How much land does a man need? is a short story by the classical Russian writer, Leo Tolstoy. The story highlights human greed. Pahom, the protagonist, is a peasant. He thinks that more land means more happiness for a peasant. But how much land does a peasant need? Making the question more general, how much wealth does a person need? This is the question that Tolstoy answers in his story. Using all his savings as well as selling his colt and a sizeable share of his bees, hiring out his son, taking advance wages and borrowing from his brother-in-law, Pahom collects enough money to buy more land thinking he would be happier. In fact, he became contented with all the vast acres he possessed. But human nature is seldom contented. It always wants what it does not have. [Leave out exceptions like saints (extinct species) and lunatics.] Pahom learns about a place where a Commune gives 25 acres of land free to every individual and more if he/she wanted to buy. He
Cerebrate and Celebrate