Chandamama 1993 December Story - Jaydad jo kabhi na ghate
Feb 19, 2015
Feb 11, 2015
Chandamama 1993 November Story - Chiravarn ki kahani
Chandamama 1993 November Story - Chiravarn ki kahani
Feb 6, 2015
Spritual Story 04 - Lakshmi
Lakshmi
This is a story about the Gods.
It deals with the greed of men.
It was a fine day in heaven; Sriman Narayana and Lakshmi were talking away the hours, when Narada entered and attracted their attention.
Narayana asked Narada whether the denizens of earth were happy.
Narada replied that since they worshipped him and won his grace, men everywhere were quite happy and prosperous.
At this, Lakshmi was afflicted with jealousy and anger for, her share in conferring happiness on man was not acknowledged.
She challenged Narada to prove that Narayana was more adored than herself down on earth.
Narayana accepted the challenge.
Donning ochre robes, he transformed himself into a monk and went down amongst the villages and towns, preaching the path.
Thousands flocked at these meetings and listened to the enchanting oratory.
They followed him from place to place and adored him with effusive enthusiasm.
He was being carried along on a huge wave of devotion and adulation.
Lakshmi saw this and could not contain herself.
She was overwhelmed by envy.
So, she too donned the sanyasi (ascetic person) robe and came down to the very region which Narayana had conquered for himself.
The people were drawn towards her by the effulgence of her presence, many came away from the meetings addressed by Narayana to bask in her presence.
A few invited her to their homes for dinner.
She agreed but, declared that it was a vow she had undertaken, not to eat out of plates other than her own.
She said, she would bring her own plate, cup, drinking vessel etc.
The host was only too glad to comply with her request, for, that helped him to overcome one bother among many!
Lakshmi took with her when she went to the houses of her hosts, a plate of gold, a cup and a water-vessel, all three of gold!
The host admired and adored her the more for this display of pomp and wealth.
But, he was astounded and delighted, when, after dinner, Lakshmi said that she was leaving the plate etc., at the host’s home, since that too was part of her vow!
When the news spread that it was highly profitable to invite Lakshmi to dinner and to adore her, there was a huge clamour for her grace and millions deserted Narayana’s discourses and hovered around the giver of gold.
People prayed to Narayana to go back to whence he came, for, they had no time to receive’ him or listern to him.
Lakshmi was monopolising their attention!
So, Lakshmi came back to heaven, to meet Narayana who was already there.
She asked Narada, “Who is being worshiped more, Narayana or Lakshmi?”
Narada replied with another question, “Whom are You worshiping, please?”
Lakshmi answered, “Why? I worship Narayana.”
Then, said Narada, “Know that it is Narayana’s grace that is helping you to bestow those gifts of gold, which make men worship you.”
Lakshmi’s pride was humbled; but, man’s foolishness continues.
Inspirational Story 33 - Eight monkeys
Eight monkeys
Eight monkeys are put in a room.
In the middle of theroom is a ladder, leading to a bunch of bananas hanging from a hook on the ceiling.
Each time a monkey tries to climb the ladder, all the monkeys are sprayed with ice water, which makes them miserable.
Soon enough, whenever a monkey attempts to climb the ladder, all of the other monkeys, not wanting to be sprayed, set upon him and beat him up.
Soon, none of the eight monkeys ever attempts to climb the ladder.
One of the original monkeys is then removed, and a new monkey is put in the room.
Seeing the bananas and the ladder, he wonders why none of the other monkeys are doing the obvious.
But undaunted, he immediately begins to climb the ladder.
All the other monkeys fall upon him and beat himsilly.
He has no idea why.
However, he no longer attempts to climb the ladder.
A second original monkey is removed and replaced.
The newcomer again attempts to climbthe ladder, but all the other monkeys hammer the crap out of him.
This includes the previous new monkey, who, grateful that he’s not on the receiving end this time, participates in the beating because all the other monkeys are doing it.
However, he has no idea why he’s attacking the new monkey.
One by one, all the original monkeys are replaced.
Eight new monkeys are now in the room.
None of them have ever been sprayed by ice water.
None of them attempt to climb the ladder.
All of them will enthusiastically beat up any new monkey who tries, without having any idea what.
How many of us have been following actions of others in our life without even knowing its purpose?
Inspirational Story 32 - Ballons
Ballons
Once a group of 50 people was attending a seminar.
