indeed the old man was very wise; but his children were not his equals. two of them were almost as clever. they were married and had children, but ivan, the youngest, was single. no one cared much for him because he was rather a fool, could not count one, two, three, and only drank, or ate, or slept, or lay around. why care for such a person? every one knows life for some is brighter than for others.