Myths and Tales form Greece and Romania May 2012 | Page 121

After being discharged from the Imperial Russian Army he is
given two rubles and his weapons and sent away. He ends up walking
behind God and St. Peter who are visiting humans, incognito.
When Saint Peter sees Ivan he thinks he might hurt others, but
God informs that that Ivan is a kind and generous man, and urges
Peter to test that himself. They transform themselves into beggars, and
wait at each end of a bridge for Ivan to pass through. The soldier
proceeds to give them both of his rubles.
As Ivan leaves the scene, Peter urges God to reward the
soldier. They both catch up with him, and God reveals himself and
gives the bewildered Ivan hs money back.
The soldier kneels and prays God to bless his army issue
pouch (turbincă), "so that I may be able to pack inside of it anybody I
may wish; and so that they could never get out without my approval."
The amused God grants him this wish, and, before leaving, informs
Ivan that, should he ever get tired of roaming, he'll be welcomed to
knock on the gate of Heaven.