\"Ithappenedinthisway，\"saidIvan。\"Mikhailovnaalwayskeptacow，andherchildrenhadplentyofmilktodrink；butsometimeagooneofherboyscametometobegforsomemilk，andIasked，’Whereisyourcow？’whenhereplied，’AclerkofTarras-Briukhancametoourhomeandofferedthreegoldpiecesforher。Ourmothercouldnotresistthetemptation，andnowwehavenomilktodrink。Igaveyouthegoldpiecesforyourpleasure，andyouputthemtosuchpoorusethatIwillnotgiveyouanymore。’\"
Thebrothers，onhearingthis，tooktheirdeparturetodiscussastothebestplantopursueinregardtoasettlementoftheirtroubles。
Simeonsaid：\"Letusarrangeitinthisway：Iwillgiveyouthehalfofmykingdom，andsoldierstokeepguardoveryourwealth；
andyougivememoneytofeedthesoldiersinmyhalfofthekingdom。\"
TothisarrangementTarrasagreed，andboththebrothersbecamerulersandveryhappy。
CHAPTERVIII。
Ivanremainedonthefarmandworkedtosupporthisfather，mother，anddumbsister。Onceithappenedthattheolddog，whichhadgrownuponthefarm，wastakensick，whenIvanthoughthewasdying，and，takingpityontheanimal，placedsomebreadinhishatandcarriedittohim。Ithappenedthatwhenheturnedoutthebreadtherootwhichthelittledevilhadgivenhimfelloutalso。Theolddogswalloweditwiththebreadandwasalmostinstantlycured，whenhejumpedupandbegantowaghistailasanexpressionofjoy。Ivan’sfatherandmother，seeingthedogcuredsoquickly，askedbywhatmeanshehadperformedsuchamiracle。
Ivanreplied：\"Ihadsomerootswhichwouldcureanydisease，andthedogswallowedoneofthem。\"
IthappenedaboutthattimethattheCzar’sdaughterbecameill，andherfatherhaditannouncedineverycity，town，andvillagethatwhosoeverwouldcureherwouldberichlyrewarded；andiftheluckypersonshouldprovetobeasinglemanhewouldgiveherinmarriagetohim。
Thisannouncement，ofcourse，appearedinIvan’svillage。
Ivan’sfatherandmothercalledhimandsaid：\"Ifyouhaveanyofthosewonderfulroots，goandcuretheCzar’sdaughter。Youwillbemuchhappierforhavingperformedsuchakindact——indeed，youwillbemadehappyforallyourafterlife。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidIvan；andheimmediatelymadereadyforthejourney。Ashereachedtheporchonhiswayouthesawapoorwomanstandingdirectlyinhispathandholdingabrokenarm。
Thewomanaccostedhim，saying：
\"Iwastoldthatyoucouldcureme，andwillyounotpleasedoso，asIampowerlesstodoanythingformyself？\"
Ivanreplied：\"Verywell，mypoorwoman；IwillrelieveyouifI
can。\"
Heproducedarootwhichhehandedtothepoorwomanandtoldhertoswallowit。
ShedidasIvantoldherandwasinstantlycured，andwentawayrejoicingthatshehadrecoveredtheuseofherarm。
Ivan’sfatherandmothercameouttowishhimgoodluckonhisjourney，andtothemhetoldthestoryofthepoorwoman，sayingthathehadgivenherhislastroot。Onhearingthishisparentsweremuchdistressed，astheynowbelievedhimtobewithoutthemeansofcuringtheCzar’sdaughter，andbegantoscoldhim。
\"YouhadpityforabeggarandgavenothoughttotheCzar’sdaughter，\"theysaid。
\"IhavepityfortheCzar’sdaughteralso，\"repliedIvan，afterwhichheharnessedhishorsetohiswagonandtookhisseatreadyforhisdeparture；whereuponhisparentssaid：\"Whereareyougoing，youfool——tocuretheCzar’sdaughter，andwithoutanythingtodoitwith？\"
\"Verywell，\"repliedIvan，ashedroveaway。
Induetimehearrivedatthepalace，andthemomentheappearedonthebalconytheCzar’sdaughterwascured。TheCzarwasoverjoyedandorderedIvantobebroughtintohispresence。Hedressedhimintherichestrobesandaddressedhimashisson-in-law。IvanwasmarriedtotheCzarevna，and，theCzardyingsoonafter，Ivanbecameruler。Thusthethreebrothersbecamerulersindifferentkingdoms。
CHAPTERIX。
Thebrotherslivedandreigned。Simeon，theeldestbrother，withhisstrawsoldierstookcaptivethegenuinesoldiersandtrainedallalike。Hewasfearedbyeveryone。
Tarras-Briukhan，theotherbrother，didnotsquanderthegoldheobtainedfromIvan，butinsteadgreatlyincreasedhiswealth，andatthesametimelivedwell。Hekepthismoneyinlargetrunks，and，whilehavingmorethanheknewwhattodowith，stillcontinuedtocollectmoneyfromhissubjects。ThepeoplehadtoworkforthemoneytopaythetaxeswhichTarrasleviedonthem，andlifewasmadeburdensometothem。
IvantheFooldidnotenjoyhiswealthandpowertothesameextentasdidhisbrothers。Assoonashisfather-in-law，thelateCzar，wasburied，hediscardedtheImperialrobeswhichhadfallentohimandtoldhiswifetoputthemaway，ashehadnofurtheruseforthem。Havingcastasidetheinsigniaofhisrank，heoncemoredonnedhispeasantgarbandstartedtoworkasofold。
\"Ifeltlonesome，\"hesaid，\"andbegantogrowenormouslystout，andyetIhadnoappetite，andneithercouldIsleep。\"
Ivansentforhisfather，mother，anddumbsister，andbroughtthemtolivewithhim，andtheyworkedwithhimatwhateverhechosetodo。