Suddenly the speaker stopped and started giving each person a balloon.
Each one was asked to write his/her name on it using a marker pen.
Then all the balloons were collected and put in another room.
Now these delegates were let in that room and asked to find the balloon which had their name written, within 5 minutes.
Everyone was frantically searching for their name, pushing, colliding with each other, and there was utter chaos.
At the end of 5 minutes, no one could find their own balloon.
Now each one was asked to randomly collect a balloon and give it to the person whose name was written on it.
Within minutes everyone had their own balloon.
The speaker began:
This is exactly happening in our lives. Everyone is frantically looking for happiness all around, not knowing where it is. Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Give them their happiness, you will get your own happiness.
Inspirational Story 31 - Two falcons
Two falcons
Once there was a king who received a gift of two magnificent falcons.
They were peregrine falcons, the most beautiful birds he had ever seen.
He gave the precious birds to his head falconer to be trained.
Months passed, and one day the head falconer informed the king that though one of the falcons was flying majestically, soaring high in the sky, the other bird had not moved from its branch since the day it had arrived.
The king summoned healers and sorcerers from all the land to tend to the falcon, but no one could make the bird fly.
He presented the task to the member of his court, but the next day, the king saw through the palace window that the bird had still not moved from its perch.
Having tried everything else, the king thought to himself, “May be I need someone more familiar with the countryside to understand the nature of this problem.”
So he cried out to his court, “Go and get a farmer.”
In the morning, the king was thrilled to see the falcon soaring high above the palace gardens.
He said to his court, “Bring me the doer of this miracle.”
The court quickly located the farmer, who came and stood before the king.
The king asked him, “How did you make the falcon fly?”
With his head bowed, the farmer said to the king, “It was very easy, your highness. I simply cut the branch where the bird was sitting.”
We are all made to fly — to realize our incredible potential as human beings.
But at times we sit on our branches, clinging to the things that are familiar to us.
The possibilities are endless, but for most of us, they remain undiscovered.
We conform to the familiar, the comfortable, and the mundane.
So for the most part, our lives are mediocre instead of exciting, thrilling and fulfilling.
Let us learn to destroy the branch of fear we cling to and free ourselves to the glory of flight!
Inspirational Story 30 - Barber
Barber
A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed.
As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.
They talked about so many things and various subjects.
When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said, "I don't believe that God exists."
"Why do you say that?", asked the customer.
"Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine loving a God who would allow all of these things."
The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument.
The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop.
Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard.
He looked dirty and un-kept.
The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber, "You know what? Barbers do not exist."
"How can you say that?", asked the surprised barber.
"I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"
"No!" the customer exclaimed.
"Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."
"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me."
"Exactly!" affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens is, people don't go to Him."
Spritual Story 03 - Lake water
Lake water
One day, Buddha was walking from one town to another with a few of his followers.
While they were traveling, they happened to pass by a lake.
They stopped to rest there and Buddha asked one of his disciples to get him some water from the lake.
A disciple walked up to the lake. When he reached it, he noticed some people were washing clothes in the water and, right at that moment, a bullock cart started crossing through the lake.
As a result, the water became very muddy.
The disciple thought, “How can I give this muddy water to Buddha to drink!”
So he came back and told Buddha, “The water in the lake is very muddy. I don’t think it is suitable to drink.”
After a while, Buddha again asked the same disciple to go back to the lake and get him some water.
The disciple obediently went back to the lake.
This time he found that the mud had settled down and the water was clean so he collected some in a pot and brought it to Buddha.
Buddha looked at the water then looked up at the disciple and said, “See what you did to make the water clean. You let it be and the mud settled down on its own. It is also the same with your mind. When it is disturbed, just let it be. Give it a little time and it will settle down on its own.”
Spritual Story 02 - Arjun and Hanuman
Arjun and Hanuman
Once after mahabharat war arjun had ego that there is no archer in this universe like him.
Bhagwan krishn can't let his devotee to fall in trap of egoism.
So he decided to teach him a lesson with help of hanuman ji.
One day arjun, filled with ego, was travelling through jungle.
He found hanumanji holding three arrows and relaxing beneath the tree.
Arjun asked rudely, "Who are you?"
Hanumanji replied, "I am hanuman. Who are you?"
Arjun replied, "Don't you know me? I am ARJUN who fought bravely during entire mahabharat war and tought lesson to all impious people."
