How Much Land does a Man Need?

Leo Tolstoy
The ambitious peasant Pakhom, who, after gaining
ever greater plots of land, nally heard of a wonder-
ful deal in a far-o country. He travelled to the land
of the Bashkirs and negotiated with the village elder,
who seemed a fool. The elder told Pakhom that he
could have all the land he wanted for a thousand
rubles a day.
Pakhom did not understand. What kind of rate
is thata day? he asked. How many acres could
that be?
We dont reckon your way. We sell by the day.
However much you can walk around in one day will
be yours.
When Pakhon expressed that a man can walk
around much land in one day, the elder burst out
laughing. And all of it will be yours! he replied. But
there was one condition: If Pakhom didnt return to
the starting point by sundown, the money would be
forfeited.
Ecstatic, Pakhom spent a sleepless night. Ris-
ing at dawn, he went with the villagers to the top
of a hill, where the elder put down his hat. After
placing his thousand rubles on top, Pakhom began
walking, digging holes along the way to mark his
land. The going was easy and he thought, Ill do
another three miles and then turn left. The lands
so beautiful here, it would be a pity to miss any.
Pakhom hurried throughout the morning, going
out of his way to add more land. But at noon, when
he looked back at the hill where he had began, it
was dicult to see the people. Maybe I have gone
too far, he worried, and decided he must begin to
make shorter sides. As the afternoon wore on, the
heat was exhausting. By now his bare feet were cut
and bruised, and his legs weakened. He wanted to
rest, but it was out of question.
Pakhom struggled on, walking faster, then run-
ning. He worried that he had been too greedy, and
his fear made him breathless. On he ran, his shirt
soaked and his throat parched. His lungs were work-
ing like a blacksmiths bellows, his heart beat like a
hammer. He was terried.
All these strain will be the death of me.
Although Pakhom feared death, he couldnt
stop. Theyd call me an idiot, he thought. When
he was close enough to hear the Bashkirs cheering,
he summoned his last ounce of strength and kept
running. As he nally reached the hill, everything
suddenly became darkthe sun had set. Pakhom
groaned. He wanted to stop, but heard the Bashkirs
still cheering himon. He realized that fromwhere he
was at the bottom of the hill, the sun had setbut
not for those on top. Pakhom took a deep breath
and rushed up the hill. Reaching the top, he saw
the elder sitting by the hat, laughing his head o.
Pakhoms legs gave way, and he fell forward grasp-
ing the cap.
Oh well done, exclaimed the elder.
Thats a lot of land youve earned yourself!
Pakhoms worker ran up and tried to lift his mas-
ter, but Pakhom was dead. The worker picked up
Pakhoms spade, dug a grave, and buried himsix
feet from head to heel, exactly the amount of land
a man needs.
1
Glossary
bellows a mechanical device that blows a strong
current of air, to make re burns more ercely.
bruised injured without bleeding, usually with
change in size and color.
burst out give an expression suddenly.
ecstatic feeling extremely happy or delighted.
exhausting aecting loss of energy.
forfeited taken or must be given as penalty.
gave way give way stop functioning or operat-
ing.
greedy wanting to have more than necessery.
groaned groan make utterance or voice as sign
of pain or displeasure.
parched dried out by heat.
plots of land plot of land an area of ground
covered by specic plants.
reckon expect, believe, take account on.
rushed rush move fast.
strain damage in physical body caused by applied
force.
summoned summon collect or bring together.
weakened weaken become weak or weaker.
wore on wear on pass slowly (in context of
time).
Questions
1. In what country do you think the story took place? How do you know?
2. What do you think the Bashkirs in rst paragraph probably means?
3. How many persons involved in the story? Mention each of them.
4. What do you think the physical cause of Pakhoms death? Whats your reason?
5. What do you think the true cause of Pakhoms death? Whats your reason?
6. This story is told in past tense, since the events had happened long ago. Still there are sentences in
present and also in future tense.
Point out which sentences are in present and which are in future tense.
Ellam ByDefault (ellam.bydefault@gmail.com)
2