Introduction:
Leo Tolstoy’s story ‘God sees the truth but waits is a parable of forgiveness. It is a story about faith, forgiveness, freedom and acceptance of a young merchant named Aksionov who was sent to prison for 26 years for a crime he did not commit.

To the Nishny Fair:
One summer Aksionov was going to the Nishny Fair, and as he bade good-bye to his family, his wife said to him Ivan Omitrich, do not start to-day. I have had a bad dream about you. Your hair became quite grey when you returned from the town.

Travelled half way:
When Absionov had travelled halfway, he met a merchant whom he knew, and they put up at the same inn for the night. They had some tea together. Then they went to bed in adjoining rooms.

Paid his bill:
Aksionou decided to wake up before dawn. He paid his bill to the landlord of the inn, and continued his journey. He travelled 25 miles. Then he stopped to feed his horses. He took rest in that inn. Then he had a cup of hot tea. As he was very fond of singing, he took his guitar and began to play.

25 miles and 26 years:
Suddenly a police officer of that district and two soldiers arrived there. They questioned him.

1)Who he was?
2) Whence he came from?
3)Where he spent the previous night?
4) Why he left the inn before dawn?

Searched his luggage:
The Police officer entered the house (inn) and searched his luggage. Suddenly the police officer drew a blood stained knife out of a bag, crying, whose knife is this? 2) How is the knife stained with blood?

Don’t Know:
“I do don’t know………….. not mine Aksionov replied. The Police Officer ordered his soldiers to bind him and put him in the cart. Aksienov’s wife couldn’t believe the incident. She went to the jail with her children and a baby at her breast. She said: Vanya dearest, tell your wife the truth, was it not you who did it?
Aksionov said, “So you, too, suspect me!”

26 years:
Aksionov lived as a convict in Siberia jail for 26 years. With that money he earned in prison, he bought a book ‘The lives of the Saints’. He sang in the choir. Everyone praised his meekness. Prisoners called him ‘Grand father’ and ‘The Saint’.

Conclusion:
Makar confessed: It was I who killed the merchant and hid the knife among your things.
Aksionov said: My wife is dead. My children have forgotten me. I have nowhere to go.
Makar said: For Christ’s sake forgive me, wretch that I am
Aksionov began to weep: God will forgive you. When the order for his release came, Aksionov was already dead. God sees the truth but waits.