In the 18th century, the couple was separated by their parents. The story is not new and could be similar to the fate of famous Shakespeare heroes: the girl, like Juliet, wanted to commit suicide by throwing herself into the Neva, and her devotee did not survive the grief beloved, trying to share Romeo's fate.

However, our “story” is not the saddest in the world, because the lovers were destined to survive. Fortunately for them, a hippopotamus turned out to be in the Neva, who saved the lovers. The girl grabbed her right ear, and the guy grabbed her left ear: so they swam to the shore, where they immediately married. The Savior was named Tonya and began to be revered as the patroness of lovers, as well as a symbol of well-being and unity.

Today, thanks to Sergey Bogdanov, Dean of the Faculty of Philology of St. Petersburg State University, the bronze sculpture of Tony is located in the courtyard of the philological faculty. Next to it is a sign that says that a girl who dreams of a groom should hold on Tony's right ear, and a young man who wants to find a bride - for the left. Not surprisingly, the hippopotamus's ears now shine like gold. But the right ear is rubbed much harder...