What Men Live By And Other Tales

by Leo Tolstoy

Overview

A kind and humble shoemaker called Simon goes out one day to purchase sheep-skins in order to sew a winter coat for his wife and himself to share. Usually the little money which Simon earns would be spent to feed his wife and children. Simon decides that in order to afford the skins he must go on a collection to receive the five rubles and twenty kopeks owed to him by his customers. As he heads out to collect the money he also borrows a three-ruble note from his wife's money box. While going on his collection he only manages to receive twenty kopeks rather than the full amount. Feeling disheartened by this, Simon rashly spends the twenty kopeks on vodka and starts to head back home.

On his way home he rants to himself about how little he can do with twenty kopeks besides spending it on alcohol and, feeling warmed after the drink, he says to himself that the winter cold is bearable without a sheep-skin coat. While approaching the chapel at the bend of the road, Simon stops and notices something pale-looking leaning against it. He peers harder and notices that it is a naked man who appears poor of health. At first he is suspicious and fears that the man may have no good intentions if he is in such a state. He proceeds to pass the man until he sees that the man has lifted his head and is looking towards him. Simon debates what to do in his mind and feels ashamed for his disregard and heads back to help the man.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781519499646
Publisher:	CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date:	01/01/1900
Pages:	44
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.09(d)

About the Author

A Russian author of novels, short stories, plays, and philosophical essays, Count Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was born into an aristocratic family and is best known for the epic books War and Peace and Anna Karenina, regarded as two of the greatest works of Russian literature. After serving in the Crimean War, Tolstoy retired to his estate and devoted himself to writing, farming, and raising his large family. His novels and outspoken social polemics brought him world-wide fame.

Date of Birth:

September 9, 1828

Date of Death:

November 20, 1910

Place of Birth:

Tula Province, Russia

Place of Death:

Astapovo, Russia

Education:

Privately educated by French and German tutors; attended the University of Kazan, 1844-47