ThepeoplesoonlearnedthatIvanwasafool。Hiswifeonedaysaidtohim，\"Thepeoplesayyouareafool，Ivan。\"
\"Well，letthemthinksoiftheywish，\"hereplied。
Hiswifeponderedthisreplyforsometime，andatlastdecidedthatifIvanwasafoolshealsowasone，andthatitwouldbeuselesstogocontrarytoherhusband，thinkingaffectionatelyoftheoldproverbthat\"wheretheneedlegoestheregoesthethreadalso。\"Shethereforecastasidehermagnificentrobes，and，puttingthemintothetrunkwithIvan’s，dressedherselfincheapclothingandjoinedherdumbsister-in-law，withtheintentionoflearningtowork。ShesucceededsowellthatshesoonbecameagreathelptoIvan。
SeeingthatIvanwasafool，allthewisemenleftthekingdomandonlythefoolsremained。Theyhadnomoney，theirwealthconsistingonlyoftheproductsoftheirlabor。Buttheylivedpeacefullytogether，supportedthemselvesincomfort，andhadplentytosparefortheneedyandafflicted。
CHAPTERX。
Theolddevilgrewtiredofwaitingforthegoodnewswhichheexpectedthelittledevilstobringhim。Hewaitedinvaintohearoftheruinofthebrothers，sohewentinsearchoftheemissarieswhichhehadsenttoperformthatworkforhim。Afterlookingaroundforsometime，andseeingnothingbutthethreeholesintheground，hedecidedthattheyhadnotsucceededintheirworkandthathewouldhavetodoithimself。
Theolddevilnextwentinsearchofthebrothers，buthecouldlearnnothingoftheirwhereabouts。Aftersometimehefoundthemintheirdifferentkingdoms，contentedandhappy。Thisgreatlyincensedtheolddevil，andhesaid，\"Iwillnowhavetoaccomplishtheirmissionmyself。\"
HefirstvisitedSimeonthesoldier，andappearedbeforehimasavoyevoda（general），saying：\"You，Simeon，areagreatwarrior，andIalsohavehadconsiderableexperienceinwarfare，andamdesirousofservingyou。\"
Simeonquestionedthedisguiseddevil，andseeingthathewasanintelligentmantookhimintohisservice。
ThenewGeneraltaughtSimeonhowtostrengthenhisarmyuntilitbecameverypowerful。Newimplementsofwarfarewereintroduced。
Cannonscapableofthrowingonehundredballsaminutewerealsoconstructed，andthese，itwasexpected，wouldbeofdeadlyeffectinbattle。
Simeon，ontheadviceofhisnewGeneral，orderedallyoungmenaboveacertainagetoreportfordrill。OnthesameadviceSimeonestablishedgun-shops，whereimmensenumbersofcannonsandriflesweremade。
ThenextmoveofthenewGeneralwastohaveSimeondeclarewaragainsttheneighboringkingdom。Thishedid，andwithhisimmensearmymarchedintotheadjoiningterritory，whichhepillagedandburned，destroyingmorethanhalftheenemy’ssoldiers。Thissofrightenedtherulerofthatcountrythathewillinglygaveuphalfofhiskingdomtosavetheotherhalf。
Simeon，overjoyedathissuccess，declaredhisintentionofmarchingintoIndianterritoryandsubduingtheViceroyofthatcountry。
ButSimeon’sintentionsreachedtheearsoftheIndianruler，whopreparedtodobattlewithhim。Inadditiontohavingsecuredallthelatestimplementsofwarfare，headdedstillothersofhisowninvention。Heorderedallboysoverfourteenandallsinglewomentobedraftedintothearmy，untilitsproportionsbecamemuchlargerthanSimeon’s。HiscannonsandrifleswereofthesamepatternasSimeon’s，andheinventedaflying-machinefromwhichbombscouldbethrownintotheenemy’scamp。
SimeonwentforthtoconquertheViceroywithfullconfidenceinhisownpowerstosucceed。Thistimeluckforsookhim，andinsteadofbeingtheconquerorhewashimselfconquered。
TheIndianrulerhadsoarrangedhisarmythatSimeoncouldnotevengetwithinshootingdistance，whilethebombsfromtheflying-machinecarrieddestructionandterrorintheirpath，completelyroutinghisarmy，sothatSimeonwasleftalone。
TheViceroytookpossessionofhiskingdomandSimeonhadtoflyforhislife。
HavingfinishedwithSimeon，theolddevilnextapproachedTarras。Heappearedbeforehimdisguisedasoneofthemerchantsofhiskingdom，andestablishedfactoriesandbegantomakemoney。The\"merchant\"paidthehighestpriceforeverythinghepurchased，andthepeopleranafterhimtoselltheirgoods。
Throughthis\"merchant\"theywereenabledtomakeplentyofmoney，payingupalltheirarrearsoftaxesaswellastheotherswhentheycamedue。
Tarraswasoverjoyedatthisconditionofaffairsandsaid：
\"Thankstothismerchant，nowIwillhavemoremoneythanbefore，andlifewillbemuchpleasanterforme。\"
Hewishedtoerectnewbuildings，andadvertisedforworkmen，offeringthehighestpricesforallkindsoflabor。Tarrasthoughtthepeoplewouldbeasanxioustoworkasformerly，butinsteadhewasmuchsurprisedtolearnthattheywereworkingforthe\"merchant。\"Thinkingtoinducethemtoleavethe\"merchant，\"
heincreasedhisoffers，buttheformer，equaltotheemergency，alsoraisedthewagesofhisworkmen。Tarras，havingplentyofmoney，increasedtheoffersstillmore；butthe\"merchant\"raisedthemstillhigherandgotthebetterofhim。Thus，defeatedateverypoint，Tarraswascompelledtoabandontheideaofbuilding。
