The Story of a Wood Cutter

Once upon a time, a very strong woodcutter asked for a job in a timber merchant and he got it. The pay was really good and so was the work condition. For those reasons, the woodcutter was determined to do his best.

 

His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he supposed to work.

 

The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees.

 

“Congratulations,” the boss said. “Go on that way!”

 

Very motivated by the boss words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could only bring 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he could only bring 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing less and less trees.

 

“I must be losing my strength”, the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.

 

“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked.

 

“Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees…”

 

Reflection:

Our lives are like that. We sometimes get so busy that we don’t take time to sharpen the “axe”. In today’s world, it seems that everyone is busier than ever, but less happy that ever.

Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay “sharp”? There’s nothing wrong with activity and hard work. But we should not get so busy that we neglect the truly important things in life, like our personal life, taking time to get close to our Creator, giving more time for our family, taking time to read etc.

 

We all need time to relax, to think and meditate, to learn and grow. If we don’t take the time to sharpen the “axe”, we will become dull and lose our effectiveness.

Lessons of Perception: Contrasting Paths in the Sales World

Two friends, Jim and Stew, both joined a large sales company right after graduating, demonstrating their strong work ethic.

After three years had passed, the company's director decided to promote Stew to the position of sales executive, while Jim remained in the sales department without any promotion.

Feeling that this was unjust, Jim approached his boss and expressed his dissatisfaction, claiming that hard-working employees were not being appreciated. Recognizing Jim's dedication, the boss wanted to highlight the disparity between Jim and Stew, so he assigned Jim a task. He instructed Jim to find someone selling watermelons in the market and gather some information.

Jim ventured to the market and returned to the boss with the price of $12 per kilogram. Curious, the boss then asked Stew the same question. Stew embarked on his market expedition and returned with detailed information: there was currently only one watermelon seller, offering watermelons at $12 per kilogram or $100 for 10 kilograms. The seller had 340 watermelons in stock, with 48 of them displayed on the table, each weighing approximately 15 kilograms. Stew also added that these watermelons were purchased from the South two days ago, assuring their freshness and good quality.

Jim was astounded by the stark contrast between his own report and Stew's. He realized that there was much he could learn from his friend.

This story exemplifies the notion that successful individuals possess a heightened level of observation. They have the ability to think and plan years ahead, while many others only focus on immediate concerns.

Enjoy Life

 

An old man lived in the village. He was one of the most unfortunate people in the world. The whole village was tired of him; he was always gloomy, he constantly complained and was always in a bad mood.

 

The longer he lived, the more bile he was becoming and the more poisonous were his words. People avoided him, because his misfortune became contagious. It was even unnatural and insulting to be happy next to him.

 

He created the feeling of unhappiness in others.

 

But one day, when he turned eighty years old, an incredible thing happened. 

Instantly everyone started hearing the rumor:

 

“An Old Man is happy today, he doesn’t complain about anything, smiles, and even his face is freshened up.”

 

The whole village gathered together. The old man was asked:

 

Villager: What happened to you?

 

“Nothing special. Eighty years I’ve been chasing happiness, and it was useless. And then I decided to live without happiness and just enjoy life. That’s why I’m happy now.” – An Old Man

 

Moral of the story:

Don’t chase happiness. Enjoy your life.

The Greedy Lion

It was an incredibly hot day, and a lion was feeling very hungry.

 

He came out of his den and searched here and there. He could find only a small hare. He caught the hare with some hesitation. “This hare can’t fill my stomach” thought the lion.

 

As the lion was about to kill the hare, a deer ran that way. The lion became greedy. He thought;

“Instead of eating this small hare, let me eat the big deer.”

 

He let the hare go and went behind the deer. But the deer had vanished into the forest. The lion now felt sorry for letting the hare off.

 

Moral of the story:

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

The Farmer and the Snake

A Farmer walked through his field one cold winter morning. On the ground lay a Snake, stiff and frozen with the cold. The Farmer knew how deadly the Snake could be, and yet he picked it up and put it in his bosom to warm it back to life.

