Divine Tales of Slavic Lands

Written down by Anna Zubkova, M.A.

Edited and translated from Russian by
Dr.Vladimir Antonov.

Corrector of English translation
Keenan Murphy.

        Now the ancient tales are told, returning the Wisdom of the Origins to the Earth!
        Listen to the truth about the real existence! Heed the knowledge about God!

        By golden streams of love
        Will flow the magic words,
        Events from celestial distance
        Will come here for you!
      
        The sun will smile to everyone
        With its living golden smile!
        And the fascinating calm light
        Will embrace you tenderly!
      
        A song like a sonorous stream
        Will flow over the kind land!
        And love will awaken the soul
        By the shining of its rays!
      
        Joy will sparkle in spiritual hearts!
        Goodness will become the law!…
        What must we do for it
        To be real in our being?

Contents

        ● FOREWORD   
        ● LADA   
              Tale about the Girl with Golden Braids   
              Tale of Ivan’s Wanderings in an Unknown Country   
        ● VASILYOK   
              Tale of the Golden Pine   
              Tale of Marusya, the Inventor   
        ● KURGAN-BASHI   
              Tale of Radosvet and His Host   
        ●ASSYRIS    

              Tale of Death and Fire Heart

Foreword

        On the lands that were inhabited by peoples who are now referred to as Slavic, there was a special culture, a special tradition of dissemination of knowledge via tales. These were not lessons to be learnt, but the stories, in which there was information about rectitude and about the history of the Earth, about methods of the development of souls, about God-the-Creator.
        These tales were different. And they were retold differently — depending on the audience. In long winter evenings, they could be told to grandchildren by grandfathers or grandmothers. Or entering the village Magi slowly narrated about why and how people live, how to avoid illnesses and adversities, how to learn to live a happy and joyful life, how to behave if occur difficulties and troubles. Much knowledge was described in the magical fairy tale! And magical stories became the reminders of how God commanded people to live on the Earth.
        Those tales taught people to truly think, feel, and act. And that was not tedious! Rather both children and adults wanted to follow the examples of beauty and righteousness! Or it was ashamed to hear in those tales hints about your own vices. And people in quarrels — began to seek reconciliation among themselves. And they were looking for how to rectify their misdeeds.
        Not so, as before, these tales now sound, because people have changed and the device of human life has changed.
        But Every One of Us Who will say, will try to revive the main — to make the spiritual textbook narrative, interesting, memorable for a long time by every soul.
        Now slowly, One after the Other, the Divine Teachers will tell tales. So — listen!

       

LADA

       

Tale about the Girl with Golden Braids

       

        It happened a long time ago… In those days, people in Russia lived in little settlements containing just a few families each. They lived peacefully, quietly, and happily. Their life was one of love and harmony.
        In one of those settlements, a girl was born. She was growing up, and year-by-year she was becoming more and more beautiful. Everyone was amazed by her beauty! And she was making her mom and dad happy!
        While she was little, the world around her was little too. Her world was just her parents’ house and garden, a clear river, a lake, a field nearby where wheat grew, and a faraway forest, where people went to pick mushrooms and berries.
        And as she grew older, she became even more beautiful.
        She was so friendly that people called her Lada, which in Russian means harmonious.
        Everything was good in her! She was very kind and gentle, with perfect posture. And her smile was like a warm sunrise in the morning. Her eyes were so blue, that when people looked into them, they felt as if they immersed into a blue sky!
        Her golden hair amazed everyone: very rich and bright. When she braided her hair, the rows became like ripe ears of corn — so fresh and bright! But when she loosened her braids, a golden shaft of light as if appeared on her shoulders that went from the top of her head to her feet; shining everywhere and on everything — like a glimmering golden waterfall!
        But the greatest secret of her beauty, which was not apparent to everyone, was her loving heart and her caresses to everyone! It was as if golden sunlight was emanating from her spiritual heart — to every man, to every tree, to the flowers, to the grass, and to every living creature.
        All living creatures were attracted to her and gravitated towards her by her warmth and caress. They all began feeling uplifted next to her! They all forgot about sadness and started being more kind and full of loving care!
        The only thing that was missing… was that she did not have an intended husband…

* * *

        One day, it so happened that their land was invaded by a foreign tribe. They came on fast horses… This tribe had killed some people and took some others with them to be slaves in their own land…
        These warriors also attacked the little village where Lada was living…
        One of the outlanders grabbed the girl, threw her on the horse and galloped away faster than wind in a field…
        He returned to their large tents and campfires. When the headman of the tribe saw the beautiful girl with golden braids, he yelled at the warriors and took her away. He decided to put her with the other captured people. He ordered the others to guard the girl: this beauty was definitely not for an ordinary warrior; he wanted to take her to the khan — to be one of the khan’s concubines, and, for doing that, he supposed that he would get great reward and glory…