Hanumanji said, "That's great!!"
Arjun asked again, "But for whom you are waiting here with these arrows?"
Hanumanji replied, "I am waiting here for three people to whom i need to teach lesson. These three arrows are meant for them."
Arjun curiously asked, "Which three people?"
Hanumanji said, "First is PRAHLAD who forced my bhaghwan to appear out of stone pillar and caused him so much pain and agony. Second is BHARAT who took away my lord RAM footwear and forced him to travel in jungle bare-footed. AND THIRD one is ARJUN who allowed my prabhu krishn to be his charioteer and ordered him like anything during the entire mahabhart war."
Now Arjun was terribly frightened and lost his ego immediatly.
He fell and bow down to the legs of hanumanji requesting him for mercy.
Hanumanji and shri krishn both were smiling as the lesson was over.
Inspirational Story 29 - Triple Filter
Triple Filter
In ancient India, One day a person met the great Chanakya, and said, "Do you know what I just heard about your friend?"
"Hold on a minute," Chanakya replied.
"Before telling me anything I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test."
"Triple filter?"
"That's right," Chanakya continued.
"Before you talk to me about my friend, it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you're going to say. That's why I call it the triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"
"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and..."
"All right," said Chanakya.
"So you don't know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good?"
"No, on the contrary..."
"So," Chankaya continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, but you're not certain it's true. You may still pass the test though, because there's one filter left, the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?"
"No, not really."
"Well," concluded chankaya, "if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?"
MORAL:
Use this triple filter each time you hear loose talk about any of your near and dear ones.
Spritual Story 01 - Sage Narada
Sage Narada
As we all know sage Narada is an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu.
He keeps chanting "Narayana! Narayana!" all through the day.
During all times the name Narayana will be on his tongue.
He believed that he is the greatest devotee of Lord Vishnu and there is no one else who keeps thinking Narayana as he does.
He wanted to get that confirmed from none other than Lord Vishnu himself.
So he started his journey towards Vaikund, the abode of Lord Vishnu with the words Narayana on his tongue.
On reaching Vaikund he bowed before lord Vishnu and received his blessings.
Then when Lord Vishnu asked the purpose of his visit, Narada replied that he needed some clarification.
Vishnu asked, "About what Narada?"
Narada replied, "I need to know as to who is your ardent devotee?"
Needless to say, Narada was expecting his name from Lord Vishnu.
Now, Vishnu asked Narada to go to a hamlet and meet Thirumalai, the farmer residing in that village.
Also He told, "I consider Thirumala as my ardent devotee."
Narada was surprised at this and was eager to see this devotee.
And he reached the Hamlet mentioned by Vishnu and went and knocked at the farmers' hut.
It was almost night, when Narada reached the farmer's hut.
Out came the farmer and welcomed sage Narada.
The farmer offered Narada food to eat and asked him to sleep on the best bed which he could offer.
Narda was keenly observing the farmer as to how many times the farmer is mentioning Narayana.
The farmer before going to sleep, uttered "Narayana!,Narayana" and went to sleep.
Next day the farmer got up early in the morning, brushed his teeth, took bath, then he looked at the photo of Vishnu and uttered. "Narayana".
Then he started his daily work.
Narada was watching him the whole day to take note of the number of times the farmer utters Narayana.
The whole day during his work time, he never bothered to pray or utter Narayana.
Again later in the night before going to sleep he again prayed.
Taking note of all this Narada returned to Vaikund and asked Vishnu, "The farmer prayed only twice in a day and still he is considered as an ardent devotee by you. I don't understand this."
For this Vishnu gave Narada a cup filled with oil to brim and asked Narada to go around Vaikund, without spilling even a drop of oil.
Narada readily took the cup of oil and with great care he walked around the abode of Vishnu.
He focussed only on the cup of oil.
Without uttering a word he finished the given job and gave back the cup of oil to the Lord.
Now Vishnu asked Narada, "How many times did you utter my name when you werefocussing on the cup of oil?"
Narad said, "How is it that you expect me to utter your name, when I have to focus on the cup of oil?"
For this Vishnu answered, "When you have to focus on the simple cup of oil, you never prayed. But the farmer with all his worries, duties and the hardwork, he never forgot to pray and utter my name twice a day. Is there any devotee greater than him?"
