When Leo Tolstoy Went to Bangladesh

One of the unexpected pleasures of writing is discovering that words have a life of their own.

You put them on paper (or more likely a computer screen), press "Publish," and they quietly disappear into the digital universe. Most of the time you never know where they go or whose eyeballs will encounter them.  

A few months ago I received an email from Bangladesh.

Nahar Trina, an author, translator and editor of the Bengali literary webzine Golpopath, had stumbled across an old post on Ennyman's Territory: Imaginary Interviews: My Visit with Leo Tolstoy. She asked if she might translate it into Bengali so it could be shared with her readers.

How could I say no?

Her note was gracious:

"I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'Imaginary Interviews: My Visit with Leo Tolstoy' on your blog, Ennyman's Territory. I would love to share this wonderful piece with Bengali readers by translating it into my mother tongue, Bengali."

She explained that Golpopath is a completely non-commercial literary publication with a devoted readership and assured me the translation would be offered simply for the love of literature.

Recently she sent another message. The 98th issue of Golpopath had been published, and somewhere halfway around the world my imaginary conversation with the great Russian novelist had found a new audience—this time in Bengali.

There's something beautifully circular about that journey.

The publication included this photo of our "visit."

A Russian writer, imagined by an American blogger in Minnesota, translated by a Bengali author for readers in Bangladesh.

It's a reminder that stories ignore borders. They travel farther than passports, politics, and maps. They move from one language into another because someone recognizes an idea, a question, or a moment of humanity worth sharing.

For me, it actually takes me back to my very frst published story, "How Important Is Prayer?" After it was published in a paper called Youth, I received letters from three continents thanking me for the insights I shared, and how what I'd written touched their lives. 

When the World Wide Web emerged in the 1990s, I created a website where I shared art and stories on my website. Before long my story Duel of the Poets was translated into Croatian. Other stories were translated into Russian and French. And two stories by my daughter, who was 12 at the time, were published in California and New Zealand.

As writers, we rarely know where our words will end up. Sometimes they stay close to home. Sometimes they wander farther than we ever will. An example of this idea is the heart of my story A Poem About Truth.

I'm grateful to Nahar Trina and the editors of Golpopath for giving my little literary experiment a second life in another language. And I'm reminded once again that the community of readers is much larger than we imagine. 

Somewhere tonight, someone I will never meet may be reading an imaginary interview with Leo Tolstoy—in Bengali. Because words have wings.

I think Leo would smile.

Link to the Bengali version:

https://www.galpopath.com/2026/06/blog-post_257.html

Link to the original imagnary interview:

https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2025/08/imaginary-interviews-my-visit-with-leo.html

Nahar Trina on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/20229982.Nahar_Trina

Nota Bene: Take Careful Note

David Foster Wallace, known for his intricate and linguistically rich prose, had a deep-seated passion for language that was displayed in his habit of compiling extensive lists of words. He did this primarily to fuel his writing process, seeking out precise, evocative, or obscure terms that could add layers of meaning, texture, and innovation to his work—such as in novels like Infinite Jest, where his vocabulary often included jargon, archaisms, and neologisms to create a distinctive voice. 

I'd read of this habit of his and later was gratified to find a lengthy list of his words in one of his books whose title I can no longer recall. I found it interesting to read through a catalog of words someone else was fascinated by.

One of James D. Nickel's several 
books on Mathematics

What brought this Wallace habit to mind was stumbling into another collection of interesting words on the website Biblical Christian Worldview. which features the research and writings of math scholar and author James D. Nickel. It was fun to skim through his lists of words on a page titled Nota Bene, which is Latin for Take Careful Note. Of this page on his much broader website he writes, This page is devoted to an investigation of the depth, versatility, and heritage of English words; i.e., here is a vocabulary list with some "bark and bite."

Here's a taste from a portion of words in the category E.

e pluribus unum: from many, one (the motto of the United States_
ebullience: the quality of being optimistic in speech or writing
ecce homo: behold the man
eccentricity: odd or whimsical behavior
ecclesiastical: pertaining to church
echelon: a level of command; military organizational structure
eclectic: choosing from a variety of sources or origins; something that offers a diverse selection of items, styles, or approaches
eclipse: any obscuration of light ecumenical: universal
edification: to instruct or enlighten in an encouraging way
educe: to draw out (education)
effeminate: more reminiscent of women than men
effete: lacking robust vitality; sterile; without force
efficacious: having the power to produce a desired effect
efflorescent: blossoming
effrontery: shameful boldness
effulgent: radiant; brilliantly shining egalitarian: arising from a belief in the equality of all persons
egocentric: selfish
egregious: flagrantly incorrect or bad

* * * * *

Before posting the above, I email James and asked, "Since you are a 'math guy'... what prompted you to build these lists of words?"

