The Grain

The Grain

The Grain, sometimes also translated as "A Grain as Big as a Hen's Egg", is a short story by Russian author Leo Tolstoy written in 1886. It takes the form of a parable about being content with one's lot in life.

ynopsis

One day some children found a strange object in a ravine, and they sold it to a passerby for a penny, who then sold it to a curiosity shop. Eventually the object found its way to the king, and the king was very curious to know what it was. He called together his wise men, and they discovered that the object, about the size of a hen's egg, was actually a large grain.

The king wanted to know where such a large grain could come from, and he had his men bring him an old peasant, hoping that he might know something of it. An old decrepit peasant, nearly blind and unable to walk, was brought before the king. The king showed him the grain, and the peasant said that he had never seen anything like it before, but maybe his father would know something. The peasant's father was found and brought before the king. The father was apparently healthier than the son, with only one bad leg and better eyes. He, however, still could not identify the grain, but suggested that his father might know something about it. That peasant's father was found, and he was a healthy man with good legs and bright eyes. He identified the grain as one that he and his family had planted in abundance in their time.

The king asked the man why he was so much healthier than his son and grandson, and how the grains were so much bigger in his day. The man explains that his health and the grains are because in his time, men were content with what they had, and they could thrive simply from the fruits of their own labor. In the times of his son and grandson, men begin to covet their neighbor's property, and they could no longer find contentment.

ee also

*Bibliography of Leo Tolstoy

References

*"The Works of Tolstoi." Black's Readers Service Company: Roslyn, New York. 1928.

External links

* [http://www.online-literature.com/tolstoy/2898/ The Grain at the Online Literature Network]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • The Secret of the Grain — Theatrical release poster Directed by Abdellatif Kechiche Produced by …   Wikipedia

  • The Grain That Built A Hemisphere — est un court métrage d animation américain réalisé par les Studios Disney, sorti le 4 janvier 1943 réalisé par les studios Disney[1]. Sommaire 1 Synopsis 2 Fiche technique …   Wikipédia en Français

  • The Grain of Wheat — was a parable given by Jesus in the New Testament (The Gospel of John). Here Jesus explains how dying to a sinful and worldly life results in an abundant life for now to eternity. It is a parable about repentance; from hating God and loving… …   Wikipedia

  • Against the grain — Grain Grain (gr[=a]n), n. [F. grain, L. granum, grain, seed, small kernel, small particle. See {Corn}, and cf. {Garner}, n., {Garnet}, {Gram} the chick pea, {Granule}, {Kernel.}] [1913 Webster] 1. A single small hard seed; a kernel, especially of …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To go against the grain of — Grain Grain (gr[=a]n), n. [F. grain, L. granum, grain, seed, small kernel, small particle. See {Corn}, and cf. {Garner}, n., {Garnet}, {Gram} the chick pea, {Granule}, {Kernel.}] [1913 Webster] 1. A single small hard seed; a kernel, especially of …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • against the grain — {adv. phr.} 1. Across rather than with the direction of the fibers (as of wood or meat). * /He sandpapered the wood against the grain./ 2. So as to annoy or trouble, or to cause anger or dislike. Usually follows go . * /His coarse and rude ways… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • against the grain — {adv. phr.} 1. Across rather than with the direction of the fibers (as of wood or meat). * /He sandpapered the wood against the grain./ 2. So as to annoy or trouble, or to cause anger or dislike. Usually follows go . * /His coarse and rude ways… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • Against the Grain — may refer to:In broadcast media: * Against the Grain (TV series), 1993 NBC drama series with Ben Affleck * Against the Grain (radio program), an interview program on Pacifica Radio station KPFA, Berkeley, hosted by C.S. SoongIn music:* Against… …   Wikipedia

  • Don't Go Against the Grain — Studio album by GP Wu Released January 27, 1997 Recorded 1996 1997 …   Wikipedia

  • against the grain — adverb 1. : across the fiber of the wood 2. : counter to one s inclination, disposition, or feelings the check he had imposed upon himself in the chapel, against the grain Margery Bailey * * * against the grain 1. Against the fibre of the wood 2 …   Useful english dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”