Three Questions and Other Tales
By Leo Tolstoy
4.5/5
()
About this ebook
Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) was a Russian author of novels, short stories, novellas, plays, and philosophical essays. He was born into an aristocratic family and served as an officer in the Russian military during the Crimean War before embarking on a career as a writer and activist. Tolstoy’s experience in war, combined with his interpretation of the teachings of Jesus, led him to devote his life and work to the cause of pacifism. In addition to such fictional works as War and Peace (1869), Anna Karenina (1877), and The Death of Ivan Ilyich (1886), Tolstoy wrote The Kingdom of God is Within You (1893), a philosophical treatise on nonviolent resistance which had a profound impact on Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. He is regarded today not only as one of the greatest writers of all time, but as a gifted and passionate political figure and public intellectual whose work transcends Russian history and literature alike.
Read more from Leo Tolstoy
LEO TOLSTOY – The Ultimate Short Stories Collection: 120+ Titles in One Volume (World Classics Series): The Kreutzer Sonata, The Forged Coupon, Hadji Murad, Alyosha the Pot, Master and Man, Father Sergius, Diary of a Lunatic, The Cossacks, My Dream, The Young Tsar, Fables and Stories for Children... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Death of Ivan Ilyich Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5War and Peace Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Calendar of Wisdom: Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul, Written and Se Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Following the Call: Living the Sermon on the Mount Together Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Confession Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5War and Peace : Complete and Unabridged Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/550 Great Love Letters You Have To Read (Golden Deer Classics) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wise Thoughts for Every Day: On God, Love, the Human Spirit, and Living a Good Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5What is Art? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Christmas Library: 250+ Essential Christmas Novels, Poems, Carols, Short Stories...by 100+ Authors Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Tolstoy's Stories for Children Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Gospel in Brief: The Life of Jesus Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Master and Man Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Confession and Other Religious Writings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Greatest Christmas Stories of All Time: Timeless Classics That Celebrate the Season Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBig Book of Christmas Tales: 250+ Short Stories, Fairytales and Holiday Myths & Legends Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBEST RUSSIAN SHORT STORIES Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Death of Ivan Ilych (Complete Version, Best Navigation, Active TOC) (A to Z Classics) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Thoughtful Wisdom for Every Day: 365 Days of Love, Kindness, Healing, Faith, and Peace Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings50 Beautiful Christmas Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Gospel in Tolstoy: Selections from His Short Stories, Spiritual Writings & Novels Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related to Three Questions and Other Tales
Titles in the series (100)
Ligeia and Other Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPoems by Emily Dickinson Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Deluge Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSentimental Education Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPoems by Emily Dickinson Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSchiller's Poems Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Double Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Stories Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Stories of Leo Tolstoy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Deluge Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDemons Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sentimental Education Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDon Quixote Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Poems by Emily Dickinson Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSchiller's Poems Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Prisoner of Morro Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTales From The Jazz Age Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFlappers and Philosophers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThis Side of Paradise Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTales of Dostoyevsky Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSylvia's Marriage: A Novel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Beautiful and Damned Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Crocodile Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5King Midas: A Romance Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Raw Youth Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Schiller's Poems Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe King in Yellow Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Black Cat and Other Stories Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBobok Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related ebooks
The Greatest Short Stories of Leo Tolstoy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anna Karenina Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy (Illustrated) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Study Guide for Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Metamorphosis Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsResurrection by Leo Tolstoy (Illustrated) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSelected Stories of Anton Chekhov Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tales from Shakespeare Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/57 best short stories by Alexander Pushkin Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Moby-Dick Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wuthering Heights Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrime and Punishment Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Tale of Two Cities Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Red-Headed League Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGreat Expectations Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don Quixote Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How Much Land Does A Man Need Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hamlet Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGulliver's Travels Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Lady With The Dog Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Silas Marner Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Brothers Karamazov Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWise Thoughts for Every Day: On God, Love, the Human Spirit, and Living a Good Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Idiot Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFavorite Poems Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Death of Ivan Ilych Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Great Gatsby Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Odyssey Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Classics For You
