Illya's Story: Remembering Kindness and Bravery

Tianxianzi

2026-01-05

The children stood quietly in front of the large stone. A month ago, Seryozha mentioned how Illya was holding onto his father’s hand and crying out loud while shouting, “Dad, Dad! How harshly he treated you!” The memory of this filled A ’s mind instantly.

He looked around at Illya’s classmates with a serious expression. Something seemed to stir within him. He turned to them and said:

Boys and girls, were parting soon. Right now I have to take care of two brothers. One is going to be sent away, the other is very ill. But soon Ill leave this cityI may stay away for years or even decades. Were about to separate. Lets stand here on Illya’s stone and make a promise: First, never forget Illya. Second, dont let each of you forget his friends. Whatever happens in the futureeven if we dont see each other for twenty yearswe will always remember how we buried this small boy who was thrown into the river by our townsfolk using stones. He had been kind and brave, but his fathers harm deeply hurt us. We must rise from him. So, lets keep this memory alive in our hearts. Even if were busy with important things or fall into great misfortune, I urge you to never forget how much we loved him.

Understood, Kolya blurted out excitedly. The children all got excited but kept their mouths shut, looking at this orator friend of theirs in a friendly manner.

A , Im going to repeat what I said earlier, he continued, because its important we dont become bad people. But why will we necessarily become bad people? First and foremost, we should be kind; secondly, honest; thirdly, never forget each other.

Ill swear to you that I wont forget anyone of you, A said firmly while looking at his friends faces. Im going to remember every face of yours for thirty yearseven if it takes until death. Kolya once told me about the general who hid himself during the Trojan Warhow he didnt want to be found. He said, There is no such thing as being completely forgotten. And I think thats true. Illya never forgot us.

There are people in this world! one of the boys blurted out suddenly. Did you forget about Illya? He still lives in our hearts. A hesitated but then smiled.

This is good stuff, children, he said. Especially memories from childhoodthe best things in life are these memories. People tell you how to raise their children and they say the best thing is to hold onto those memories.

Well get married, Illya said once, Kolya added excitedly. But were not going to let anyone take our happy memories. The other children all got really excited but kept their mouths shut, looking at this orator friend of theirs in a friendly manner.

A , lets repeat what I said earlier again so you wont forget it, he continued, because it might save your life one day. We are going to be bad peoplebad, cruel, and evilbut only because were going to bury Illya.

Well die without his memory being destroyed! Kolya shouted in anger. Weve got to make sure he lives on forever!