Khorezm branch of uzbekistan writers union

Assalomu aleykum
!-, said in a loud voice, so I noticed that he was not a terrible 
person. Father dropped his head and stood up slowly. 
You are welcome-, said he and went to him to greet. My mother immediately brought 
jiyda
and nuts on to the table. Dalavoy went on the 
supa
taking off his boots. My 
mum spread the back of the 
korpach
as there was no new one at home. Father put a 
cushion on the back of the guest . Dalavoy rounded the cup in his hand and seeping 
his tea winked his eye to me. 
How are you, strongman! I was embarrassed and looked down. At that time I felt 
some foul odor of him. 
You are a strange man, my brother. Dalavoy looked at my father and laughed 
loudly. You have done what you wanted and scolded me for no sense. 
Dad shrugged his shoulders apologetically. 
Now, you see, when you get angry, you lose your mind! 
You must confess, you have cut down the biggest one. Dalavoy again laughed 
for no reason.- you should have told it if you had wanted to do it beforehand. 
Anyway, everything is under control, there is a law and discipline. 
Dad was embarrassed and began to wrinkle the edge of the tablecloth. 
You see my bro, we are an ordinary man, these laws are Dutch for me, the 
children are getting cold in here.
You say so, my bro! There was sincere smile on Dalavoy‘s gray eyes slightly 
appeared on his red face. He patted on my dad‘s shoulder lightly. We would have 
arranged everything legally once you have asked the advice. My mum who was silent 
since the beginning of the talk in its turn merged into the talk.
My dear brother, please excuse this man, believe he has done it unconsciously. 
Dalavoy didn‘t look at my mum, turned to my dad seriously. 
Now listen, my bro, we are the men of same clan, a horse can endure to horse‘s kick. 
Thank you, my bro! Dad again lowered his head. May God bless you for what you 
have done for us! 
I‘m from here. Dalavoy spoke in a lower voice. - But, it is not good that it happened 
at Comrade Toshev. He is a big man. He says he will not leave until he is arrested. He 
says you have insulted both of us. 

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59 
Mum‘s face in a while turned pale. As for Dad, he was still sitting with his head 
down as if he is ready to admit his destiny. 
-I explained everything in calm to Comrade Toshev. Dalavoy spoke more and more 
slowly. - I said that you are our own man. He has not yet agreed but he will agree. 
Whatever he will do without agreeing, I said I would bring him ‗dried in sack‘. 
Having heard it mum‘s face brightened. Quickly stood up and went to the store. 
Dalavoy looked behind her. Dad was still playing the edge of table cloth and his 
fingers were slightly shivering. At that time Mum has come out lifting the sack. It 
was the sack full of mincemeat that was not taken by Achinska at night.
- Here you are, my bro-, said Mum putting the sack in front of Dalavoy.- This is the 
pure dried one. The dried kantak apricot. Dad has done it with his own hands. Not 
even one has fallen on to the ground. Dalavoy looked at my mother and then at the 
bag and laughed in surprise his eyes full of tears. He was laughing by beating the 
korpacha
with his fists and his head and body was shaking continuously. His yellow 
face was as red as a beetroot. 
Mum stood with her mouth open, she looked at Dad and then Dalavoy in 
surprise, for some reason she was wrinkling the collar of her dress exclusively. 
-Oh you my dear simple sister-in-law! He was short of breath from laughter. - Oh a 
simple woman! She gave me dried apricot when I meant the dry money only. – I said 
the dry, the dry…. He looked at Dad and cut off his laughter. Dad‘s looked severely 
and his face was red pale. Do you want THE DRY? -, said he in whine. Dalavoy 
became serious in all.
-It not for me, it is for Comrade Toshev.- said he frowning his blonde brows. 
- I warn you not to be a victim. You are weak as newly hatched chicken.
- Do you want the dry?-, repeated Dad in a lower but more severe voice. Shall I do it 
off for you? -, he pointed out the lower of his waist rudely. When Dad was very angry 
of somebody he usually swore damning his father. But I have never heard him 
insulting anybody in such a rude manner. 
Mum was leaning on the cushion; I and my brother were shocked by it.
Oh, you still see! Fire flashed from Dalavoy‘s grey eyes.
See for yourself, now- said he and stood in a jerk.
Dad jumped up. Mum stood screaming on Dad‘s way. Dalavoy poked his hand
And, now, brother! - Dalavoy's gray eyes were sparkling in smiling face. Dad's hand 
was on his shoulder. If you give us a mouthful, we will do it legally. My mum, who 
had been drinking tea for a long time was confused. This man didn't know and you 
must stay away from the sins of my brother. Dalavoy didn't look at my brother and 
seriously drew to my father. - Now we are a human being horseback riding a horse.
Dalavoy quickly dropped a handful of muffin on the tablecloth in his hand. If you 
don't go the right place, I'll send you to the police station! If I miss your life in 

