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"Very well," replied Ivan, "you may use force if you want to."
The old devil then announced that all the fools must become soldiers,
and those who refused, Ivan would punish with death.
The fools went to the General; and said: "You tell us that Ivan will
punish with death all those who refuse to become soldiers, but you have
omitted to state what will be done with us soldiers. We have been told
that we are only to be killed."
"Yes, that is true," was the reply.
The fools on hearing this became stubborn and refused to go.
"Better kill us now if we cannot avoid death, but we will not become
soldiers," they declared.
"
Oh! you fools," said the old devil, "soldiers may and may not be
killed; but if you disobey Ivan's orders you will find certain death at
his hands."
The fools remained absorbed in thought for some time and finally went to
Ivan to question him in regard to the matter.
On arriving at his house they said: "A General came to us with an order
from you that we were all to become soldiers, and if we refused you were
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