Notes

Pakhom is a poor farmer, but he dreams of having much land. Pakhom’s farm is very small. It is less than an acre. Every morning Pakhom gets up early and works until it is dark. In this way e is able to save some money. Pakhom works and saves, and he dreams of having much land.


One day a traveler stops at Pakhom’s farm. The traveler needs food for his horse. Pakhom gives the horse some oats. Then Pakhom and the man drink tea and talk about farm life.

The man says, “The Baskhirs are very stupid. They may sell you land for very little money. All you need to do is make friend with them. You must make friends with their Chief.

The man drinks some more tea. He says, “It is easy to make friends with the Baskhirs. Give them some gifts. Then they will be your friends.” He smiles. “This makes them happy. Then they can sell you a large piece of land for almost nothing.”

The man tells Pakhom, “Their land is very good, too. Iti is near a river. The earth is very rich. You can grow almost anything there.”

“Do the Bashkirs own much land?” asks Pakhom.

The traveler laughs. “Oh, yes.” He says. “They own many acres. They own more land than you can ever see. You can’t walk from one end of their land to the other in years”

Pakhom shakes his head and thinks about the land. “I Tell you, “ says the traveler, “the Bashkirs are very stupid. Just give them some gifts. Then they will sell you their land for very little money. They are a happy people who live in tents near the side of a river.”

Pakhom thinks, “ I must visit the Bashkirs. I always dream of having much land. This may be my chance.

Pakhom asks, “How do I get to the Land of the Bashkirs?”

The traveler tells him. Then Pakhom and the man shake hands and the traveler leaves.