Chapter 233
The Burden of Impossible Choices
The Council of War began to assemble at two in the afternoon in the better and roomier part of Andrew Savostyánov’s hut. The men, women, and children of the large peasant family crowded into the back room across the passage. Only Malásha, Andrew’s six-year-old granddaughter whom his Serene Highness had petted and to whom he had given a lump of sugar while drinking his tea, remained on the top of the brick oven in the larger room. Malásha looked down from the oven with shy delight at the faces, uniforms, and decorations of the generals, who one after another came…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Own Impossible Choice
Think of a time when you had to choose between doing what people wanted and doing what you thought was right. Write down both options and list the real costs of each choice - not just to you, but to everyone involved. Then identify who would benefit from each decision in the short term versus the long term.
Consider:
- •Consider who bears the immediate consequences versus the long-term consequences
- •Think about whether the popular choice actually helps or just feels good
- •Ask yourself what you'd want someone to do if you were depending on their decision
Journaling Prompt
Write about a decision you're facing right now where you're torn between doing what's popular and what you think is right. What would Kutuzov do?
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