The Odyssey: (The Stephen Mitchell Translation) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Flowers for Algernon Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Fellowship Of The Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Master & Margarita Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Little Women (Seasons Edition -- Winter) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Old Man and the Sea: The Hemingway Library Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Count of Monte-Cristo English and French Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Learn French! Apprends l'Anglais! THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY: In French and English Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Confederacy of Dunces Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sense and Sensibility (Centaur Classics) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5As I Lay Dying Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5East of Eden Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Farewell to Arms Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Silmarillion Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Jungle: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Good Man Is Hard To Find And Other Stories Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Animal Farm: A Fairy Story Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ulysses: With linked Table of Contents Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wuthering Heights (with an Introduction by Mary Augusta Ward) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bell Jar: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Titus Groan Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Persuasion Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hell House: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Things They Carried Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5For Whom the Bell Tolls: The Hemingway Library Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Canterbury Tales Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Quiet American Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Republic by Plato Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related categories
Reviews for Three Questions and Other Tales
255 ratings48 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The illustrations themselves are almost worth a higher rating--beautiful water colors for a childrens book! The story itself is a philosophical one; if I were reading it to a child or to a class, I'd want to broaden the discussion immediately after reading it. Still, a neat (and beautiful) book!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Jon Muth was successful in his ability to take a story by a prolific writer Tolstoy and retell it in a children's storybook. He simplified the story by giving us a young boy and animals as the characters, using illustrations from watercolors and grayed out colors except for the red kite. The character Nikolai uses his curiosity and desire to wanting to be a better person, showing children that in times they will put aside their own wants for the benefit of others.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beautiful watercolors by Jon Muth, A thoughtful story with a boy wondering how to deal with what is the best time to do things, who to help, and who is most important. Based on stories from Tolstoy.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a compelling fable that teaches readers to be be your best. I liked his book because of this overall message that was delivered in an imaginative and effective way.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beautifully illustrated story based on one written by Leo Tolstoy. Muth's interpretation and artistic style leaves me speechless and reflective every time.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a very heartfelt and warm book for any age to read. It tells the story of a boy who has three important questions that he wants answered. The firs is when is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? and lastly, What is the right thing to do? The boy gets opinions from his friends; dog, monkey and crane. They all give him different views so he decides to go to the wisest he knows, the turtle. When he gets to the turtle he doesn't answer his question right away. A storm then comes and the boy ends up saving a panda and her cub. Throughout the book however the boy finds out the answer to all his questions. This is a great book to use for all ages with the connections that children can make with it on all levels. Great book :)
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is a child's retelling of Leo Tolstoy's Three Questions. Its about a boy, Nikolai, who is wondering the three questions: When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important one? What is the right thing to do? He asks his three friends who are a heron, a monkey and a dog all who have human characteristics. The answers they give him are unsatisfying and he goes to see a wise turtle. While there he helps save a panda and her baby. The next day he is still unsatisfied and doesn't have his answers. The turtle tells him that he does and goes on to explain that the important time is now, the important one is the one you are with and the most important thing is to do good for the one you is standing next to you. This book is very deep and I would probably use it in older grades. It expresses living in the moment and having compassion. The illustration is very peaceful and the boy is always carrying a red kite. I'm not sure what the kite symbolizes...maybe his three questions. In the author's note he explains Tolstoy's original Three Questions and how Muth, the author, modeled his characters. This book may not be appropriate in church schools because it has many zen-like qualities. I think this book would be very interesting to have students discuss.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I have been thinking about this book long after I read it. I enjoyed the peaceful pictures that fit the contemplative questions. I am not sure of why the image of the boy's red kite is so engrained in my head but it is. I will have to think about that more later. I am so impressed with the boy's helpful nature. He does not stop to ponder or wait for someone to ask for help, he just leaps into action. This is a book that all children could use as an example of kindness.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a wonderful picture book for older students. While it is a beautiful picture book for all viewers, its true audience should be older readers. In it, Nikolai is a young boy who asks his animal friends for help with his "big" questions. Each brings a different perspective to the questions, but Nikolai is unsatisfied with their answers. Things change when he visits Leo the Turtle, where circumstances and a crisis help Nikolai to find the answers he seeks. This is an important book.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I love the story, love the illustrator, love the Tolstoy, especially love the gorgeous watercolors. I just can't get enough of Jon Muth's stuff.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The pictures are gorgeous. I fundamentally disagree with the message of the text and am not convinced by this presentation of it. Sorry.
edit - after enjoying Zen Ties a *lot* I want to give Muth's other works another try, especially this one.
edit the second - re-read. I still disagree with the implication that that one doesn't need to reach out or plan ahead, that living in the moment is sufficient. But, unto itself, the moral of the Now is important, and it is also true that fretting is fruitless. So, a re-read gave me more insight. I also read more works of eastern philosophy between reads of this, and that probably helped. A companion with whom to discuss this would help me appreciate it more, too, I'm sure.
