Tolstoy

Certainly! The story you’re referring to is “Where Love Is, God Is”, also known as “Martin the Cobbler”, written by Russian author Leo Tolstoy in 1885.

📖 Summary of “Where Love Is, God Is”

The story centers on Martin Avdéitch, a humble and devout shoemaker living alone in a small basement room in Russia. After enduring the loss of his wife and children, Martin becomes disheartened and questions the meaning of life. One day, a missionary advises him to read the Gospels, suggesting that doing so will bring him peace. Martin begins reading the Gospels daily, and his life gradually transforms.

One night, Martin dreams that Christ will visit him the next day. He eagerly anticipates this visit and prepares his home. Throughout the day, Martin encounters several individuals in need:

• A poor street sweeper seeking warmth.
• A young woman with a child needing food and shelter.
• A beggar asking for charity. 

Martin offers them assistance, sharing his food, shelter, and compassion. At the end of the day, he realizes that by helping these individuals, he was serving Christ himself. The story conveys the message that acts of kindness and love are expressions of divine presence. 

✝️ Connection to Jesus’ Teachings

Tolstoy’s story echoes the teachings of Jesus, particularly the passage from the Gospel of Matthew:()

“Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”

— Matthew 25:40

In the story, Martin’s acts of kindness toward the needy are depicted as acts of service to Christ, aligning with this biblical teaching.()

If you’re interested, I can provide more details about the story’s themes, its impact, or adaptations of this tale.