The naked lady

Part 4: Zadok - four

To Zadok, painting is therapy.

One can never grow tired of it.

The room is slowly becoming as it should be.

A neat and natty room.

Zadok must give it two pink layers.

Two large windows open onto the street with grandeur.

For a second, Zadok stops.

There is a man across the street.

He must be one of the homeless in Moscow.

He is grubby and dirty.

You can see it in his clothes.

The man is carrying a bag, a big one.

It is all he has.

There are holes in the man's shoes.

It is certain that the man has no money.

He lives on people's charity.

Zadok has great pity for the homeless.

It could easily become his and Fina's dreadful fate.

He shudders and looks on.

A dog comes from behind the man.

It looks like the dog knows him, a friend.

Is it the dog's master?

The dog doesn't look homeless at all.

The dog is well-kept, a beautiful and clever mutt.

But the scene changes quickly.

The man notices the dog is there.

He stops and tries kicking the dog while swearing.

The man continues doing it.

He hits the dog with his bag.

The dog lands on his back against the sidewalk.

Zadok runs onto the street.

'What is wrong with you?' Zadok shouts.

He bends beside the dog, trying to help him.

'He is in my way!

I don't have any food for him!

That brute must leave me alone! I hate him!'

He tries kicking him again.

Zadok finds that the man is ruthless.

'You are hurting him! Are you crazy or stupid?'

This makes the beggar angry.

'Who are you to call me stupid?'

With one swing, the man punches Zadok straight on.

Blood flows from his nose.

The man rushes off without looking back.

He realised that Zadok was much bigger than him.

Zadok tries carrying the dog.

He is hurt but luckily not dead.

There is no reason to continue working any further.

Fina will mend Zadok's nose.

And they will look after the dog.

It takes a while to get to their house.

Zadok names the dog: Okazyvat.

All the way, Zadok talks to Okazyvat.

It calms him and makes him close his eyes.

'You will soon meet Fina.

She is the love of my life.

I have never met another woman as beautifully strong.

It is a good day.

You are now part of our family.

I name you Okazyvat because I could not resist.

Where do you come from?

You are a beautiful and brave dog.

Look, Okazyvat, we are almost at our little home.'

From afar, Fina sees them.

Fina is surprised to see the dog.

She can see that Okazyvat is hurt and abused.

Zadok gently puts Okazyvat down.

Zadok and Fina stand looking at him.

'I think he has never had a true home.'

Fina nods, 'Now he has.'

The decision is made, Okazyvat will stay.

Fina carefully looks after all the dog's wounds.

She also gives Zadok coffee.

At last, his nose has stopped bleeding.

With great satisfaction, Zadok looks after his new pet.

Someone else is also there.

The angel Selaphiel looks on with satisfaction.

Zadok has shown his heart to be very kind.

He is a good man.

Another kind deed, and another honourable day.

The angel Selaphiel spreads his wings to fly away.

Zadok is safely at home.

But the angel is drawn to Zadok.

He listens as Zadok prays to God, to Christ:

'Jesus Christ, you are Lord.

Have mercy on our souls this evening.

You know what happened today; you know every day.

Do not turn your face.

I ask you, bless that homeless man.

Let him find Your peace. Let him find shelter.'