* * *

        In sorrow, time goes by so slowly… But every sorrow has an end…
        The warriors had gathered together the enslaved people from different lands and brought them into their country — a country filled with the heat of the day’s sun and the gloomy darkness of nights, with its strange foreign rules and culture…
        Each day, the warriors fed their captives just once.
        One time, the girl with the golden braids saw an old man among the prisoners. She noticed that the old man was never given food. The warriors did not want to waste food on him, because they thought that the old man, in any case, was going to die shortly…
        After she saw that, she approached the old man with a bow and gave him her day’s portion:
        “You should eat, grandfather!”
        The old man took the food; he divided it in half, for himself and for her. Then he said:
        “You have a kind heart, beautiful girl! But from all your sadness and sorrow, your inner glow is not as bright as it was before!”
        “How can I not be sad, grandfather? Being captured against my will, I miss my homeland; I miss my mother and my father! I would run away like a wild deer, I would fly away like a gentle swan!…”
        “Not everything, which seems like trouble to you, is actually so. From this trouble, good can come to you and to other people too!”
        “How is it not trouble, if I have been captured against my will, far away from home, and they want to sell me into the khan’s concubines?”
        “You are thinking, Lada, that you have a bad fate, but, instead, it might be a wonderful blessing! Also, if you travel more, your fate might bring a path of love to other nations in other countries.”
        “How do you know my name, grandfather? How can you see past and future? Is it possible?”
        “It’s possible. I can see the past and future. Because the past is just a slight influence on the future! I know, too, how to make the future wonderful! I know the ways to make it be!”
        “Teach me, grandfather!”
        “Wizards and Magi roam different lands. And when they find a pure bright soul, they teach him or her all the great Knowledge in the world, so that such souls, too, can light up the Earth with their pure love and teach other souls about wisdom, pure love, kindness, and care for everything living on the Earth.
        “Look: among all these distresses and evil captivity — we have found each other!… Here, the Great Wisdom has become apparent!
        “Listen: everything that happens to a person, even something bad, — has been conceived by the Creator in favor of this human soul and the entire universe!”
        “If you are a real magician and Magus, if you truly know and can do all that you say, grandfather, — why can’t you run away from here, why do you not free us all?”
        “Freedom, Lada, consists not only in going wherever you want, or eating and relaxing whenever you wish!
        “My freedom, my girl, is that I live, being connected with the whole world by my love!
        “No one and nothing can stop me from loving!
        “And no one can force me to do something that is not love!
        “Because my love has the Power of God: it is — the Flow of God!
        “Yes, I can, in no time, be in any place that I want. But I choose to be here to teach you my secrets. Because you really can learn them! And — through this — many people in the world will be helped by you! Because you will meet, cognize, and discover the Greatest Love, Whose name is God!
        “People from different nations speaking in different languages — call God by different names, and it may seem that every nation has its own God. But it is not so! You hear here — among captives — speech in different languages, and if each one were to speak about the same thing — the meaning, nevertheless, would be one. That’s how One God, the Creator, is named in many ways by people of different nationalities.
        “Listen always to the essence, catch on to the meaning which is embedded in the statements — and you will learn the language of any people much faster than if you were to learn only words!
        “There are among a lot of people, prophets-sages, who felt by themselves-souls the One Universal Origin. Each one of them declared for their people the messages from God and His laws of life for people. Those great Souls — after the death of their bodies — now stay in the Mergence with the One Universal God. They continue to help people, directing and correcting their fates. And many people call them now also as Gods…”
        “Tell me, grandfather, why is there so much evil around? Why do so many tears pour? Why is there so much grief and pain? And why do so many violent people triumph?”
        “Evil is not a hindrance for good! Evil only strengthens good, making it wiser and stronger! One, who knows God, has the power and the wisdom to resist evil!
        “You need to know more about calm and patience. When it seems that evil governs events in your life — remember about the Power and Wisdom of Universal God! And bear the patience, which allows one to save power and wait for the time when one can overcome evil with good!
        “Do not worry much, seeing evil! It is — like arable land: when looking at the dark clods of earth in the spring, it is only a wise plowman who can see ahead the gold of eared fields! You need to invest a lot of work and patience — to cultivate on a soil of life the fine shoots from good seeds and to get at last the good harvest!”

* * *

        And the Magus began to teach the girl with golden braids every day:
        “First, I’ll tell you, Lada, — how human happiness is built. It comes not from the outside — but from the inside!
        “Love lives in your spiritual heart! Its light is like a ray of sunlight, which can transform everything around!
        “Recall the beautiful sunrise — and feel in your heart, too, the sun! If you look forward from your sunny spiritual heart — you will feel your own ray of light. And then look backwards to the most subtle depths — and you will see there the Great Light of the Living Immense Power! This Light is called God!”
        … Lada learned to feel this ray like a ray of the sun, warming others by love.
        “Now, because you have learned to beam with the light from your good heart — let this light flow even through your hands and through your eyes! And let even your thoughts be lighted with it!
        “And if you ever see that this light of yours has become weak, then immerse yourself-soul in the depth of the subtlest Light of the Primordial, from Whom all rays emanate — and fill yourself with the Love and Calm of God!
        “Strive to cognize how infinitely huge that Primordial Light is! Learn to listen to how this Great Light sounds, learn to understand what this Great Light wants from you…
        “In the human body of each person, there are certain special places, through which the Great Light can flow. It is — like a flute on which shepherds play. Breath pours through the various holes in a pipe — and the music comes.
        “In a human body, there are secret channels, cavities, and windows. When the Great Light flows through them — amazing music pours out! With this music, a song can be born! Or you can dance to it! And a lot of people will be able to feel this heart music! Through this — they will see the Light of God, and will feel the Love of God!
        “Try to dance and sing like this Light sounds!”
        … Lada tried — and the amazing beauty of the song came to life, everyone around admired, and even the guards forgot about everything. Lada danced — and all sorrows were forgotten! It was as if the rays of sun touched all the living — and everything around began to blossom, having been filled with joy and bliss! The River of Light, flowing with the singing streams, flowed over the land, embracing all beings and caressing everything with Its gentle touches! The sound of Lada’s voice was connected with the Wisdom of God!
        The Magus praised Lada and said:
        “We will be separated shortly. But you will always hear wise advice in the Great Light: God’s help will be always with you!
        “Now I’ll go to where you cannot follow me right now. But I will always be among Those, Who will be helping you!
        “You have learned, listening by the spiritual heart, to understand the thoughts of God! And you will understand the words of all men in any language. And you will be able to speak every language. God will lead you. And you will sing to people His heart songs!”

* * *

        And, in fact, the prisoners were separated.
        They were brought to the slave market and were sold: the women separately, and the men separately. Like well-crafted products, fabrics or jewelry — people were exposed for sale…
        And word about the amazing captive reached khan’s palace.
        And a servant told the khan, the ruler of that country, about the golden-braided girl:
        “Our lord, we have seen in the market the slave. She is so beautiful, like the morning sun! Her hair is like gold! It is said that she sings songs, tells tales, and dances — and that she has no equal on the whole Earth!”
        The khan desired to seize the girl with golden braids. He paid for her with more gold than anyone had ever given before for a slave…

