Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy

Ivan the Fool Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy

In a certain kingdom there lived a rich peasant, who had three sons-Simeon (a soldier), Tarras-Briukhan (fat man), and Ivan (a fool)-and one daughter, Milania, born dumb. Simeon went to war, to serve the Czar; Tarras went to a city and became a merchant; and Ivan, with his sister, remained at home to work on the farm. For his valiant service in the army, Simeon received an estate with high rank, and married a noble's daughter. Besides his large pay, he was in receipt of a handsome income from his estate; yet he was unable to make ends meet. What the husband saved, the wife wasted in extravagance.