James replied: A "math guy" interested in words (i.e., the humanities)? Seems oxymoron, but no.

For a math guy to have interest revealed in "Nota Bene" is meant to show that Math/Technology/Science/Servile Arts and Humanities (High tech, high touch) flow together.

Ed: Two thumbs up.

* * * * *

I encourage you to not only check out the rest of the E-words but all the other lists as well. And while you're in the neighborhood, explore his primary work on the history of mathematics and his understanding of the relationships between math, science, God and meaning. 

Here's one additional word, for James, from his pages devoted to the letter K:

kudos: honor or accolades

I Dreamed Up a New Word: Humitzer; Chat GPT Helped Me Discover What It Means.

A couple days ago I woke in the middle of the night with a vivid dream in which ended with these words: The Humitzer. I had no clue what it meant but it seemed like something original so I wrote it down on a notepad. 

Having recently created the word Herdwinked, I decided to try my hand at creating another original word. When nothing came to mind, I then decided to see what kinds of definitions ChatGPT would generate for me. My prompt included a pronunciation guide (hyoom'-itz-sir) but many or most of the definitions played off the syllable Hum. 

Before reading the 10 definitions, take a minute to consider how you might define this new word that came to me in a dream.

* * * 

Humitzer (noun): A device that emits gentle, soothing melodies accompanied by subtle mist, creating a calming and enchanting atmosphere in indoor spaces.

Humitzer (verb): The act of infusing humor into a situation or conversation to lighten the mood and bring smiles to those involved.

Humitzer (noun): A rare, otherworldly creature with the power to manipulate and shape sound waves, using them to convey emotions and messages to all living beings.

Humitzer (adjective): Describing a person or thing that possesses an uncanny ability to detect and appreciate the subtle, often unnoticed, beauty in everyday life.

Humitzer (noun): A revolutionary plant species that emits harmonious vibrations when touched or brushed against, contributing to the well-being of its surroundings.

Humitzer (noun): An ancient tome containing an assortment of whimsical tales, intended to uplift the spirits of readers and fill their hearts with wonder.

Humitzer (noun): A small, wearable device that analyzes the user's mood and emits tailored, melodic tunes designed to enhance their emotional state.

Humitzer (noun): A jovial and good-natured individual who effortlessly spreads laughter and positivity wherever they go, turning even the most mundane moments into delightful experiences.

Humitzer (noun): A secret, underground gathering where artists and musicians come together to experiment with new sounds, creating a symphony of unique and unexpected melodies.

Humitzer (noun): A phenomenon observed during sunrise or sunset when the sky is painted with vibrant hues, and the air seems to hum with an ethereal energy, inspiring a sense of awe and reverence.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            * * * 

What's your favorite definition here? Did you come up with a better one of your own?                                                                          

Another Media Trick To Watch and a Word to the Wise

How many issues can you name where everyone is in agreement? Nearly everything that matters has proponents and opponents. Argument is as American as pumpkin pie.

While flipping through headlines the other I saw this one: Push to oust judge over absentee vote ruling sparks outcry

It's really a perfect setup for a fight, isn't it? If you're a journalist on a slow news day all you need to pick any issue or action by a public official and add the words, sparks an outcry or creates an uproar or incites a furor.

Nearly anything can be turned into an argument. Check out this headline: Tom Brady called 'Racist' for winning Super Bowl during Black History Month. Who could have predicted that headline? It's almost as if the media's primary purpose is no longer to inform but to make people angry. 

* * * 

Here's an article that encourages writers to find ways to create controversy, or build on it, in order to corral eyeballs, get more readers. She begins by stating:

Many people want to avoid controversy, but "smart Publicity Hounds know controversy commands attention. And they use it a variety of ways to claim their time in the spotlight."

Make people angry. That's how you get readers. Carry that notion over into television and the film industry, and you have precisely what is going on today. 

Marshall McLuhan observed this more than 60 years ago. "The young today cannot follow narrative but they are alert to drama. They cannot bear description but they love landscape and action."

and...