* * *

        They brought the new slave-girl to the khan. And the truth was that she really was good: her hair was like pure gold, and her eyes were as azure as the sky!
        The khan said to her:
        “Show me how you can dance! Sing me your songs!
        “I am now — your only lord! If you will serve me well — then you will know no lack: the best adornments and silk dresses — you will have them all!”
        The khan was accustomed to speaking to people in such a manner. And she answered him in his language:
        “I do not want golden ornaments, or silk dresses! Let me go, khan, home to my land!”
        And she sang a song so beautifully that the khan listened spellbound and even tears in his eyes welled up!
        He saw everything that Lada was singing about: spacious fields golden from the mature ears of corn, centuries old forests full of silence, calm and vast rivers, continuously carrying their water.
        The lyrics of the song swept over like white-winged swans, flying over the expanse. And those words expressed the joy, love, and amazing freedom, where a soul can live freely and happily!
        But instead of letting her go, the khan said:
        “I will never let you go! You’re as beautiful as the morning sun! Your voice is like a golden river, it excites me more than wine! You will be mine!”
        The khan entreated Lada — for her to love him. He presented expensive gifts: rings, bracelets, clothes, and incenses.
        But she — spoke only about the freedom:
        “A bird, born free, does not sing in a cage, even if the cage is made of gold! A bird, accustomed to freedom, — must spread its wings in the sky!
        “And the heart cannot be ordered to fall in love! Let me go! When you want to use power to be loved — you kill love! Love can only be free!”
        “But I bought you! You belong to me! And I will conquer you!”
        “That is your evil will — that you allow yourself to hold me as a captive! Renounce evil in yourself — and only then will you cognize true love!”
        “But I’m rich! There are a lot of gold and jewels in my treasury! And many lands are subjected to me! A lot of people obey me! And all this belongs to me from my birth, on the right of my inheritance! My people are predestined to work to increase my wealth!”
        “No! It is not that people are destined to raise your earthly riches! Man is appointed to something else! It is beautiful and perfect!
        “Upon being born, every man is given quite a different legacy! Each person has been given great gifts from God: as a soul, man can become similar to the Creator! And then — become One with Him!
        “If you believe that wealth and the people belong to you — you are a bad ruler! Because everything belongs only to the Creator!
        “And if — by birth — you are standing at the head of the country and people, then you must do much good for them! A righteous ruler — belongs to his people! He works to benefit — his country and his people!”

* * *

        … Time went on.
        Once, Lada asked the khan:
        “You said that you will fulfill any of my desires. Fulfill one of my requests!”
        “It will be executed, unless the request is to let you go home,” — the khan replied.
        “Let me dance and sing once a week for all the people at the square.”
        The khan agreed to fulfill the request of Lada, but with the condition that she be dressed for the local custom: so that no one sees her beautiful face and hair, so that her beauty belongs to only him alone. And she should always be accompanied by armed guards: so that she not be abducted. And she must promise that she will not run away.
        Lada gave such a promise.
        … There was in that town a special place — the town square. On it, there was a pure water source fenced in marble. And beautiful trees were growing all around.
        That source belonged to all. Both the khan, and a simple traveler, and any resident — could drink clean water from the source. Kind hands in old days had made bowls of stone for the water, and planted the trees. And in the distance, there were flowing ponds, to which animals came to quench their thirst. There were also ponds for human bathing.
        A lot of people always gathered there. Both travelers from distant countries, as well as the most different sorts of people — all came to drink the water, to sit in the shade of the trees, and to listen to the babbling stream and the rustle of leaves… Often there were fakirs and roving performers, musicians, and preachers.
        Lada came once a week to sing and dance for the people there. Her love — filled all the space around! And the words of her songs were kind and wise — about how evil may be eliminated, how to multiply goodness, how the light of a soul should be open, and about how the Creator’s intentions for man on the Earth can be realized.
        And everyone who heard — received the wise advice in her songs: the advice that he or she needed right then.
        And the rumor of Lada went throughout the district. From distant places — people began to come to listen to her wonderful songs. Because she placed in her songs the wisdom of the Magus. And also — because she heard herself the wisdom in the sounds of the Singing Great Light.
        People said that even the water-source has become healing — because of her songs! And many were healed of their ailments!
        Or, perhaps, it was her songs that had transformed and healed those souls? Because everyone heard in them God’s Commandment of love and kindness. And those, who implemented it in their lives, — cleansed and transformed themselves. And, therefore, diseases and troubles left their lives.
        Lada came to the source each week and exclaimed:
        “Let the Love of God flow — like the sunlight!
        “Let It flow — like clean water!
        “If we simply open ourselves up to this Great Light of God — then He will flow through our bodies as a pure, transparent-golden and healing Stream! Invite Him into ourselves-souls and into every corner of our bodies!
        “This Living Divine Light will heal and cleanse both bodies and souls — if we are worthy to merge by souls with this Divine Love!”
        And she began to dance. Everything around plunged into the Streams of the Living, All-Washing, Cleansing, Healing Light!
        Then she sang of heart love for all beings — and in many souls, listening to her, love was ignited, which wanted to be given away to each creature on the Earth!
        … When people left the square, Lada’s songs continued to sound in them and teach them kindness and love — in words, in actions, and in thoughts. It was as if she prompted souls to a new way of life: to respect for each other’s life, and to master caress, calm, goodness, and giving light to all others who live around.

* * *

        The khan wanted Lada’s love more and more…
        And he called together all the soothsayers, diviners, and healers — to ask for their advice or methods on how to win her love?
        And they began giving him different offers. Some — offered to give her beautiful ornaments. Others — offered to bewitch her or to use potions. Others — invented crafty tricks…
        But all this bad advice did not help the khan to win the love of Lada.
        But those of the guests, who were wise — they talked with Lada and multiplied thus their wisdom.
        Lada said to the khan:
        “See: you bring to me potions — and I see that you do not love me, but only want to own me!
        “You give me gems — and I see the slaves who extracted them in hard labor in the underground mines!
        “You give me gold jewelry — and I see soldiers killed and maimed in battles, where wealth was obtained, I hear the groans of the victims who were robbed and humiliated, I see their tears!
        “You treat me with delicious meals — and I see hungry children in poor homes of your kingdom!
        “Not glad am I for your gifts! I do not want to accept them!”
        … Then the khan — to win the love of Lada — began… do a lot for the good of his subjects.
        Listening to her songs on wise rulers, he, too, tried to do so — in order to please her…
        He was doing more and more good, but still did he not agree to let her go free…

