The Innocent Prudentius by Nikolai Leskov. Short summary

5 seconds

Two fellow merchants trade and plunder at sea. One of them dies, and the friend is forced to take in the deceased’s son, with whom he does not wish to share.

1 minute

There were two merchants, Giphas and Alcaeus, who lived by the sea. They traded together and went to sea on the same ship. Sometimes the buddies plundered small ships, but they hid this occupation from others.

Their wives were each other’s aunt and niece. Gephas had a son, Prudentius. The families lived very amicably. Melita, Alkeas’ wife began to teach Prudentius to read and write, to throw discs, and to run. She works with the young man for two years, until an accident occurs.

Alcaeus returns after several days at sea and informs his wife that Hyphas has died. They are attacked by robbers, Giphas is struck in the head and falls into the water with a crushed skull. Alcaeus has to flee, leaving his boat at the mercy of the robbers. His widow asks Alcaeus to tell them in public how her husband died.

The assembled crowd decides that Alcaeus should take Prudentius to his cause. Alcaeus, not wanting to share his income with Prudentius, decides to get rid of him. In order not to arouse suspicion with a second accident, he decides to corrupt the young man’s soul.