Nobody can doubt that the entire range of applied science contributes to the very format of a newspaper. But the headline is a feature which began with the Napoleonic Wars. The headline is a primitive shout of rage, triumph, fear, or warning, and newspapers have thrived on wars ever since.

* * * 

Journalists on both Left and Right use the tactic. My hope is that we become more discerning as readers and consumers of media. 

The root of "discernment" is Discern. Discern means to perceive, find out, detect. We're to be alert detectives looking for clues as to why this story has been told and the spin has been put on it. 

The origin of the word conveys the meaning "distinguish (between) separate" things. Beneath that is the Latin discernere -- "to separate, set apart, divide, distinguish, sift."

In other words, separate gold from muck like a miner with his pan. Or separate fake news from real. Or recognize when we are being manipulated vs. being assisted. (Yes, news can be informative.)

 * * * 

There are a gazillion things happening at any moment in time. When the media became our conduit through which we learn about the happenings in the world it also appointed itself as divine arbiter to dictate to us what we should be paying attention to, and how to interpret it.

As media consumers we need to get better at discerning the spin, differentiating between information and manipulation.

Use discernment. Don't just mindlessly accept what you see and hear. 

* * * 

Related Link

He Who Controls the Narrative Controls the People

Words

“Come, let us… confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” ~ Genesis 11:7

I was recently reading a book on advertising in which the author noted that words do not have meaning until we invest them with meaning. That is, words do not have meaning in themselves, but are just a shell that the hearer fills with meaning.

This idea immediately intrigued me for a couple reasons. First, because it explains why sometimes we say things and other people don’t know where we are coming from. Try describing New York City skyscrapers to people in New Guinea who have never seen a two story hut. And what does love look like to people who today for whom the word is only a sex act.

We say a word, and people hear something different than what we mean. The word Conservative is highly loaded these days. For some it means “family values” whereas for others it means narrow-minded bigots who (if they had their way) would become jack-booted, freedom-stealing fascists. To some the word Liberal means compassionate people who care for the less fortunate, and to others the word means anti-American, anti-business, tree-hugging communist or idealistic airhead.

The point is, we say a word, and it is invested with lots of different meanings by the hearer. Words are like triggers that awaken meanings in the mind.

Take the word God, for example. For many people of faith this is far more than a word. It is the Almighty Creator, Yahweh, the high and holy one, awesome in power, who humbled Himself to die in shame to conquer death and make a way for us to be part of His great family, for eternity. But if you say “God” in some circles, it means “a concept by which weak people comfort themselves.”

How are we to communicate in this world where words have become so divested of meaning? Think about it. What do you do when words no longer have any meaning? How do we reach people? How do we help meet needs or make a difference if we can’t use words?

One way we can be understood is by our behavior. Our lives are a book read by all. Our deeds communicate, even when words fail. And if we are kind, friendly, open-armed, show interest when others speak, it will say things that are important.

On this topic, the problem of communication, much more could be said. But rather than digress, let's save those discussions for another time.

From "Magic"

From indescribable transforming flashes
such figuration --: feel and trust!
We know too well how flames
can turn to ashes;
in art, though, flame is kindled out of dust.
~Rilke

When Rilke I read, how is it I be so moved? Such is the power of his poetry, his thought, his voice, that even when translated it maintains its original force. Even though I know well that "the poet speaks but once, & even the closest echo is hollow with loss."

Such beauty in words can break a heart.

We measure our lives by one true measure, our proximity -- far or near, day by day and year by year -- to our heart's treasure.
Journal notes, Feb 27, 1994

Matilda Who Told Lies and Was Burned

Matilda told such dreadful lies, It made one gasp and Stretch one's eyes;

Her Aunt, who, from her earliest youth,

Had kept a strict regard for truth,
Attempted to believe Matilda:

The effort very nearly killed her,

And would have done so, had not she

Discovered this infirmity.

For once, towards the close of day,

Matilda, growing tired of play,

And finding she was left alone,

Went tiptoe to the telephone

And summoned the immediate aid
Of London's noble fire-brigade.

Within an hour the gallant band

Were pouring in on every hand,

From Putney, Hackney Downs, and Bow

With courage high and hearts aglow

They galloped, roaring through the town,

"Matilda's house is burning down!"

