God Sees the Truth But Waits by 

Leo Tolstoy
In the Russian town of Vladimir, Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov lives as a successful merchant with his wife and young children. One
summer, as Aksionov sets off for Nizhy Fair to sell his goods, Aksionov's wife warns him not to go, for she has had a nightmare
in which he returned with grey hair. Aksionov laughs off her concern that the nightmare was a premonition and interprets the
dream as a sign of luck.
Halfway to the town, Aksionov encounters a fellow merchant, with whom he stops for the night at an inn. The men have tea
together and sleep in adjoining rooms. Aksionov rises before dawn and sets off with his horses and coachman while the air is
cool. After twenty-five miles, he stops to feed his horses.

During this break, two soldiers and an official arrive and begin questioning Aksionov about his relationship with the man he had
tea with the night before. The merchant was found dead with his throat slit. Since the two rooms were next to each other, it seems
only natural that Aksionov might know something. Aksionov trembles in fear when the official searches his belongings and
removes a knife streaked with blood.

The men bind and arrest Aksionov. His wife visits him in jail and faints at the sight of him dressed as a criminal. He says they
must petition the czar, to which she says she has already tried to no avail. She asks him if he committed the murder, and
Aksionov weeps. If even his wife suspects him, he thinks after she leaves, then only God knows the truth and it is only to God
that he should appeal.

He puts his faith in God and accepts his sentencing and ceremonial flogging. He is sent to work in the Siberian mines. Over
twenty-six years in Siberia, Aksionov transforms into a pious old man. His hair turns white, his beard grows long, he walks with
difficulty, and he never laughs. He prays often and, among other prisoners, he develops a reputation as a meek and fair man.

One day a newly arrived inmate named Makar Semyonich, who is about the same age as Aksionov and from the same hometown,
gives an account of what brought him to Siberia. He was suspected of stealing a horse when in reality he had only borrowed it.
Nevertheless, he was convicted and imprisoned. The irony is that he had gotten away with doing something much worse earlier in
his life.
Aksionov suspects the man is responsible for framing him. He questions Semyonich, who cryptically responds in a way that
confirms Aksionov's suspicion. Aksionov remembers everything he has lost and is plunged into misery; he longs for a way to get
revenge but resolves to stay away from the man or even look in his direction. After two weeks, unable to sleep, Aksionov takes a
walk near the prison to discover Semyonich digging a tunnel under his sleeping shelf. Semyonich angrily offers Aksionov escape
and threatens to kill him should he tell the authorities about the tunnel. Aksionov says Semyonich has already taken his life, and
he shall do as God directs him.

Soldiers discover the tunnel the next day. The governor arrives to question prisoners, none of whom admit to knowing anything
about the tunnel. After wrestling with his desire for vengeance, Aksionov declines to say what he knows about Semyonich's
involvement, even if it means that he will be punished himself.

That night, Aksionov is about to nod off in his bunk when Semyonich sits down beside him. Semyonich bends over and whispers
a plea for forgiveness. He confesses that it was he who killed the other merchant and stole his money; he then planted the knife so
that Aksionov would become the suspect. He falls to his knees and begs for forgiveness, promising to confess to the crimes so
that Aksionov will go free. The old man replies that his life is already over and he has nowhere to go.

At the sight of Semyonich's tears, Aksionov weeps himself. Semyonich begs again for forgiveness. Aksionov tells him that God
will forgive him, and that perhaps he himself is a hundred times worse. Having said this, Aksionov feels a lightness enter his
body. He no longer desires to go home or leave the prison; he wants only to die.

The story ends with Semyonich confessing to the governor. By the time the officials arrange Aksionov's release, Aksionov has
already died.

Story Analysis

Name: Marixanne Niña R. Manzano

Course: 3rd yr / BSE-ENG

Title of the Story: Gods Sees The Truth But Waits

Author: Leo Tolstoy
 I. Setting:
In a small town in Russia called Vladimir.
At inn who stops for the night
Over twenty-six years in Siberia, Aksionov transforms into a pious old man.

II. Characters: Describe each.

Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov a successful businessman.