* * *

        Once, when Lada was dancing and singing near the source, a young man happened to be among the travelers. He was a dervish from the Brotherhood of Pure Souls. He went around the world preaching the good, and was looking for a spiritual connection with the Divine Sun, which shines from the most subtle depths, giving life to all beings.
        He saw the Great Light, Which was merged with Lada when she danced, saw the Great Sun he was looking for: It shone so brightly in her and sent streams and beams when she sang!
        He pulled out his sitar — and played in tune with her singing and dancing… The two souls began to sound in such harmony that all around stood still, listening to the sounds of the Divine…
        Lada threw the veil off — and light streamed down with her golden hair, her eyes shined with clear light!
        And when Lada finished singing, the young man approached her with a bow and said:
        “Come with me, wonderful! The whole world needs to hear your songs! Because the Comprehensive Love lives in you! And souls hear — through you — the Voice of God!”
        Lada answered him:
        “Oh you with eyes like the night sky, in which shines the light of all the stars! I would like to go with you over all the land! But I am a slave of the khan and am not free to leave. These are — the guards who watch me. And even if I run away — then they will be killed for they did not deter me. And other soldiers will be looking for me night and day… Find a means to set me free!”

* * *

        Then the young man went to the khan among the healers and diviners, who tried to help the khan win the love of Lada.
        The khan called upon the young man, by the name of Hazrat, and asked:
        “You are young. Do you know the love yourself — to teach others how to win the love of a beautiful maiden?”
        “Yes, I am young,” — said Hazrat. — “But I’ve spent my life in the understanding of the nature of love. And I have cognized its great secret. That’s what I wanted to tell you.”
        “I tested all the remedies that I was offered, but they did not help me. I am sick! I have become the prisoner of my passion! I have become a prisoner of my own… a slave — and I cannot get rid of these shackles! Even if I kill her — I will not be free from this captivity, because I did not get the desired reciprocity… Or even if I kill myself — that passion will follow me into another world… And what is this mystery that will deliver me from this torment?!”
        “The mystery is very easy!” — Hazrat answered. — “When a man really loves, he does not want anything for himself, but he does good to the one whom he loves. That is the great mystery of love, which distinguishes it from evil passions and desires!
        “Miserable are those who crave a strange love!
        “Happy are those who bestow love!
        “Let Lada go, if you really love her — not for yourself, but for her sake!”
        “You yourself love Lada and want by deception to lead her away!
        “Well, give me the promise that you will pay me a ransom: I will let her go, but you will be killed! And she will not even know that you bought her freedom at the cost of your life! Do you agree?”
        “I agree,” — Hazrat said. — “But first, I have to teach you a secret, revealing the heart love…”

* * *

        And Hazrat taught the khan how to clean and then grow the spiritual heart — and then how to send love out of it to all over the world, to everything living on the Earth!
        The khan listened to Hazrat, because Lada in her songs was singing about the same thing, but he did not want to heed this advice from her.
        And the more love flared up in the heart of the khan — the easier it became to him. It was as if his severity had fallen off, which was chilling him for so long by gnawing passion!
        And he realized that he was freed from his shackles. Calm and gentle love filled his heart.
        Then khan realized the laws of love — and a great happiness came over him! That, about which he heard from Lada, he was now cognizing through his own experience! He felt great joy!
        He called Lada and said:
        “You are free! You can leave alone or with this young man — and sing your songs of love to all over the world!”
        Lada thanked the khan and said:
        “I see that you are now able to give away — without taking for yourself and usurping!
        “Be happy, khan! For now, you will become a great leader! Because you have cognized the happiness of giving freedom and happiness to others! You are now able to govern your country wisely!”
        Hazrat also thanked the khan.
        The khan dismissed them both.
        Lada sang a farewell song to the khan, filling him with love and gratitude.
        And the khan, listening, was surprised and studied a happiness in himself: yes, how beautiful it was — to give happiness to others!
        All the courtiers were perplexed by the deed of the khan and thought that the young man had bewitched him with his magic.
        And the khan watched them go and was smiling happily…
        Suddenly, he felt a gentle touch of another soul. But — only Lada was able to send love at a distance by her spiritual light!
        It turned out, one of his slaves quietly approached. She began to sing a song about her love for him.
        “You sing as only Lada could sing! How is this possible?”
        “I have loved you from first sight, oh mighty one! I asked Lada — and she taught me how to sing so that love in the song could sound so much… She knew about my love for you…”
        “Sing more,” — the khan asked her.
        She began to sing — and the response of love began to burn in the heart of the khan…
        Soon this former slave became the wife of the khan.
        And much changed in the life of the country for a long time.

* * *

        … Hazrat and Lada walked the land…
        They went — and sang songs about life and love, awakening and transforming souls.
        They visited the place where Hazrat was born. And people told him there:
        “You cannot marry a woman from another nation, from another religion…”
        Hazrat and Lada explained to them that their faiths are not different, that there is one God who created both the sun, and the stars, and the Earth, and everything that lives on it…
        People listened to them and wondered…
        Then they went to those lands, where Lada had lived before. And people said there:
        “How can you love a young man with a swarthy face?! And recall: people of his tribe attacked our land!…”
        Lada answered them:
        “Each man is not responsible for the actions of other people!
        “And there is one God-the-Father, the Creator, — both for those who have dark skin, and for those who have light skin!
        “And for his or her actions — it is namely the individual who is responsible before God!
        “And realize that, in fact, there will be no enmity between people, if all people will comply with the laws of the Creator!”
        … They were walking the land and singing beautiful songs.
        And in many nations people long afterwards remembered those songs and sang them. Souls — learned to love!…
        … They found a place where they built a home and planted a garden.
        Then kids were born from them. Some of them had dark skin and golden curls. Others — light skin and dark hair. But all the souls were beautiful and full of light and love!
        … A rumor was spreading — and people came to learn from Hazrat and Lada. And there were no boundaries for love and kindness between people in those lands! People began to live by the Words of God, every soul now felt the Living God — the Single Creator and Father for all people!

