Title: The Beggar 📖

Class: VIII 🏫

Author: Anton Chekhov ✍️

Biography Details 🧑‍🏫 Anton Chekhov is the author of the story "The Beggar". He is a renowned writer whose stories often reflect human struggles, poverty, and transformation, as seen through the characters in this Russian setting, which includes references to Russian coins like copecks and roubles, and places like the province of Kaluga.

1. Each and Every Stanza/Paragraph Explanation 📝

Paragraph Block 1 Original Paragraph: “Kind sir, have pity; turn your attention to poor, hungry man ! For three days I have had nothing to eat; I haven’t five copecks for a lodging. I swear it before God. For eight years I was a village school teacher and then I lost my place through intrigues. It is a year now since I have had anything to do.”

ଦୟାଳୁ ମହାଶୟ, ଦୟା କରନ୍ତୁ; ଏହି ଗରିବ, ଭୋକିଲା ଲୋକ ଆଡ଼କୁ ଟିକିଏ ଧ୍ୟାନ ଦିଅନ୍ତୁ! ତିନି ଦିନ ହେଲା ମୁଁ କିଛି ଖାଇ ନାହିଁ; ରହିବା ପାଇଁ ମୋ ପାଖରେ ପାଞ୍ଚ କୋପେକ୍ସ (ରୁଷୀୟ ମୁଦ୍ରା) ମଧ୍ୟ ନାହିଁ। ମୁଁ ଭଗବାନଙ୍କ ନାମ ନେଇ ଶପଥ କରୁଛି। ଆଠ ବର୍ଷ ଧରି ମୁଁ ଜଣେ ଗାଁ ସ୍କୁଲ ଶିକ୍ଷକ ଥିଲି ଏବଂ ତାପରେ ଷଡ଼ଯନ୍ତ୍ର କାରଣରୁ ମୁଁ ମୋର ଚାକିରି ହରାଇଲି। ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ଗୋଟିଏ ବର୍ଷ ହେବ ମୋ ପାଖରେ କରିବାକୁ କିଛି କାମ ନାହିଁ।

English Meaning: A beggar pleads for mercy and money from a gentleman, claiming he has been starving for three days and lacks the smallest amount of money to pay for a place to sleep. He swears to God that he used to be a village school teacher for eight years but lost his job because of secret plots against him, leaving him jobless for a whole year.

Kind - ଦୟାଳୁ

Pity - ଦୟା

Copecks - ରୁଷୀୟ ମୁଦ୍ରା

Lodging - ରହିବା ସ୍ଥାନ

Swear - ଶପଥ କରିବା

Intrigues - ଗୁପ୍ତ ଷଡ଼ଯନ୍ତ୍ର

Paragraph Block 2 Original Paragraph: The advocate, Sergei, looked at the ragged, fawn- coloured overcoat of the suppliant, at his dull, drunken eyes, at the red spot on either cheek, and it seemed to him as if he had seen this man somewhere before. ‘‘I have now had an offer of a position in the province of Kaluga,” the mendicant went on. ‘‘But I haven’t the money to get there. Help me kindly; I am ashamed to ask, but - I am obliged to by circumstances”.

ଓକିଲ ସର୍ଗେଇ, ସେହି ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନାକାରୀର ଛିଣ୍ଡା, ହାଲୁକା ବାଦାମୀ ରଙ୍ଗର ଓଭରକୋଟ୍, ତା'ର ମଳିନ ମଦ୍ୟପ ଆଖି ଏବଂ ଦୁଇ ଗାଲରେ ଥିବା ନାଲି ଦାଗକୁ ଦେଖିଲେ, ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଲାଗିଲା ଯେପରି ସେ ଏହି ଲୋକଟିକୁ ପୂର୍ବରୁ କେଉଁଠି ଦେଖିଛନ୍ତି। ଭିକାରୀ ଜଣକ ଆଗକୁ କହିଲା, "ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ମୋତେ କାଲୁଗା ପ୍ରଦେଶରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଚାକିରିର ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ ମିଳିଛି। କିନ୍ତୁ ସେଠାକୁ ଯିବା ପାଇଁ ମୋ ପାଖରେ ପଇସା ନାହିଁ। ଦୟାକରି ମୋତେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରନ୍ତୁ; ମାଗିବାକୁ ମୋତେ ଲାଜ ଲାଗୁଛି, କିନ୍ତୁ ମୁଁ ପରିସ୍ଥିତିରେ ପଡ଼ି ବାଧ୍ୟ ହେଉଛି।"

English Meaning: An advocate named Sergei closely observes the beggar's torn, light-brown coat, his tired, drunken eyes, and his red cheeks, feeling strongly that he has met this man before. The beggar continues his story, stating he has been offered a job in the Kaluga province but lacks the travel fare, adding that he is embarrassed to beg but is forced by his difficult situation.

Advocate - ଓକିଲ

Ragged - ଛିଣ୍ଡା କପଡ଼ା ପିନ୍ଧିଥିବା

Fawn-coloured - ହାଲୁକା ବାଦାମୀ ରଙ୍ଗର

Obliged - ବାଧ୍ୟ ହେବା

Paragraph Block 3 Original Paragraph: Sergei’s eyes fell on the man’s overshoes, one of which was high and the other low, and he suddenly remembered something. “Look here, it seems to me I met you the day before yesterday in Sadovya Street,” he said; ‘but you told me then that you were a student who had been expelled, and not a village school teacher. Do you remember ?’’ “N-no, that can’t be so”, mumbled the beggar, taken aback. “I am a village school teacher, and if you like I can show you my papers”.

ସର୍ଗେଇଙ୍କ ଆଖି ଲୋକଟିର ଜୋତା ଉପରେ ପଡ଼ିଲା, ଯାହା ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ଗୋଟିଏ ଉଚ୍ଚ ଏବଂ ଅନ୍ୟଟି ନୀଚା ଥିଲା, ଏବଂ ହଠାତ୍ ତାଙ୍କର କିଛି ମନେ ପଡ଼ିଗଲା। ସେ କହିଲେ, "ଏଠିକି ଦେଖ, ମୋର ମନେହେଉଛି ପହରଦିନ ମୁଁ ତୁମକୁ ସାଡୋଭ୍ୟା ରାସ୍ତାରେ ଭେଟିଥିଲି; କିନ୍ତୁ ସେତେବେଳେ ତୁମେ ମୋତେ କହିଥିଲ ଯେ ତୁମେ ଜଣେ ଛାତ୍ର ଯାହାକୁ ବାହାର କରିଦିଆଯାଇଛି, ଏବଂ ଜଣେ ଗାଁ ସ୍କୁଲ ଶିକ୍ଷକ ନୁହେଁ। ତୁମର ମନେ ଅଛି?" ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହୋଇ ଭିକାରୀ ଜଣକ ଥଙ୍ଗେଇ ଥଙ୍ଗେଇ କହିଲା, "ନା-ନା, ତାହା ହୋଇନପାରେ। ମୁଁ ଜଣେ ଗାଁ ସ୍କୁଲ ଶିକ୍ଷକ, ଏବଂ ଯଦି ଆପଣ ଚାହାଁନ୍ତି ମୁଁ ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ ମୋର କାଗଜପତ୍ର ଦେଖାଇପାରିବି।"

English Meaning: Sergei notices the beggar is wearing mismatched shoes and instantly remembers their previous encounter. He confronts the beggar, reminding him that they met two days ago on Sadovya Street, where the beggar had claimed to be an expelled student rather than a teacher. Caught completely off guard, the beggar stammers a denial and continues to insist he is a teacher, even offering to show his documents.