Tarrasnextannouncedthatheintendedlayingoutgardensanderectingfountains，andtheworkwastobecommencedinthefall，butnoonecametoofferhisservices，andagainhewasobligedtoforegohisintentions。Wintersetin，andTarraswantedsomesablefurwithwhichtolinehisgreat-coat，andhesenthismantoprocureitforhim；buttheservantreturnedwithoutit，saying：\"Therearenosablestobehad。The’merchant’hasboughtthemall，payingaveryhighpriceforthem。\"
Tarrasneededhorsesandsentamessengertopurchasethem，buthereturnedwiththesamestoryasonformeroccasions——thatnoneweretobefound，the\"merchant\"havingboughtthemalltocarrywaterforanartificialpondhewasconstructing。Tarraswasatlastcompelledtosuspendbusiness，ashecouldnotfindanyonewillingtoworkforhim。Theyhadallgoneovertothe\"merchant’s\"side。TheonlydealingsthepeoplehadwithTarraswerewhentheywenttopaytheirtaxes。Hismoneyaccumulatedsofastthathecouldnotfindaplacetoputit，andhislifebecamemiserable。Heabandonedallideaofenteringuponthenewventure，andonlythoughtofhowtoexistpeaceably。Thishefounditdifficulttodo，for，turnwhichwayhewould，freshobstaclesconfrontedhim。Evenhiscooks，coachmen，andallhisotherservantsforsookhimandjoinedthe\"merchant。\"Withallhiswealthhehadnothingtoeat，andwhenhewenttomarkethefoundthe\"merchant\"hadbeentherebeforehimandhadboughtupalltheprovisions。Still，thepeoplecontinuedtobringhimmoney。
Tarrasatlastbecamesoindignantthatheorderedthe\"merchant\"
outofhiskingdom。Heleft，butsettledjustoutsidetheboundaryline，andcontinuedhisbusinesswiththesameresultasbefore，andTarraswasfrequentlyforcedtogowithoutfoodfordays。Itwasrumoredthatthe\"merchant\"wantedtobuyevenTarrashimself。Onhearingthisthelatterbecameverymuchalarmedandcouldnotdecideastothebestcoursetopursue。
AboutthistimehisbrotherSimeonarrivedinthekingdom，andsaid：\"Helpme，forIhavebeendefeatedandruinedbytheIndianViceroy。\"
Tarrasreplied：\"HowcanIhelpyou，whenIhavehadnofoodmyselffortwodays？\"
CHAPTERXI。
Theolddevil，havingfinishedwiththesecondbrother，wenttoIvantheFool。ThistimehedisguisedhimselfasaGeneral，thesameasinthecaseofSimeon，and，appearingbeforeIvan，said：
\"Getanarmytogether。Itisdisgracefulfortherulerofakingdomtobewithoutanarmy。Youcallyourpeopletoassemble，andIwillformthemintoafinelargearmy。\"
IvantookthesupposedGeneral’sadvice，andsaid：\"Well，youmayformmypeopleintoanarmy，butyoumustalsoteachthemtosingthesongsIlike。\"
TheolddevilthenwentthroughIvan’skingdomtosecurerecruitsforthearmy，saying：\"Come，shaveyourheads[theheadsofrecruitsarealwaysshavedinRussia]andIwillgiveeachofyouaredhatandplentyofvodki\"（whiskey）。
Atthisthefoolsonlylaughed，andsaid：\"Wecanhaveallthevodkiwewant，forwedistillitourselves；andofhats，ourlittlegirlsmakeallwewant，ofanycolorweplease，andwithhandsomefringes。\"
Thuswasthedevilfoiledinsecuringrecruitsforhisarmy；sohereturnedtoIvanandsaid：\"Yourfoolswillnotvolunteertobesoldiers。Itwillthereforebenecessarytoforcethem。\"
\"Verywell，\"repliedIvan，\"youmayuseforceifyouwantto。\"
Theolddevilthenannouncedthatallthefoolsmustbecomesoldiers，andthosewhorefused，Ivanwouldpunishwithdeath。
ThefoolswenttotheGeneral；andsaid：\"YoutellusthatIvanwillpunishwithdeathallthosewhorefusetobecomesoldiers，butyouhaveomittedtostatewhatwillbedonewithussoldiers。
Wehavebeentoldthatweareonlytobekilled。\"
\"Yes，thatistrue，\"wasthereply。
Thefoolsonhearingthisbecamestubbornandrefusedtogo。
\"Betterkillusnowifwecannotavoiddeath，butwewillnotbecomesoldiers，\"theydeclared。
\"Oh！youfools，\"saidtheolddevil，\"soldiersmayandmaynotbekilled；butifyoudisobeyIvan’sordersyouwillfindcertaindeathathishands。\"
ThefoolsremainedabsorbedinthoughtforsometimeandfinallywenttoIvantoquestionhiminregardtothematter。
Onarrivingathishousetheysaid：\"AGeneralcametouswithanorderfromyouthatwewerealltobecomesoldiers，andifwerefusedyouweretopunishuswithdeath。Isittrue？\"
Ivanbegantolaughheartilyonhearingthis，andsaid：\"Well，howIalonecanpunishyouwithdeathissomethingIcannotunderstand。IfIwasnotafoolmyselfIwouldbeabletoexplainittoyou，butasitisIcannot。\"
\"Well，then，wewillnotgo，\"theysaid。
\"Verywell，\"repliedIvan，\"youneednotbecomesoldiersunlessyouwishto。\"
Theolddevil，seeinghisschemesabouttoprovefailures，wenttotherulerofTarakaniaandbecamehisfriend，saying：\"LetusgoandconquerIvan’skingdom。Hehasnomoney，buthehasplentyofcattle，provisions，andvariousotherthingsthatwouldbeusefultous。\"
