독후감- What men live by

[이영일]

2009. Feb. 3

What man live by

         JOHN

By Tolstoy

Character:

Simon: He is a shoemaker.

Martha: She is Simon’s wife.

Michael: He is an angel from heaven.

Rich man: He is a rich noble. He wants good boots, but he died.

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Summary: In old Russia, there was once an old shoemaker named Simon. He had a wife. His wife was named Martha. He and his wife were not rich. One day in the late fall, Simon needed a new coat. So he left his house to buy a winter coat. But he didn’t have enough money. So he spent his money on vodka. When he was walking, he saw a young man at the church. The young man was naked. Simon took off his old jacket and put it around the young man’s shoulders. They went Simon’s house. When Simon arrived at home with the young man, there was Martha. Martha was angry, because Simon didn’t have a new winter coat and he also brought a strange man at home. But after she listened to her husband, she thought the young man looked pitiful. So she didn’t feel angry anymore. The young man stayed and learned how to make shoes from Simon. He learned quickly and had great skill. He only told them that his name was Michael. Michael made shoes so well that many people came to Simon’s shop. So Martha and Simon had enough money for food and clothes.

After one year, a rich man came to Simon’s shop. The rich man showed Simon a large piece of very fine leather. Then he wanted Simon to make him a pair of boots that will last for one year. Simon was afraid, because the leather was very expensive. But Michael nodded his head. Then the rich man left. Michael worked on the rich man’s boots the next day. But Michael made slippers. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. There was rich man’s servant. Then he said “My master died, so he needs slippers.” So Michael gave him slippers.

After six years, a woman came into the shoemaker’s shop. The woman had two daughters. But the woman was not a real mother. Two daughters hurt their legs and they didn’t have parents. Martha said “It is true that one may live without a father or mother. But anyone can’t live without God.”

At the moment, Michael was the source of very bright light. Michael learned three things about life. So he could return to heaven, because he was an angel. First, Michael learned about what lives in a man. When Simon helped Michael, he realized that love lives in men. Second, he learned about what is not given to man. When a rich man came to the Simon’s shop, the man was about to die, yet he wanted boots that last a year. At that time, Michael realized that men are not given the knowledge to know what they need. Finally, he learned about what men live by. When the woman came to the Simon’s shop, she was not real mother of those children. But she loved them. At that time, Michael realized that men live by love. Then he returned to heaven.

Feel: I think I should also realize what men live by. But I know already. So I will serve my God all the time. This book had instruction. So this book helped me. From now on, I will live very well with love. Then I will love my neighbor, even though they don’t love me. And I will do my best. Michael was a very good shoemaker, because he did do his best.   

So when I do my best to something, my feeling will be glad and other people will praise me, also.                                                                    

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"최상을 향한 나의 마음은 나의 삶에 최선을 하게 한다!" _ 봉석어록 중에서....ㅋ