Sage Narada was dumbfounded.
He realised that Duty is God.
He also understood that devotees, amidst all work are also sincere in their devotion to God.
Inspirational Story 28 - Four candles
Four candles
In a room there were four candles burning.
The ambiance was so soft you could hear them talking.
The first one said, “I am PEACE, however nobody can keep me lit. I believe I will go out.”
It’s flame rapidly diminishes and goes out completely.
The second one says, “I am FAITH. Most of all I am no longer indispensable, so it does not make any sense that I stay lit any longer.”
When it finished talking a breeze softly blew on it putting it out.
Sadly, the third candle spoke in its turn.
“I am LOVE. I have not gotten the strength to stay lit. People put me aside and don’t understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them.”
And waiting no longer it goes out.
Suddenly a child entered the room and saw three candles not burning.
“Why are you not burning you are supposed to stay lit till the end.”
Saying this the child began to cry.
Then the fourth candle said, “Don’t be afraid, while I am still burning we can re-light the other candles, I am HOPE.”
With shining eyes, the child took the candle of Hope and lit the other candles.
The flame of Hope should never go out from our life and that each of us can maintain HOPE, FAITH, PEACE and LOVE.
Inspirational Story 27 - Crow
Crow
A Crow Lived in the Forest and was absolutely satisfied in life.
But one day he saw a swan.
This swan is so white and I am so black...crow thought.
This swan must be the happiest bird in the world.
He expressed his thoughts to the swan.
"Actually," the swan replied, "I was feeling that I was the happiest bird around until I saw a parrot, which has two colors. I now think the parrot is the happiest bird in creation."
The crow then approached the parrot.
The parrot explained, "I lived a very happy life—until I saw a peacock. I have only two colors, but the peacock has multiple colors."
The crow then visited a peacock in the zoo and saw that hundreds of people had gathered to see him.
After the people had left,
The crow approached the Peacock.
"Dear Peacock, You are so beautiful. Every day thousands of people come to see you. When people see me, they immediately shoo me away. I think you are the happiest bird on the planet."
The peacock replied, "I always thought that I was the most beautiful and happy bird on the planet. But because of my beauty, I am entrapped in this zoo. I have examined the zoo very carefully, and I have realized that the crow is the only bird not kept in a cage. So for past few days I have been thinking that if I were a crow, I could happily roam everywhere."
Inspirational Story 26 - Essay
Essay
A teacher from Primary School asks her students to write a essay about what they would like God to do for them.
At the end of the day, while marking the essays, she read one that made her very emotional.
Her husband, who had just walked in, saw her crying and asked her 'What happened?'
She answered 'Read this. It is one of my student's essay.'
'Oh God, tonight I ask you something very special.
Make me into a television.
I want to take its place and live like the TV in my house.
Have my own special place, And have my family around ME.
To be taken seriously when I talk.
I want to be the centre of attention and be heard without interruptions or questions.
I want to receive the same special care that theTV receives even when it is not working.
Have the company of my dad when he arrives home from work, even when he is tired.
And I want my mom to want me when she is sad and upset, instead of ignoring me.
And I want my brothers to fight to be with me.
I want to feel that family just leaves everything aside, every now and then, just to spend some time with me.
And last but not least, ensure that I can make them all happy and entertain them.
Lord I don't ask you for much.
I just want to live like a TV.'
At that moment the husband said 'My God, poor kid. What horrible parents!'
The wife looked up at him and said 'That essay is our son's !!!'
Inspirational Story 25 - Empty Jar
Empty Jar
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls . He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly.
The pebbles rolled into the open areas between thegolf balls .
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with an unanimous “yes.”
The professor then produced a cup of water from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
“Now,” said the professor as the
laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things–your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions–and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.
The sand is everything else–the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you."
Inspirational Story 24 - A glass of water
A glass of water
The Professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it.
He held it up for all to see & asked the students, “How much do you think this glass weighs?”
’50gms!’….. ’100gms!’ …..’125gms’ …the students answered.
“I really don’t know unless I weigh it,” said the professor, “but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?”
‘Nothing’ …..the students said.
"Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?", the professor asked.
"Your arm would begin to ache", said one of the student
“You’re right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?”
“Your arm could go numb; you might have severe muscle stress & paralysis & have to go to hospital for sure!”
….. Ventured another student & all the students laughed
“Very good. But during all this, did the weight of theglass change?”, asked the professor.
