Category: Short Stories

The Introduction

“What men live by?” is one of the greatest short stories written by Leo Tolstoy, published in the year 1885.

Leo’s writing did not just write a regular stories for his readers, but his writing reveals the philosophy of life.

Through this story “What men live by?” the author tries to reveal the three truths of man’s life.

In this story, the three truths were revealed by an Angel of God. He was punished by God for disobeying and not following orders. His wings were ceased and he was forbidden to heaven until he found the three truths.

The three truths that the God asked the angel to find were-

1. What dwells in a man?
2. What is not given to man?
3. What men live by?

The Gist

The story begins with an introduction of a shoemaker whose name was Simon. He lived with his wife and children at a peasant’s house. He was very poor and could earn only for his food and living.

Simon wanted to buy a sheepskin to stitch a winter coat as he had just one coat that he shared with his wife. He saved little money which was not enough to buy sheepskin. So he left for the village to collect some more money that was owed to him by his customers. But sadly he didn’t receive the money required to buy the sheepskin.

While returning to his village disheartened, he noticed a man sitting motionless against the shrine without any clothes on him during freezing cold winter. He was unaware that the naked man was the Angel of God named Michael.

First, Simon did not want to concern himself with anything which would put him in trouble. Later his conscience struck him and he selflessly helped the man and covered him with his only coat and brought Michael along with him to his home.

Though Simon and his wife Matryona both did not wish to offer any help to Michael. But of kindness, they offered him food, cloth, and shelter. Michael’s face which looked anguish and miserable suddenly lit up with brightness when Matryona pitied him.

Michael lived with Simon for six years and learned his work and obeyed like a good workman. He never meddled with anything which was not of his concern. He ate little and worked all day. In those years he never smiled except for three times.

With every time he smiled, he found the answers to the questions. As he found all the answers he had to return to heaven.

He then revealed to Simon and his wife that he is an angel who was punished by God to live like a man until he found the three truths.

Now that he found the answers he bade the family a goodbye and rose to heaven.

The Review

By learning the three truth from this story, we understand that there is reason behind every action of God.

We often blame God for the misery that comes into our lives and at the same time do not understand his greatness when he pours his blessings. Our lives are intertwined by both misery and blessings and connect us to the people we live with.

What were the incidents at which the angel smiled and what were the answers to the three truths? Read – What Men Live By? And the story will give meaning to your life.

Like every other stories of Leo Tolstoy, this one also will touch your heart and soul.

About the Book

1.  The book is available as eBook and Audiobook on Storytel, eBook on kindly (free eBook), Hardcover and Paperback comprise of other popular stories in one book along with “What men live by?”
2. You may find this title on this free eBook Site- Gutenburg.org  (https://www.gutenberg.org/) or click on the direct link of this book https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6157

My Review

“A Spark Neglected Burns the House” is a short story written by the author Leo Tolstoy and published in the year 1885. This is the story of Ivan Stcherbakof who was a peasant and lived with his wife, father, three sons and a daughter-in-law. He lived a decent life and was wise at his daily routines. He had a neighbour named Gabriel who also lived with his family next door.

Being neighbourly, they always supported each other whenever needed, until a trivial fight among them grew and destroyed both the family. A feeling of revenge kept evolving withing them. Apparently, every member of their family was at distress. Their assets, their harmony, peace everything was at lurch. Troubles between their families went beyond a degree and ended destroying the entire village.
Did Ivan and Gabriel overcome their suffering? To know, read the story.

Leo Tolstoy through this story tells us how misinterpretation of a situation and inappropriate action of a man leads him to an unfortunate condition. Control on one’s anger and forgiveness can save a man from loads of trouble.

Few lines from the story

“If you nurse your anger it will be worse for you yourselves.”

“If you get a hard word from any one, keep silent, and his own conscience will accuse him.”

About Book

1. The story, “A spark neglected burns the house“ is taken from the book The Greatest Short Stories of LEO TOLSTOY
2. Published by FINGERPRINT Classic publication.
3. Collection of 35 stories which will insight you with wisdom.
4. Has a magnificent hardcover with a glossy golden edge which will look fantastic on your bookshelf.
5. It is a thick book of 620 pages.
6. The book is available on Amazon, Kindle, Flipkart and in Storytel.

My Review

The Kabuliwallah is a story of a narrator’s five-year-old daughter, Mini, and Rahmun, the merchant. Mini calls Rahmun as Kabuliwallah as he is from Kabul and comes to India every year to sell his wares for living.

Mini is a very exuberant child. She always trolls for answers to her questions. She had never been a good listener until she meets Rahmun; the Kabuliwallah.

Rahmun is affectionate toward Mini as she reminds him of his own daughter, Parbati in Afghanistan.

The story is evidence of a delightful and unordinary relation of friendship regardless of the age difference. The story depicts the emotions of love, affection, loneliness and dismal.

Rabindranath Tagore has a distinctive writing style. His stories have an element of psychological and spiritual realism which cannot be exaggerated but could be felt in his writings.

Few lines from the story

“Tears came to my eyes. I forgot that he was a poor Kabuli fruit-seller, while I was -but no, what was I more than he? He also was a father. That impression of the hand of his little Parbati in her distant mountain home reminded me of my own little Mini.”

About Book

1. The Kabuliwallah is one of the greatest stories of Rabindranath Tagore.
2. The storybook- “The Kabuliwallah” is available on Amazon, by different publishers in a compilation of other greatest stories by – Rabindranath Tagore, available in children fiction too.