Book Title: Tolstoy’s Short Stories---What Men Live By?
Original Author: Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy
Adaptor: Brian J. Stuart
First Published by Darakwon Publishing Company, Seoul , Korea in 2004
Taiwanese Translation Distributed by Cosmos Culture Ltd. in 2005
Student: Deng, Xi-Wen Grade: Eighth Class: 206 Group:B
Teacher: Ashley
Summary
In old Russia , there was an old and poor shoemaker named
Simon. One late fall, he left his house to buy a winter coat. On his way,
he met a young man without clothes. Simon helped the young man,
Michael, and brought him home. Simon’s wife, Martha, didn’t like the
young man at first, but she finally accepted him. Michael learned how to
make shoes from Simon. He learned quickly and skillfully. Michael
made shoes so well that many people came to Simon’s shop. Soon
Simon and Martha had enough money for food and clothes.
Reflection
Tolstoy is one of the greatest writer in the world. What Men Live By
is one of his best short stories. Michael turned out to be an angel. God
punished and sent him into our world to learn three truths. First, learns
what live in man. Second, learn what is not given to man. Finally, learn
what man live by. After learning these three truths, Michael returned to
heaven. Tolstoy gave his answer to the question: People live by love.
Book Title: Tolstoy’s Short Stories---What Men Live By?
Original Author: Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy
Adaptor: Brian J. Stuart
First Published by Darakwon Publishing Company, Seoul , Korea in 2004
Taiwanese Translation Distributed by Cosmos Culture Ltd. in 2005
Student: Sung, Chun-Yi Grade: Eighth Class: 206 Group:B
Teacher: Ashley
Summary
Simon was a shoemaker who lived in the Russian countryside. Life
was difficult for him because it was hard to make money. His wife,
Martha, tried to live a better life. Their life finally changed after they
met a naked young man. The young man was actually an angel from
heaven. God told him to gather good people’s souls when they
died. Once he disobeyed God. So God sent him to live with Simon so
that he could understand God’s plan for humans.
Reflection
Simon was a poor shoemaker. He didn’t have enough money to buy a
winter coat. But he still helped a young man on the way. He took off
his old jacket and put it around the young man’s shoulders. He also gave
the young man an extra pair of shoes. I think Simon was a man with
love. The young man, Michael, paid Simon back by making shoes with
skill. There is a Chinese saying: “Good has its reward.” I’ll do my best
to help those who are in need in the future.
Book Title: Tolstoy’s Short Stories---What Men Live By?
Original Author: Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy
Adaptor: Brian J. Stuart
First Published by Darakwon Publishing Company, Seoul , Korea in 2004
Taiwanese Translation Distributed by Cosmos Culture Ltd. in 2005
Student: Yang, Chong-Zhi Grade: Eighth Class: 206 Group:B
Teacher: Ashley
Summary
In old Russia , there was a couple, Simon and Martha. They were so
poor and didn’t have enough money to buy food and clothes. It was very
cold in winter. Simon and Martha needed a new coat to share each
other. So he went out to buy one. But Simon spent his money on
vodka. As Simon was walking home, he saw a young man by a church
without clothes. He hurried past the young man at first. After a while,
he went back to the young man, Michael, and helped him. Then,
Michael stayed at Simon’s house and made money for Simon and Martha
for six years. They finally had enough money for food and clothes.
Reflection
This short story is a joy to read. It talks issues about love, friendship,
and labor. In the story, Simon asked his wife, “Don’t you love God?” I
think we can ask everyone the same question “Do we love God?” The
three truths God wanted Michael to learn were: love lives in man, men
are not given the knowledge to know what they need, and men live by
love. I now understand that men live by love alone.
Book Title: Tolstoy’s Short Stories---What Men Live By?
Original Author: Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy
Adaptor: Brian J. Stuart
First Published by Darakwon Publishing Company, Seoul , Korea in 2004
Taiwanese Translation Distributed by Cosmos Culture Ltd. in 2005
Student: You, Pei-Qi Grade: Eighth Class: 206 Group:B
Teacher: Ashley
Summary
Michael was an angel. His job was to lead dead souls to Heaven.
Once God sent Michael to take the soul of a woman. This woman was
the mother of two newborn babies. The mother begged Michael not to
take her soul. So Michael flew back to Heaven and asked God to save
her. But God told him to go back and take the mother’s soul. God also
told Michael to learn three truths before he was allowed to return to
Heaven. After Michael lived with a poor couple for six years, he finally
learned the three truths. .
Reflection
In the Bible, Michael is the strongest angel of all the angels.
Angels’ main job is to tell God’s message to human beings. Angels also
tell people about God’s love and try to help them. The mother died
when she gave birth to twins. Though the mother couldn’t take care of
the babies by herself, God sent a good neighbour to adopt the babies.
The neighbour raised them as her daughters and loved them very much.
We should help others whenever we can. He who has love is with God,
and God is in him, for God is love.
Book Title: Tolstoy’s Short Stories---What Men Live By?
Original Author: Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy
Adaptor: Brian J. Stuart
First Published by Darakwon Publishing Company, Seoul , Korea in 2004
Taiwanese Translation Distributed by Cosmos Culture Ltd. in 2005
Student: Zhang, Pei-Ya Grade: Eighth Class: 206 Group:B
Teacher: Ashley
Summary
An angel suddenly lost his wings and fell to the earth. He was naked
and freezing behind a church. A poor shoemaker, Simon, found
Michael on his way to buy a winter coat. Simon pitied Michael and
broght him home. Michael lived with Simon and his wife and learned
how make shoes skillfully. Many people came to Simon’s shop. Soon
Simon and Martha had enough money for food and clothes. In the end
wings grew from Michael’s body and a ray of light fell down from
Heaven. Michael spread his wings and flew up into light. Simon and
Martha could not look directly at him. They covered their eyes and fell
to the ground.
Reflection
This is a great short story, I think Tolstoy is one of the best
novelists of all time. The theme of the story is deep, but it is easy to
read and understand. The story tells us love is the greatest power and
everybody needs it. If a person has love or is loved, then he won’t be
alone. What do men live by? The answer to this question is clear:
love.