The poet wrote a letter to the children in the hope that their parents would also read it. Look: what was written is important and relevant to this day.
A rare ability is possessed by someone who can advise something to children so that they do not twist their sour physiognomy from the usual edification, but are imbued with what has been said. Therefore, not only what is so important, but also how you said it. A kind of “impregnation of words” is important. In 1938, Marina Tsvetaeva was asked to write an article for a forthcoming but never published émigré magazine for Russian children. Here is the letter in a slightly abridged form.1.
“Dear children!
Never throw bread, but you will see in the street, under your feet, pick it up and put it on the nearest fence, for there are not only deserts where people die without water, but also slums where they die without bread. Perhaps this bread will be noticed by the hungry and he will be less ashamed to take it like that than from the earth.
Never be afraid of the funny and if you see a person in a funny position:
I) try to get it out of it, if it is impossible – 2) jump into it to the person, as into water, together the stupid situation is divided in half; half for each – or at worst – do not see the funny in the funny!
Never say that everyone does this: everyone always does bad things, since they are so readily referred to. Well, if they tell you: “NOBODY does this” (does not dress, does not think, and so on) – answer: “Who am I!”
Do not refer to “unfashionable”, but only to: “ignoble”.
Don’t get too angry with your parents, remember that they were YOU and you will be THEM.
In addition, for you they are parents, for themselves they are I. Do not exhaust them with their parenthood.
Feel free to give up your seat on the tram to the elder. Be ashamed – DO NOT give in!
Do not distinguish yourself from others – in the material. Others are also you, the same you.
Do not celebrate victory over the enemy. Enough is consciousness. After winning, extend your hand.
Do not speak ironically about your loved one in front of others (even if only about your beloved animal!); others will leave – yours will remain.
1 From the book of D. Bykov “Boris Pasternak” (ZhZL, 2005).
საშინელი თარგმანია.არამგონია ბავშვებმა სწორად გამოიტანონ აზრი.