Taken aback - ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହୋଇଯିବା

Paragraph Block 4 Original Paragraph: “Have done with lying ! You called yourself a student and even told me that you had been expelled for. Don’t you remember ?” Sergei flushed and turned from the ragged creature with an expression of disgust. “This is dishonesty, my dear sir !” he cried angrily. “This is swindling- I shall send the police for you. Damn you !”. “Sir !” He said, laying his hand on his heart, “the fact is I was lying ! I am neither a student nor a school teacher. All that was fiction. Formerly I sang in a Russian choir and was sent away for drunkenness. But what else can I do ? I can’t get along without lying. No one will give me anything when I tell the truth, what can I do ?”

"ମିଛ କହିବା ବନ୍ଦ କର! ତୁମେ ନିଜକୁ ଜଣେ ଛାତ୍ର କହିଥିଲ ଏବଂ ମୋତେ ଏହା ବି କହିଥିଲ ଯେ ତୁମକୁ କାହିଁକି ବାହାର କରାଯାଇଥିଲା। ତୁମର ମନେ ନାହିଁ?" ସର୍ଗେଇ ରାଗରେ ଲାଲ ପଡ଼ିଗଲେ ଏବଂ ଘୃଣାର ସହିତ ସେହି ଛିଣ୍ଡା କପଡ଼ା ପିନ୍ଧିଥିବା ପ୍ରାଣୀଠାରୁ ମୁହଁ ବୁଲାଇ ନେଲେ। ସେ ରାଗରେ ଚିତ୍କାର କରି କହିଲେ, "ମହାଶୟ, ଏହା ଅସାଧୁତା ଅଟେ! ଏହା ଠକାମି- ମୁଁ ତୁମ ପାଇଁ ପୋଲିସ୍ ଡାକିବି। ଚୁଲାକୁ ଯାଅ!" ଭିକାରୀ ଜଣକ ନିଜ ହୃଦୟ ଉପରେ ହାତ ରଖି କହିଲା, "ମହାଶୟ! ପ୍ରକୃତ କଥା ହେଉଛି ମୁଁ ମିଛ କହୁଥିଲି! ମୁଁ ଜଣେ ଛାତ୍ର କିମ୍ବା ସ୍କୁଲ ଶିକ୍ଷକ ନୁହେଁ। ସେସବୁ କାଳ୍ପନିକ ଥିଲା। ପୂର୍ବରୁ ମୁଁ ଏକ ରୁଷୀୟ ଗାୟକ ଦଳରେ ଗୀତ ଗାଉଥିଲି ଏବଂ ମଦ୍ୟପାନ କାରଣରୁ ମୋତେ ବାହାର କରିଦିଆଯାଇଥିଲା। କିନ୍ତୁ ମୁଁ ଆଉ କ'ଣ କରିପାରିବି? ମିଛ ନକହିଲେ ମୁଁ ଚଳିପାରିବି ନାହିଁ। ଯେତେବେଳେ ମୁଁ ସତ କହେ, କେହି ମୋତେ କିଛି ଦିଅନ୍ତି ନାହିଁ, ମୁଁ କ'ଣ କରିବି?"

English Meaning: Sergei angrily demands that the beggar stop lying, reminding him of his past story about being an expelled student. Disgusted by the dishonesty, Sergei threatens to call the police on him for swindling. Terrified, the beggar puts his hand on his heart and confesses to lying; he admits he is neither a teacher nor a student, but was actually a singer in a Russian choir who got fired because of his heavy drinking. He justifies his lies by saying that nobody gives him charity if he tells the ugly truth about his past.

Flushed - ରାଗରେ ଲାଲ ପଡ଼ିଯିବା

Disgust - ଘୃଣା

Swindling - ଠକିବା

Fiction - କାଳ୍ପନିକ ଗଳ୍ପ

Choir - ଗାୟକ ଦଳ

Drunkenness - ମଦ୍ୟପାନ ଅଭ୍ୟାସ

Paragraph Block 5 Original Paragraph: “What can you do ? You ask what you can do ?” cried Sergei, coming close to him. “Work ! That’s what you can do ! You must work !” “What-yes. I know that myself; but where can I find work ?” “How would you like to chop wood for me ?” “I wouldn’t refuse to do that, but in these days even skilled wood-cutters find themselves sitting without bread.” “Will you come and chop wood for me?” “Yes sir, I will”. “Very well; we’ll soon find out.”

ତାଙ୍କ ପାଖକୁ ଆସି ସର୍ଗେଇ ଚିତ୍କାର କରି କହିଲେ, "ତୁମେ କ'ଣ କରିପାରିବ? ତୁମେ ପଚାରୁଛ ତୁମେ କ'ଣ କରିପାରିବ? କାମ! ତୁମେ ତାହା ହିଁ କରିପାରିବ! ତୁମକୁ କାମ କରିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିବ!" ଭିକାରୀ କହିଲା, "କ'ଣ-ହଁ। ତାହା ମୁଁ ନିଜେ ଜାଣେ; କିନ୍ତୁ ମୁଁ କେଉଁଠି କାମ ପାଇବି?" "ତୁମେ ମୋ ପାଇଁ କାଠ କାଟିବାକୁ ପସନ୍ଦ କରିବ କି?" "ମୁଁ ସେଥିପାଇଁ ମନା କରିବି ନାହିଁ, କିନ୍ତୁ ଆଜିକାଲି ଦକ୍ଷ କାଠକଟାଳିମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଖାଇବା ବିନା ବସିଛନ୍ତି।" "ତୁମେ ଆସି ମୋ ପାଇଁ କାଠ କାଟିବ କି?" "ହଁ ମହାଶୟ, ମୁଁ କରିବି।" "ବହୁତ ଭଲ; ଆମେ ଖୁବ୍ ଶୀଘ୍ର ଦେଖିବା।"

English Meaning: Sergei steps close to the beggar and firmly tells him that instead of begging, he needs to find honest work. The beggar agrees that he should work but complains that there are no jobs available. Sergei challenges him by offering him a job chopping wood at his house. Though the beggar points out that even expert woodchoppers are unemployed, he accepts the offer, and Sergei resolves to see if the beggar will actually follow through.