       

Tale of Ivan’s Wanderings in 

an Unknown Country

       
        It all happened a long time ago… But, for some reason, people still have not changed so much since then…
        … Once upon a time, there was a man named Ivan. He had two parents: a father and a mother. And he knew God-the-Father. He also loved and honored Mother Earth.
        One day, these events happened to him… And what is true in it and what is a tale — it is for you to decide yourself…

* * *

        Once, Ivan went on a summer morning stroll in the forest: both to merge with the beauty of nature, and to communicate with God. And he took a basket to collect forest berries.
        He had come in the forest to a large bright pine. It was one of those trees, which are called trees of power. Such trees create energy fields around themselves, purifying the human body and soul — of those people who live righteously and are therefore able to perceive the Holy Spirits, by attuning with the Divine, Which manifests Itself in the Creation.
        Ivan leaned on the trunk of the pine — to be saturated with the Holy Subtlety and Purity.
        And suddenly he saw a Divine Soul — a beautiful Woman, consisting of the Divine Light and coming from God-the-Father.
        And She said:
        “Ivan! It is time for you — to also begin helping other people, like how you previously helped those who live in your village! Do you agree?”
        “Yes.”
        The Divine Woman hugged Ivan — and dissolved him in Herself. And She then carried him to another land.

* * *

        Ivan woke up in another country under another tree of power. His basket was lying next to him. Ivan got up and picked up the basket. He looked around, surprised — and went to survey this country, unknown to him, where he found himself.
        He had been walking for a very long time, and he wanted to eat.
        He saw some apple trees growing, which were bent down by the weight of the ripe fruits. He came up to the apple tree, and plucked an apple. But he had not taken more than a bite — when here came a man running with a shovel, looking as if he was wanting to kill him. He screamed:
        “Why do you steal my apples?!”
        “I’m sorry, my good man, I did not know that this is your apple! I thought that it belonged to the apple tree, and that the apple tree wanted to please the weary traveler with its apple!”
        “Do you think you’re some kind of wise guy? Where in the world did you come from? What? Did you fall from the sky? Where have you seen that apples are free to all passerby?! Once you steal an apple — you should pay it back by working! Come work for me as a farmhand! If not, I’ll send you to the court of the king!”
        “Well then, I will work it off!”
        “That’s better!”
        Ivan began to work. He performed any task with great skill! Everything in his hands was as if dancing! In the garden, he would work — and all fruits would become ripe! In the vegetable garden, he would work — and everything would grow and mature there too!
        The children of that man — loved Ivan: they asked him about everything, and he — not only just gave them the answers, but he also taught then to be smart, and told them about love-kindness, and showed them good examples.
        "If I have been sent here,” — Ivan thought — “this means that God-the-Father wanted it to be so! I will cure people from greed! I will teach children kindness! And then, perhaps, I will know what to do next: maybe I will find a way to return to my home…”
        But that man was cunning, he saw how valuable his employee was! He did not pay him money. But Ivan — did not ask for anything. All he needed was a pot of milk and a piece of bread — and, in this way, he was well fed.
        The man thought and wondered: “He does not work for his own interest… It’s as if — he’s a fool! But wherein lies his strength? I do not understand!”
        And Ivan said to him words of wisdom and goodness:
        “Compassion — is not nonsense!
        “Trickery — is not wisdom!
        “Simplicity — is not poverty!
        “Greed — is not wealth!
        “You are here — and what do you live for?
        “Worldly riches — cannot be taken with you into other worlds!
        “What good of yours will be remembered on the Earth? What good of yours will people remember?
        “From such a life, what will you obtain — that will not be taken away from you by the death of your body?
        “What will you tell God-the-Father about the life you have lived?”
        “And you, wise guy, why do you live?”
        “I live to decorate every day, at least a little, — with love and kindness!
        “After all, God commanded people to live in the world in the following way: co-create the good for others and do not take care of only yourself!
        “Let what is done by me today be both simple and small, and even if no one will know about it — I will still serve the good! Like the sun that rises in the morning, I will shine by my heart to all people and show love to all!”
        “Here you are talking about love, but where is this “love”? It cannot be seen! Gain and power rule over life! And is not love at all!” — the man said in response.
        Ivan said to him:
        “You are harming yourself, as if you were your own worst enemy! You ruin your life! You love no one! And love cannot be cognized by the one who lives only for oneself!”
        But the man argued:
        “How could I even live like that: not loving myself, loving others, giving away to others, not thinking about myself? Here it would be — self-detrimental!
        “If something is beneficial for someone — it means that it is not beneficial for someone else! If someone has something, this means that someone else does not have it! Is it not?”
        “Ugh! What kind of country is this? Even in your minds, all your thoughts have been as if turned upside down! Living in untruth — all have become lost!
        “Well, judge for yourself:
        “If the sun is shining over my house — then it also shines above my neighbor’s house!
        “If a contagious disease has come into the house of my neighbor — then it, too, is my own trouble and sorrow. For that trouble may make everyone ill, if the disease is not treated!
        “And if love has risen above the house — then it shines upon everything around!
        “But the same thing happens with hatred, greed, and envy. Like infectious diseases — if one does not treat them — they will cause harm to all around!”
        … Often, Ivan talked with the man about the meaning of life, and argued with him about the goodness of the heart…
        But Ivan saw that the words of wisdom — were not accepted by the man…
        And he decided that the time had come for him to go further.

* * *

        But suddenly, a widow-neighbor, living in poverty, came to that man. She asked him to loan her a sack of flour. But the greedy man said:
        “You will give me back with interest — two times more than what you now take from me!”
        The poor woman cried:
        “How can I give you back so much?”
        But Ivan said to the woman:
        “Take me in as a worker: I’ll help you! I have already repaid this man for his apple. Now — I can work for you. You can give him double — and I will give you four times as much!”
        The man did not want to let his employee go. He said:
        “Do not go to her! She has four children who sit on benches and always want to eat! She will neither give you bread, nor pour milk!”
        “I have repaid you for your apple! So, I am free to go wherever I want!” — Ivan answered him.
        Then the kids of the man came running up, and held onto him by the bottom of his caftan, not allowing Ivan to depart:
        “Stay! We will be sad without you! Who will tell us stories? Who will show us joy? Who will teach us cleverness?”
        But Ivan answered them:
        “I do not go into distant lands! Come and visit your neighbor and her kids! Bring gifts! I have taught you kindness, and whoever does not forget my lessons — will not only talk about good in tales, but will do good in reality!”
        The kids ran up to their father:
        “Daddy, daddy, give away a sack of flour to our neighbor!”
        The man thought for a moment, and said:
        “Okay, fine, take it for free to feed your children!”
        And, all of the sudden, everything became so light and warm in his heart — as never before…
        And then Ivan smiled:
        “So, this means that I did not just work for you in vain!”
        And the widow did not believe her eyes and ears! She thanked him from the bottom of her heart with happiness!
        And Ivan said:
        “This joy is not happiness yet! It should be even greater!”

