The monks were just spreading out their nets to dry on the shore , when they heard the sound of crying . It seemed to come from the barrel which was bobbing about near the water 's edge . They drew it to land and opened it , and there was a little child ! When the abbot heard the news , he decided to bring up the boy , and named him ` Vassili . ' The boy lived on with the monks , and grew up to be a clever , gentle , and handsome young man . No one could read , write , or sing better than he , and he did everything so well that the abbot made him wardrobe keeper . Now , it happened about this time that the merchant , Mark , came to the monastery in the course of a journey . The monks were very polite to him and showed him their house and church and all they had . When he went into the church the choir was singing , and one voice was so clear and beautiful , that he asked who it belonged to . Then the abbot told him of the wonderful way in which Vassili had come to them , and Mark saw clearly that this must be his godson whom he had twice tried to kill . He said to the abbot : ' I ca n't tell you how much I enjoy that young man 's singing . If he could only come to me I would make him overseer of all my business . As you say , he is so good and clever . Do spare him to me . I will make his fortune , and will present your monastery with twenty thousand crowns . ' The abbot hesitated a good deal , but he consulted all the other monks , and at last they decided that they ought not to stand in the way of Vassili 's good fortune . Then Mark wrote a letter to his wife and gave it to Vassili to take to her , and this was what was in the letter : ` When the bearer of this arrives , take him into the soap factory , and when you pass near the great boiler , push him in . If you do n't obey my orders I shall be very angry , for this young man is a bad fellow who is sure to ruin us all if he lives . ' Vassili had a good voyage , and on landing set off on foot for Mark 's home . On the way he met three beggars , who asked him : ` Where are you going , Vassili ? ' '
I am going to the house of Mark the Merchant , and have a letter XXXXX his wife , ' replied Vassili .
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