Skilled - ଦକ୍ଷ

Paragraph Block 6 Original Paragraph: Sergei hastened along, rubbing his hands. He called his cook out of the kitchen. “Here, Olga,” he said, “take this gentleman into the woodshed and let him chop wood.” The scarecrow of a beggar shrugged his shoulders, as if in perplexity, and went irresolutely after the cook. It was obvious from his gait that he had not consented to go and chop wood because he was hungry and wanted work, but simply from pride and shame and because he had been trapped by his own words. It was obvious too that his strength had been undermined by vodka and that he was unhealthy and did not feel the slightest inclination for toil.

ସର୍ଗେଇ ନିଜ ହାତ ଘଷି ଘଷି ଶୀଘ୍ର ଗଲେ। ସେ ରୋଷେଇ ଘରୁ ନିଜ ରୋଷେୟାକୁ ଡାକିଲେ। ସେ କହିଲେ, "ଏଠିକି ଆସ ଓଲଗା, ଏହି ଭଦ୍ରଲୋକଙ୍କୁ କାଠ ଘରକୁ ନେଇଯାଅ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କୁ କାଠ କାଟିବାକୁ ଦିଅ।" ବୁଢ଼ିଆଣୀ ପରି ଦେଖାଯାଉଥିବା ସେହି ଭିକାରୀ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହେଲା ପରି ନିଜ କାନ୍ଧ ହଲାଇଲା, ଏବଂ ଅନିଚ୍ଛାର ସହ ରୋଷେୟା ପଛେ ପଛେ ଗଲା। ତାର ଚାଲିରୁ ଏହା ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ ଜଣାପଡ଼ୁଥିଲା ଯେ ସେ ଭୋକିଲା ଥିବାରୁ କିମ୍ବା କାମ ଚାହୁଁଥିବାରୁ କାଠ କାଟିବାକୁ ରାଜି ହୋଇନଥିଲା, ବରଂ କେବଳ ଗର୍ବ ଏବଂ ଲଜ୍ଜା କାରଣରୁ ଏବଂ ସେ ନିଜ କଥାରେ ଫସିଯାଇଥିବାରୁ ଯାଇଥିଲା। ଏହା ମଧ୍ୟ ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ ଥିଲା ଯେ ଭୋଡକା (ମଦ) ପିଇ ତାର ଶକ୍ତି ନଷ୍ଟ ହୋଇଯାଇଥିଲା ଏବଂ ସେ ଅସୁସ୍ଥ ଥିଲା ତଥା ପରିଶ୍ରମ କରିବାକୁ ତାର ଟିକିଏ ବି ଇଚ୍ଛା ନଥିଲା।

English Meaning: Sergei rubs his hands together and quickly calls his cook, Olga, instructing her to lead the beggar to the woodshed to chop wood. Looking like a frail scarecrow, the confused beggar hesitantly follows Olga. It is perfectly clear from the way he walks that he is not chopping wood out of a desire to work or because of hunger, but solely because his pride is hurt and he is trapped by his own lies. Alcohol has ruined his physical strength, leaving him sick and completely unwilling to do any hard labor.

Scarecrow - ପକ୍ଷୀ ଘଉଡ଼ାଇବା ପାଇଁ ତିଆରି କଣ୍ଢେଇ / ଅତି ପତଳା ଲୋକ

Perplexity - ଦ୍ୱନ୍ଦ୍ୱ / ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ

Irresolutely - ଅନିଚ୍ଛାକୃତ ଭାବରେ ଦ୍ୱିଧାରେ

Gait - ଚାଲିବା ଶୈଳୀ

Undermined - ଦୁର୍ବଳ ହୋଇଯିବା

Inclination - ଇଚ୍ଛା

Toil - କଠିନ ପରିଶ୍ରମ

Paragraph Block 7 Original Paragraph: Sergei hurried into the dining room. From its windows one could see the woodshed and everything that went on in the yard. Standing at the window, Sergei saw the cook and the beggar come out into the yard by the back door and make their way across the dirty snow to the shed. Olga glared wrathfully at her companion, shoved him aside with her elbow, unlocked the shed, and angrily banged the door. Next he saw the pseudo-teacher scat himself on a log and become lost in thought with his red cheeks resting on his fists. The woman flung down an axe at his feet, spat angrily, and, jugging from the expression of her lips, began to scold him. The beggar irresolutely pulled a billet of wood towards him, set it up between his feet, and tapped it feebly with the axe. The billet wavered and feels down. The beggar again pulled it to him, blew on his freezing hands, and tapped it with his axe cautiously, as if afraid of hitting his overshoe or of cutting his finger; the stick of wood again fell to the ground.

ସର୍ଗେଇ ତରତର ହୋଇ ଖାଇବା ଘରକୁ ଗଲେ। ଏହାର ଝରକାରୁ କାଠ ଘର ଏବଂ ଅଗଣାରେ ଚାଲିଥିବା ସବୁକିଛି ଦେଖାଯାଉଥିଲା। ଝରକା ପାଖରେ ଛିଡ଼ା ହୋଇ, ସର୍ଗେଇ ଦେଖିଲେ ଯେ ରୋଷେୟା ଏବଂ ଭିକାରୀ ପଛ କବାଟ ଦେଇ ଅଗଣାକୁ ଆସିଲେ ଏବଂ ମଇଳା ବରଫ ଉପରେ ଚାଲି ଚାଲି ଘର ଆଡ଼କୁ ଗଲେ। ଓଲଗା ରାଗରେ ତାର ସାଥୀ ଆଡ଼କୁ ଚାହିଁଲା, ନିଜ କହୁଣୀରେ ତାକୁ ଠେଲି ଦେଲା, କାଠ ଘରର ତାଲା ଖୋଲିଲା ଏବଂ ରାଗରେ କବାଟକୁ ଜୋରରେ ପିଟିଲା। ତାପରେ ସେ ଦେଖିଲେ ଯେ ସେହି ନକଲି ଶିକ୍ଷକ ଗୋଟିଏ କାଠ ଗଣ୍ଡି ଉପରେ ବସି ନିଜ ମୁଠା ଉପରେ ନାଲି ଗାଲ ରଖି ଚିନ୍ତାରେ ହଜିଗଲା। ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଲୋକଟି ତାର ପାଦ ପାଖରେ ଗୋଟିଏ କୁରାଢ଼ି ଫିଙ୍ଗିଦେଲା, ରାଗରେ ଛେପ ପକାଇଲା, ଏବଂ ତାର ଓଠର ଭାବଭଙ୍ଗୀରୁ ଜଣାପଡ଼ୁଥିଲା ଯେ ସେ ତାକୁ ଗାଳି ଦେବା ଆରମ୍ଭ କଲା। ଭିକାରୀ ଅନିଚ୍ଛାର ସହ ଗୋଟିଏ କାଠ ଖଣ୍ଡ ଟାଣି ଆଣିଲା, ତାକୁ ଦୁଇ ପାଦ ମଝିରେ ରଖିଲା, ଏବଂ କୁରାଢ଼ିରେ ଧୀରେ ଧୀରେ ପିଟିଲା। କାଠ ଖଣ୍ଡଟି ଟଳମଳ ହୋଇ ତଳେ ପଡ଼ିଗଲା। ଭିକାରୀ ପୁଣି ଥରେ ତାକୁ ଟାଣିଲା, ନିଜର ଥଣ୍ଡା ହାତରେ ଫୁଙ୍କିଲା ଏବଂ ସତର୍କତାର ସହ କୁରାଢ଼ିରେ ପିଟିଲା, ଯେପରି ତା ଜୋତାରେ ବାଜିଯିବ କିମ୍ବା ତା ଆଙ୍ଗୁଠି କଟିଯିବ ବୋଲି ସେ ଭୟ କରୁଥିଲା; କାଠ ଖଣ୍ଡଟି ପୁଣି ତଳେ ପଡ଼ିଗଲା।

