“The Tale of Khoja Nasreddin” Leonid Soloviev

True virtue does not need fame.

The cold autumn burst in, as always, completely unexpectedly. The lower the temperature outside the window became, the more I remembered my summer vacation in Baku. The soul yearned for the sun, warmth and the atmosphere of the East. Huge piles of books were waiting for their long-awaited turn, but I did not like everything. I wanted to meet with a piece of art, preferably voluminous and exciting, which would brighten up the dullness outside the window. Searches on store bookshelves were unsuccessful, nullifying my fuse. As a result, the book found me on its own, accidentally ending up in the readmebox.

Khoja Nasreddin is a folklore character of the Muslim East, a great traveler and sage, a fighter for justice and goodness, a defender of the weak and defenseless. There was not a single person in the east who did not know about its existence. The rescued residents remembered him with gratitude and respect, only whispering his name aloud, while vicious and evil representatives of power or trade, whom he left with nothing, appointed a high reward for his head.

Curious situations, complex problems, the triumph of injustice, insoluble disputes – Khoja Nasreddin emerged from any vicissitudes with dexterity, wisdom and deceit, worthy only for him. His incredible adventures and the unpredictability of the plot were breathtaking, which made him frantically read the chapter to the end and mentally worry about the main character and his charming companion – the donkey.

It’s amazing how the author managed to convey with such accuracy the atmosphere and wisdom of the East, which surround every word with a thin golden thread. Each of the events described is not only a beautiful plot turning point, but carries a hidden meaning, a little moralizing and a clear example of noble deeds. Although Khoja Nasreddin is a fictional character, there are suggestions that a great sage with such a name really once lived in the east. From century to century, legends have passed from mouth to mouth, telling us about the exploits of the great sage, thanks to which the wisdom of generations has come down to us. Our main task is to use it correctly.

I read the book in one gulp, each time rejoicing at the opportunity to continue reading, which means to once again plunge into the hot sun of the East and plunge headlong into the spirit of adventure and mischief. The reading process took place with such passion and pleasure that I instantly abstracted from what was happening around me and invariably caught myself smiling. It’s great that books sometimes find the reader themselves, giving exactly those emotions and knowledge that he needs now.

I wholeheartedly recommend this work to everyone, especially during the cold winter. It will give you warmth, a smile and once again prove what a great word this is – life!