This is a great motivational story about saving time. It teaches how to inspire and motivate others to pursue a worthy goal. This excerpt was taken from an article written by Andy Hertzfeld in 1983 called “Saving Lives”. One of the things that bothered Steve Jobs the most was the time that it took to … Read more
In ancient times, there lived a learned man. One day, he noticed that his shoes were worn out. The minute he returned home, he immediately surrounded himself with the books of the wise men he admired and began searching an answer to the question: what should a man do when his shoes have become tattered? … 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
One day a preacher entered a sermon hall to address his believers. But, this time, the room was empty, except for a young stable boy who was sitting in the front row. – Do you want me to speak for you alone or just skip today’s sermon? – Sir, I’m a simple person and I … 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 farmer’s tractor stopped working. His attempts to repair the tractor were not successful. So, he finally called a specialist. The specialist examined the tractor, lifted the hood and checked everything carefully. Then he took a hammer, hit the motor once and – suddenly – it started working. The motor began to hum, … Read more
One rooster rummaged in a pile of garbage from morning till night. – What are you looking for, rooster? – the other ones asked him. – A grain of corn – answered the Rooster. – But there are corn grains scattered all over the ground! – Ha! On the ground, even a fool can find … 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
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
In the early 1930s, an American manufacturing company sent an industrial machine to Japan. A month later, the company received a telegram: THE MACHINE DOES NOT WORK. SEND A REPAIRMAN. The company sent a specialist to Japan. But even before he could get to work, it received another telegram: THE REPAIRMAN IS TOO YOUNG. SENT … Read more
It often happens that a by-product of a manufacturing process proves worthier than the original product of that process. For example, many people know the name of the most famous product of the Bayer Chemical Corporation of Germany. But few are aware that it was discovered by an accident. Namely, while manufacturing other chemical products, … Read more
A True Story Without a Moral In Oriental Mythology, the second volume of his comparative study The Masks of God, the famous American mythologist and lecturer Joseph Campbell retells an amusing story. It concerns a Shinto priest and a Western sociologist who met at a conference in Japan in the late 1950s. The Japanese … 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
I. Confucius and the Power of Dreams It is often said that, in his later years, the great Chinese sage Confucius developed a habit of taking a short nap in moments of anxiety. Seconds after waking up, he would gather his pupils once again and share with them a resolution of profound wisdom. One time, … Read more
