I was a sure candidate for the gold medal. In these circumstances to have provoked the teachers would have been suicidal. l couldn't rid myself of a vile and cowardly thought: "why should I stick my neck out when the others keep silent?..""...This is a conspiracy against our school. Ilyumzhinov has spat in our faces. A monstrous accusation!.. The outrageous behavior of Kirsan ... And to think that he is a member of the Komsomol..." All this was uttered in a high-flown style, in quivering tones and with noble indignation. The boys were reminded of the upcoming exams and they were asked to defend the school's honor.
I could sense the imminent danger of a storm brewing over my head. I was branded a "libelous liar... a renegade ... man-hater, mud -thrower in public. They threw words at me as though they were stones. They were trying to crush me, to trample on my reputation, but, curiously enough, I felt a profound sense of inner calm and my soul was tranquil. Listening to a boy who was beside himself with indignation I though t to myself sad l y: "well, it looks as though our paths are going to part. I wonder how many silver coins you think you are worth?"
After his exercise in scathing criticism, this student began getting only good or excellent marks in school. Two days later, when we were alone, he spoke to me, averting his eyes: "all that doesn't mean a thing to you, Kirsan . After all, you are an excellent student. But I've got to do something so as not to wind up on my ass. The end justifies the means, you know. Living with wolves makes you howl like one."
Where is he now? Maybe he is still howling like a wolf? I must give credit to many of my class-mates, however, who spoke out in my favor at that meeting. The flame of this scandal was soon put out by the teachers. They pulled the necessary strings to prevent gossip penetrating the school walls, but I had achieved my goal. They stopped picking on those kids who did not have influential parents.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
The President's Crown of Thorns 1995
