Summary of "God Sees the Truth but Waits"
-Leo Tolstoy
This story is about a merchant who has become the victim of circumstance. Although the merchant was innocent, he was made to live a life of a convict. This story depicts that how conditions lead someone to tolerate someone else’s guilt.
Aksionov was a young merchant. He lived with his wife and children in Vladimir. He had virtuous (सद्गुण) qualities.
Once Aksionov planned to go to Nizhny to attend a fair. But his wife tried to stop him because she had a bad dream about him. She dreamt that Aksionov had returned from the town with grey hair. But Aksionov was fair headed. This was the sign of a bad omen (नराम्रो संकेत).
Aksionov didn’t take his wife’s dream seriously. So, he went to the fair. On the way, he met a merchant. They spent the night at the same inn (धर्मशाला). Aksionov left the inn before the dawn (बिहानी हुनु) leaving the merchant asleep. On the way, Aksionov was arrested by the local police officer. The merchant with whom Aksionov spent the night was found dead and so he was suspected of the murder.
The officers searched Aksionov’s luggage and found a blood-stained (रगतको दाग लागेको) knife. The police officer found him guilty (दोषी) and sent him to prison.
Once he made a petition (बिन्ती )to the emperor for mercy because he was innocent. However, his petition was rejected and he felt devastated (स्तब्ध रह्नु). Then, he gave up all his hope and started praying to god.
Later, he was sent to work in the mines of Siberia.
For 26 years Aksionov lived as a convict (दोषी) in Siberia. He grew old there. Aksionov frequently prayed to God. There in prison, he learned to make boots and earned a little money. He bought the book “The Lives of the Saint” in prison.
In the prison, he was respected by all the fellow (साथी ) prisoners due to his gentle behavior. They called him “Grandfather” and “The Saint”.
One day, in the prison, he met Makar Semeyonich. He was the real murderer (हत्यारा) of the merchant. Aksionov found the very truth about him. However, Aksionov didn’t take any action against Makar. Instead, he saved Makar from the officials when he tried to escape from the prison. Makar, then, realized his mistake. He felt guilty that Aksionov was bearing his crime. Makar admitted the crime. Aksionov forgave Makar, accepted the truth, attained self-realization, and died in peace.