TheTarakanianrulergatheredhislargearmytogether，andequippingitwithcannonsandrifles，crossedtheboundarylineintoIvan’skingdom。ThepeoplewenttoIvanandsaid：\"TherulerofTarakaniaisherewithalargearmytofightus。\"
\"Letthemcome，\"repliedIvan。
TheTarakanianruler，aftercrossingthelineintoIvan’skingdom，lookedinvainforsoldierstofightagainst；andwaitingsometimeandnoneappearing，hesenthisownwarriorstoattackthevillages。
Theysoonreachedthefirstvillage，whichtheybegantoplunder。
Thefoolsofbothsexeslookedcalmlyon，offeringnottheleastresistancewhentheircattleandprovisionswerebeingtakenfromthem。Onthecontrary，theyinvitedthesoldierstocomeandlivewiththem，saying：\"Ifyou，dearfriends，finditisdifficulttoearnalivinginyourownland，comeandlivewithus，whereeverythingisplentiful。\"
Thesoldiersdecidedtoremain，findingthepeoplehappyandprosperous，withenoughsurplusfoodtosupplymanyoftheirneighbors。Theyweresurprisedatthecordialgreetingswhichtheyeverywherereceived，and，returningtotherulerofTarakania，theysaid：\"Wecannotfightwiththesepeople——takeustoanotherplace。Wewouldmuchpreferthedangersofactualwarfaretothisunsoldierlymethodofsubduingthevillage。\"
TheTarakanianruler，becomingenraged，orderedthesoldierstodestroythewholekingdom，plunderthevillages，burnthehousesandprovisions，andslaughterthecattle。
\"Shouldyoudisobeymyorders，\"saidhe，\"Iwillhaveeveryoneofyouexecuted。\"
Thesoldiers，becomingfrightened，startedtodoastheywereordered，butthefoolsweptbitterly，offeringnoresistance，men，women，andchildrenalljoininginthegenerallamentation。
\"Whydoyoutreatussocruelly？\"theycriedtotheinvadingsoldiers。\"Whydoyouwishtodestroyeverythingwehave？Ifyouhavemoreneedofthesethingsthanwehave，whynottakethemwithyouandleaveusinpeace？\"
Thesoldiers，becomingsaddenedwithremorse，refusedfurthertopursuetheirpathofdestruction——theentirearmyscatteringinmanydirections。
CHAPTERXII。
Theolddevil，failingtoruinIvan’skingdomwithsoldiers，transformedhimselfintoanobleman，dressedexquisitely，andbecameoneofIvan’ssubjects，withtheintentionofcompassingthedownfallofhiskingdom——ashehaddonewiththatofTarras。
The\"nobleman\"saidtoIvan：\"Idesiretoteachyouwisdomandtorenderyouotherservice。Iwillbuildyouapalaceandfactories。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidIvan；\"youmaylivewithus。\"
Thenextdaythe\"nobleman\"appearedontheSquarewithasackofgoldinhishandandaplanforbuildingahouse，sayingtothepeople：\"Youarelivinglikepigs，andIamgoingtoteachyouhowtolivedecently。Youaretobuildahouseformeaccordingtothisplan。Iwillsuperintendtheworkmyself，andwillpayyouforyourservicesingold，\"showingthematthesametimethecontentsofhissack。
Thefoolswereamused。Theyhadneverbeforeseenanymoney。
Theirbusinesswasconductedentirelybyexchangeoffarmproductsorbyhiringthemselvesouttoworkbythedayinreturnforwhatevertheymostneeded。Theythereforeglancedatthegoldpieceswithamazement，andsaid，\"Whatnicetoystheywouldbetoplaywith！\"Inreturnforthegoldtheygavetheirservicesandbroughtthe\"nobleman\"theproduceoftheirfarms。
Theolddevilwasoverjoyedashethought，\"NowmyenterpriseisonafairroadandIwillbeabletoruintheFool——asIdidhisbrothers。\"
Thefoolsobtainedsufficientgoldtodistributeamongtheentirecommunity，thewomenandyounggirlsofthevillagewearingmuchofitasornaments，whiletothechildrentheygavesomepiecestoplaywithonthestreets。
Whentheyhadsecuredalltheywantedtheystoppedworkingandthe\"noblemen\"didnotgethishousemorethanhalffinished。Hehadneitherprovisionsnorcattlefortheyear，andorderedthepeopletobringhimboth。Hedirectedthemalsotogoonwiththebuildingofthepalaceandfactories。Hepromisedtopaythemliberallyingoldforeverythingtheydid。Noonerespondedtohiscall——onlyonceinawhilealittleboyorgirlwouldcalltoexchangeeggsforhisgold。
Thuswasthe\"nobleman\"deserted，and，havingnothingtoeat，hewenttothevillagetoprocuresomeprovisionsforhisdinner。
Hewenttoonehouseandofferedgoldinreturnforachicken，butwasrefused，theownersaying：\"Wehaveenoughofthatalreadyanddonotwantanymore。\"
Henextwenttoafish-womantobuysomeherring，whenshe，too，refusedtoaccepthisgoldinreturnforfish，saying：\"Idonotwishit，mydearman；IhavenochildrentowhomIcangiveittoplaywith。IhavethreepieceswhichIkeepascuriositiesonly。\"
Hethenwenttoapeasanttobuybread，buthealsorefusedtoacceptthegold。\"Ihavenouseforit，\"saidhe，\"unlessyouwishtogiveitforChrist’ssake；thenitwillbeadifferentmatter，andIwilltellmybaba[oldwoman]tocutapieceofbreadforyou。\"
Theolddevilwassoangrythatheranawayfromthepeasant，spittingandcursingashewent。