So, bottom line, I actually bumped the rating of this two stars, and I do recommend it to people who are ready to hear the message, especially if they have some sort of foundation, scaffold, or support to help them do so. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Genre: FolktaleAge: IntermediateMedia: WatercolorReview: The life lesson given at the end of the story is about living in the now, which is an important aspect for folktales. Also, the boy helping the panda and her baby appeals to the child's sense of justice. Setting: Since there is a panda in the story, the reader can assume the story takes place in China. However, the setting is not necessarily described by the author; it is more set by the illustrator.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I liked this book for its value and the message. My 4-year old enjoyed the panda part.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Great book, with a deep meaning that may be hard to grasp. I would use for older grades!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beautifully honors diversity in the pursuit of truth, resulting in the conclusion that the most important person is the one you are with, the most important time is now, and the most important thing to do is to care for the people around you.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5My kids and I enjoyed this book quite a bit. The illustrations are, of course, wonderful. I especially love the way the kite tail flies through the air.
My kids' favorite character was Pushkin the dog, although their favorite part is when the monkey gets hit on the head with the coconut. It's possible they're missing the point of the story, but they did have some insights into why each friend was giving the answers he or she was giving ("Pushkin says that because he likes fighting," observed my daughter).
We all liked Muth's Zen Shorts better than this one, but that's one of our favorite books all around, so it's not surprising that this one didn't rise quite as high in our estimation as that one. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I enjoyed this book. It could be used in an elementary classroom during a lesson on friendship, morals, and helping others. I especially like the ending ove the book, "There is only one important time, and that time is now. The most important one is always the one you are with. And the most important thing is to do good for the one who is standing at your side (Muth.)"
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This book is about a young boy who searches for answers from a wise source to three questions he has about life. I would read this book to middle elementary students, this book has great illustrations and makes you think and learn about life lessons.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5There are several reasons I like this book. First, the illustrations serve to enhance and make the story more interesting. Second, I really liked the lesson/big message of the story which was that the most important time is the present, the most important one is the one you are with, and the most important thing to do is to help the one standing by your side. The main character, Nikolai, is trying to figure out the answer to three important questions: who is the most important one, what is the right thing to do, and what is the best time to do something. I also really liked how the book featured many different animals including a dog, a crane, and a monkey. I liked how Nikolai's character was very well-developed and engaging to the reader. I also think that the plot was very well-timed and that Nikolai's questions were answered in an appropriate amount of time (and by helping the injured panda).
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Marvelous message!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Great book!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5In my opinion, this is a wonderful and insightful children's book. First of all, the illustrations throughout the story are water colors that beautifully compliment the story. I particularly enjoyed whenever Nikolai's, the main character, animal friends spoke. The corresponding animal's text was right next to the illustration so the reader could see which animal was speaking. The plot of the story was also very organized in answering each of the boy's questions, addressing them one by one in a subtle way. When the story ends, all of Nikolai's questions are answered in a way that pushes readers to examine their conscience and see when is the right time to do things, who is the most important one, and and what is the right thing to do? Jon Muth's main message he is trying to send out is that your own questions can be answered with your own actions. You need to not rely on others for answers when you are knowledgeable enough and can learn through experiences. This book would be a great asset in the classroom and could be a great read-along book for young children.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5In my opinion this is a great book that sends an excellent message to young readers. The language is very descriptive and the story provides you with points of views from several different characters. The boy in the story wants answers to three important questions and the answers are provided from a bird, dog, monkey, and a turtle. The illustrations went along wonderfully with the story and kept me engaged while reading. I do think that this book has a more mature message for readers to understand so, younger readers may not get the point of the story. In the end the boys questions are answered and end up being the main message of the story. The most important time is now, the most important person is the one you are with, and the most important thing is what you do for the one by your side. The story sends an excellent message to always be there for your friends and to help others when needed.