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60 
prison, I swear I change my name Dalavoy. Mum screamed in vain. Dad didn‘t beat 
Dalavoy. He stood at the center of the yard until he went out wearing his boots. He 
only breathed in rage and his moustache flew of in anger. The dog barked outside 
yard. Then there was silence again.
He will not let it go-, said Mum moaning. He didn't stop until he imprisons you. She 
looked at Dad who was still trembling with anger pleadingly. 
Do not be foolish about it Dad. Let, they full up. We sell the lentils. In the autumn, 
my father had brought a pendant for my sister‘s wedding. I guessed that Mum meant 
that by saying it.
Why?! Dad screamed clanged his head bitterly and sat to the edge of the sandal.
Why? Why should I give bribe? Why? Why?! Impure person gives bribe, you know? 
Impure person takes bribe, you know? The unfaith gives the bribe to the unfaith. 
Why should I sell my faith and bribe?
Dad looks like he was out of consciousness. But every time when he said why? He 
beat the table bitterly and the papers left by Daddavoy and jiyda nuts were scattered 
all over.
No! He said breathlessly. I don't give bribe! Let they imprison me! Let they shoot the 
bull! The little brother in the cradle frightened and began to cry. Mum sat in moan 
and fed him. Father sat for a long time leaning on his on the edge of the sandal 
covering his face with both hands. His hands were still trembling slightly. Finally, he 
stood up with anger. Mum was looking at him with fright and pleads.
Where are you going? Please, you, dear Dad keep calm, please. 
I‘ll go and have to talk to Achinska, ask him for writing a complaint letter-, he said in 
a low voice. 
With these words he put on his old robe and went out. By noon he came back with a 
letter in his hands written in Russian in a sheet of paper.
Later I realized that my dad was right. He was drugging with this affair for two 
or three weeks and then nothing happened. Later only after becoming a tax clerk, 
Dalavoy revenged for it in other way. Anyway, my dad always spoke to all about 
Achinska‘s great deed for many years.
The notion of bribery stuck to my childhood consciousness as the worst thing in 
the world. Right, late after again I saw all sorts of bribes and briberies. Some bribed 
somebody for awarding honored title, somebody gave bribe to get a better home, and 
those who bribed someone to take child to the Institute, and those who gave bribe to 
make his illegitimate son study at the institute. Those who bribed somebody else to 
make possible the rarity, and those who gave bribe to be able to sell that rarity for 
three times expensive costs, and those who bribed somebody to set at the chair and 
those who gave bribes to return that bribe in ten times more expense. The godless 
bosses, who dragged a young girl at his daughter‘s age to his dacha, as well as the 

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61 
women who were ready to do love with a stranger on a bed to have her problems 
solved without hesitation, and those who were sentenced for bribery and could find 
the way out by bribery. Then I realized that my father was right in what he had said 
tremendously in hashed voice. Everything was clear for me.
Only .... I could see no reason for the sad bow of squirrel Aunt Clara, who 
lives on the ground floor of our house, when I saw her every time. Shall person give 
a bribe to survive, really?! I was more and more amazed when I heard my distant 
relative‘s words about it. Is it really crime to give a bribe to somebody to survive?
Well then, otherwise, what to do? Should he let oneself die? Is it really fair or does it 
fit a bit to the notion of faith, to ask for something from somebody who is lying on 
his bed of death?
When I am overloaded with such miserable questions I always remember that 
unfortunate winter, that snowy night that Achinska with smiling glance seen through 
his glasses, a sack of dried-fruit left on the porch not taken.