NotonlydidtheoffertoacceptinthenameofChristangerhim，buttheverymentionofthenamewaslikethethrustofaknifeinhisthroat。
Theolddevildidnotsucceedingettinganybread，andinhiseffortstosecureotherarticlesoffoodhemetwiththesamefailure。Thepeoplehadallthegoldtheywantedandwhatpiecestheyhadtheyregardedascuriosities。Theysaidtotheolddevil：\"Ifyoubringussomethingelseinexchangeforfood，orcometoaskforChrist’ssake，wewillgiveyouallyouwant。\"
Buttheolddevilhadnothingbutgold，andwastoolazytowork；
andbeingunabletoacceptanythingforChrist’ssake，hewasgreatlyenraged。
\"Whatelsedoyouwant？\"hesaid。\"Iwillgiveyougoldwithwhichyoucanbuyeverythingyouwant，andyouneedlabornolonger。\"
Butthefoolswouldnotaccepthisgold，norlistentohim。Thustheolddevilwasobligedtogotosleephungry。
TidingsofthisconditionofaffairssoonreachedtheearsofIvan。Thepeoplewenttohimandsaid：\"Whatshellwedo？Thisnoblemanappearedamongus；heiswelldressed；hewishestoeatanddrinkofthebest，butisunwillingtowork，anddoesnotbegforfoodforChrist’ssake。Heonlyofferseveryonegoldpieces。Atfirstwegavehimeverythinghewanted，takingthegoldpiecesinexchangejustascuriosities；butnowwehaveenoughofthemandrefusetoacceptanymorefromhim。Whatshallwedowithhim？hemaydieofhunger！\"
Ivanheardalltheyhadtosay，andtoldthemtoemployhimasashepherd，takingturnsindoingso。
Theolddevilsawnootherwayoutofthedifficultyandwasobligedtosubmit。
Itsooncametheolddevil’sturntogotoIvan’shouse。HewenttheretodinnerandfoundIvan’sdumbsisterpreparingthemeal。
Shewasoftencheatedbythelazypeople，whowhiletheydidnotwork，yetateupallthegruel。Butshelearnedtoknowthelazypeoplefromtheconditionoftheirhands。Thosewithgreatweltsontheirhandssheinvitedfirsttothetable，andthosehavingsmoothwhitehandshadtotakewhatwasleft。
Theolddeviltookaseatatthetable，butthedumbgirl，takinghishands，lookedatthem，andseeingthemwhiteandclean，andwithlongnails，sworeathimandputhimfromthetable。
Ivan’swifesaidtotheolddevil：\"Youmustexcusemysister-in-law；shewillnotallowanyonetositatthetablewhosehandshavenotbeenhardenedbytoil，soyouwillhavetowaituntilthedinnerisoverandthenyoucanhavewhatisleft。
Withityoumustbesatisfied。\"
Theolddevilwasverymuchoffendedthathewasmadetoeatwith\"pigs，\"asheexpressedit，andcomplainedtoIvan，saying：\"Thefoolishlawyouhaveinyourkingdom，thatallpersonsmustwork，issurelytheinventionoffools。Peoplewhoworkforalivingarenotalwaysforcedtolaborwiththeirhands。Doyouthinkwisemenlaborso？\"
Ivanreplied：\"Well，whatdofoolsknowaboutit？Weallworkwithourhands。\"
\"Andforthatreasonyouarefools，\"repliedthedevil。\"Icanteachyouhowtouseyourbrains，andyouwillfindsuchlabormorebeneficial。\"
Ivanwassurprisedathearingthis，andsaid：
\"Well，itisperhapsnotwithoutgoodreasonthatwearecalledfools。\"
\"Itisnotsoeasytoworkwiththebrain，\"theolddevilsaid。
\"Youwillnotgivemeanythingtoeatbecausemyhandshavenottheappearanceofbeingtoil-hardened，butyoumustunderstandthatitismuchhardertodobrain-work，andsometimestheheadfeelslikeburstingwiththeeffortitisforcedtomake。\"
\"Thenwhydoyounotselectsomelightworkthatyoucanperformwithyourhands？\"Ivanasked。
Thedevilsaid：\"Itormentmyselfwithbrain-workbecauseIhavepityforyoufools，for，ifIdidnottorturemyself，peoplelikeyouwouldremainfoolsforalleternity。Ihaveexercisedmybrainagreatdealduringmylife，andnowIamabletoteachyou。\"
Ivanwasgreatlysurprisedandsaid：\"Verywell；teachus，sothatwhenourhandsaretiredwecanuseourheadstoreplacethem。\"
Thedevilpromisedtoinstructthepeople，andIvanannouncedthefactthroughouthiskingdom。
Thedevilwaswillingtoteachallthosewhocametohimhowtousetheheadinsteadofthehands，soastoproducemorewiththeformerthanwiththelatter。
InIvan’skingdomtherewasahightower，whichwasreachedbyalong，narrowladderleadinguptothebalcony，andIvantoldtheolddevilthatfromthetopofthetowereveryonecouldseehim。
Sotheolddevilwentuptothebalconyandaddressedthepeople。
Thefoolscameingreatcrowdstohearwhattheolddevilhadtosay，thinkingthathereallymeanttotellthemhowtoworkwiththehead。Buttheolddevilonlytoldtheminwordswhattodo，anddidnotgivethemanypracticalinstruction。Hesaidthatmenworkingonlywiththeirhandscouldnotmakealiving。Thefoolsdidnotunderstandwhathesaidtothemandlookedathiminamazement，andthendepartedfortheirdailywork。
Theolddeviladdressedthemfortwodaysfromthebalcony，andattheendofthattime，feelinghungry，heaskedthepeopletobringhimsomebread。Buttheyonlylaughedathimandtoldhimifhecouldworkbetterwithhisheadthanwithhishandshecouldalsofindbreadforhimself。Headdressedthepeopleforyetanotherday，andtheywenttohearhimfromcuriosity，butsoonlefthimtoreturntotheirwork。
