Page:Tolstoy - Tales from Tolstoi.djvu/333

Rh But the godson was not afraid. "I will not let thee go," he cried. "I fear thee not; God alone I fear. But God has not commamded me to let thee go. Release that man, I say."

The robber's brow grew dark; he drew forth his knife, cut through the cords, and let go the merchant's son. "Be off, the pair of you," cried he, " for I'll not spare either if I fall in with you another time."

Then the son of the merchant bounded to his feet and ran away. The freebooter also would have gone on his way, but still the godson held him, and he began to tell him that he must let go his evil life likewise. The freebooter stopped and listened to all he said, then he went away, but never a word spake he.

In the morning the godson went to water his tree-stumps. And lo! the second one also had sent forth shoots, and a little apple-tree was growing out of it.

Another ten years passed by. Again the godson was sitting down alone. He desired nothing, he was afraid of nothing, and his heart was joyful within him. And the godson thought within himself, "How gracious God is to men, and yet they vex themselves about nothing. Why are they not content to live, and be happy in living?" And he began reflecting on all the evil deeds of men, and how they torment themselves. And he felt sorry for his fellow-men. 283