingwithherstick。Theothergeesemightcomeupfrombelow，buttheywerenowgrazingfarawaytheothersideoftheriver，stretchedoutinalongwhitegarlandaboutthemeadow。Sashastoodaboutalittle，grewweary，and，seeingthatthegeesewerenotcoming，wentawaytotheravine。
ThereshesawMarya’seldestdaughterMotka，whowasstandingmotionlessonabigstone，staringatthechurch。Maryahadgivenbirthtothirteenchildren，butsheonlyhadsixliving，allgirls，notoneboy，andtheeldestwaseight。Motkainalongsmockwasstandingbarefootedinthefullsunshine；thesunwasblazingdownrightonherhead，butshedidnotnoticethat，andseemedasthoughturnedtostone。Sashastoodbesideherandsaid，lookingatthechurch:
“Godlivesinthechurch。Menhavelampsandcandles，butGodhaslittlegreenandredandbluelampslikelittleeyes。AtnightGodwalksaboutthechurch，andwithHimtheHolyMotherofGodandSaintNikolay，thud，thud，thud！Andthewatchmanisterrified，terrified！Aye，aye，dearie，“sheadded，imitatinghermother。“Andwhentheendoftheworldcomesallthechurcheswillbecarrieduptoheaven。“
“Withthe-irbe-ells？“Motkaaskedinherdeepvoice，drawlingeverysyllable。
“Withtheirbells。AndwhentheendoftheworldcomesthegoodwillgotoParadise，buttheangrywillburninfireeternalandunquenchable，dearie。TomymotheraswellastoMaryaGodwillsay:’Youneveroffendedanyone，andforthatgototherighttoParadise’；buttoKiryakandGrannyHewillsay:’Yougototheleftintothefire。’AndanyonewhohaseatenmeatinLentwillgointothefire，too。“