Makar Semyonich the one who framed up Ivan

III. PLOT: Write in Ten Important Events

1. The hardships for Aksionov begin when he heads to the Nizhny Fair despite his wife's warning that she had a
horrible dream and didn't think he should go.
2. He ran across an acquaintance along the road. They spent the evening together before booking neighboring
rooms in a hotel. Aksionov got up early the next morning to finish his journey.
3. Soldiers seize Aksionov about 25 miles down the road, accusing him of murdering a friend because he was
observed with the man the night before his murder and his early morning departure was suspicious.
4. A bloodied knife is discovered as the soldiers investigate Aksionov’s possessions. Character witnesses in
Aksionov’s hometown claim that he is a good man who used to drink. Even Aksionov’s wife begins to
suspect his innocence. He is sentenced to be “flogged with a knot” before being imprisoned for 26 years in
Siberia.
5. When a man from Aksionov’s hometown is transported to Siberia, Aksionov suspects Makar Semyonich of
murdering his acquaintance and becomes enraged
6. Later, while attempting to dig a hole to escape, Aksionov comes across Semyonich. If Aksionov informs
anyone, Semyonich threatens to kill him. When a guard discovers the dig, Aksionov is interrogated, but he
says it is not his place to say
7. Semyonich bends over and whispers a plea for forgiveness. He confesses that it was he who killed the other
merchant and stole his money; he then planted the knife so that Aksionov would become the suspect.
8. He falls to his knees and begs for forgiveness, promising to confess to the crimes so that Aksionov will go
free.
9.At the sight of Semyonich’s tears, Aksionov weeps himself. Semyonich begs again for forgiveness.

10.The honesty of Aksionov convicts Semyonich, who begs mercy and confesses. When Aksionov is finally liberated, he
no longer wants to see his family and is eager to live with the Lord. In prison, Aksionov dies.
IV. Climax:
After Aksionov decides not to alert the authorities about Semyonich's role in the escape tunnel, the drama reaches
a peak when Semyonich begs for forgiveness from Aksionov. After accepting God's pardon, Aksionov finds
himself free of his resentment.

V. Conflict: Aksionov is judged guilty of a murder he did not commit; with no justice in sight, Aksionov trusts in
God’s plan.

VI. Resolution:
Semyonich is deeply ashamed and cannot bear to look at Aksionov, so he admits that he is the one who murdered the
merchant twenty-six years ago, but Aksionov was already dead when his release date arrived.

VII. Lesson Learned: The short narrative 'God Sees the Truth, But Waits' underscores the biblical lesson that while the
world is against you, God alone knows the truth. Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov has been wrongfully imprisoned for 26
years for a crime he did not commit, but he believes in God.

VIII. Comprehension Questions:

a) Why did Aksionov’s wife stop him from going to the fair?
Aksionov’s wife had a bad dream about him. So she feared and tried to stop him from going to the fair.
b) Why was Aksionov’s wife disturbed to see the dream?
Aksionov’s wife had a dream of that his husband will get back home with grey hair it was a bad luck and also
a premonition

c) What made Aksionov leave the inn before dawn?

Aksionov wants to travel in a cool air morning so he decided to leave the inn before dawn.

d) What were the circumstances that led to Aksionov’s imprisonment?

Aksionov is suspected because he left the inn before dawn where he and the merchant stayed. And also the
officer found a blood stained knife from Aksionov’s bag while searching. These were the circumstances that
led to Aksionov’s imprisonment.

e) Why did Aksionov give up sending petitions?

He lose all his hope he prayed all to God

f) Why didn’t Makar disclose that he had killed the merchant?

Makar acted as though he didn’t want to accept his mistake. As a result, he kept quiet about the merchant’s
death.

g) Did Makar feel guilty when he heard Aksionov’s story? Why?

Yes, Makar felt guilty when he heard Askionov’s story.

h) What made Aksionov think that Makar was the real murderer? Explain your answer.
Makar acted indifferently after hearing Aksionov’s story. When Aksionov was questioned if he knew the
murderer, he said it had to be the guy whose bag the knife was discovered in. He claimed that if the knife was
hidden there by someone else, he is not a thief until he is apprehended. This led Aksionov to believe Makar
was the true assassin.

i) What was Aksionov’s realization by the end of the story?

Every divine judgment necessitates sufficient time. By the end of the story, Aksionov had come to the
realization that “God sees the truth, but waits.”

i) Why did Aksionov’s wife suspect him of involvement in the murder?

Even though she had detailed her horrible dream, Aksionov’s wife wondered why he had started that day. As
a result, she suspected him of being involved in the murder.

j.) Did the police officer have sufficient evidence to convict Aksionov?
Yes, the police officer had enough evidence against Aksionov to convict him. Because he and the merchant
left the inn before sunrise, Aksionov is suspected. During the search, the officer also discovered a blood-
stained knife in Aksionov’s bag.

k.) Compare and contrast the main characters, Aksionov and Makar Semeyonich, in the story.