‘No’…. Was the answer.
“Then what caused the arm ache & the muscle stress?”
The students were puzzled.
“What should I do now to come out of pain?”, asked professor again.
“Put the glass down!”, said one of the students
“Exactly!”, said the professor.
Life’s problems are something like this.
Hold it for a few minutes in your head & they seem OK.
Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache.
Hold it even longer & they begin to paralyze you.
You will not be able to do anything.
MORAL:
It’s important to think of the challenges or problems in your life, but EVEN MORE IMPORTANT is to ‘PUT THEM DOWN’ at the end of every day before you go to sleep.
Inspirational Story 23 - Other side of the paper
Other side of the paper
A Father was reading a magazine and his little daughter every now and then distracted him.
To keep her busy, he tore one page on which was printed the map of the world.
He tore it into pieces and asked her to go to her room and put them together to make the map again.
He was sure she would take the whole day to get it done.
But the little one came back within minutes with perfect map.
When he asked how she could do it so quickly, she said, “Oh…. Dad, there is a man’s face on the other side of the paper….. I made the face perfect to get the map right."
She ran outside to play leaving the father surprised.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
There is always the other side to whatever you experience in this world.
Inspirational Story 22 - Farmer's donkey
Farmer's donkey
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well.
The animal cried piteously for ...hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him.
They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly.
Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well.
He was astonished at what he saw.
With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing.
He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
MORAL : Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt.
The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up.
Each of our troubles is a steppingstone.
We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!
Shake it off and take a step up.
Inspirational Story 21 - Enjoying every moment of life
Enjoying every moment of life
Once a fisherman was sitting near seashore, under the shadow of a tree.
Suddenly a rich businessman passing by approached him and enquired as to why he was sitting under a tree and not working.
To this the poor fisherman replied that he had caught enough fishes for the day.
Hearing this the rich man got angry and said: Why don’t you catch more fishes instead of sitting in shadow wasting your time?
Fisherman asked: What would I do by catching more fishes?
Businessman: You could catch more fishes, sell them and earn more money, and buy a bigger boat.
Fisherman: What would I do then?
Businessman: You could go fishing in deep waters and catch even more fishes and earn even more money.
Fisherman: What would I do then?
Businessman: You could buy many boats and employ many people to work for you and earn even more money.
Fisherman: What would I do then?
Businessman: You could become a rich businessman like me.
Fisherman: What would I do then?
Businessman: You could then enjoy your life peacefully.
Fisherman: What do you think I’m doing right now?
We don’t need to wait for tomorrow to be happy and enjoy our life.
Inspirational Story 20 - A bag of nails
A bag of nails
There once was a little boy who had a bad temper.
His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the fence.
The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.
Over the next few weeks as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily, gradually dwindled down.
He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all.
He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.
The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.
The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.
He said “you have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one.”
You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.
It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.
Inspirational Story 19 - Merchant's daughter
Merchant's daughter
In a small town, a merchant had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to the moneylender.
The moneylender, who was old and ugly, fancied the merchant's beautiful daughter so he proposed a bargain.
He said he would forgo the merchant's debt if he could marry the daughter.
Both the merchant and his daughter were horrified by the proposal.
The moneylender told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty bag.
The girl would then have to pick one pebble from the bag.
If she picked the black pebble, she would become the moneylender's wife and her father's debt would be forgiven.
If she picked the white pebble she need not marry him and her father's debt would still be forgiven.
But if she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown into jail.
They were standing on a pebble strewn path in the merchant's garden.
As they talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles.
As he picked them up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and put them into the bag.
He then asked the girl to pick her pebble from the bag.
The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble.
Without looking at it, she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles.
"Oh, how clumsy of me," she said.
"But never mind, if you look into the bag for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked." Since the remaining pebble is black, it must be assumed that she had picked the white one.
And since the moneylender dared not admit his dishonesty, the girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into an advantageous one.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Most complex problems do have a solution.
Inspirational Story 18 - A pound of butter
A pound of butter
There was a farmer who sold a pound of butter to the baker.
One day the baker decided to weigh the butter to see if he was getting a pound and he found that he was not.
This angered him and he took the farmer to court.
The judge asked the farmer if he was using any measure.
The farmer replied, "Your Honor, I am primitive. I don't have a proper measure, but I do have a scale."