* * *

        Ivan took the sack of flour, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and went with the poor woman.
        They went into the house. There was — emptiness and sadness there… Thin and pale children were lying on the cold stove, wishing for something to eat… Anguish and sorrow clouded up the house like smoke…
        Ivan said to them:
        “No more lying on the stove picking your noses!
        “From grief — ailments come! From melancholy — grief multiplies!
        “But from love and joy — life becomes filled with happiness!
        “With thoughts of light, and with joy in your hearts — let every day of your life begin! Let every day be filled with good deeds! And with bright calm — let every day end!
        “You, children, clean up everything, sweep the house! We will be having dinner soon!”
        And he himself — went to milk the cow. And he called upon the eldest girl to help him.
        He began to milk and gently talk to the cow. He was nice to the cow!
        And the girl patted the cow and rejoiced. She asked:
        “May I — milk the cow too?”
        “Why not?”
        And they milked so much! Four times more than the usual!
        They brought it back — and poured a cup for everyone.
        Then Ivan began to knead the dough — and it began to grow and rise in his hands! The kids marveled: “Can we also — try?”…
        Ivan, meanwhile, called the eldest boy into the yard. And they chopped some wood.
        The younger kids began to carry and stack the split wood…
        Ivan lit up the stove, and baked breads, bagels, and pretzels…
        The children were happy, and the widow was surprised…
        Hardly a week had passed, and the widow and her children had already forgotten about poverty!
        Then Ivan began to teach the children to please their mother, by radiating light and love from their hearts.
        And he taught all of them how to work: the eldest daughter — how to tend the cow and to bake bread, the eldest son — how to chop wood, how to heat the oven, how to walk in the forest to gather mushrooms and how to salt them, the younger children — how to wash and clean. And he taught all of them — how to help one another in everything good!
        And the neighbor kids started to come to visit and bring gifts.
        In this way, a strong friendship began to form amongst the children!
        Ivan knew: he had sown good seeds here — for many years ahead! For many years from now, good sprouts will grow! These children will grow into adulthood — with good hearts and skillful hands! Consequently, they will live a life of goodness and beauty — for other people around!

* * *

        And so, it became time for Ivan to say goodbye, and he traveled further.
        He observed how people live in the country. But people were living wrongly and awkwardly…
        Ivan stayed in one house, then in another — and, everywhere he went, he gave good advice on how to live, and how to light love in the house. Sometimes people only learned to smile to each other — and were only just beginning to look with good to the world!
        … Ivan carried on in this way, and, one day, he passed by a house and saw a husband and wife who lived in one house, but did not get along with each other.
        Anything that the husband did or even wanted to do — his wife in defiance would reject… And anything that his wife would do — the husband would be unhappy about and say: she did not see it correctly, and she prepared it wrong, and that it was unnecessary… Like this, they quarreled every day…
        They lived as if together, but everything was apart between them… Every day consisted in battles and quarrels over any trifle…
        Ivan heard how the husband and wife quarreled — and knocked on their door, asking to drink some water.
        The wife opened the door, yelling rudely:
        “Go away, beggar! We do not have anything extra!”
        Ivan responded to her:
        “Even just a little water for me to drink would be appreciated: I still have a long way left to go… I have just come back from the forest, and I have some ripe berries, they would please you!”
        Her husband, after hearing about the berries, began shouting at his wife:
        “You have enough water to not become poor! Let him drink some water — and he will give us the berries!”
        Ivan sat down on the bench. He poured the berries into bowls for the hosts. He took the scoop with water, and took a sip. And he said:
        “Would you like to have little kids in the house? This would bring joy to your lives, and you would not fight anymore!”
        “Yes, we wanted this for a long time, but…” — said the husband and wife — and they began to blame and scold each other…
        Ivan said to them:
        “What child would like to have such parents: to listen to their quarrels? All kids — must be born and grow up in love! Love cannot exist among arguments and objections! Love — transforms! A kind person is beautiful! And an angry person is dangerous!”
        “What are we to do? Teach us: how can we not fight?” — the husband and wife asked.
        “Well, this is easy! My father and my mother taught me to:
        — not want something against someone else’s volition,
        — never say unkind words,
        — always forgive insults,
        — do not remember insults from other people.
        “And the one who remembers old evil — becomes the enemy of good!
        “So now I teach you the same things. And to make it easier for you — my advice is simple: when you’d like to say an angry word to someone, fill your mouth with water — and be quiet until you feel love in the spiritual heart!
        “Your water is delicious and healthy, you will be healed in a month! And if you will think about a future baby with tender heart love— then after a year you will have a miracle: you shall have a good child!”
        And so, Ivan said all of this, and, with some berries left, he went on…
        … How much water did the husband and wife drink? — no one knew. Only they say that since then, they have finished their quarrels.
        And after a year or two, kids were born by them. And a saying in those regions remained: “be silent, as if your mouth were filled water!”. And why they say so — it has already been forgotten…

* * *

        Ivan travelled further into the country… And he heard — a woman singing a beautiful yet sad song:
      
        “Salty drops of dew are on my gray eyes,
        My blond braids are white like snow…
        Where are you, my dear husband to be?
        How had I missed my happy day?”
      