English Meaning: From his dining room window, Sergei watches the events unfolding in the yard. He sees Olga acting very aggressively; she glares at the beggar, shoves him, and roughly opens the woodshed. The fake teacher sits helplessly on a log, resting his head in his hands, while Olga angrily throws an axe at his feet and begins to scold him. The cold and weakened beggar struggles immensely to chop the wood; he taps the wood so weakly with the axe out of fear of injuring his hands or feet that the wood just keeps falling over without being cut.

Wrathfully - ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ କ୍ରୋଧର ସହିତ

Shoved - ଠେଲିଦେବା

Pseudo-teacher - ନକଲି ଶିକ୍ଷକ

Flung - ଫିଙ୍ଗିଦେଲା

Billet - ମୋଟା କାଠ ଖଣ୍ଡ

Feebly - ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଭାବରେ

Wavered - ଟଳମଳ ହେବା

Cautiously - ସତର୍କତାର ସହିତ

Paragraph Block 8 Original Paragraph: Sergei’s anger had vanished and he now began to feel a little sorry and ashamed of himself for having set a spoiled, drunken, perhaps sick man to work at menial labour in the cold. An hour later Olga came in and announced that the wood had all been choped. “Good ! Give him half a rouble,” said Sergei. “If he wants to he can come back and cut wood on the first day of each month. We can always find work for him.”

ସର୍ଗେଇଙ୍କ ରାଗ ଶାନ୍ତ ହୋଇଯାଇଥିଲା ଏବଂ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ସେ ଗୋଟିଏ ନଷ୍ଟ ହୋଇଯାଇଥିବା, ମଦ୍ୟପ ଏବଂ ବୋଧହୁଏ ଅସୁସ୍ଥ ଲୋକକୁ ଥଣ୍ଡାରେ ଏତେ ଛୋଟ ଏବଂ କଠିନ କାମ କରିବାକୁ ଦେଇଥିବାରୁ ନିଜ ପାଇଁ ଟିକିଏ ଦୁଃଖିତ ଏବଂ ଲଜ୍ଜିତ ଅନୁଭବ କରୁଥିଲେ। ଘଣ୍ଟାଏ ପରେ ଓଲଗା ଭିତରକୁ ଆସି ଜଣାଇଲା ଯେ ସବୁ କାଠ କଟା ସରିଛି। ସର୍ଗେଇ କହିଲେ, "ଭଲ! ତାକୁ ଅଧା ରୁବେଲ ଦେଇଦିଅ। ଯଦି ସେ ଚାହେଁ ତେବେ ସେ ପ୍ରତି ମାସର ପ୍ରଥମ ଦିନ ଆସି କାଠ କାଟିପାରିବ। ଆମେ ତା ପାଇଁ ସବୁବେଳେ କାମ ଖୋଜିପାରିବା।"

English Meaning: Seeing the beggar's pathetic state, Sergei's anger fades away, and he starts to feel guilty for forcing a sick, drunken man to do such hard physical labor in the freezing cold. However, an hour later, Olga reports that all the wood has been successfully chopped. Sergei is pleased and instructs Olga to pay the man half a rouble, adding that the beggar is welcome to return on the first of every month for more odd jobs.

Rouble - ରୁଷୀୟ ମୁଦ୍ରା (ବଡ଼ ମୁଦ୍ରା)

Paragraph Block 9 Original Paragraph: On the first of the month the waif made his appearance and again earned half a rouble, although he could barely stand on his legs. From that day on he often appeared in the yard and every time work was found for him. Now he would shovel snow, now put the wood-shed in order; now beat the dust out of rugs and mattresses. Every time he received from twenty to forty copecks, and once, even a pair of old trousers was sent out to him. When Sergei moved into another house he hired him to help in the packing and hauling of the furniture. This time the waif was sober, gloomy, and silent. He hardly touched the furniture, and walked behind the wagons hanging his head, not even making pretence of appearing busy. He only shivered in the cold and became embarrassed and his tattered, fancy overcoat, after the moving was over Sergei sent for him.

ମାସର ପ୍ରଥମ ଦିନରେ ସେହି ବାସହୀନ ଲୋକଟି ପୁଣି ଆସିଲା ଏବଂ ଅଧା ରୁବେଲ ରୋଜଗାର କଲା, ଯଦିଓ ସେ ତାର ଗୋଡ଼ରେ ଠିକ୍ ଭାବରେ ଛିଡ଼ା ହୋଇପାରୁନଥିଲା। ସେହି ଦିନଠାରୁ ସେ ଅନେକ ସମୟରେ ଅଗଣାରେ ଦେଖାଦେଉଥିଲା ଏବଂ ପ୍ରତିଥର ତା ପାଇଁ କିଛି ନା କିଛି କାମ ମିଳିଯାଉଥିଲା। କେବେ ସେ ବରଫ ସଫା କରୁଥିଲା, କେବେ କାଠ ଘର ସଜାଡୁଥିଲା, ତ କେବେ ଦରି ଏବଂ ଗଦିରୁ ଧୂଳି ଝାଡୁଥିଲା। ପ୍ରତିଥର ତାକୁ କୋଡ଼ିଏ ରୁ ଚାଳିଶ କୋପେକ୍ସ ମିଳୁଥିଲା, ଏବଂ ଥରେ ତାକୁ ହଳେ ପୁରୁଣା ପ୍ୟାଣ୍ଟ ମଧ୍ୟ ଦିଆଯାଇଥିଲା। ଯେତେବେଳେ ସର୍ଗେଇ ଅନ୍ୟ ଗୋଟିଏ ଘରକୁ ଗଲେ, ସେ ଆସବାବପତ୍ର ପ୍ୟାକ୍ କରିବା ଏବଂ ବୋହିବାରେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ତାକୁ ଡାକିଲେ। ଏଥର ସେ ବାସହୀନ ଲୋକଟି ବିନା ନିଶାରେ ଥିଲା, ଉଦାସ ଏବଂ ଚୁପ୍ ଥିଲା। ସେ ଆସବାବପତ୍ରକୁ କ୍ଵଚିତ୍ ଛୁଇଁଲା, ଏବଂ ବ୍ୟସ୍ତ ଥିବାର ଛଳନା ମଧ୍ୟ ନକରି ମୁଣ୍ଡ ତଳକୁ କରି ଗାଡ଼ି ପଛେ ପଛେ ଚାଲିଲା। ସେ କେବଳ ଥଣ୍ଡାରେ ଥରୁଥିଲା ଏବଂ ନିଜର ଛିଣ୍ଡା, ଫ୍ୟାନ୍ସି ଓଭରକୋଟ୍ ପାଇଁ ଲଜ୍ଜିତ ହେଉଥିଲା, ଘର ବଦଳାଇବା ସରିବା ପରେ ସର୍ଗେଇ ତାକୁ ଡାକିଲେ।

