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26 Amit Bobrov
with a nod and a warm smile, and cherished the feeling of
warmth in my palms as I held the bowl.

When I had finished eating he took the bowl and said
something in his strange language. I held my palms up in reply,
signaling that I did not understand. Eventually, after several
awkward attempts at conversation, he pointed to his chest and
said, “Ivar.” I mimicked the gesture, pointing to my chest and
saying, “Adam.”
He gestured for me to stay put, pointing at me with both
hands and then pointing down. I did as instructed, and sat upon
a barrel feeling an immense sense of gratitude. I thought to

myself that there was indeed one admirable man in Sodom. Ivar
descended some stairs. I discerned this from the sound of his
footsteps, and shortly afterwards I heard the sound of hammer
on anvil, and understood that he had gone to his place of work.
I rested for some time, and then followed him downstairs.
I wanted to thank him in some way, so I decided I’d pay him
back by working. His old face seemed surprised to see me up as

he took a break from work. I smiled at him, and looked about
the room. Finding a broom, I commenced cleaning his smithy,
purposely ignoring anything he said. I had to pay him back
somehow, and quite frankly I also had to prove my usefulness,
else I feared I would fall from his good graces. He resumed work.
As soon as the place was clean I dared to look at him. He
paused his work and smiled, saying something which I believe
was a thank you. I found a corner to sit in and waiting for the
first sign of work which I could do. That day I learned how to

carry two water-buckets on a cane across my shoulders, as well
as other menial tasks. In the evening he offered me food again,
which I took gratefully, and in the morning we both woke at
dawn and began our daily work. That’s how I was adopted by