The Miser

Once upon a time, there was a rich merchant named Marko. He was a miser. One day, he went for a walk. On the way, he saw an old man sitting and begging in the name of Christ. Though Marko noticed him, he walked past him. At the same time, a poor man came walking there. The poor man took pity on the beggar and gave him a kopeck. The rich man felt ashamed. So, he asked the poor man to lend him a kopeck. Marko said, “I want to give the poor beggar something, but I don’t have change!” The poor man gave him a kopeck and asked, “When should I come to collect my money back?” “Tomorrow!” replied the rich man. The next day, the poor man went to Marko’s house to get his kopeck back. He went into the big courtyard and asked the man standing there, “Is Marko, the rich at home?”

 Marko Fakes Death

The man said, “Yes” and sent the poor man to meet Marko. Marko asked him, “What do you want?” “I’ve come for my kopeck,” replied the poor man. “Come back later, my man. I really have no change,” said Marko. The poor man bowed and went off, saying, “I will come back tomorrow.” The next morning, the poor man came again and the same thing happened. “I don’t have small coins. Give me change for a hundred-ruble note, if you have, or come again after fifteen days,” said Marko. After fifteen days, the poor man again went to meet Marko. But Marko, the rich saw him coming and said to his wife, “Quick, wife! I will take off my clothes and lie down. You cover me with a sheet. Then, sit down and cry as if I were dead. When the man comes and asks for his money, tell him I passed away today.” The wife did as her husband said and she sat and started crying.

The Witty Poor Man

The poor man entered the room. “What do you want?” the wife asked. “I have come to take the money I lent to Marko, the rich,” replied the poor man. “Well, Marko, the rich is no more. He had passed away this morning only.” “Many his soul rest in peace! Allow me to be of service to him, mistress. Let me wash his sinful body.” Saying so, he picked up a pot of hot water and began to pour it on Marko, the rich. Marko could not bear the hot water and his nose and feet started trembling. “Tremble as much as you want, but give me back my kopeck!” said the poor man. The poor man washed Marko and after dressing him fittingly, he said, “Go and get a coffin, widow. We will carry him to the church and I will read the Psalter over him.” So, they put Marko, the rich in a coffin and carried him to the church. The poor man read the Psalter.

The Kopeck

Night fell and it was pitch dark. The window of the church opened and the thieves began to climb into the church. Afraid, the poor man hid behind the altar. The thieves had a lot of stolen money and jewels with them. They began dividing it amongst themselves. But, there was one gold sabre, which they were all tugging. Each one of them wanted it. Suddenly, the poor man jumped out from behind the altar and yelled, “Why are you quarrelling? Whoever cuts off the corpse’s head can have the sabre!” Marko, the rich heard this and jumped up in alarm. The thieves were scared, dropped all the money and treasure and ran away. “Come on; let us divide up the money,” said Marko. So, they divided the money equally and each of them had a big pile. “What about the kopeck?” asked the poor man. “You can see, my dear brother, I don’t have change!” replied Marko. And so, Marko, the rich never repaid his debt.

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