University of Virginia Library

7.
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 any-
thing we wish—whole kingdoms can be con-
quered," 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 sol-
diers, 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, where-
upon 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 vil-
lage 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 our-
selves."

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 suffi-
cient 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 sol-
diers;" 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 Sim-
eon; "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 prom-
ised?"

"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 stub-
born 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 Tar-
ras.

"It happened in this way," said Ivan. "Mik-
hailovna 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 tempta-
tion, 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 de-
parture to discuss as to the best plan to pursue
in regard to a settlement of their troubles.

Simeon said: "Let us arrange it in this way:

I will give you the half of my kingdom, and
soldiers to keep guard over your wealth; and
you give me money to feed the soldiers in my
half of the kingdom."

To this arrangement Tarras agreed, and both
the brothers became rulers and very happy.