Kuzma smiled smugly as Dr. Bruzak, the elderly, white-haired physician, bent down and examined his foot.
“It will be easier for me to examine your foot if you take your sock off,” Dr. Bruzak said.
“As you wish.” Kuzma tugged his sock off and lifted his swollen foot toward the doctor.
Dr. Bruzak wrapped a splint against Kuzma’s leg.
“All done,” the doctor declared. At the door he turned around and waved. “Happy dancing!”
“You see, Agni.” Kuzma flashed his servant a grin. “Nothing can keep my glorious feet from dancing the glorious hopak!”
“It certainly seems so,” Agni said, “and just in time. Look, your guests have arrived.”
**********
The door to Kuzma’s house opened and dozens of his friends and rich aristocrats from the city piled inside. Glasses of wine clinked together as toasts were made and food was passed around as plentiful as water.
“Eat! Drink! Enjoy yourselves, my friends, because tonight I have a special surprise for you,” Kuzma shouted.
“Forget about it, Kuzma,” someone replied. “We’re tired of the old tradition.”
“Yes, we already know you’re the best dancer around,” another person agreed as the crowd murmured their agreement. “We’re tired of trying to out-dance you.”
“Nah, I’m tired of the old tradition, too. That’s why tonight we’re going to do something special.” Kuzma grabbed a fistful of boiled chicken wings from the table and popped them into his mouth.
“We’re going to have an eating contest?” a guest moaned. “What’s the point in doing that? You’ll certainly beat everyone.”
“Agni,” Kuzma barked, “go fetch the prisoner.”
*********
Agni left the noisy house and ventured into the dark backyard.
“You still alive down there?” Agni looked down at the figure crouching at the bottom of a deep pit in the ground.
“Barely,” came the hoarse reply.
“I’m going to lower a rope and pull you up. Kuzma is ready for the dance challenge.” Agni threw down a rope.
“No!” The figure replied in a muffled voice. “Throw the bear suit down first. I want to change in private!”
“Very well.” Agni returned with the bear costume. Of course it was not Aharon, but rather Reb Aryeh Leib. They had switched places just a few minutes earlier.
“Are you ready?” Agni steered Reb Aryeh Leib into the house.
“Your master’s foot is still broken, correct?” Reb Aryeh Leib felt the heavy bear costume weighing on his shoulders.
“Oh, no, no, no.” Agni shook his head. “He’s all healed and better than ever!”

(Excerpted from Mishpacha Jr., Issue 726)