An old man on his deathbed advises his son to care for the poor. On Easter, the son brings eggs to church to share with the needy, despite his mother's disapproval. He encounters a dirty old man, takes him home to break his fast, and they share a meal. The mother is furious, preferring to associate with anyone but the beggar. After the meal, the son notices the old man's shabby clothes but radiant cross. They exchange crosses, and the old man invites the son to visit him the following Tuesday, instructing him to say, "The Lord bless me!" to find the way. On Tuesday, the son follows the path and encounters various suffering souls: children in pain, maidens ladling water, and old men covered in slime, all pleading for relief. He eventually meets the old man again, realizing he is speaking to Christ. The old man explains the fates of those he saw: the children cursed by their mother, the maidens punished for their dishonesty, and the old men who took life for granted. Christ then shows the boy Paradise, where he is welcomed, but also Hell, where his mother suffers. The son pleads for her mercy, and Christ instructs him to weave a rope of brome-grass, symbolizing his years of labor for her. The son lowers the rope to his mother, but she resists his help, calling him a savage dog. The rope breaks, and she falls back into the flames, revealing her unwillingness to escape. Christ explains that her heart remains in Hell, and she must endure eternal punishment. The narrative explores themes of compassion, the consequences of one's actions, and the complexities of familial love and redemption.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1869 · Genre: Religious Fiction, Moral Tale, Fantasy