English Meaning: True to his word, the homeless beggar returns on the first of the month, managing to earn money even though he is extremely physically weak. He becomes a regular worker at the house, earning small amounts of money by doing various chores like shoveling snow and beating dust out of rugs, and even receives a pair of old trousers. Later, when Sergei moves to a new house, he hires the beggar to help transport furniture. During the move, the beggar is completely sober but very quiet and depressed; he barely works, just walking behind the wagons shivering in his torn coat, feeling embarrassed. After the move, Sergei calls for him.

Waif - ବାସହୀନ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି

Shovel - କୋଦାଳ ସାହାଯ୍ୟରେ ସଫା କରିବା

Rugs - ଦରି

Mattresses - ଗଦି

Hauling - ଟାଣିବା ବା ବୋହିବା

Sober - ନିଶାମୁକ୍ତ

Gloomy - ଉଦାସ

Pretence - ଛଳନା

Tattered - ଛିଣ୍ଡା

Paragraph Block 10 Original Paragraph: “Well, I am happy that my words have taken effect”, he said handing him a rouble. “Here’s for your pains. I see you are sober and have no objection to work. What is your name ?” “Lushkoff”. “Well, Lushkoff, I can now offer you some other, cleaner employment. Can you write ?” “ I can.” “Then take this letter to a friend of mine tomorrow and you will be given some copying to do. Work hard, don’t drink, and remember what I have said to you. Goodbye!” Pleased at having put a man on there right path, Sergei tapped lushkoff kindly on the shoulder and even gave him his hand at parting. Lushkoff took the letter, and from that day forth came no more to the yard for work.

ତାକୁ ଗୋଟିଏ ରୁବେଲ ଦେଇ ସର୍ଗେଇ କହିଲେ, "ଆଚ୍ଛା, ମୁଁ ଖୁସି ଯେ ମୋ କଥାର ପ୍ରଭାବ ପଡ଼ିଛି। ଏହା ତୁମ ପରିଶ୍ରମ ପାଇଁ। ମୁଁ ଦେଖୁଛି ତୁମେ ନିଶାରେ ନାହଁ ଏବଂ କାମ କରିବାକୁ ତୁମର କୌଣସି ଆପତ୍ତି ନାହିଁ। ତୁମ ନାମ କ'ଣ?" "ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍।" "ଆଚ୍ଛା, ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍, ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ମୁଁ ତୁମକୁ ଅନ୍ୟ ଏକ ସଫା ସୁତୁରା ଚାକିରି ଦେଇପାରିବି। ତୁମେ ଲେଖିପାରିବ କି?" "ମୁଁ ପାରିବି।" "ତେବେ ଆସନ୍ତାକାଲି ଏହି ଚିଠିଟି ମୋର ଜଣେ ସାଙ୍ଗ ପାଖକୁ ନେଇଯାଅ ଏବଂ ତୁମକୁ କିଛି ନକଲ କରିବା (copying) କାମ ଦିଆଯିବ। କଠିନ ପରିଶ୍ରମ କର, ମଦ ପିଅ ନାହିଁ, ଏବଂ ମୁଁ ତୁମକୁ ଯାହା କହିଛି ତାହା ମନେରଖ। ବିଦାୟ!" ଜଣେ ଲୋକକୁ ଠିକ୍ ବାଟକୁ ଆଣିଥିବାରୁ ଖୁସି ହୋଇ, ସର୍ଗେଇ ସ୍ନେହରେ ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍ ର କାନ୍ଧ ଥାପୁଡ଼ାଇଲେ ଏବଂ ବିଦାୟ ନେବା ସମୟରେ ତା ସହ ହାତ ମିଳାଇଲେ। ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍ ଚିଠିଟି ନେଲା, ଏବଂ ସେହି ଦିନଠାରୁ ଆଉ କାମ ପାଇଁ ଅଗଣାକୁ ଆସିଲା ନାହିଁ।

English Meaning: Thinking he has successfully reformed the beggar, Sergei gives him a rouble and asks his name, which is Lushkoff. Finding out that Lushkoff knows how to write, Sergei gives him a letter of recommendation to take to a friend who can offer him cleaner, easier work involving document copying. Feeling very proud of himself for supposedly saving a man's life, Sergei warmly shakes Lushkoff's hand and tells him to stay sober and work hard. Lushkoff takes the letter, leaves, and never returns to Sergei's yard to do manual labor again.

Objection - ଆପତ୍ତି

Employment - ରୋଜଗାର / ଚାକିରି

Copying - ନକଲ କରିବା କାମ

Parting - ବିଦାୟ ସମୟରେ

Paragraph Block 11 Original Paragraph: Two years went by. Then one evening, as Sergei was standing at the ticket window of a theatre paying for his seat, he noticed a little man beside him with a coat collar of curly fur and a worn sealskin cap. This little individual timidly asked the ticket seller for a seat in the gallery and paid for it in copper coins. “Lushkoff, is that you ?” cried Sergei, recognizing in the little man his former wood-chopper. “How are you ? What are you doing ? How is everything with you ?” “All right. I am a notary now and am paid thirty-five roubles a month”. “Thank Heaven ! That’s fine ! I am delighted for your sake. I am very very glad, Lushkoff. You see, you are my godson, in a sense. I gave you a push along the right path, you know. Do you remember what a roasting I gave you ? I nearly had you sinking into the ground at my feet that day. Thank you, old man, for not forgetting my words”.