        Ivan asked her:
        “Why is your song so sad? Why do you live so lonely?”
        “I live lonely in this world, because I am not needed by anyone… I have no husband, or children… How can I not be sad about such a fate, how can I not be hurt to live such a life?”
        “Stop loving your infirmities! Stop crying over yourself!
        “Help others — and they will help you!
        “You’re — not old yet! And you’re singing beautifully! Take into your life an orphaned baby — and make it happy! Look: there really is an orphan-girl in your village, accept her into your life! You will live together in love and goodness — and your life will change, and a new smile will appear in your fate!”
        The woman was surprised and pleased:
        “What a great truth that is: to stop living for just myself, to stop waiting for luck in my fate, and to stop being sad about myself! I’ll take the orphan as a daughter!”
        “You have decided correctly, you beautiful one!” — Ivan said. — “The person who helps others — will rise from all troubles and diseases! The joy in such a person will increase, and his power will awaken! All the good that such a person has planned — will be realized, and will become true!”

* * *

        Whether Ivan travelled a long distance or a short distance, wherever he was, good seeds germinated in souls!
        And wherever people learned to love each other — peace and harmony and the joy of God in their hearts remained and grew!
        … He came to another village — where recruitments into the royal army were happening. Soldiers needed to serve ten years in the army of the king. And not many men came back alive, because their king, Mokey, was always ready to fight and always found a reason for war…
        In the village, wailing and moans were heard!…
        Ivan saw a girl and a guy who were saying their goodbyes, with floods of tears pouring from their eyes.
        The guy said:
        “You will forget me during my ten-year service in the army…”
        And she answered him:
        “I will not forget you, I will wait for you forever! Only come back!…”
        Ivan said to the guy:
        “Do you want me to go into the army instead of you? I want to see: why such an army is needed, and for what reason so much tears and sorrow are around!”
        “Will you really go yourself, voluntarily, — instead of me having to serve?!”
        “I’ll go.”
        The young guy bowed, and thanked Ivan.

* * *

        So, Ivan had become a soldier.
        But it was only the commanders’ minds that were tortured by Ivan: he only asked questions, and argued. But in the army, this cannot happen! Back-talk in the army is not allowed, rather one just needs to perform commands!
        They said to him:
        “We will teach you the military science!”
        But Ivan answered:
        “I knew that there is a science, for example, on how to plant a garden. There is a science, on how to raise bread, on how to build a house. But I did not know that there is a science, on how to ruin people!”
        The bosses worried: this will turn into a riot! If one begins to behave like this — then others will also want to! The voivode ordered him to be arrested and sent him to the court of the king: “He is insubordinate and a rebel, he does not want to march, he does not want to fight! He conducts dangerous discussions, leading to sedition!”
        Ivan was arrested and taken to King Mokey in court.
        … They brought Ivan to the king.
        And King Mokey was formidable and bad-tempered. If something was wrong in his opinion — he immediately strove to execute that person: one person — would get put on a stake, another — would get his head cut off.
        That was why war in the kingdom never ended: the king, Mokey, could not be in peace with his neighbors! Any quarrel would lead to a fight! People were dying, and the countries were becoming poorer…
        And the king had pleasure only when there was someone against whom to wage war, to judge, or to execute.
        The king rubbed his hands, wanting to hold court: he wanted to mock Ivan, to relish in his fear, and to be proud of his kingly power!
        He began to terrorize Ivan with a cruel penalty and a terrible death. But saw that Ivan is not afraid… And he was curious as to why.
        So he asked:
        “Why are you, Ivan, not afraid of death?”
        “I never transgressed in my life, I have always acted according to my conscience! So why should I be afraid?
        “And I know that the soul does not die: it is only the death of the body that occurs. Then the soul incarnates in a new body.
        “If one lives not by one’s own initiative, but by the commands of God — then death does not frighten such a person! God controls my destiny! According to His plan all is done!”
        “Well-well…” — Mokey wondered: he had not heard such talk before… — “Then answer me: why, Ivan-troublemaker, do you not want to fight in my army?”
        “I do not want to, sir, because I must first understand: what are the goals of the war, for which I have to shoot at people, depriving them of life? If there is no reason to — then kill me, but I will not shoot!”
        “A punishment! You must be given a punishment! Because such cases cannot be permitted! Even to think or talk in such a way must not be allowed! If everyone in the army would understand the reasons for a war — then war will not exist!”
        “But why is that — bad?
        “If people would understand why they should fight — then there could not be more reliable troops! If everyone in the army knows the meaning of what he participates in — then this army is invincible! Such an army cannot be bribed, these soldiers cannot be defeated!
        “And wrongful wars — will not be!”
        Mokey even turned purple in indignation:
        “But how is it possible — to not fight?! It is clear from antiquity: if something is not shared by people, then — they must battle! And whoever is stronger — he will own it!”
        “But it is possible to solve problems in peace, and share in goodness!
        “Maybe you need to decide otherwise: who needs it more — he owns it!?
        “Why are you now at war? What did you not share with the King Dermidon?”
        “He has searched distant lands and captured Vasilisa-the-Wise! And he keeps her in his prison! And I heard that the person who owns wisdom — can dominate over any power! I will conquer Vasilisa from him — and will be the owner of all the kingdoms and lands! No one will be stronger than me!”
        “But is it really possible for someone to own wisdom, by keeping a Wise One in captivity? Is it possible to grow wiser from this? What is the benefit of wisdom that is kept locked, and not applied in real life?
        “Only that wisdom which is applied, can be useful!
        “But wisdom can be born and grown — only from the goodness of the heart!
        “And only with the spiritual love — is wisdom mastered!
        “Would you like for me to become your ambassador to King Dermidon? I will reconcile you with him and marry you with his daughter. And Vasilisa-the-Wise will be released from prison — and all people will learn from her wisdom! In your kingdoms, peace will co-exist, and you will arrange a wedding feast in both your kingdoms! You will understand, King Mokey, how wonderful it is to live without war!
        “And are you bored to live so many years without a wife?”
        … King Mokey began to think about his life… And indeed: for so many years he fought and fought… But how to find a bride in such a life? And the daughter of King Dermidon, Barbara, would be a good pair for King Mokey: not the best in temperament; grumpy, moderately haughty, not too clever, but not bad…
        And so, suddenly, King Mokey wanted to become married!
        He spoke to Ivan:
        “Well-well! So that’s how it shall be! I had thought that I would impale you on a stake! But now you have become an ambassador…
        “Well, so be it, go! Only, do not come back without Princess Barbara!”

