Fyodor Petrovich, elderly and sickly, finally felt strong enough to visit his adopted son Sasha’s grave. With his loyal dog Buyan, he set off to repair the broken fence. Sasha, once a proud soldier, had died young, followed soon by Fyodor’s wife—leaving him alone.
At the cemetery, while Fyodor cleared branches, Buyan barked and dug frantically. Beneath the dirt, they uncovered a cardboard box. Inside—wrapped in rags—was a newborn baby girl, barely alive.
Fyodor rushed her to Olga, the retired village paramedic. The baby survived.
The next day, a man named Herman appeared. He was the baby’s grandfather. His daughter had died during childbirth, and her greedy husband had buried the baby alive to claim an inheritance. Herman thanked Fyodor and gave him a box of gifts and money.
Weeks later, Fyodor returned to the cemetery to find a new memorial for Sasha and his wife. Herman had arranged it in gratitude.
Fyodor sat between the graves, smiling. That’s where neighbors later found him—peacefully passed, as if reunited with his family. Loyal Buyan stayed by his side and was buried near him two years later.
Love and kindness, even late in life, had brought Fyodor home.