Story of Yasha and Pasha.

Yasha was responsible man, did his studies, went too school and went to upper school. He entered government, made many good decisions, helped many people and became very popular, unfortunately it made him a bit arrogant, and worse, more popular than the Tsar.

Pasha, his twin brother on the other hand, was a slacker. Came home every night drunk...if he came home, was a known womanizer for both singles and married, gambled and if it wasn't for his brother Yasha rescuing him, would be dead in some alley or remote area.

So one day, the Tsar realized he had a major problem, his best advisor Yasha was too powerful in his government, he had to rid himself of him. So he devised a plan, knowing his arrogance as of late, he would ask him three impossible questions and in exchange if he correctly answered, would rule a third of Russia and give his daughter as his bride, fail, then execution. What could go wrong.

When the day came, he told Yasha of his offer, answer the three questions and he gets a third of the empire and his daughter. If he fails, then the gallows would be his fate. Now normally Yasha would sense a trap and would never accept such an offer, but on this day, his pride got in the way, and he accepted.

So the Tsar said, "Here is my first question, how many miles is it from Moscow to the moon? You have three days"

Yasha went home home perplexed, planning to flee Russia. Pasha stumbled in from drinking all day, but noticed his brother was in anguish and he was worried for him. And asked, "What is wrong Yasha?" He told him all that transpired and how he let his arrogance get the best of him due to greed. Pasha sighed, then said "Tell the Tsar its 63 million miles away"

Yasha said, "But that's not true, no one knows how far the moon is away".

Pasha says "True, but who is going to prove you false?"

So after three days, Yasha comes before the Tsar, nobles and public to answer the Tsar. And the Tsar asks if he knows the answer and Yasha say yes he does and says; "63 million miles" The court is astonished! This man is so smart, he even knows how far the moon is!

The Tsar realizes he's been outplayed by his own game. And tells Yasha to come back tomorrow for his next question. That night the Tsar conspires; "I will ask him a question that only I know".

The next day in his court, he asks Yasha, "Tell me what I'm worth, you have three days".

Again Yasha goes home perplexed and starts to gather his things to flee when his brother, as a ritual stumbles in. Pasha asks, "Why are you preparing to leave?" Yasha responds, "The Tsar asked me how much he's worth, only he knows that answer".

Pasha smiles, "tell him, 29 pieces of silver". Yasha looks confused. Pasha then says, "Our Savior was sold for 30 pieces of silver". Yasha smiles and gets the point.

After another three days, Yasha appears before the Tsar. And he asks, "So Yasha, what am I worth?".

Yasha responds to him and the court, "29 pieces of silver" The Tsar gleefully says "You are absolutely wrong I am..."

Then Yasha interrupts him and says, "Wait my emperor, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was sold for 30 pieces of silver, and although you are close to his value, you do no equal him". After that the Tsar looks at the Orthodox Priesthood in his court and they all have daggers in their eyes. He then says, "very well, you are correct on this point". Come back tomorrow for your last question. That night the Tsar is perplexed, his scheme is not going as he planned, then he has the perfect idea.

The next day, he summons Yasha and says, "In three days, I want to you tell me what I'm thinking" Yasha leaves dismayed, even if he did answer correctly the Tsar could say he's wrong. He goes home and prepares to flee yet again and he won't let Pasha stop him this time.

When he gets home, strangely Pasha is home and sober and asks, "What did the Tsar ask this time?" and Yasha responds, "He wants me to tell him what he's thinking, even if I answered correctly, he will say I was wrong". Pasha looks down...and sighs. Then he looks up at Yasha and says;

"I've lived my life, had many more adventures that you will ever have and you don't deserve death when you saved mine so many times. Its time for me to repay that debt. I will go before the Tsar in your place, we are twins, he will not know" Yasha says "No you cant..." When Pasha cuts him off; "It is only right my brother, I've been on borrowed time and with out you here, I'm dead anyway, your only delaying the inevitable." Yasha begins to cry and hugs his brother.

After three days, Pasha, wearing his brothers Yasha clothes appears before the Tsar and his entire court. The Tsar smiles and says, "So Yasha, what am I thinking?". Pasha responds, "do you actually believe I'm Yasha". The Tsar says "of course, you are Yasha right down to how you dress, even the court here knows this" .

Then Pasha laughs, "you thought I was Yasha, I'm not! I'm his twin brother Pasha!"

Yasha would go on to marry the Tsar's daughter and rule a third of his empire. Pasha still came home drunk every night.