Page 208 - The Mirror of My Soul. Vol. 1

Nicolai Levashov. The Mirror of My Soul. Vol. 1. Born in the USSR

into reverse too much and did not notice that I was dangerously close to another car and

the tow-hook rumpled the neighbour’s car. My Mercedes had no scratch, but the front
of the neighbour’s car was damaged. The previous owner of my car had strongly fixed
this hook. Most likely, he often drove with a heavy trailer.

One way or another, again for the first time in my life, I learned how an insurance
policy works. I had insured my car when I purchased it. The neighbour was a lawyer. I
gave him all necessary information and he took care of the insurance. It was the only
incident and did not upset me very much. There were several days left before my
departure and I began to prepare myself.

At this time my third “student” asked my advice on what he should do with his
money. I answered his question as I understood it—the best investment would be to buy
a second-hand car in order to sell it later in the USSR which would give a maximal

benefit on every invested Deutsche Mark.

He thanked me for the advice and asked our interpreter’s husband, Vladimir, to
help him with this. He also asked me to go with him and to help him to choose the car.
I agreed. However, one thing slightly surprised me. This man did not even consider
asking me how much he owed me for all the time of our stay in Germany. Probably he
considered that my living expenses for all of us were exclusively my problem and did
not concern him. He lived, ate and dressed at my expense for two and a half months, not
to mention the expenses for his departure.

It was one thing when he had no money—I considered in that case I must pay all
the charges. But it was quite another thing when he had money which he earned the same
way as I did. But he asked about nothing. It surprised me and I continued to observe him.

The two first “rebels”, at least returned me their part of the money which I had spent on
them all. I simply said that I had spent for our dwelling and food a particular sum of
money and they could recompense me for their share of it, if they considered it
necessary. Anyone is able to divide the total sum by four.

When I said it, I withdrew. I did not insist that they must return the money. I simply
considered that any decent person must act correctly. First of all, it is necessary to repay
a debt of honour and then one can do whatever one wishes with the rest of the money,
that is ones’ right. I had this concept of honour, but I did not require that others act
according to my concepts—only according to their own conscience.

It was quite a surprise for me when two “rebels” were able to peel off some money

and one of them brought me their payment. With obvious regret, but they did it. It was
pleasant for me to know that they have consciences. But the third one’s conscience was
evidently “in a dead sleep” and did not have time to “wake up”. Otherwise, how is it

possible to explain the fact that he did not raise the question about his debt either then
or later on? Instead he consulted me about the best way to spend his money. The “rebels”
were “rotten” in one way, the third man in another.

We found him an affordable car, and he purchased it...

22. Back to the USSR

Thus, I had a fellow-traveller with his own car. I bought two walkie-talkies to
communicate with him while driving. We worked out our route and were ready to “cast

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