You are holding a cup of coffee when someone comes along and bumps into you or shakes your arm, making you spill your coffee everywhere. Why did you spill the coffee? “Because someone bumped into me!!!” Wrong answer. You spilled the coffee because there was coffee in your cup. Had there been tea in the … Read more
Once upon a time, a traveler sat to rest under a tree. He didn’t know that this tree was special, it was a “wish-fulfilling” tree. When the traveler woke up, he felt very hungry. All of a sudden, a tasty dish appeared before him. After he ate the food and felt full, another thought came … Read more
A man sent his son to learn the secret of happiness from a sage. Forty days the young man walked through a desert until he saw, on top of a mountain, a magnificent castle. The sage lived there. The castle was full of people. The sage walked slowly around the guests, and the boy had … Read more
Once upon a time there lived a stonemason, who went to the mountains every day to dig out and break stones. He enjoyed his work, so he was constantly singing, satisfied with what he had, bothered by nothing. One time, he was invited to work in a mansion. Upon seeing the luxurious palace, the stonemason … Read more
A man once decided to go and find Fate. On his way, he met a wolf, who told him that his teeth hurt and wondered if he could ask Fate for a remedy. Then he chanced upon a large crowd of hungry people. They told him that they didn’t have anything to eat, because each … Read more
A peasant owned a beautiful purebred horse. One day, he ran away from the stables and disappeared for some time. The neighbors in the village sympathized with the peasant, but he remained calm. A week later, his horse returned and brought with himself a wonderful female horse. The villagers talked about the event for a … Read more
A prince inherited a kingdom. And, like all kings, he had everything in abundance. But suddenly the troubles began. The drought killed many, the diseases even more. And then, an enemy state stormed the kingdom and killed the ones who survived. The king somehow managed to escape. He went to his childhood friend, who ruled … Read more
Once upon a time, there lived one merchant. And like all merchants, he bought goods from one place, and travelled to sell them in another. From time to time, he would stop his caravan, and after resting a while, he would move on forward. But, once, after making few stops, he discovered that he had … Read more
Before the judge stood a man convicted of bribes. The judge offered the accused to choose between one of three possible punishments: either to pay 100 gold coins, to be hit 50 times with a stick, or to eat 3 pounds of raw onions. Being greedy, so he decided that the best punishment is also … Read more
There lived once two men. One of them was rich, and the other one was poor. There were many feasts in the house of the rich man. Meanwhile, the poor man had nothing to eat. A wise old man once came to the door of the rich man and asked him to sleep for the … Read more
A long time ago, in a kingdom far away, there lived two knights who befriended each other. The first one was smart, and the second one stupid. Nevertheless, they gave each other a promise of loyalty – that neither of them will leave the other in good times or in need, and that they will … Read more
The Fox and the Crane became friends. After a while, the Fox invited the Crane over for dinner. The Crane accepted the invitation and went to the Fox’s house. The Fox had some soup prepared and served it on a flat plate. The Crane tried peck-peck-pecking on the plate, but couldn’t get anything in his … Read more
One day, the little Raccoon went into the woods to pick some sweet sedge for dinner. When he arrived in the woods, however, a monkey decided to have some fun with him. So, he asked him: – Are you not afraid the ONE WHO is living in the pond? He’s so evil and scary. It … Read more
One cold winter day, a little bird was sitting frozen in the middle of the road. To make matters worse, a cow came along and, lifting its tail, slapped a pile of dung on the bird. But the dung warmed the little bird and brought it back to life. Delighted, the bird started to chirp … Read more
A small clay water jug stood on the stove. And in the corner of the room, a sick man lay on the bed. He was tormented by extreme thirst. “Just a sip, just a sip,” he groaned. But there was no one in the room. His pleas were so heartbreaking that the jug could not … Read more
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and … Read more
A horse and a donkey were once coming from the market. The donkey was carrying heavy load on his back, and the horse was lightly running. Halfway down the road, the donkey felt tired and barely able to breathe. He asked the horse to take some of his load. But the horse would not listen. … Read more
Towards the end of August, a huge silver coloured spaceship came to Earth, carrying with it Professor Hugo’s zoo. The zoo was open for only six hours. Adults and children waited since the early morning, forming the longest line ups ever witnessed. And everyone was holding in their hands the entrance fee, a small amount … Read more
An Inspirational Poem For Hard Times by Elia Wheeler Wilcox It is easy enough to be pleasant When life flows by like a song, But the man worthwhile is the one who will smile When everything goes dead wrong. For the test of the heart is trouble, And it always comes with the … Read more