The judge asked, "Then how do you weigh the butter?"
The farmer replied, "Your Honor, long before the baker started buying butter from me, I have been buying a pound loaf of bread from him. Every day when the baker brings the bread, I put it on the scale and give him the same weight in butter. If anyone is to be blamed, it is the baker."
Inspirational Story 17 - Judging people
Judging people
A 24 year old boy seeing out from the train’s window shouted, “Dad, look the trees are going behind!”
Dad smiled and a young couple sitting nearby, looked at the 24 year old’s childish behaviour with pity, suddenly he again exclaimed, “Dad, look the clouds are running with us!”
The couple couldn’t resist and said to the old man, “Why don’t you take your son to a good doctor?”
The old man smiled and said, “I did and we are just coming from the hospital, my son was blind from birth, he just got his eyes today.”
MORAL:
Every single person on the planet has a story.
Don’t judge people before you truly know them.
The truth might surprise you.
Inspirational Story 16 - King and painter
King and painter
There was a King who had one Eye and one leg.
He asked all the painters to draw a beautiful portrait of him.
But none of them could bcoz how could they paint him beautifully with the defects in one eye and one leg.
Eventually one of them agreed and drew a classic picture of the King.
It was a fantastic picture and surprised everyone.
He painted the King AIMING for a HUNT. Targeting with ONE Eye Closed and One Leg Bent.
Inspirational Story 15 - Wooden apples
Wooden apples
There once was a happy monkey wandering the jungle, eating delicious fruit when hungry, and resting when tired.
One day he came upon a house, where he saw a bowl of the most beautiful apples.
He took one in each hand and ran back into the forest.
He sniffed the apples and smelled nothing.
He tried to eat them, but hurt his teeth.
They were made of wood, but they were really beautiful, and when the other monkeys saw these wooden apples, he held onto them even tighter.
He admired his new possessions proudly as he wandered the jungle. They glistened red in the sun, and seemed perfect to him.
He became so attached to them, that he didn't even notice his hunger at first.
A fruit tree reminded him, but he felt the apples in his hands.
He couldn't bear to set them down to reach for the fruit.
In fact, he couldn't relax, either, if he was to defend his apples.
A proud, but less happy monkey continued to walk along the forest trails.
The apples became heavier, and the poor little monkey thought about leaving them behind.
He was tired, hungry, and he couldn't climb trees or collect fruit with his hands full.
He suddenly thought what if he just let go?
Letting go of such valuable things seemed crazy, but what else could he do?
He was so tired.
Seeing the next fruit tree, and smelling it's fruit was enough.
He dropped the wooden apples and reached up for his meal.
He was happy again.
So how many Wooden Apples are we carrying?
Like that little monkey, we too carry things that seem too valuable to let go.
A man carries an image of himself as "productive" - carries it like a shiny wooden apple.
But in reality, his busyness that leaves him tired, and hungry for a better life.
Still, letting go seems crazy. Even his worries are sacred apples - they prove he's "doing everything he can."
He holds onto them compulsively.
The monkey might be found dead of hunger, under a beautiful tree, with fruit within reach, but still we are grasping his wooden apples.
Only if we choose to let these go.
We will we be able to receive with open hands!
Inspirational Story 14 - It's a crow
It's a crow
An 80 year old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45 years old highly educated son.
Suddenly a crow perched on their window.
The Father asked his Son, "What is this?"
The Son replied "It is a crow".
After a few minutes, the Father asked his Son the 2nd time, "What is this?"
The Son said "Father, I have just now told you. It's a crow".
After a little while, the old Father again asked his Son the 3rd time, "What is this?"
At this time some ex-pression of irritation was felt in the Son's tone when he said to his Father with a rebuff. "It's a crow, a crow".
A little after, the Father again asked his Son t he 4th time, "What is this?"
This time the Son shouted at his Father, "Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again, although I have told you so many times 'IT IS A CROW'. Are you not able to understand this?"
A little later the Father went to his room and came back with an old tattered diary, which he had maintained since his Son was born.
On opening a page, he asked his Son to read that page.
When the son read it, the following words were written in the diary :-
"Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window. My Son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a Crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for 23 times. I did not at all feel irritated. I rather felt affection for my innocent child".
While the little child asked him 23 times "What is this", the Father had felt no irritation in replying to the same question all 23 times and when today the Father asked his Son the same question just 4 times, the Son felt irritated and annoyed.