Inspired by British cheers and loud

Proceeding from the frenzied crowd,

They ran their ladders through a score

Of windows on the ball room floor;

And took peculiar pains to souse

The pictures up and down the house,

Until Matilda's Aunt succeeded

In showing them they were not needed;

And even then she had to pay

To get the men to go away! . . . .

It happened that a few Weeks later

Her Aunt was off to the theatre

To see that interesting play

The Second Mrs. Tanqueray.

She had refused to take her niece

To hear this entertaining piece:

A deprivation just and wise

To punish her for telling lies.

That night a fire did break out -

You should have heard Matilda shout!

You should have heard her scream and bawl,

And throw the window up and call

To People passing in the street -

(The rapidly increasing heat

Encouraging her to obtain

Their confidence) - but all in vain!

For every time she shouted 'Fire!'

They only answered 'Little Liar'!

And therefore when her Aunt returned,

Matilda, and the house, were burned.

Hillaire Belloc

Words

A while back I read a book on advertising in which the author noted that words do not have meaning until we invest them with meaning. That is, words do not have meaning in themselves, but are just a shell that the hearer fills with meaning.

This idea immediately intrigued me for a couple reasons. First, because it explains why sometimes we say things and other people don’t know where we are coming from. Try describing New York City skyscrapers to people in East Africa who have never seen a two story hut. And what does "love" look like to people who today for whom the word love is only a sex act?

We say a word, and people hear something different than what we mean. The word Conservative is highly loaded these days. For some it means “family values” whereas for others it means narrow-minded bigots who (if they had their way) would become jack-booted, freedom-stealing fascists. To some the word Liberal means compassionate people who care for the less fortunate, and to others the word means anti-American, anti-business, tree-hugging communist or idealistic airhead.

The point is, we say a word, and it can be invested with a range of different meanings by the hearer. Words are like triggers that awaken meanings in the mind, often with a lot of emotional baggage attached.

Take the word God, for example. For many Christians this is far more than a word. It is the Almighty Creator, Yahweh, the high and holy one, awesome in power, who humbled Himself to die in shame to conquer death and make a way for us to be part of His great family. But if you say “God” in some circles, it means “a concept by which weak people comfort themselves.” Or perhaps a concept by which certain cynical people manipulate manipulate the masses and oppress others.

How are we to communicate in this world where words have become so divested of meaning? Think about it. What do you do when words no longer have any meaning? How do we reach people? How do we help meet needs or make a difference if we can’t use words?

The answer is ever the same: our lives are a book read by all. Our deeds communicate, even when words fail.

Let's not give up on words, but let's also remember that nothing speaks louder than our actions. When our words and deeds correspond, only then will we make a difference in this world.

Woody Allen

Reading portions of Woody Allen’s book Side Effects & reflecting on his movies. Allen addresses and incorporates the serious questions of life & meaning, and while making humor/jokes, etc. Although some find it irreverent, is he not, at least, raising the questions? The “heavy question” or “profound thought” is a regular feature of his humor, as are his countless references to classic literature.

Perhaps this is the only way modern man can toy with these ideas. Allen, then, is the genius who has managed, more successfully than many preachers, to confront modern man with a true sense of his situation. Why am I here? Why do we do the things we do?
August 1, 1993

A few Woody Allen quotes to give a taste of his flavor:

"Eternal nothingness is fine if you happen to be dressed for it."

"If only God would give me some clear sign! Like making a large deposit in my name at a Swiss bank."

"Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons."

"I'm astounded by people who want to 'know' the universe when it's hard enough to find your way around Chinatown."

"It is impossible to experience one's death objectively and still carry a tune."

"There are worse things in life than death. Have you ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?"

"I'm not afraid to die, I just don't want to be there when it happens."

"I don't believe in the after life, although I am bringing a change of underwear."

How to Teach Writing to Young People

A few years ago I had the privilege of participating in a workshop for coaches of youth soccer led by Buzz Lagos, head coach of the Minnesota Thunder, a professional soccer team. Coach Lagos showed us all kinds of neat games that we could have our kids play to help them learn basic skills. It was a fun experience and one in which I learned a lot.

At the end of the evening he conducted a highly informative question and answer period. One attendee asked a key question that has across the board applications for all teachers or instructors. He asked “What skill level should we be expecting eight and ten year old soccer players to be at?” The answer surprised me, but then made perfect sense. Coach Lagos replied, “You should not even be thinking about skill levels at that age. What you want is for every child to learn the rules and enjoy the game.”

