From the Fair
In the first chapter, Sholom talks about a man heading for a fair. This man is full of hope. But on the way back, he knows what deals he has made and what he has accomplished. He is no longer in a hurry he has plenty of time. Sholom compares his past to this metaphor of a fair. The Town Sholom tells the reader about the place he grew up: Kasrilevke (Voronko) which is in little Russia. He describes this place as being very small but so beautiful and full of charm. There is no railroad, no sea, and no tumult. Sholom's Parents Sholom's father was Reb Nochem Vevik. He was the richest man in town. He leased land, supplied sugar plant with beets, ran the local post office, dealt grain, and many other things. His mother ran a dry goods store single handedly. She was very strict and active with her children, more than a dozen of them. The greatest rascal of the family was Sholom. He was a great student, but got more blows and smacks for his mischief. As a child, they had a nanny named Frume. The children through a celebration when she went off to get married. Shmulik the Orphan Shmulik had neither a father nor a mother and was raised in the Rabbi's house. Sholom became attached to him because of his stories. Stories poured out of him as if from an everlasting spring. He claimed he knew how to draw wine from the wall and oil from the ceiling and make diamonds and gems from shards. This was a very kabbalistic view, as the Rabbi was a kabbalist himself. Sholom was drawn to the idea of the orphan- they had freedom to imagine. He viewed it as freedom to be a rebel, and as an opportunity to re invent yourself from what your origins were. Treasures Sholom describes the tale of the treasure in the village. Chmielnicki buried it years ago. Shmulik enriched Sholom's imagination and deepened his perception. He began dreaming about treasures, magic stones, and other good things that are still ensconced in Sholom's heart. Another Friend Lost Meirl Medvedevker and Sholom had little desire for Torah study. They would rather pick green gooseberries or shake pears and plums from a tree. He said "talmud isn't a goat- it won't run away. God will forgive us for not praying". Meirl led Sholom away from the straight and narrow path: he taught him to skimp on prayers, sneak carob, candies, and honey. On Tisha B'Av, the priest and his dog caught Meirl and the dog tore his pants and the priest snatched his cap. As a result, the children were all withdrawn from his father's cheder. |
Sirko
Sirko was a dog. He was a plain must with gray hide. He wasn't allowed in the house- Frume the nanny showed him his place by scalding him with boiling water. But the children brought Sirko treats from their pockets. They spoke to the dog in Russian rather than Yiddish, they would not speak to a dog in a Jewish language. The dog was a dear and devoted friend. Sirko's Tragedy There was a spell of hot weather with no rain. Heat waves are dangers for dogs because they go mad. Rumor spread around town that a dogged gone mad and bitten several other dogs. Villages therefore took steps protect children from the bite of a rabid dog. Hangmen did away with a score of dogs. Sirko was unfortunately one of them. Sholom didn't eat after that and could barely sleep at night. Feigeleh the Witch Jewish farmers came into town for the holidays. From Rosh Hashana until Sukkos. These "holiday folk" were distant relatives from Hlubokeh named Lifschitz. He and his wife had taken in their second cousins cousin Feigel as a maid. The scamps in town called her Feigeleh the witch because she was a demon, a high spirited tomboy. She told stories, tickled the boys, and would hug and kiss them. The Trip As Sholom leaves on a trip, he watches how quickly the road flies and how the ground disappears beneath the wheels and the horses legs. He realizes how everything glides right before his eyes. He smells the late summer grass, and watches the branch of the lone tree caught on the wagon roof. He feels the fresh air entering his nostrils and stroking his throat. He begins to think about how small man is and the greatness of the One who has created this big, beautiful world. |