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I absolutely loved this book! I think the main message of this book is one that is very important for children to understand. The main character, Nikolai, wants answers to his three questions but ends up finding them through his own actions. The answers to his questions were that the most important time is now, the most important one is the person you're with, and that the most important thing is what you do for the one by your side. I think that is a great lesson for children to learn through this story! The writing was filled with detail and held my interest, especially when the big storm comes and Nikolai ends up saving a panda and her baby. The illustrations, done as watercolor paintings, helped enhance the story.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5In my opinion this is a wonderful book with a beautiful message. I really enjoyed the plot and progression of the story. Throughout the book the main character, Nikolai, is looking to answer three very important questions, "What is the best time to do things? Who is the most important? What is the right things to do?" creating suspense in the plot. Before these questions are answered, several conflicts come up with a variety of animals, such as a panda getting caught in a storm, which Nikolai resolves. After helping a many different animals and situations he discovers that the answer the the questions are, "The time is now, the most important one is the one you are with, and the most important thing is to do good for the one standing by your side." The message of the story is to live in the moment and do good to those around you and I believe that is a very important message many of us tend to forget.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Sometimes, you're right where you need to be
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The story is about a boy who is trying to find the answer to three questions with deep meaning. He goes on to ask his friends the answers but they can't help him or he is not satisfied with the answers. Little did he know than by showing kindness and compassion to someone he would find the answers he has been looking for. A very nice story with a deep message to discuss in the classroom.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The boy wanted to know the answer to his three questions. He asked all of his friends for their answer. He even went up the mountain to his old wise friend and asked him. He never realized it until the end that only he could really answer the questions. He learned many lessons on his journey to find the answers. He also discovered the true meaning of friendship. He learned that the people he is with at the time are the most important ones. This book teaches children not to be selfish and to care about the other people who have entered their life.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a good book to induce self reflection. The theme is very moving gets you thinking about your own life. The illustrator also added some other elements that would get you wondering if you missed something. You could use it in any class with any group.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I liked this book because it was a great example of how to convey a very deep message in a way that appeals to young children. The way the author made most of the characters talking animals reminded me of African cautionary tales. I appreciated the way the author made the turtle seem extremely wise in contrast to the child's other friends. The pictures in this book were very pretty, but I am not sure that they were the most appealing to younger children. Ultimately, the book challenges the reader to think about deeper messages in regular seeming activities or events. The book gives a message about simplicity, appreciating those around you, and "living in the now." The beginning of the book is what can draw a young reader in and then the message of the book is clearly stated at the end.
Book preview
Three Questions and Other Tales - Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy
Three Questions
And Other Tales
LONDON ∙ NEW YORK ∙ TORONTO ∙ SAO PAULO ∙ MOSCOW
PARIS ∙ MADRID ∙ BERLIN ∙ ROME ∙ MEXICO CITY ∙ MUMBAI ∙ SEOUL ∙ DOHA
TOKYO ∙ SYDNEY ∙ CAPE TOWN ∙ AUCKLAND ∙ BEIJING
New Edition
Published by Sovereign Classic
sales@sovereignclassic.net
www.sovereignclassic.net
This Edition
First published in 2016
Copyright © 2016 Sovereign
All Rights Reserved.
Contents
THREE QUESTIONS
EMELIAN AND THE EMPTY DRUM
WHERE THERE IS LOVE
THREE QUESTIONS
It once occurred to a King that if he knew the right moment when to begin on any work and the right kind of people to have or not to have dealings with and the thing to do that was more important than any other thing, he would always be successful.
And he proclaimed throughout his kingdom that he would give a great reward to any one who could tell him what was the right moment for any action, and who were the most essential of all people, and what was the most essential thing of all to do.
Many learned men came to the King and answered his questions in different ways.
In answer to the first question some said that to know the right time for any action, one must draw up a time-table of all the days, months and years and observe it strictly, then one could do everything at the proper time. Others said that it was impossible to decide beforehand the proper time for any action; the only thing one could do was to waste no time in vain amusements, but to pay attention to what was going on around one, and to do the thing that came to hand. A third said that however attentive the King might be to what went on around him, one man alone could not decide the proper time for every action and that he needed a council of wise men to advise him. Still a fourth maintained that as certain action had to be decided at once and could not wait a council the proper thing to do was to find out beforehand what was going to happen so as to be always prepared. But as only magicians knew what was going to happen, then it followed that in order to find out the proper time for any action one must consult the magicians.
The second question, too, was answered in various ways. Some said that the most essential people to the King were his helpers and ministers; others said priests; still others that the most essential people to the King were doctors; a fourth party said that the