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
There was a man who lived by the sea. Every morning, he left his house, enjoying the beautiful pine tree which grew on the mountain nearby. He loved drawing this beauty over and over again, and was generally happy. But one day, there was a storm. The pine cracked, the mountain collapsed, and his house … 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
A scientist once decided to prove that the ears of the cockroach are located in its legs. So, he started conducting experiments. He put a cockroach on a table and loudly clapped his hands. The cockroach ran away. Then the scientist tore one of the cockroach’s legs and clapped his hands again. The cockroach ran … Read more
An old man died and left everything he had to his three sons. The oldest one got the house, the middle one – the cow, and the youngest one – an axe and gloves. The oldest son settled in the house, the middle one – started trading milk, and the youngest one – started earning … 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
In ancient times, there lived a man called Zhu. He heard that there was an old hunter called Ma Tan who knew how to kill dragons. So, Zhu went to him and asked to teach him how to kill dragons. – It’s a difficult art – replied Ma Tan. – Are you ready to study … Read more
One day, a poor man appeared at the door of a royal palace. No one dared to stop him when he headed straight for the throne on which a king was seated. – What do you need? – asked the king. – A place in the caravan, to spend the night. – This is not … 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
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
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
Hara Tanzan was a Soto Buddhist monk who lived for most of the nineteenth century. He was well revered in life and even before his death, there were many stories retold about him. It’s hard to distinguish which of them are true and which are not. This, nevertheless, is the most famous one. Tanzan was … Read more
I. The Young Man Without a Purpose… Some time ago, a desperate young man headed towards a distant monastery to find a purpose in life. When he arrived, he explained to an elder monk: “I can find no pleasure in life. I am incapable of focusing. Everything bores me and I am easily tempted. Is … Read more
A Motivational Story About Dedication At the advice of his respected mentor, a young student of philosophy retreated to his room and decided to spend the rest of his life reading and studying. He was determined to find the answers to the most important questions in life. Every night, his mentor would visit him … Read more
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. “I don’t much care where – ” said Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat. ” – so long as I get … Read more