ଦୁଇ ବର୍ଷ ବିତିଗଲା। ତାପରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟାରେ, ଯେତେବେଳେ ସର୍ଗେଇ ଥିଏଟରର ଟିକେଟ୍ ଝରକା ପାଖରେ ନିଜ ସିଟ୍ ପାଇଁ ପଇସା ଦେଉଥିଲେ, ସେ ତାଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ଘୁଙ୍ଗୁରା ପଶମ କଲାର୍ ଥିବା କୋଟ୍ ଏବଂ ପୁରୁଣା ସିଲ୍ ଚମଡ଼ାର ଟୋପି ପିନ୍ଧିଥିବା ଜଣେ ଛୋଟ ଲୋକକୁ ଦେଖିଲେ। ଏହି ଛୋଟ ଲୋକଟି ଡରି ଡରି ଟିକେଟ୍ ବିକାଳିକୁ ଗ୍ୟାଲେରୀରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ସିଟ୍ ମାଗିଲା ଏବଂ ଏଥିପାଇଁ ତମ୍ବା ମୁଦ୍ରାରେ ପଇସା ଦେଲା। ସେହି ଛୋଟ ଲୋକଟି ଭିତରେ ନିଜର ପୁରୁଣା କାଠକଟାଳିକୁ ଚିହ୍ନିପାରି ସର୍ଗେଇ ଚିତ୍କାର କରି ଉଠିଲେ, "ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍, ଏହା ତୁମେ କି? ତୁମେ କେମିତି ଅଛ? ତୁମେ କ'ଣ କରୁଛ? ତୁମର ସବୁକିଛି କେମିତି ଚାଲିଛି?" "ସବୁ ଠିକ୍ ଅଛି। ମୁଁ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ଜଣେ ନୋଟାରୀ ଏବଂ ମୋତେ ମାସକୁ ପଇଁତିରିଶ ରୁବେଲ୍ ଦରମା ମିଳୁଛି।" "ଭଗବାନଙ୍କୁ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ! ଏହା ବହୁତ ଭଲ! ତୁମ ପାଇଁ ମୁଁ ବହୁତ ଆନନ୍ଦିତ। ମୁଁ ବହୁତ ବହୁତ ଖୁସି, ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍। ଦେଖ, ଗୋଟିଏ ଅର୍ଥରେ ତୁମେ ମୋର ଧର୍ମପୁତ୍ର ଅଟ। ତୁମେ ଜାଣିଛ, ମୁଁ ତୁମକୁ ଠିକ୍ ବାଟରେ ଯିବାକୁ ପ୍ରେରଣା ଦେଇଥିଲି। ତୁମର ମନେ ଅଛି ସେଦିନ ମୁଁ ତୁମକୁ କେମିତି କଡ଼ା ଗାଳି ଦେଇଥିଲି? ସେଦିନ ମୁଁ ତୁମକୁ ପ୍ରାୟ ମୋ ପାଦ ତଳେ ମାଟିରେ ଦବିଯିବା ଅବସ୍ଥାକୁ ଆଣିଦେଇଥିଲି। ବୃଦ୍ଧ ଲୋକ, ମୋ କଥା ନ ଭୁଲିଥିବାରୁ ତୁମକୁ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ।"

English Meaning: Two full years pass without them seeing each other. One evening, Sergei is at a theatre buying a ticket when he notices a decently dressed, small man buying a cheap gallery ticket next to him. Sergei recognizes the man as Lushkoff, his former wood-chopper, and happily asks how his life is going. Lushkoff reveals he is doing very well, working respectfully as a notary and earning thirty-five roubles every month. Sergei is overjoyed and takes full credit for Lushkoff's success, reminding him of how strictly he scolded him years ago, claiming he was the one who pushed him onto the right path.

Individual - ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି

Timidly - ଭୟଭୀତ ହୋଇ / ଡରି ଡରି

Notary - ନୋଟାରୀ (ଆଇନଗତ ଦଲିଲ ପ୍ରମାଣିତ କରୁଥିବା ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି)

Godson - ଧର୍ମପୁତ୍ର

Roasting - କଡ଼ା ଗାଳି ଦେବା

Paragraph Block 12 Original Paragraph: “Thank you, too”. said Lushkoff. “If I hadn’t come to you then I might still have been calling myself a teacher or a student to this day. Yes, by flying to your protraction I dragged myself out of a pit.” “I am very glad, indeed.” “Thank you for your kind words and deeds. I am very grateful to you and to your cook. God bless that good and noble woman ! You spoke finely then, and I shall be indebted to you to my dying day, but, strictly speaking, it was your cook, Olga, who saved me.”

ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍ କହିଲା, "ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ। ଯଦି ମୁଁ ସେତେବେଳେ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପାଖକୁ ଆସିନଥାନ୍ତି ତେବେ ମୁଁ ବୋଧହୁଏ ଆଜି ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ନିଜକୁ ଜଣେ ଶିକ୍ଷକ କିମ୍ବା ଛାତ୍ର ବୋଲି ଡାକୁଥାନ୍ତି। ହଁ, ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଆଶ୍ରୟ ନେଇ ମୁଁ ନିଜକୁ ଗୋଟିଏ ଗାତରୁ ବାହାର କରିଆଣିଲି।" "ମୁଁ ସତରେ ବହୁତ ଖୁସି।" "ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଦୟାଳୁ କଥା ଏବଂ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ। ମୁଁ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ଏବଂ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ରୋଷେୟାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ବହୁତ କୃତଜ୍ଞ। ଭଗବାନ ସେହି ଭଲ ଏବଂ ମହାନ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଲୋକଟିର ମଙ୍ଗଳ କରନ୍ତୁ! ସେତେବେଳେ ଆପଣ ଭଲ କଥା କହିଥିଲେ, ଏବଂ ମୋର ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ମୁଁ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ଋଣୀ ରହିବି, କିନ୍ତୁ ସତ କହିବାକୁ ଗଲେ, ଆପଣଙ୍କ ରୋଷେୟା ଓଲଗା ହିଁ ମୋତେ ରକ୍ଷା କରିଥିଲେ।"

English Meaning: Lushkoff expresses his thanks to Sergei, admitting that if Sergei hadn't caught him lying that day, he would still be a miserable beggar telling fake stories. Sergei feels very proud, but then Lushkoff drops a surprise. Lushkoff states that while he is deeply indebted to Sergei for his kind words and for giving him a chance, the person who genuinely saved his soul and changed his life was actually Olga, the cook.

Protraction (Protection context) - ଆଶ୍ରୟ / ସୁରକ୍ଷା

Pit - ଗାତ

Grateful - କୃତଜ୍ଞ

Indebted - ଋଣୀ ରହିବା

Paragraph Block 13 Original Paragraph: “How is that ?” “When I used to come to your house to chop wood, she used to begin; ‘Oh, you sot, you ! Oh you miserable creature ! There’s nothing for you but ruin.” And then she would sit down opposite me and grow sad, look into my face and weep. ‘Oh, you unlucky man ! There is no pleasure for you in this world and there will be none in the world to come. You drunkard ! You will burn in hell. Oh, you unlucky man! Oh, you unhappy one ! And so she would carry on, you know, in that strain. I can’t tell you how much misery she suffered. How many tears she shed for my sake ! But the chief thing was- she used to chop the wood for me. Do you know, sir, that I did not chop one single stick of wood for you ? She did it all. Why this saved me, why I changed, why I stopped drinking at the sight of her I cannot explain. I only know that, owing to her words and noble deeds, a change took place in my heart; she set me right and I shall never forget it. However , it is time to go now; there goes the bell”. Lushkoff bowed and departed to the gallery.