Ivanasked，\"Well，didthenoblemanworkwithhishead？\"
\"Notyet，\"theysaid；\"sofarhehasonlytalked。\"
Oneday，whiletheolddevilwasstandingonthebalcony，hebecameweak，and，fallingdown，hurthisheadagainstapole。
Seeingthis，oneofthefoolsrantoIvan’swifeandsaid，\"Thegentlemanhasatlastcommencedtoworkwithhishead。\"
SherantothefieldtotellIvan，whowasmuchsurprised，andsaid，\"Letusgoandseehim。\"
Heturnedhishorses’headsinthedirectionofthetower，wheretheolddevilremainedweakfromhungerandwasstillsuspendedfromthepole，withhisbodyswayingbackandforthandhisheadstrikingthelowerpartofthepoleeachtimeitcameincontactwithit。WhileIvanwaslooking，theolddevilstarteddownthestepshead-first——astheysupposed，tocountthem。
\"Well，\"saidIvan，\"hetoldthetruthafterall——thatsometimesfromthiskindofworktheheadbursts。Thisisfarworsethanweltsonthehands。\"
Theolddevilfelltothegroundhead-foremost。Ivanapproachedhim，butatthatinstantthegroundopenedandthedevildisappeared，leavingonlyaholetoshowwherehehadgone。
Ivanscratchedhisheadandsaid：\"Seehere；suchnastiness！
Thisisyetanotherdevil。Helookslikethefatherofthelittleones。\"
Ivanstilllives，andpeopleflocktohiskingdom。Hisbrotherscometohimandhefeedsthem。
Toeveryonewhocomestohimandsays，\"Giveusfood，\"hereplies：\"Verywell；youarewelcome。Wehaveplentyofeverything。\"
ThereisonlyoneunchangeablecustomobservedinIvan’skingdom：
Themanwithtoil-hardenedhandsisalwaysgivenaseatatthetable，whilethepossessorofsoftwhitehandsmustbecontentedwithwhatisleft。
ALOSTOPPORTUNITY。
\"ThencamePetertoHim，andsaid，Lord，howoftshallmybrothersinagainstme，andIforgivehim？tillseventimes？\"……
\"SolikewiseshallMyheavenlyFatherdoalsountoyou，ifyefromyourheartsforgivenoteveryonehisbrothertheirtrespasses。\"——ST。MATTHEWxviii。，21-35。
InacertainvillagetherelivedapeasantbythenameofIvanScherbakoff。Hewasprosperous，strong，andvigorous，andwasconsideredthehardestworkerinthewholevillage。Hehadthreesons，whosupportedthemselvesbytheirownlabor。Theeldestwasmarried，thesecondabouttobemarried，andtheyoungesttookcareofthehorsesandoccasionallyattendedtotheplowing。
Thepeasant’swife，Ivanovna，wasintelligentandindustrious，whileherdaughter-in-lawwasasimple，quietsoul，butahardworker。
Therewasonlyoneidlepersoninthehousehold，andthatwasIvan’sfather，averyoldmanwhoforsevenyearshadsufferedfromasthma，andwhospentthegreaterpartofhistimelyingonthebrickoven。
Ivanhadplentyofeverything——threehorses，withonecolt，acowwithcalf，andfifteensheep。Thewomenmadethemen’sclothes，andinadditiontoperformingallthenecessaryhouseholdlabor，alsoworkedinthefield；whilethemen’sindustrywasconfinedaltogethertothefarm。
Whatwasleftofthepreviousyear’ssupplyofprovisionswasamplefortheirneeds，andtheysoldaquantityofoatssufficienttopaytheirtaxesandotherexpenses。
ThuslifewentsmoothlyforIvan。
Thepeasant’snext-doorneighborwasasonofGordeyIvanoff，called\"GavryltheLame。\"ItoncehappenedthatIvanhadaquarrelwithhim；butwhileoldmanGordeywasyetalive，andIvan’sfatherwastheheadofthehousehold，thetwopeasantslivedasgoodneighborsshould。Ifthewomenofonehouserequiredtheuseofasieveorpail，theyborroweditfromtheinmatesoftheotherhouse。Thesameconditionofaffairsexistedbetweenthemen。Theylivedmorelikeonefamily，theonedividinghispossessionswiththeother，andperfectharmonyreignedbetweenthetwofamilies。
Ifastraycalforcowinvadedthegardenofoneofthefarmers，theotherwillinglydroveitaway，saying：\"Becareful，neighbor，thatyourstockdoesnotagainstrayintomygarden；weshouldputafenceup。\"Inthesamewaytheyhadnosecretsfromeachother。Thedoorsoftheirhousesandbarnshadneitherboltsnorlocks，sosureweretheyofeachother’shonesty。Notashadowofsuspiciondarkenedtheirdailyintercourse。
Thuslivedtheoldpeople。
Intimetheyoungermembersofthetwohouseholdsstartedfarming。Itsoonbecameapparentthattheywouldnotgetalongaspeacefullyastheoldpeoplehaddone，fortheybeganquarrellingwithouttheslightestprovocation。
AhenbelongingtoIvan’sdaughter-in-lawcommencedlayingeggs，whichtheyoungwomancollectedeachmorning，intendingtokeepthemfortheEasterholidays。Shemadedailyvisitstothebarn，where，underanoldwagon，shewassuretofindthepreciousegg。
Onedaythechildrenfrightenedthehenandsheflewovertheirneighbor’sfenceandlaidhereggintheirgarden。
Ivan’sdaughter-in-lawheardthehencackling，butsaid：\"Iamverybusyjustatpresent，forthisistheeveofaholyday，andImustcleanandarrangethisroom。Iwillgofortheegglateron。\"
Wheneveningcame，andshehadfinishedhertask，shewenttothebarn，andasusuallookedundertheoldwagon，expectingtofindanegg。But，alas！noeggwasvisibleintheaccustomedplace。
