Abstract:
The fate brought Keto, abducted by the Lezghins, to the Naibs family,
where she was brought up with the same love and tenderness as in her
own Family. Foster parents literally doted on her and the child accepted
her new lifestyle with ease, becoming oblivious to the past, which faded
with each day. Soon there was nothing left in her past memories that was
dear to her heart or what she missed and longed for.
As it was said Keto was almost three by the time of her abduction,
i.e. at the age when the children begin to cognize the environment and
the first impressions are established. Children of Keto’s age observe the
nature, objects, and the events and remember them, including songs.
They distinguish between the sounds they like or dislike.
However, the memories that arise from that particular age disappear
just as easily. That’s the reason why I. Gogebashvili chose the girl of that
particular age to become the hero of his story.
As we proceed with the story we observe that Keto’s parents Zurab
and Magdan are desperate to make Keto’s emotional return to the family
as quick as possible.
For this reason they resort to the familiar strategy. The strategy
to which many resort when they try to find something that has been
accidentally lost – visiting old places, revival of the events, meeing
old friends, etc., although, nothing helped. Keto remained frozen and
insensitive to all and everything.”
So what was the way out? Where the solution was?
Sooner or later the writer finds the way for the return of the lost
child to her parents. Initially, in order to find solution, the writer resorts to
nature and describe the first days of May with great artistry. Improvement of mood and the traces of the involuntary thought
soon found reflection on Ketpo’s sad, pensive face, which did not go
unnoticed for her strenuous mother.
The story tells us that nobody had heard Magdana sing since the
loss of her daughter. The grief took away her voice.
“Keto”, writes the author, “was trying hard to recall something
but couldn’t clear her memory. Magadana saw it and added more
expressiveness and attraction her voice, watching her daughter closely,
with maternal tenderness. Keto also watched her mother intensely as
if trying to solve the mystery, which she finally did. She calmed down
gradually and the black clouds lifted from her face… She jumped up from
the sofa shouting the much desired word “Mother” , fell into Magdana’s
arms and started to kiss her passionately. The tears trickled down their
cheeks, but those were the tears of happiness, relief and elation.”The
lullaby sung by the Georgian mother achieved the impossible, it returned
the lost child to the motherland.”
