This happened during the Great Patriotic War, during the siege of Leningrad. In this city there lived an elderly man who previously made a living by sharpening knives. During the blockade, when food became very rare, people could not pay for his services. Despite this, he helped those in need for free, hoping that at least someone would treat him to a plate of hot broth. However, such cases were rare.
When the money ran out, grandfather began to sell his personal belongings in order to somehow survive and not die of hunger.
Every two or three days he got up early in the morning, took something unnecessary from the closet and went to the market.
On one of these days, when he was getting ready to go outside, he heard meowing on the landing.
Approaching the source of the sound, he saw the cat running away in fear.
In the place where she was sitting, an almost dead rat lay, and its small cub was squeaking next to it.
Apparently, the rat protected its offspring from the cat and paid for it with its life.
The man took the little rat, stroked it and hid it in his bosom, taking it home.
The rodent quickly got used to its new home. He regularly looked for food in the kitchen, but it was empty. Sometimes his owner shared leftover food with him after dinner, but this was not enough for the baby, and he often went outside in search of food. Apparently, he found her as he grew and gained weight.
The man, to pass the time, began training his new pet. He taught the mouse to come when called, carry small objects and stand on its hind legs.
Although little was achieved, it was not for the result, but to distract from hunger and loneliness.
Over time, hard times came.
The man was unable to exchange anything for food. He sold his winter clothes a long time ago, but no one needed his summer clothes.
After about a week, grandfather realized that he wouldn’t last long like this.
In order not to go crazy from loneliness and hunger, he talked for a long time with his pet.
Soon he could only do this lying down, as he had to save his strength.
Suddenly the little rat disappeared.
Two days passed and he still wasn’t there. The man thought that the rodent had found another place to feed it.
But on the third day the baby returned.
There was something shiny in his teeth. Taking a closer look, the man realized that it was an old silver coin.
Using his last strength, he got dressed and went to a familiar antique dealer.
There he managed to exchange a coin for some cereal, which he stretched out for almost a month.
During this time, the mouse brought him a few more coins. Now the man was sure that he would not die of hunger.
He even took food to neighbors several times, explaining that he was able to successfully sell his old trousers.
Despite all the difficulties, this man was able to survive the war. However, he lost his home during an air raid.
He never saw his little savior again. But until the end of his days, he remembered the tiny gray creature that once saved him from hunger. This little rodent proved that even the smallest creatures can be grateful and help a person in difficult times.
