Old Efim’s Sufferance

Day 242 of A Year of War and Peace

Iago, that motiveless malignity, cloaks his deceptions in the garb of good sense and sound advice. So while he is eager to set into motion his scheme against Othello, he counsels wise patience to Roderigo, a pawn in his plan. “How poor are they that have not patience!” Iago cries. “What wound did ever heal but by degrees? Thou know’st we work by wit and not by witchcraft, and wit depends on dilatory time.”

This is counsel we all, the Rostov family in particular, would do well to accept. Things are looking pretty bad for the Rostovs at the moment. They’re in the middle of a devastating evacuation. Emotions are running high. The Countess, true to character, is a confused mess. When Sonya brings her news that Prince Andrei is among the dying wounded in their cart caravan she becomes a worried, confused mess. Natasha, for her part, is some combination of nervous and joyful excitement. She’s at once invigorated by the sense of adventure born of the evacuation and also the positive role she has played in persuading her family to help the wounded soldiers. Who knows what direction her notoriously mercurial mood will yank her once she learns that her beloved Prince Andrei is among the wounded, dying soldiers.

She’d do well to emulate Efim, the old Rostov coachman. Having learned from years of experience to be patient when dealing with the Rostovs, he remains calm in the face of their perpetual tardiness and disorder. The man doesn’t even glance behind him to see what is causing today’s delay. He merely sits high up in the carriage’s box and, with noble forbearance, awaits the order to start the drive out of Moscow.

So the next time you find yourself in a troubling circumstance just remember old Efim and his indifference to and acceptance of situations he has no control over.

DAILY MEDITATION