* * *

        And Ivan went to King Dermidon.
        He arrived — and spoke to Dermidon:
        “I, Ivan the Ambassador, have come from King Mokey. King Mokey asks for the hand of your daughter in marriage!”
        King Dermidon answered:
        “For ten years, Mokey wanted only to fight! And why now does he decide to parley? Well, I don’t want to! I know him: he has decided to capture me by cunning! He wants to take Vasilisa-the-Wise away from me! He wants to own both kingdoms! That is why we are at war! And no agreements between us are possible!”
        “I have come to reconcile you, to stop the feud between the realms, to carry out kinship and peace between you! And, with regards to Vasilisa-the-Wise, I have come to liberate her. Arrange the wedding — and make peace!”
        “No! Do not say that!” — Dermidon shouted.
        … But the beautiful Barbara, the daughter of King Dermidon, heard the whole conversation.
        Barbara was still without a husband! For many years already, she wanted to marry, but she still did not have a suitor!… Either — King Dermidon did not like the suitor: because he was poor, or not famous… Or, she herself did not like him: because he was too old, or his face was not beautiful…
        And during ten years of war, so many had been killed!… And because of this nobody had proposed to her yet…
        She entered — and cried out loudly:
        “And why am I not asked, father?! Make peace! I want to get married!”
        She began to howl so much that King Dermidon understood: if he does not marry her right now, then, for sure, he will never have a calm life…
        “Well,” — he said — “I will give my daughter in marriage! But I will not give up Vasilisa-the-Wise until all her wisdom has become mine! This stubborn girl does not want to obey me, she does not want to share her wisdom with me! She gives me strange tips, and laughs at me!…
        “For example, she said: ‘Stop eating dead bodies, King Dermidon! Look: animals suffer so much because of you! And because of eating the dead flesh — your abdomen is boiling up inside of you, and your mind is closed from the light of truth, it is coarse and not prolific!’
        “Or she says: ‘Do not accumulate wealth for yourself! There is no use in such riches: it will be lost in vain! A good sovereign — is rich by the wealth and prosperity of his country! He is glad to defend the contentment and peace of his people! He rules with the help of goodness, and not violence! He uses his power only to stop the outrage and anger of certain people!’”
        “Let me King Dermidon, talk with Vasilisa! I’ll do this so that she will disclose all her wisdom: everyone will take as much as he or she wants and can accommodate!
        “There is no benefit in the wisdom that is contained under lock and key and is not applied in life!
        “But one needs to learn wisdom for a long time! Everyone needs to work here much!
        “To learn to be wise — one should illuminate one’s own thoughts with love!
        “Wisdom is a property of the soul, which has great heart love!”
        … And, unexpectedly, Dermidon agreed and ordered to take Ivan to the dungeon, where Vasilisa-the-Wise was being held.

* * *

        The guard guided Ivan. King Dermidon, Princess Barbara, and the servants — went as well. It was something that everyone wanted to see! They were afraid to miss the moment when Vasilisa would begin to distribute her wisdom to all!
        The locks were unbolted, the doors to the dungeon were opened.
        Ivan and Vasilisa saw each other. And they united by souls in love!
        Now they understood each other’s thoughts without words! They stood and looked at each other — as if there was no one else around!
        The silence of their lips did not hinder them from hearing each other:
        “I waited for you! I waited for you to come for me!”
        “I’m sorry that I took so long! I felt that there was a reason for me to come here. But if I knew about you — then I would have hurried more…”
        And King Dermidon began to worry:
        “Why are you silent? What is it? Do you hide the wisdom from us?”
        Vasilisa looked kindly and said to Ivan so that all could hear:
        “Don’t be sad that you met up with me after so long a time! You have done a lot of good deeds on your way! And because of this, I love you even more!
        “And I lived without sorrow in the prison, I lived as if I were free! I was hovering by the soul like a bird above the land and hugging everyone and everything with my heart love! I sang songs of love — and people’s hearts listened to these songs! Either a beautiful girl would hear my song — and sing it to her beloved! Or a mother, sloping over a cradle, would connect her affection and my affection, while rocking a baby to sleep! Or a shepherd would hear my heart melody — and play it on his pipe! Or birds in autumn would sing like in spring! Or a breeze would rustle the leaves of a birch tree — in rhythm with my song — and embrace a good one with its warm breath!
        “And by the body, I was not lazy! Here, in prison, I did not pass time in vain: I have written a book for people. The book outlines what I know about why people are born on the Earth, why they have to learn kindness, how to create happiness, how to control and manage one’s own emotions, how to connect one’s own life with the Divine Commandments, and how to fulfill life’s meaning… And I have also recorded advice for rulers — so that people’s prosperity in the kingdoms might increase.
        “If all people were obedient to the Laws of God, if they were kind to their neighbors — then, perhaps, life would begin to change, so that all could live more beautifully!”
        And then Ivan spoke like that too, so that both Dermidon, and Barbara, and the servants, and the guards could hear:
        “Come with me, Vasilisa-the-Beautiful, to my house! Be my friend, companion, and faithful wife! And the book, which you have written in prison, in which all wisdom is stored, — let all people read it! And when they learn the wisdom — there will be no conflicts, nor strife between people!”
        And Vasilisa replied to him:
        “Yes, I agree.”

* * *

        King Dermidon agreed to the wedding of his daughter. And between the kingdoms — peace was established.
        King Mokey married Barbara. And he now was at war sometimes only with his wife. However, Barbara did not allow him to take precedence over her.
        The “Book of Wisdom”, which Vasilisa had written in prison, was many times copied and sent out to all corners of the two kingdoms.
        Sometimes people read the book. And where they introduced in life the wise advice of Vasilisa-the-Wise — kingdoms prospered.
        … In this way, Ivan and Vasilisa helped to establish the life in those lands. And it was time for them to return home.

* * *

        They went to Ivan’s house, and his father and mother met them.
        They said to Ivan:
        “You were picking berries for a very long time!”
        Ivan bowed to them and apologized for his delay:
        “Sorry that it took so long to gather berries! But: I went for berries — and found the perfect wife! Rejoice! Meet her!”

* * *

        What happened next — cannot be told at once! About all their good joint achievements — it’s impossible to tell at one time!
        Because this is the end of our tale.
        And love is the crown for all good deeds!

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