Last Will

Text

I, Ascar of Tantari, a beekeeper, ordain this document, which is written by my own hand, to be my last will.

All my debts, of which there are few, are to be paid in full upon my passing.

No longer having any progeny I recognise, it is my desire that all the goods I possess be shared equally between the people of Tantari, with the elderman overseeing the division.

As for my bees, I bequeath them to my neighbour, Rustem, on the condition that he keeps all of the hives together, and takes no more than thirty pounds of honey from each when autumn comes.

As for my dog, Hatchet, I wish for him to be taken in by my good friend and neighbour, Zulfia.

I wish that my final rites are done in accordance with our timeless custom, without any heed to the instructions of the knyaz or his clergy.