So..
If your parents attain old age, do not repulse them or look at them as a burden.
Inspirational Story 13 - Making a Difference
Making a Difference
A man was walking down the beach at sunset.
As, he walked along, he saw another man in the distance.
He noticed this man kept leaning down, picking up something and throwing it out into the water, again and again.
As, he approached even closer, he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach.
He was throwing them back into the water, one by one.
Puzzled, he approached the man and said,
"Good Evening. I was wondering what you are doing."
"I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it's low tide and all these starfish have been washed up onto the shore. If, I don't throw them back into the ocean, they'll die up here from lack of oxygen."
"But, there must be thousands of starfish on this beach. You can't possible get to all of them. And, don't you realize this is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast. Can't you see that you can't possibly make a difference?"
The man bent down and picked up yet another starfish, and threw it back into the ocean.
With a smile he replied, "Made a difference to that one !!!"
Just remember, no matter how small the deed it really does makes a difference.
Make a difference today.
Inspirational Story 12 - A Rose for Mother
A Rose for my Mother
A man stopped at a flower shop to order some flowers to be wired to his mother who lived two hundred miles away.
As he got out of his car he noticed a young girl sitting on the curb sobbing.
He asked her what was wrong and she replied, "I wanted to buy a red rose for my mother. But I only have seventy-five cents, and a rose costs two dollars."
The man smiled and said, "Come on in with me. I'll buy you a rose."
He bought the little girl her rose and ordered his own mother's flowers.
As they were leaving he offered the girl a ride home.
She said, "Yes, please! You can take me to my mother."
She directed him to a cemetery, where she placed the rose on a freshly dug grave.
The man returned to the flower shop, cancelled the wire order, picked up a bouquet and drove the two hundred miles to his mother's house.
Moral:
Don't Send Artificial Loves to your parents. Give them the respect and courtesy they desire.
Inspirational Story 11 - Hold my hand
Hold my hand
Little girl and her father were crossing a bridge.
The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter, "Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river."
The little girl said, "No, Dad. You hold my hand."
"What's the difference?" Asked the puzzled father.
"There's a big difference," replied the little girl.
"If I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go."
In any relationship, the essence of trust is not in its bind, but in its bond.
So hold the hand of the person whom you love rather than expecting them to hold urs...
Inspirational Story 10 - Belief!
Belief!
As I was passing the elephants, I suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg.
No chains, no cages.
It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.
I saw a trainer near by and asked why these beautiful, magnificent animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away.
"Well," he said, "when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it's enough to hold them.
As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away.
They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free."
I was amazed.
These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn't, they were stuck right where they were.
Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we failed at it once before?
Inspirational Story 09 - Point Of View
Point Of View
Imagine you are at an Airport.
While you're waiting for your flight, you notice a kiosk selling cookies.
You buy a box, put them in your traveling bag and then you patiently search for an available seat so you can sit down and enjoy your cookies.
Finally you find a seat next to a gentleman.
You reach down into your traveling bag and pull out your box of cookies.
As you do so, you notice that the gentleman starts watching you intensely.
He stares as you open the box and his eyes follow your hand as you pick up the cookie and bring it to your mouth.
Just then he reaches over and takes one of your cookies from the box, and eats it!
You're more than a little surprised at this.
Actually, you're at a loss for words.
Not only does he take one cookie, but also alternates with you.
For every one cookie you take, he takes one.
Now, what's your immediate impression of this guy? Crazy? Greedy? He's got some nerve!
Can you imagine the words you might use to describe this man to your associates back at the office?
Meanwhile, you both continue eating the cookies until there's just one left.
To your surprise, the man reaches over and takes it.
But then he does something unexpected.
He breaks it in half, and gives half to you.
After he's finished with his half he gets up, and without a word, he leaves.
You think to yourself, "Do this really happen?"
You're left sitting there dumbfounded and still hungry.
So you go back to the kiosk and buy another box of cookies.
You then return to your seat and begin opening your new box of cookies when you glance down into your traveling bag.
Sitting there in your bag is your original box of cookies -- still unopened.
Only then do you realize that when you reached down earlier, you had reached into the other man's bag, and grabbed his box of cookies by mistake.
Now what do you think of the man? Generous? Tolerant? You've just experienced a profound paradigm shift.
You're seeing things from a new point of view.
