Cel mai iubit dintre pământeni by Marin Preda

When he could not find school supplies in his village, he borrowed textbooks from the neighbouring communes. Due to the intervention of a teacher, Preda was lent books and was able to complete the school year. The year 1933–1934 (4th grade) was one of the hardest in the student's life: his father could no longer buy textbooks and came down with malaria. Gradually, however, he proved to be among the best students in his grade, and was awarded for his academic success (this childhood scene was later evoked in his novel Moromeții). Due to the family's rural lifestyle, Preda participated in agricultural work at home, which meant that he was often absent from school. The following year, Preda was re-enrolled in the first grade in his native village. In September 1929, the teacher Ionel Teodorescu enrolled Marin Preda in the first grade, but Preda's father did not let him attend, as he usually enrolled his children only at the age of 8. Marin Preda spent his childhood in this large and rural family which - despite owning two plots of land - did not have financial security. In the family of the two spouses were also born: Ilinca, Marin and Alexandru (Sae).

Tudor Călărașu was also a widower, and had three sons from his first marriage: Ilie (Paraschiv), Gheorghe (Achim) and Ion (Nilă).

Joița had two daughters from her first marriage: Măria (nicknamed Alboaica) and Mița (Tita). He legally bore his mother's name, as his parents were not legally married due to the fact that Joița was a war widow, and a second marriage would annul her pension.

Preda was born in Teleorman County in a village called Siliștea Gumești, the son of Tudor Călărașu, a ploughman, and Joița Preda.

Cel mai iubit dintre pământeni by Marin Preda