I remembered how on my five-year-old we went to the "Children's World" for a gift, my parents wished that I would choose what the soul would like.

Dad proudly led me to the shelf with the dolls and began to praise the doll-in-law, then the doll-stewardess in turn: apparently then began conversations with me about career orientation, about life choices and interests.

I chose a huge insured macaca with a long brown tail and a wooden head, saying:

This is Shurik! He will live with us!



Dad knew it would happen someday, but he hoped there would be 15 years left! He breathed and agreed to Shurika.