The Snake soon revived, and when it had enough strength, bit the man who had been so kind to it. The bite was deadly and the Farmer felt that he must die. As he drew his last breath, he said to those standing around, “Learn from my fate not to take pity on a scoundrel or evildoer”.

Moral: There are some who never changes their nature, regardless of how good we behave with them. Always stay alert and maintain the distance from those who are there only thinking about their own benefits

Look Before You Leap

Once a fox was chased by a tiger in a forest. He ran as fast as he could in order to save his life. But suddenly, he fell into a well which was covered with shrubs that obstructed his vision, as he was running. He could not come out of the well. Now the fox knew that death had been waiting for him in that well. He was sad.

 

Soon the fox heard a goat bleating nearby. He shouted loudly from inside the well to call the goat. The goat came near the well and asked him, "Friend, what are you doing there in the well?"

 

The fox said, "Friend, have you not heard that a drought is soon coming in the country, and there will be no water anywhere? So I've come here to enjoy the sweet water of this well. The water is so tasty that I do not even feel hungry. Why don't you join me, friend? Just jump into the well, and give me a pleasant company!"

 

The foolish goat believed the fox and agreed to join her friend. As she jumped, the clever fox placed one of his feet on her horn and escaped from the well. Now the poor goat was inside the well. She cried, "Friend, why do you leave me here alone? Come back."

 

The fox said, "Friend, you should have looked before you had leaped into the well to see if it was possible for you to come out of it. You did not do that, and hence let you suffer."

 

The fox left the place, and the goat lay in the well counting the days for her inevitable death.

The Kite without a Thread

Once a father and son went to the kite flying festival. The young son became very happy seeing the sky filled with colorful kites. He too asked his father to get him a kite and a thread with a roller so he can fly a kite too. So, the father went to the shop at the park where the festival was being held. He purchased kites and a roll of thread for his son. 

His son started to fly a kite. Soon, his kite reached high up in the sky. After a while, the son said, “Father, It seems that the thread is holding up a kite from flying higher, If we break it, It will be free and will go flying even higher. Can we break it?” So, the father cut the thread from a roller. The kite started to go a little higher. That made a son very happy.

But then, slowly, the kite started to come down. And, soon it fell down on the terrace of the unknown building. The young son was surprised to see this. He had cut the kite loose of its thread so it can fly higher, but instead, it fell down. He asked his father, “Father, I thought that after cutting off the thread, the kite can freely fly higher. But why did it fall down?”

The Father explained, “Son, At the height of life that we live in, we often think that some things we are tied with and they are preventing us from going further higher. The thread was not holding the kite from going higher, but it was helping it stay higher when the wind slowed down and when the wind picked up, you helped the kite go up higher in a proper direction through the thread. And when we cut the thread, it fell down without the support you were providing to the kite through the thread”.

The son realized his mistake.

Moral: Sometimes we feel that we can progress quickly and reach to the newer heights in our life if we were not tied up with our family, our home. But, we fail to realize that our family, our loved ones help us survive the tough time in our lives with their support and encourage us to reach higher heights in our life.

 

The Farmer and the Well.

A farmer looking for a source of water for his farm bought a well from his neighbor. The neighbor was cunning, though, and refused to let the farmer take water from the well. On asking why, he replied, “I sold the well to you, not the water”, and walked away. The distraught farmer didn’t know what to do. So he went to Birbal, a clever man and one of the nine courtiers of Emperor Akbar, for a solution.

The emperor called the farmer and his neighbor and asked why the man was not letting the farmer draw water from the well. The cunning man said the same thing again, “I sold the well, not the water. So he cannot take my water”.

To this, Birbal replied, “All that sounds fine to me. But if you have sold the water and the water is yours, then you have no business keeping your water in his well. Remove the water or use it all up immediately. If not the water will belong to the owner of the well”.

Realizing that he’s been tricked and taught his lesson, the man apologized and left.

Moral Cheating will not get you anything. If you do cheat, you’ll pay for it soon enough.

A New Perspective on Life

Once, there was a blind girl who carried a deep hatred for herself because of her blindness. She held resentment towards everyone, except for her loving boyfriend, who stood by her side through it all.

She often expressed her desire to see the world, believing that if she could regain her sight, she would marry her boyfriend. Then, one fortunate day, someone generously donated a pair of eyes to her, and her world was transformed as she could finally see everything, including her boyfriend.

When her boyfriend asked if she would now marry him, she was taken aback by what she discovered—her beloved boyfriend was also blind. Overwhelmed by this realization, she refused his proposal. With tears in his eyes, her boyfriend walked away but left her a heartfelt letter that spoke volumes:

“Please take care of my eyes, my dear.”

This poignant incident reveals how our perception of others can change when our own circumstances change. Only a few people remember their past and acknowledge those who have stood by them in the most difficult times.

The story serves as a reminder that life is a precious gift. Before uttering unkind words, think of those who cannot speak. Before complaining about the taste of your food, consider those who have nothing to eat. Before criticizing your spouse, empathize with those longing for a companion. Before complaining about life's hardships, reflect on those who left this world prematurely.

Think of those who yearn for children when you find fault with your own. Instead of grumbling about a messy home, remember those who live on the streets. When you complain about a long commute, imagine those who traverse the same distance on foot. And when you feel weary and discontented with your job, think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who long for the opportunities you possess.

Before pointing fingers or passing judgment on others, remember that each of us carries our own flaws and will ultimately answer to a higher power. In moments of despondency, put a smile on your face and be grateful for the gift of life and the opportunity to still be present in this world.

Life is indeed a precious gift. Live it to the fullest, embrace its joys, celebrate its moments, and strive to fulfill your purpose.

The Miser's Lesson: The Value of Possession and Purpose

Once upon a time, there was a Miser who had buried his gold in a secret spot within his garden. Every day, he would visit the location, unearth his treasure, and meticulously count each piece to ensure nothing was missing. The Miser made numerous trips, unaware that a cunning Thief had been observing his actions and had deduced the whereabouts of the hidden gold. Under the cover of darkness, the Thief silently dug up the treasure and swiftly absconded with it.

Upon discovering the loss, the Miser was overwhelmed with grief and despair. He lamented, groaned, cried, and even resorted to tearing his own hair in anguish. A passerby happened to hear his anguished cries and approached to inquire about the matter.

"What has happened?" asked the passerby, noticing the Miser's distress.

"My gold! Oh, my gold!" wailed the Miser frantically. "Someone has robbed me!"

The passerby, taken aback, pointed at the hole where the gold had been buried and questioned the Miser's decision. "Your gold was there, in that hole? Why did you choose to hide it there? Why didn't you keep it securely within your house, where you could easily access it when needed for purchases?"

"Purchase!" the Miser screamed, his anger flaring. "I never even touched that gold. I couldn't bear the thought of spending any of it."

Seizing upon the Miser's revelation, the stranger grabbed a large stone nearby and tossed it into the hole. "If that's the case," the stranger remarked, "then cover up that hole with this stone. It holds just as much value to you as the treasure you lost!"

The moral of the story is that saving and spending wisely is commendable when done for a purpose. Otherwise, mere possession holds little worth unless we put it to good use.

A doctor, A lawyer, A little boy and A priest.

A doctor, a lawyer, a little boy and a priest were out for a Sunday afternoon flight on a small private plane.

 

Suddenly, the plane developed engine trouble. In spite of the best efforts of the pilot, the plane started to go down. Finally, the pilot grabbed a parachute, yelled to the passengers that they had better jump, and bailed out.

 

Unfortunately, there were only three parachutes remaining.

 

The doctor grabbed one and said "I'm a doctor, I save lives, so I must live," and jumped out.

 

The lawyer then said, "I'm a lawyer and lawyers are the smartest people in the world. I deserve to live." He also grabbed a parachute and jumped.

 

The priest looked at the little boy and said, "My son, I've lived a long and full life. You are young and have your whole life ahead of you. Take the last parachute and live in peace."

 

The little boy handed the parachute back to the priest and said, "Not to worry, Father. The 'smartest man in the world' just took off with my back pack."

 

Lesson: Even the smartest make mistakes and sometimes you're job doesn't really define you

 

Face Difficulties Positively

This parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule praying or whatever mules do when they fall into wells.

After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together, told them what had happened, and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, HE WOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!

This he did, blow after blow. “Shake it off and step up… shake it off and step up… shake it off and step up!” He repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like it would bury him actually helped him … all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

THAT’S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity.

 

The Slave and the Lion

A rich man had a slave. The man was very cruel to him. So the slave became sick of his cruel treatment. He decided to run away from his master.

 

He got a chance and ran away to a forest. There he hid himself in a cave. As he lay there thinking, he heard the groaning of the lion.

 

He was frightened. As the lion came near, he saw that he was limping. The lion approached the slave and held out his paw.

 

The slave saw that his paw was swollen and a thorn was stuck in it. The slave drew out the thorn very gently. The lion was relieved of pain and went away. Afterwards they became friends.

 

By chance the slave was arrested by his master's men. He was brought to his master who ordered his men to put him before a hungry lion. The day for punishment was fixed.

 

The people of the town were invited to see the wonderful fight. The lion was freed from the cage to pounce upon the slave when he recognized him.

 

He now advanced slowly towards him and began to lick his hands out of love. It was the same lion, his friend. The slave too, patted him.

 

It was a wonderful sight for the people. The lion was given to him as a reward. The slave was set free.

 

Moral:

Kindness is always rewarded.

The Cycle of Deeds: A Tale of Transformation and Consequences

Once upon a time, there ruled a king known for his cruelty and injustice. His subjects, burdened by his tyrannical reign, secretly wished for his demise or removal from the throne. However, one day, to everyone's surprise, the king made a startling announcement. He declared that he had chosen to embark on a new path, free from cruelty and injustice.

True to his word, the king transformed into a benevolent ruler, earning himself the reputation of the "Gentle Monarch." Months after his remarkable change, one of his ministers gathered enough courage to inquire about the catalyst behind his newfound compassion.

In response, the king recounted an incident he had witnessed while galloping through his forests. He had come across a fox being chased by a hound. Although the fox managed to escape into its hole, it had been bitten by the hound, resulting in a lifelong lameness. Shortly after, the king ventured into a village and encountered the same hound, which was barking aggressively at a man. To his surprise, the man retaliated by hurling a massive stone at the dog, breaking its leg. However, his act of vengeance was short-lived, as he was kicked by a horse and suffered a shattered knee, leaving him disabled. The horse, in turn, ran but stumbled into a hole, breaking its own leg.

Reflecting upon these interconnected events, the king experienced a moment of profound realization. He understood the principle that "evil begets evil." If he were to persist in his wicked ways, he would inevitably face the consequences of his actions. Driven by this epiphany, he resolved to change his behavior and become a force for good.

The minister, having heard this tale, departed with a conviction that the time was ripe to overthrow the king and seize the throne for himself. Lost in his plotting, he failed to notice the steps in front of him and tragically fell, breaking his neck.

The moral of the story is that the cycle of deeds ensures that we reap what we sow. Good actions beget good outcomes, while harmful actions eventually catch up with us. It serves as a reminder that our treatment of others directly impacts the consequences we face in life.

The Farmer's Greed: A Lesson in Contentment and Sharing

Once upon a time, in a distant village, there lived a wealthy farmer who was consumed by greed. His insatiable desire led him to hoard all the good things solely for himself.

One fateful day, an intriguing proposition came his way. He was offered a deal: if he could return to his starting point before sunset, he would be granted the length of land he covered throughout the day's journey. Eager to seize this opportunity, the farmer set off early the next morning, determined to cover as much ground as possible.

Driven by his greed, he swiftly traversed great distances, relentlessly pushing himself even when fatigue set in. He refused to relinquish the chance to amass more wealth, considering it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

However, as evening approached, a sudden realization struck him—he had neglected the condition of returning to the starting point before sunset. Regrettably, his insatiable greed had led him far astray from his original location.

With a surge of panic, he initiated his arduous journey back, monitoring the setting sun with increasing anxiety. As the sunset loomed nearer, he sprinted with all his might, utterly exhausted and gasping for breath. Driven beyond his limits, he pushed himself relentlessly.

Finally, just moments before the sun vanished below the horizon, he reached the starting point. However, the strain proved too much for his weakened body, and he collapsed, ultimately losing his life. Ironically, after covering such vast distances, all the farmer required was a small plot of land for his burial.

The moral of this story emphasizes the importance of avoiding greed, particularly for children. Greed can lead to relentless pursuit of unnecessary possessions, neglecting one's health and disregarding the well-being of others, much like the fate of the farmer. Instead, we should strive to be content with what we have and cultivate a spirit of sharing and gratitude, even with our limited resources.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

In a small village nestled at the foot of a hill, the villagers lived harmoniously, and among them resided a shepherd boy. Every day, from sunrise to sunset, he would lead his sheep to graze in the valley and return home with them in the evening.

One day, mischief entered the mind of the shepherd boy. He devised a plan to trick the villagers. With all his might, he shouted, "Wolf, Wolf!" The alarmed villagers swiftly rushed to the scene, brandishing their sticks and weapons, ready to defend the boy and his flock. But to their surprise, there was no wolf in sight. The shepherd boy burst into laughter, reveling in his successful deceit.

A few days later, the shepherd boy repeated his act, once again crying out, "Wolf, Wolf!" The villagers, still wary from the previous incident, hurriedly assembled with their weapons, believing they were coming to the boy's aid. Yet, upon arriving, they witnessed the shepherd boy mocking them once more. Annoyed and frustrated, they departed, feeling deceived by the boy's antics.

However, fate had its own plans. One fateful day, a real wolf emerged in the valley, posing a genuine threat to the shepherd boy and his sheep. Desperately, the boy cried out, "Wolf, Wolf!" But this time, the villagers dismissed his plea as another ploy to mislead them. They paid no heed and chose not to come to his rescue.

Tragically, the wolf attacked the shepherd boy, claiming his life, and leaving a few sheep injured. As the boy faced his imminent demise, he realized the grave consequences of his lies. Deception, he understood, does not lead to favorable outcomes; instead, it creates troubles for the liar.

This timeless tale serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and the repercussions of deceit. It cautions against the temptation to mislead others for personal amusement, as the trust and credibility one builds through truthfulness are invaluable. Ultimately, the story emphasizes the significance of integrity and the inherent dangers of weaving a web of falsehoods.

The Astrologer's Lesson

Once, in a time long ago, there lived a man who believed he could foretell the future by studying the stars. Calling himself an Astrologer, he would spend his nights gazing at the sky, consumed by thoughts of what lay ahead. The villagers, curious about their destinies, would often seek him out, hoping to uncover the mysteries of their futures.

One evening, as the Astrologer strolled along the open road outside the village, his eyes remained fixated on the stars. In his celestial musings, he became convinced that the end of the world was imminent. Lost in thoughts of the future, he continued his walk without paying attention to his surroundings. Unbeknownst to him, a deep ditch filled with muddy water lay in his path.

Engrossed in his starry visions, the Astrologer unwittingly stepped into the ditch, sinking into the mire. Frantically, he tried to claw his way out, struggling against the slippery walls of the hole. Despite his efforts, he found himself trapped, fearing for his life. In a desperate plea for help, he cried out, and his calls reached the ears of the nearby villagers.

Swiftly responding to his distress, the villagers rushed to the scene and pulled him out of the muddy abyss. As they assisted him, one villager remarked, "You claim to read the future in the stars, yet you fail to see what lies at your very feet! Let this be a lesson to pay more attention to the present moment and allow the future to unfold on its own."

Another villager chimed in, "What good is it to seek guidance from the stars when you neglect to see the realities here on Earth?"

The moral of this tale is clear: while we all desire a bright and happy future, time waits for no one. Each day transforms into the present, which, in turn, shapes our future. Tomorrow is a realm of potential and improvement, but we cannot revisit the past. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain balance in our present lives as we strive for a better tomorrow. Instead of obsessing over an uncertain future, let us focus on the opportunities and challenges that surround us today.