The Answer (book 2 chapter 8)

In this chapter Anastasia and Vladimir are discussing the possibility of a global catastrophe. Vladimir appears to be a believer in the biblical apocalypse and demands an answer from Anastasia.

"But when will it happen on a global scale - when will the apocalypse come?"

"It might occur in 2002, for example. But it can be prevented, or delayed, as happened in 1992."

"You mean to say it might have come to pass in 1992?"

"Yes, but they delayed it."

"Who are 'they'? Who averted it? Who delayed it?"

"A catastrophe on a global scale in 1992 was averted thanks to the dachniks."

"Wha-a-at?!"

"There are all sorts of people all over the world who are working against global disaster. The 1992 catastrophe did not happen mainly thanks to the Russian dachniks."

"And you... that means you!... Even at six years old you were aware of the dachniks' significance? You foresaw it? You worked non-stop. You helped them."

"I understood the dachniks' significance, Vladimir."

"But why Russian dachniks in particular? What's the connection here?"

"You see, Vladimir, even though the Earth is very large, it is very, very sensitive.

"Think of how big you are by comparison with a tiny mosquito. And yet, when a mosquito lands on you, you feel it through your skin. And the Earth also feels - everything. When people pave it over with concrete and asphalt, when they cut down trees and burn the forests growing on it, when they pick and poke at its innards and sprinkle it with powder called fertiliser, it feels the hurt. And yet still it loves people, as a mother loves her children.

"And the Earth tries to absorb into its depths all humanity's anger, and only when it no longer has the strength to hold it back, that anger explodes in the form of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

"The Earth needs our help. Tenderness and a loving attitude give it strength. The Earth may be large, bit it is most sensitive. And it feels the tender caress of even a single human hand. Oh, how it feels and anticipates this touch!

"There was a time in Russia when the Earth was deemed to belong to everyone and therefore nobody in particular. So people did not think of it as their own. Then changes came in Russia. They began giving out tiny private plots to people to go with their dachas.

"It was no coincidence at all that these plots were extremely small, too small to cultivate with mechanised equipment. But Russians, yearning for contact with the Earth, took to them with joyous enthusiasm. They went to people both poor and rich. Because nothing can break Man's connection with the Earth!

"After obtaining their little plots of land, people intuitively felt their worth. And millions of pairs of human hands began touching the Earth with love. With their hands, you understand, not with mechanised tools, lots and lots of people touched the ground caressingly on these little plots. And the Earth felt this, it felt it very much. It felt the blessing touch of each individual hand upon it. And the Earth found new strength to carry on."