Шёпот духа

The Parable of the Elder Brother (The Fruits of Example)

In a large family, there was an elder brother.

From an early age, he took upon himself the responsibility to guide, to protect, and to be an example for the younger ones. They listened to him, watched him, and trusted him.

But over time, he began to live by his own rules:

he allowed himself much, yet allowed others almost nothing. Some he praised for the very things for which he harshly punished others.

Years passed. The younger ones grew.

They learned not from his words, but from his actions.

And when they came of age, they began to live the same way — each in his own house, by his own measure.

And so the family stood on the brink of ruin:

quarrels, accusations, resentment. The elder brother grew angry once more and demanded obedience, forgetting that he himself had once become their measure.

But it was too late to demand anything.

The lesson had been learned too well.

And now he was reaping the fruits of the tree whose seeds he himself had once sown.

Original story in Russian:

Four Steps in Silence

Four lived under one roof: Childhood, Youth, Maturity, and Old Age.

Childhood dashed through the rooms, laughing and playing, without a care in the world.

Youth argued and dreamed, reaching for the windows and speaking of freedom.

Maturity kept everything in order, counting the days, tending to the house and everyone within it.

And Old Age sat by the window — in silence.

All four lived within one person. Each mattered.

Yet Old Age was left alone more and more often…

until she heard Childhood laughing in her memories,

and Youth whispering, “Do you remember?”

while Maturity gently draped a shawl over her shoulders.

Old Age realized then that all parts of her life were inseparably connected.

She looked at Childhood and smiled, remembering the joy and carelessness of those days.

Youth, with all its passions and dreams, reminded her that life is full of possibilities.

Maturity gently urged her to cherish each moment, surrounding her with warmth and care.

“And then Old Age understood: everything remained within her — the laughter, the dreams, and the care.

Loneliness is only a shadow; memory and love are her light.”

Original story in Russian: