The Hermit of Jabukovac: A 78-Year-Old's Wisdom and a Young Woman's Compassion in Montenegro's Mountains

In the rugged terrain of Jabukovac, Montenegro, 78-year-old Nikola Pavićević lives a life of profound solitude, a choice he made to distance himself from what he perceives as the falsehoods and injustices of the modern world. His dwelling, nestled high on a mountain accessible only by a rocky path, lacks modern conveniences, yet Nikola sustains himself with remarkable self-reliance, tending to his hearth and fetching water from distant forest pits.Recently, Tamara, a young woman from Serbia, embarked on the challenging journey to visit him. Upon her arrival, Nikola, observing her dialect, noted her distant origin. He welcomed her into his humble abode, where she assisted him in lighting a fire, a daily ritual for the elderly man. Tamara also offered him water, which he gratefully accepted.During their conversation, Nikola shared insights into his self-sufficient lifestyle, stating, "I eat naturally, bread..." He also demonstrated a keen observation of Tamara's well-being, noticing her swollen knee from the arduous climb and offering a simple remedy of water and salt, treating her with the care one would show a child.As Tamara prepared to depart, Nikola offered a poignant piece of advice, holding her hands: "You are young, you are good... protect yourself from today's people." He shed a tear as he imparted this wisdom, emphasizing the importance of honesty and integrity. "You are not deceitful or thieving. That's how I value you. You have a good heart, a good soul, good feelings, humanity, justice, and honesty." He reiterated, "You are smart, but you must protect yourself well from that." The encounter underscored the enduring power of human connection and the wisdom found in unexpected places.

www.kurir.rs

Tamara se satima pela po liticama kako bi došla do gorštaka Nikole Pavićevića (…

Starac poručio da su Srbi i Crnogorci jedan narod