«The Kindling» in Polish with a Parallel Translation

"The Kindling" is a short story by Eliza Orzeszkowa that was published in 1889. The story follows two sisters living in a rural village who are struggling to improve their lives. One sister marries a wealthy man who promises her prosperity and happiness, only to discover that he is cruel and greedy, and that life in his household means nothing to her. The other sister remains in the village and becomes a teacher, helping her students gain an education and improve their living conditions. The story shows that true prosperity and happiness do not always depend on material wealth and that values can vary among different people.