"ସେଟା କେମିତି?" "ଯେତେବେଳେ ମୁଁ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଘରକୁ କାଠ କାଟିବାକୁ ଆସୁଥିଲି, ସେ ଆରମ୍ଭ କରୁଥିଲା; 'ଆରେ ମଦୁଆ! ଆରେ ଦୟନୀୟ ପ୍ରାଣୀ! ତୋ ପାଇଁ ବିନାଶ ବ୍ୟତୀତ ଆଉ କିଛି ନାହିଁ।' ଏବଂ ତାପରେ ସେ ମୋ ସାମ୍ନାରେ ବସିପଡ଼ି ଉଦାସ ହୋଇଯାଉଥିଲା, ମୋ ମୁହଁକୁ ଚାହିଁ କାନ୍ଦୁଥିଲା। 'ଆରେ ଅଭାଗା ମଣିଷ! ଏ ଦୁନିଆରେ ତୋ ପାଇଁ କୌଣସି ଆନନ୍ଦ ନାହିଁ ଏବଂ ଆଗାମୀ ଦୁନିଆରେ ମଧ୍ୟ କିଛି ନଥିବ। ଆରେ ମଦୁଆ! ତୁ ନର୍କରେ ଜଳିବୁ। ଆରେ ଅଭାଗା ମଣିଷ! ଆରେ ଦୁଃଖୀ ମଣିଷ!' ଏବଂ ଏହିଭଳି ସ୍ୱରରେ ସେ କହିଚାଲୁଥିଲା। ମୁଁ ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ କହିପାରିବି ନାହିଁ ଯେ ସେ କେତେ କଷ୍ଟ ସହିଥିଲା। ସେ ମୋ ପାଇଁ କେତେ ଲୁହ ଗଡ଼ାଇଥିଲା! କିନ୍ତୁ ମୁଖ୍ୟ କଥା ଥିଲା- ସେ ମୋ ପାଇଁ କାଠ କାଟୁଥିଲା। ଆପଣ ଜାଣିଛନ୍ତି କି ମହାଶୟ, ମୁଁ ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଗୋଟିଏ ବି କାଠ ଖଣ୍ଡ କାଟିନାହିଁ? ସେ ସବୁକିଛି କରିଥିଲା। ଏହା ମୋତେ କାହିଁକି ରକ୍ଷା କଲା, ମୁଁ କାହିଁକି ବଦଳିଗଲି, ତାକୁ ଦେଖି ମୁଁ କାହିଁକି ମଦ ପିଇବା ଛାଡ଼ିଦେଲି ତାହା ମୁଁ ବୁଝାଇ ପାରିବି ନାହିଁ। ମୁଁ କେବଳ ଏତିକି ଜାଣେ ଯେ, ତାର କଥା ଏବଂ ମହାନ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଯୋଗୁଁ ମୋ ହୃଦୟରେ ଏକ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ ଆସିଲା; ସେ ମୋତେ ଠିକ୍ ବାଟକୁ ଆଣିଲା ଏବଂ ମୁଁ ଏହା କେବେବି ଭୁଲିବି ନାହିଁ। ଯାହାହେଉ, ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ଯିବାର ସମୟ ହୋଇଗଲାଣି; ଘଣ୍ଟି ବାଜିଲାଣି।" ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍ ମୁଣ୍ଡ ନୁଆଁଇ ଗ୍ୟାଲେରୀ ଆଡ଼କୁ ଚାଲିଗଲା।

English Meaning: Confused, Sergei asks how Olga saved him. Lushkoff explains that every time he came to chop wood, Olga would angrily scold him for being a miserable drunkard heading for ruin. Then, she would sit across from him, look at his pathetic state, and cry deeply out of pure sympathy for his ruined life. The most shocking revelation is that Lushkoff never chopped a single piece of wood; Olga did all the hard labor for him out of pity. Witnessing her genuine tears, selflessness, and noble actions triggered a profound spiritual change in his heart, causing him to quit drinking and reform his life forever. The theatre bell rings, and Lushkoff bows and goes to watch the show, leaving Sergei amazed.

Sot - ଅଭ୍ୟାସଗତ ମଦ୍ୟପ

Miserable - ଦୟନୀୟ

Ruin - ବିନାଶ

Strain - ସ୍ୱର କିମ୍ବା ଧାରା

Misery - କଷ୍ଟ / ଦୁଃଖ

Noble deeds - ମହାନ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ

Departed - ପ୍ରସ୍ଥାନ କଲା

2. Detailed Summary (English) 📝

The story begins with a desperate beggar asking an advocate named Sergei for charity. The beggar claims he is a former village school teacher who lost his job due to unfortunate intrigues. However, Sergei carefully observes the man's ragged coat and mismatched overshoes, suddenly recalling that he met this same beggar a few days earlier. During their previous encounter, the beggar had lied about being an expelled student. Caught in his lies, Sergei threatens to call the police for swindling. Terrified, the beggar confesses that his name is Lushkoff and he was actually fired from a Russian choir for excessive drunkenness. Sergei scolds him for lying and challenges him to do honest work instead of begging, offering him a job chopping wood at his house.

Lushkoff reluctantly accepts the job and follows Sergei's cook, Olga, to the woodshed. From his dining room window, Sergei watches as the weak, alcohol-ruined beggar struggles to chop even a single piece of wood while the angry cook scolds him aggressively. Sergei feels slightly guilty for making a sick man do hard labor in the cold, but an hour later, Olga reports that all the wood has been chopped. From then on, Lushkoff regularly returns to do odd jobs like shoveling snow and dusting rugs. Impressed by his apparent sobriety, Sergei eventually finds out Lushkoff can write and sends him to a friend with a letter of recommendation for a better, cleaner copying job. Lushkoff leaves and does not return to the yard.

Two years pass, and Sergei accidentally runs into Lushkoff at a theatre. Lushkoff is now well-dressed and works as a respectable notary earning thirty-five roubles a month. Sergei takes immense pride in this, believing his harsh scolding saved the man's life. However, Lushkoff reveals a shocking truth: he never chopped a single stick of wood. It was Olga, the cook, who would scold him, weep for his miserable fate, and chop all the wood for him out of pure pity. Olga's genuine empathy, tears, and noble sacrifices touched Lushkoff's heart so deeply that it inspired him to quit drinking and change his life forever.