The coach’s reply demonstrated his love for the game. Buzz Lagos also showed a deep understanding that if the children do not enjoy playing, they will not apply themselves to mastering its fundamental skills. Instead of laying heavy expectations on eight and ten year old kids, let them simply have fun. (This was how I developed my skills in baseball as a boy, and later as a young artist.)

I believe this is exactly what our children need when it comes to learning basic skills like reading and writing. If we can somehow foster a love of reading, and an enjoyment creative self-expression with words, we have done a remarkable thing. To give our children a love of learning, a love of reading, and the enjoyment of self-expression through writing and art... what a wonderful gift!

I may be wrong, but I have always believed that children are filled with an innate desire to learn, to create, to explore, and to express themselves. In other words, they begin life with natural motivation. Our role, then, is not to attempt to motivate, but rather to avoid quenching this natural motivation. Here’s an example of how to kill the love of reading. Recently, my wife was at someone’s home when an argument erupted between the two children regarding what to watch on television. The father, infuriated, resolved the matter by punishing the one in the following manner: “Go upstairs and read a book.” Yikes! Reading as punishment is hardly the way to foster a love of reading!

Perhaps one day I will finish my book of exercises for training young people to become better and more interesting writers. In the meantime, take these words to heart. If your children have a passion for self-expression, whether through art, music or the written word, rejoice. Encourage. And worry about technique later. You never know where it will lead.

Markings

"We cannot afford to forget any experience, not even the most painful." ~ Dag Hammarskjold

Hammarskjold was the first Secretary-General of the United Nations. His book, Markings, is a collection of notes, poems, philosophical musings, insights on life and the challenges of being human in the modern world.

I discovered Hammarskjold in June 1993. Of his book I wrote in my own journal, "an honest, deep 'picking at the scabs' trying to understand the mysteries of injury and healing, pain and meaning. And good writing, too." And later I referred to it as a "treasure chest filled with gold pieces."

Here are two more "gold pieces" for today from Hammarskjold:

"Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step: only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find his right road."

"Never measure the height of a mountain, until you have reached the top. Then you will see how low it was."

Thank you Mr. Hammarskjold for your service to humanity and for having shared this book of deeply personal and profound insights.

All the Old Cliches Are True

"It seems to me that when a writer at last finds an outlet for his work -- has a channel into which he can pour himself -- it matters very little, from that time on, what he is going through, whether he is happy or sad, healthy or ill. Rather, he lives for his work, for others, to be poured out, to fulfill his reason for being." June 24, 1993

These words were penned the year I had my first book assignment and was simultaneously doing a screenplay call The Extras, while working full time. The two projects tested my time management skills to the limit, but the experience proved highly rewarding on several levels.

I would venture to say that most of us live at a lower level of accomplishment than we are capable of. Set high goals, and then take action. All the old cliches are true. Rome was not built in a day; the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. The cumulative efforts of small daily achievements can really add up. When you look back, it may even one day astound you.

Do I Speak In Vain?

The world is filled with a multitude of voices -- droning, shrieking, badgering, insisting, whispering, flaunting, taunting, announcing, trouncing, reflecting, directing, helping, hurting, assisting, confusing, clarifying, obscuring... sharing ideas, feelings, concepts, truth, and even madness. A world filled with speaking, and I, just one voice more. If I should speak, who would hear?

Have you ever felt that way? You have things in your heart to share, but with all these voices, all this noise, what's the use? You feel as if you are saying something so obvious it hardly bears repeating. What's the point? Is it foolishness? To be one more voice, insignificant as a drop of rain in the Rocky Mountains, for one vain moment dashing itself pitifully into the massive granite heart of a continent... A continent! One drop, exploding in useless splendor, colliding with a whole continent set in its ways. Is this not the ultimate futility?

Perhaps. But then again, perhaps there is a waiting seed, expectant, hungering, thirsting, languishing for that drop, that single drop of nourishment to gain the strength to break free from the confines of its tiny prison shell of self, to burst asunder the bonds of death and darkness, into life. As this seedling to sapling grows, it reaches up to grasp gloriously in daily snatches the light of life, rejoicing now that it, too, can fulfill its destiny and purpose in being.

So it is that the words we offer have the power to give hope and life. And our speaking is not in vain.