Greatlydisappointed，shereturnedtothehouseandinquiredofhermother-in-lawandtheothermembersofthefamilyiftheyhadtakenit。\"No，\"theysaid，\"weknownothingofit。\"
Taraska，theyoungestbrother-in-law，cominginsoonafter，shealsoinquiredofhimifheknewanythingaboutthemissingegg。
\"Yes，\"hereplied；\"yourpretty，crestedhenlaidheregginourneighbors’garden，andaftershehadfinishedcacklingsheflewbackagainoverthefence。\"
Theyoungwoman，greatlysurprisedonhearingthis，turnedandlookedlongandseriouslyatthehen，whichwassittingwithclosedeyesbesidetheroosterinthechimney-corner。Sheaskedthehenwhereitlaidtheegg。Atthesoundofhervoiceitsimplyopenedandcloseditseyes，butcouldmakenoanswer。
Shethenwenttotheneighbors’house，whereshewasmetbyanoldwoman，whosaid：\"Whatdoyouwant，youngwoman？\"
Ivan’sdaughter-in-lawreplied：\"Yousee，babushka[grandmother]，myhenflewintoyouryardthismorning。Didshenotlayaneggthere？\"
\"Wedidnotseeany，\"theoldwomanreplied；\"wehaveourownhens——Godbepraised！——andtheyhavebeenlayingforthislongtime。Wehuntonlyfortheeggsourownhenslay，andhavenousefortheeggsotherpeople’shenslay。AnotherthingIwanttotellyou，youngwoman：wedonotgointootherpeople’syardstolookforeggs。\"
Nowthisspeechgreatlyangeredtheyoungwoman，andsherepliedinthesamespiritinwhichshehadbeenspokento，onlyusingmuchstrongerlanguageandspeakingatgreaterlength。
Theneighborrepliedinthesameangrymanner，andfinallythewomenbegantoabuseeachotherandcallvilenames。IthappenedthatoldIvan’swife，onherwaytothewellforwater，heardthedispute，andjoinedtheothers，takingherdaughter-in-law’spart。
Gavryl’shousekeeper，hearingthenoise，couldnotresistthetemptationtojointherestandtomakehervoiceheard。Assoonassheappearedonthescene，she，too，begantoabuseherneighbor，remindingherofmanydisagreeablethingswhichhadhappened（andmanywhichhadnothappened）betweenthem。Shebecamesoinfuriatedduringherdenunciationsthatshelostallcontrolofherself，andranaroundlikesomemadcreature。
Thenallthewomenbegantoshoutatthesametime，eachtryingtosaytwowordstoanother’sone，andusingthevilestlanguageinthequarreller’svocabulary。
\"Youaresuchandsuch，\"shoutedoneofthewomen。\"Youareathief，aschlukha[amean，dirty，lowcreature]；yourfather-in-lawisevennowstarving，andyouhavenoshame。Youbeggar，youborrowedmysieveandbrokeit。Youmadealargeholeinit，anddidnotbuymeanother。\"
\"Youhaveourscale-beam，\"criedanotherwoman，\"andmustgiveitbacktome；\"whereuponsheseizedthescale-beamandtriedtoremoveitfromtheshouldersofIvan’swife。
Inthemeleewhichfollowedtheyupsetthepailsofwater。Theytorethecoveringfromeachother’shead，andageneralfightensued。
Gavryl’swifehadbythistimejoinedinthefracas，andhe，crossingthefieldandseeingthetrouble，cametoherrescue。
Ivanandhisson，seeingthattheirwomenfolkwerebeingbadlyused，jumpedintothemidstofthefray，andafearfulfightfollowed。
Ivanwasthemostpowerfulpeasantinallthecountryround，anditdidnottakehimlongtodispersethecrowd，fortheyflewinalldirections。DuringtheprogressofthefightIvantoreoutalargequantityofGavryl’sbeard。
Bythistimealargecrowdofpeasantshadcollected，anditwaswiththegreatestdifficultythattheypersuadedthetwofamiliestostopquarrelling。
Thiswasthebeginning。
GavryltooktheportionofhisbeardwhichIvanhadtornout，and，wrappingitinapaper，wenttothevolostnoye（moujiks’
court）andenteredacomplaintagainstIvan。
Holdingupthehair，hesaid，\"IdidnotgrowthisforthatbearIvantotearout！\"
Gavryl’swifewentroundamongtheneighbors，tellingthemthattheymustnotrepeatwhatshetoldthem，butthatsheandherhusbandweregoingtogetthebestofIvan，andthathewastobesenttoSiberia。
Andsothequarrellingwenton。
Thepooroldgrandfather，sickwithasthmaandlyingonthebrickovenallthetime，triedfromthefirsttodissuadethemfromquarrelling，andbeggedofthemtoliveinpeace；buttheywouldnotlistentohisgoodadvice。Hesaidtothem：\"Youchildrenaremakingagreatfussandmuchtroubleaboutnothing。Ibegofyoutostopandthinkofwhatalittlethinghascausedallthistrouble。Ithasarisenfromonlyoneegg。Ifourneighbors’
childrenpickeditup，itisallright。Godblessthem！Oneeggisofbutlittlevalue，andwithoutitGodwillsupplysufficientforallourneeds。\"
Ivan’sdaughter-in-lawhereinterposedandsaid，\"Buttheycalledusvilenames。\"
Theoldgrandfatheragainspoke，saying：\"Well，eveniftheydidcallyoubadnames，itwouldhavebeenbettertoreturngoodforevil，andbyyourexampleshowthemhowtospeakbetter。Suchconductonyourpartwouldhavebeenbestforallconcerned。\"Hecontinued：\"Well，youhadafight，youwickedpeople。Suchthingssometimeshappen，butitwouldbebetterifyouwentafterwardandaskedforgivenessandburiedyourgrievancesoutofsight。Scatterthemtothefourwindsofheaven，forifyoudonotdosoitwillbetheworseforyouintheend。\"