3. Detailed Summary (Odia) 📝

ଗଳ୍ପଟି ଜଣେ ହତାଶ ଭିକାରୀରୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୁଏ ଯିଏ ସର୍ଗେଇ ନାମକ ଜଣେ ଓକିଲଙ୍କୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ ମାଗୁଥାଏ। ଭିକାରୀ ଦାବି କରେ ଯେ ସେ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ଜଣେ ଗାଁ ସ୍କୁଲ ଶିକ୍ଷକ ଥିଲା ଏବଂ ଗୋଟିଏ ଷଡ଼ଯନ୍ତ୍ର କାରଣରୁ ନିଜର ଚାକିରି ହରାଇଥିଲା। ତଥାପି, ସର୍ଗେଇ ଲୋକଟିର ଛିଣ୍ଡା କୋଟ୍ ଏବଂ ଅଲଗା ଅଲଗା ଜୋତାକୁ ଧ୍ୟାନର ସହ ଦେଖନ୍ତି, ଏବଂ ହଠାତ୍ ତାଙ୍କର ମନେ ପଡ଼ିଯାଏ ଯେ ସେ କିଛି ଦିନ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ସେହି ଭିକାରୀକୁ ଭେଟିଥିଲେ। ସେମାନଙ୍କର ପୂର୍ବ ସାକ୍ଷାତ ସମୟରେ, ଭିକାରୀ ନିଜକୁ ଜଣେ ବହିଷ୍କୃତ ଛାତ୍ର ବୋଲି ମିଛ କହିଥିଲା। ତାର ମିଛ ଧରାପଡ଼ିବା ପରେ, ସର୍ଗେଇ ଠକାମି ପାଇଁ ପୋଲିସ୍ ଡାକିବେ ବୋଲି ଧମକ ଦିଅନ୍ତି। ଭୟଭୀତ ହୋଇ ଭିକାରୀ ସ୍ୱୀକାର କରେ ଯେ ତାର ନାମ ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍ ଏବଂ ଅତ୍ୟଧିକ ମଦ୍ୟପାନ କାରଣରୁ ତାକୁ ଏକ ରୁଷୀୟ ଗାୟକ ଦଳରୁ ବାହାର କରିଦିଆଯାଇଥିଲା। ସର୍ଗେଇ ତାକୁ ମିଛ କହିଥିବାରୁ ଗାଳି ଦିଅନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ଭିକ ମାଗିବା ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତେ ସଚ୍ଚୋଟ କାମ କରିବାକୁ ଆହ୍ୱାନ ଦିଅନ୍ତି, ତଥା ତାଙ୍କ ଘରେ କାଠ କାଟିବା କାମ ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ ଦିଅନ୍ତି।

ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍ ଅନିଚ୍ଛାର ସହ କାମଟି ଗ୍ରହଣ କରେ ଏବଂ ସର୍ଗେଇଙ୍କ ରୋଷେୟା, ଓଲଗା ପଛେ ପଛେ କାଠ ଘରକୁ ଯାଏ। ସର୍ଗେଇ ନିଜ ଖାଇବା ଘର ଝରକାରୁ ଦେଖନ୍ତି ଯେ ମଦ ପିଇ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ହୋଇଯାଇଥିବା ଭିକାରୀ ଗୋଟିଏ କାଠ ଖଣ୍ଡ କାଟିବାକୁ ସଂଘର୍ଷ କରୁଛି, ସେହି ସମୟରେ ରାଗିଯାଇଥିବା ରୋଷେୟା ତାକୁ ଜୋରରେ ଗାଳି ଦେଉଛି। ଜଣେ ଅସୁସ୍ଥ ଲୋକକୁ ଥଣ୍ଡାରେ କଠିନ ପରିଶ୍ରମ କରାଉଥିବାରୁ ସର୍ଗେଇ ଟିକିଏ ଦୁଃଖିତ ଅନୁଭବ କରନ୍ତି, କିନ୍ତୁ ଘଣ୍ଟାଏ ପରେ ଓଲଗା ଆସି କହେ ଯେ ସବୁ କାଠ କଟା ସରିଛି। ସେବେଠାରୁ, ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍ ନିୟମିତ ଭାବରେ ବରଫ ସଫା କରିବା ଏବଂ ଦରି ଝାଡ଼ିବା ଭଳି ଛୋଟ କାମ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଆସେ। ସେ ଆଉ ମଦ ପିଉନଥିବା ଦେଖି ସର୍ଗେଇ ପ୍ରଭାବିତ ହୁଅନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ପାଆନ୍ତି ଯେ ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍ ଲେଖିପାରେ, ତେଣୁ ସେ ତାକୁ ଅଧିକ ଭଲ ଓ ସଫାସୁତୁରା ନକଲ କରିବା (copying) କାମ ପାଇଁ ଗୋଟିଏ ସୁପାରିଶ ଚିଠି ଦେଇ ନିଜ ସାଙ୍ଗ ପାଖକୁ ପଠାନ୍ତି। ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍ ଚାଲିଯାଏ ଏବଂ ଆଉ ଅଗଣାକୁ ଫେରେ ନାହିଁ।

ଦୁଇ ବର୍ଷ ବିତିଯାଏ, ଏବଂ ସର୍ଗେଇ ହଠାତ୍ ଥିଏଟରରେ ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍ କୁ ଭେଟନ୍ତି। ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ଭଲ ପୋଷାକ ପିନ୍ଧିଛି ଏବଂ ଜଣେ ସମ୍ମାନନୀୟ ନୋଟାରୀ ଭାବରେ କାମ କରି ମାସକୁ ପଇଁତିରିଶ ରୁବେଲ୍ ରୋଜଗାର କରୁଛି। ସର୍ଗେଇ ନିଜ ଉପରେ ଗର୍ବ କରନ୍ତି, ଏବଂ ବିଶ୍ୱାସ କରନ୍ତି ଯେ ତାଙ୍କର କଡ଼ା ଗାଳି ଲୋକଟିର ଜୀବନ ବଞ୍ଚାଇ ଦେଇଛି। ତଥାପି, ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍ ଏକ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟଜନକ ସତ୍ୟ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରେ ଯେ ସେ କେବେ ଗୋଟିଏ ବି କାଠ ଖଣ୍ଡ କାଟିନଥିଲା। ଏହା ରୋଷେୟା ଓଲଗା ଥିଲା, ଯିଏ ତାକୁ ଗାଳି ଦେଉଥିଲା, ତାର ଦୟନୀୟ ଭାଗ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ କାନ୍ଦୁଥିଲା, ଏବଂ କେବଳ ଦୟା ପରବଶ ହୋଇ ତା ପାଇଁ ସବୁ କାଠ କାଟୁଥିଲା। ଓଲଗାର ପ୍ରକୃତ ସହାନୁଭୂତି, ଲୁହ, ଏବଂ ମହାନ ବଳିଦାନ ଲୁସ୍କୋଭ୍ ର ହୃଦୟକୁ ଏତେ ଗଭୀର ଭାବରେ ସ୍ପର୍ଶ କରିଥିଲା ଯେ ଏହା ତାକୁ ମଦ ଛାଡ଼ିବାକୁ ଏବଂ ନିଜ ଜୀବନକୁ ସବୁଦିନ ପାଇଁ ବଦଳାଇଦେବାକୁ ପ୍ରେରଣା ଦେଇଥିଲା।