The amazing story of the boy Leva, who became a great mathematician

Orthodox children’s author Boris Ganago engages readers in simple stories in reflections on the eternal and so important issues of our lives. Both children and adults read it with pleasure. We present to you one of the stories from the book “Children on Faith”. It is based on a fragment of the true story of Lev Pontryagin, who lost his sight at the age of 14 but, despite health problems, became one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century.

“In a Moscow school, a boy stopped going to class. He does not go for a week, two … Lyova did not have a phone, and classmates, on the advice of the teacher, decided to go to his house. The door was opened by Levin’s mother. Her face was very sad. The boys greeted each other and timidly asked:

Why doesn’t Lyova go to school?

Mom sadly replied:

He will no longer study with you. He had an operation. Vain. Lyova is blind and cannot walk alone…

The guys were silent, looked at each other, and then one of them suggested:

– And we will take turns taking him to school.

– And escort home.

“And we’ll help you with your homework,” tweeted classmates, interrupting each other.

Lev Pontryagin in childhood.

Mom had tears in her eyes. She led her friends into the room. A little later Lyova felt the way with her hand and came out to them with a bandage over her eyes. The boys froze. Only now did they really understand what misfortune had befallen their friend. Leva said with difficulty:

– Good day.

And then it rained from all sides:

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow and take you to school.”

– And I’m telling you that we went through algebra.

– I’m in history.

Lyova didn’t know who to listen to and just nodded her head in confusion. Tears ran down my mother’s face.

After they left, the guys made a plan – who will come when, who will explain which subjects, who will walk with Lyova and take him to school. At school, during class, the boy who sat at the same desk with Lyova quietly told him what the teacher wrote on the blackboard. And how the class froze when Lyova answered! How happy everyone was about his five, even happier than their own!

Lyova studied well. The whole class started learning better. To explain a lesson to a friend in trouble, you have to know it yourself. And the guys tried. In addition, in the winter they began to take Leva to the rink. The boy was very fond of classical music, and classmates went with him to symphony concerts …

He graduated from Lev’s school with a gold medal, and then entered the institute. And there were friends who became his eyes. After the institute, Lev continued to study and eventually became the world famous mathematician, academician Pontryagin.

Lev Pontryagin with his wife at the dacha.

Don’t count the people who have seen the light forever.

Lev Semyonovich Pontryagin is one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century.

Author: Boris Ganago, “Children about Faith”

Source: cluber.com.ua

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