Simon the Soldier promised to lead the soldiers away; and Iván began to make them. He bumped a sheaf on the thrashing floor⁠—a company appeared. He bumped another sheaf, and there was a second company. He made so many that they covered the field.

“Will that do?” he asked.

Simon was overjoyed, and said: “That will do! Thank you, Iván!”

“All right,” said Iván. “If you want more, come back, and I’ll make them. There is plenty of straw this season.”

Simon the Soldier at once took command of his army, collected and organized it, and went off to make war.

Hardly had Simon the Soldier gone, when Tarás the Stout came along. He, too, had heard of yesterday’s affair, and he said to his brother: