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.

Unrequited Love

Once, there was a man deeply in love with a girl. She may not have been the epitome of beauty in others' eyes, but to him, she was everything. He would often daydream about a future with her, envisioning a life together. His friends, curious about his infatuation, advised him, saying, "Why do you invest so much in this dream without knowing if she feels the same? Express your feelings and find out if she likes you too."

He believed their advice held wisdom. Unbeknownst to him, the girl had always been aware of his affection. One day, he mustered the courage to confess his love to her, only to be met with rejection. His friends anticipated that he would turn to vices like alcohol or drugs, fearing he would ruin his life. However, to their surprise, he remained unaffected by despair.

When they questioned him about his seemingly undisturbed state, he calmly replied, "Why should I feel bad? I lost someone who never loved me, but she lost someone who genuinely cared and loved her."

The moral of the story is that true love is not easily obtained. Love entails selflessly giving to another person without expecting anything in return. If that love is rejected, it is the one who rejects it that ultimately loses the most valuable aspect of life. Therefore, one should never feel dejected or disheartened by such experiences.

 

The Price of Greed

Once there was a king who had a strong craving for fish. Unfortunately, fish was not available in the kingdom. However, a fisherman came to the rescue and brought a fish for the king. As the fisherman approached the palace gate, he was stopped by the gatekeeper who demanded half of whatever the fisherman would receive.

Without much choice, the fisherman agreed to the gatekeeper's condition. The king was delighted to finally have the fish and eagerly asked the fisherman about its price. To the king's astonishment, the fisherman replied, "I will accept one hundred lashes on my bare back as the price."

The king was taken aback by the unexpected demand, but he reluctantly ordered for the punishment to be carried out. As the fisherman endured fifty lashes, he suddenly cried out, "Stop! I have a partner in this business, and half of the profit should rightfully go to him. It is the gatekeeper!"

Realizing the clever scheme, the king understood the true intentions of the gatekeeper and the fisherman. In a swift turn of events, the gatekeeper received fifty lashes on his bare back and was subsequently dismissed from his position. The fisherman, on the other hand, was rewarded generously for his honesty and ingenuity.

The moral of the story is that greed brings nothing but misfortune and suffering. It serves as a curse that can lead to one's downfall.