In this story, the protagonist, Ivan Dmitrich Aksionov, puts his faith in God to help him through his
hardships. He was the best singer in the group. Faith, forgiveness, freedom, and acceptance were among his
virtues. Aksionov was completely oblivious to the world around him. He was sentenced to prison despite the
fact that he had committed no crime. He was given a sentence of 26 years in prison. He had no desire to exact
vengeance on the genuine perpetrator. He pardoned him because he admitted his guilt. He just believed in
God and prayed to Him constantly. Aksionov’s optimism had faded. His family and his freedom had been
taken from hIm. He wasn't a sourpuss. He never attempted an unlawful method of emigrating from prison.

Makar Semeyonich, the story’s villain, began by behaving arrogantly. He made threats to Aksionov and the
other detainees. He attempted to flee by digging a hole. But, in the end, he felt bad about what he’d done to
Aksionov. The fact that Aksionov had not informed the authorities about Semeyonich’s escape intentions had
caused his guilt. Semeyonich was in such a state of shock that he asked Aksionov for pardon. He was well
aware that Aksionov was a decent man who did not deserve to be imprisoned. That’s why he confessed his
wrongdoing.
L.) How did Aksionov react when his wife suspected him?

Ivan Dimitrich Aksionov once decided to visit the Nizhny Fair. His wife, on the other hand, sought to stop
him since she had a nasty dream. Aksionov had returned from the town with grey hair, she dreamed. But he
dismissed her dream, claiming it was a stroke of luck. On the way, Aksionov was detained because he was
accused of murdering a merchant. Despite the fact that she had revealed her awful dream, Aksionov’s wife
questioned why he had started that day. As a result, she suspected him of being involved in the murder. He
became even more depressed at the prospect. God, he told himself, was the only one who knew the truth. He
had given up hope and was only praying to God. As a convict in Siberia for twenty-six years

m.) Describe the life of Aksionov in prison.

Because he was suspected of killing a merchant, Aksionov was imprisoned. The merchant’s murderer,
however, was Semeyonich. His wife, too, suspected him of the crime. He became even more depressed as a
result of this idea. He lost all hope and convinced himself that only God knew the truth. He grew old as a
criminal in Siberia for twenty-six years.

n.) Why did Aksionov decide not to reveal the truth about Makar Semeyonich?

Because he was suspected of killing a merchant, Aksionov was imprisoned. He grew old as a criminal in
Siberia for twenty-six years. He believed he had spent twenty-six years in prison without having committed
any murders. He spent the majority of his life in prison. He’d lost all hope, as well as his family. His wife was
no longer alive, and his children had abandoned him. He considered his options and realized he had none. He
had lost interest in leaving the prison. But all he wanted was for his final hours to arrive. He only believed in
God. His wife misinterpreted him and began to suspect him. Makar Semeyonich, a new prisoner, introduced
himself at the prison.

o.) Discuss the meaning and importance of the saying “God sees the truth but waits”.

This story was about Aksionov, who had lost hope and had only faith in God. Despite the fact that he had
committed no crime, he was sentenced to 26 years in prison. Makar finally admitted that he was the true
murderer. For recognizing the truth and achieving self-realization, Aksionov pardoned him. However, by the
time the order for his release arrived, Aksionov had already died.

Everything is possible if you have hope. The title implies that God’s decisions take time. This story is for
anyone who has lost hope and does not believe in God. As the title suggests, we should wait for the truth to
triumph and have trust that God will provide us with the solution to all of our difficulties.

p.) Forgiveness is the best form of revenge. Substantiate the statement with reference to the story.

In Vladimir, Aksionov lived with his wife and children. He made the decision to go to the fair.
Because she had a bad dream, his wife tried to stop him. Aksionov encountered a merchant on his way.
However, the merchant was assassinated. As a result, a local police officer detained and charged Aksionov.
He was assigned to labor in the Siberian mines. There he got old. Aksionov prayed to God on a regular basis.
Because of his compassionate demeanor, Aksionov was well-liked by all of the detainees.

He met Makar Semeyonich one day. Makar was the real murderer, as Aksionov discovered. When Makar
attempted to flee from the officials, he was saved by him. Makar eventually admitted to his wrongdoing.
Makar was forgiven by Aksionov. By forgiving Makar, Aksionov was able to accept the truth, achieve self-
realization, and die peacefully.