Theyoungermembersofthefamily，stillobstinate，refusedtoprofitbytheoldman’sadvice，anddeclaredhewasnotright，andthatheonlylikedtogrumbleinhisold-fashionedway。
Ivanrefusedtogotohisneighbor，asthegrandfatherwished，saying：\"IdidnottearoutGavryl’sbeard。Hedidithimself，andhissontoremyshirtandtrousersintoshreds。\"
IvanenteredsuitagainstGavryl。Hefirstwenttothevillagejustice，andnotgettingsatisfactionfromhimhecarriedhiscasetothevillagecourt。
Whiletheneighborswerewranglingovertheaffair，eachsuingtheother，ithappenedthataperch-boltfromGavryl’swagonwaslost；andthewomenofGavryl’shouseholdaccusedIvan’ssonofstealingit。
Theysaid：\"Wesawhiminthenight-timepassbyourwindow，onhiswaytowherethewagonwasstanding。\"\"Andmykumushka[sponsor]，\"saidoneofthem，\"toldmethatIvan’ssonhadoffereditforsaleatthekabak[tavern]。\"
Thisaccusationcausedthemagaintogointocourtforasettlementoftheirgrievances。
Whiletheheadsofthefamiliesweretryingtohavetheirtroublessettledincourt，theirhomequarrelswereconstant，andfrequentlyresultedinhand-to-handencounters。Eventhelittlechildrenfollowedtheexampleoftheireldersandquarrelledincessantly。
Thewomen，whentheymetontheriverbanktodothefamilywashing，insteadofattendingtotheirworkpassedthetimeinabusingeachother，andnotinfrequentlytheycametoblows。
Atfirstthemalemembersofthefamilieswerecontentwithaccusingeachotherofvariouscrimes，suchasstealingandlikemeannesses。Butthetroubleinthismildformdidnotlastlong。
Theysoonresortedtoothermeasures。Theybegantoappropriateoneanother’sthingswithoutaskingpermission，whilevariousarticlesdisappearedfrombothhousesandcouldnotbefound。
Thiswasdoneoutofrevenge。
Thisexamplebeingsetbythemen，thewomenandchildrenalsofollowed，andlifesoonbecameaburdentoallwhotookpartinthestrife。
IvanScherbakoffand\"GavryltheLame\"atlastlaidtheirtroublebeforethemir（villagemeeting），inadditiontohavingbeenincourtandcallingonthejusticeofthepeace。Bothofthelatterhadgrowntiredofthemandtheirincessantwrangling。
OnetimeGavrylwouldsucceedinhavingIvanfined，andifhewasnotabletopayithewouldbelockedupinthecolddrearyprisonfordays。ThenitwouldbeIvan’sturntogetGavrylpunishedinlikemanner，andthegreatertheinjurytheonecoulddotheotherthemoredelighthetookinit。
Thesuccessofeitherinhavingtheotherpunishedonlyservedtoincreasetheirrageagainsteachother，untiltheywerelikemaddogsintheirwarfare。
Ifanythingwentwrongwithoneofthemheimmediatelyaccusedhisadversaryofconspiringtoruinhim，andsoughtrevengewithoutstoppingtoinquireintotherightsofthecase。
Whenthepeasantswentintocourt，andhadeachotherfinedandimprisoned，itdidnotsoftentheirheartsintheleast。Theywouldonlytauntoneanotheronsuchoccasions，saying：\"Nevermind；Iwillrepayyouforallthis。\"
Thisstateofaffairslastedforsixyears。
Ivan’sfather，thesickoldman，constantlyrepeatedhisgoodadvice。Hewouldtrytoarousetheirconsciencebysaying：\"Whatareyoudoing，mychildren？Canyounotthrowoffallthesetroubles，paymoreattentiontoyourbusiness，andsuppressyourangeragainstyourneighbors？Thereisnouseinyourcontinuingtoliveinthisway，forthemoreenragedyoubecomeagainsteachothertheworseitisforyou。\"
Againwasthewiseadviceoftheoldmanrejected。
Atthebeginningoftheseventhyearoftheexistenceofthefeudithappenedthatadaughter-in-lawofIvan’swaspresentatamarriage。AttheweddingfeastsheopenlyaccusedGavrylofstealingahorse。Gavrylwasintoxicatedatthetimeandwasinnomoodtostandtheinsult，soinretaliationhestruckthewomanaterrificblow，whichconfinedhertoherbedformorethanaweek。Thewomanbeingindelicatehealth，theworstresultswerefeared。
Ivan，gladofafreshopportunitytoharasshisneighbor，lodgedaformalcomplaintbeforethedistrict-attorney，hopingtoridhimselfforeverofGavrylbyhavinghimsenttoSiberia。
Onexaminingthecomplaintthedistrict-attorneywouldnotconsiderit，asbythattimetheinjuredwomanwaswalkingaboutandaswellasever。
ThusagainIvanwasdisappointedinobtaininghisrevenge，and，notbeingsatisfiedwiththedistrict-attorney’sdecision，hadthecasetransferredtothecourt，whereheusedallpossiblemeanstopushhissuit。Tosecurethefavorofthestarshina（villagemayor）hemadehimapresentofhalfagallonofsweetvodki；andtothemayor’spisar（secretary）alsohegavepresents。BythismeanshesucceededinsecuringaverdictagainstGavryl。ThesentencewasthatGavrylwastoreceivetwentylashesonhisbareback，andthepunishmentwastobeadministeredintheyardwhichsurroundedthecourt-house。