Is it time to change your point of view?
Inspirational Story 08 - Don't give up
Don't give up
There was this museum laid with beautiful marble tiles, with a huge marble statue displayed in the middle of the lobby.
Many people came from all over the world just to admire this beautiful marble statue.
One night, the marble tiles started talking to the marble statue.
Marble tile: "Marble statue, it's just not fair, it's just not fair! why does everybody from all over the world come all the way here just to step on me while admiring you? Not fair!".
Marble statue: "My dear friend, marble tile. Do you still remember that we were actually from the same cave?"
Marble tile: "Yeah! That's why I feel it is even more unfair. We were born from the same cave and yet we receive different treatment now. Not fair!" he cried again.
Marble statue: "Then, do you still remember the day when the designer tried to work on you, but you resisted the tools?"
Marble tile: "Yes, of course I remember. I hate that guy! How could he use those tools on me, it hurt so badly.".
Marble statue: "That's right! He couldn't work on you at all as you resisted being worked on."
Marble tile: "So???"
Marble statue: "When he decided to give up on you and start working on me instead, I knew at once that I would be something different after his efforts. I did not resist his tools, instead I bore all the painful tools he used on me.."
Marble tile: "Mmmmmm......."
Marble statue: "My friend, there is a price to everything in life. Since you decided to give up half way, you can't blame anybody who steps on you now."
Inspirational Story 07 - The Axe Story
The Axe Story
Once upon a time a very strong woodcutter asked for a job with a timber merchant, and he got it.
The salary was really good and so were the work conditions.
For that reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best.
His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was 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 could bring 15 trees only.
The third day he tried even harder, but could bring 10 trees only.
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..."
Moral of the story:
Working hard is not enough; one has to keep on sharpening one's skills.
Inspirational Story 06 - All Is Not Lost!
All Is Not Lost!
A 10-year-old boy decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.
The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master.
The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move.
"Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?"
"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied.
Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.
Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament.
Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches.
The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match.
Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.
This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced.
For a while, the boyappeared to be overmatched.
Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out.
He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened.
"No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue."
Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard.
Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him.
The boy had won the match and the tournament.
He was the champion.
On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match.
Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.
"Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"
"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered.
"First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo.
And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm." The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.
Inspirational Story 05 - Life
Life
On the first day God created the dog.
God said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. I will give you a life span of twenty years."
The dog said, "That's too long to be barking. Give me ten years and I'll give you back the other ten." So God agreed.
On the second day God created the monkey.
God said, "Entertain people, do monkey tricks, make them laugh. I'll give you a twenty-year life span."
The monkey said, "How boring, monkey tricks for twenty years? I don't think so. Dog gave you back ten, so that's what I'll do too, okay?"
And God agreed.
On the third day God created the cow.
God said, "You must go to the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer. I will give you a life span of sixty years."
The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. Let me have twenty and I'll give back the other forty." And God agreed again.
On the forth day God created man.
God said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. I'll give you twenty years."
Man said, "What? Only twenty years! Tell you what, I'll take my twenty, and the forty the cow gave back and the ten the monkey gave back and the ten the dog gave back, that makes eighty, okay?"
"Okay," said God, "You've got a deal."
So that is why the first twenty years we eat, sleep, play, and enjoy ourselves; for the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family; for the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren; and for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.
Life has now been explained to you.
Inspirational Story 04 - The Pastor's Cat
The Pastor's Cat
The pastor of a church had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid
to come down.
The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not come down.
The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and drove away so that the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.
He did! All the while, checking his progress in the car frequently, then figured if he went just a little bit further, the tree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten.
But as he moved a little further forward, the rope broke.
The tree went "boing!" and the kitten instantly sailed through the air-out of sight.
The pastor felt terrible.
He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten.
No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten.
So he prayed, "Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping," and went on about his business.
A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met one of his church members.
He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food.
Now this woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it, so he asked
her, "Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?"
She replied, "You won't believe this," and told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing.
Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, "Well if God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it." (Can you see where this is heading?)
She told the pastor, "I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her
knees, and ask God for a cat.
And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes.
A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her"
Never underestimate the Power of God and His unique sense of humor!
Inspirational Story 03 - Three Old Men
Three Old Men
A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard.
She did not recognize them.
She said, "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."
"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.
"No", she replied. "He's out."
"Then we cannot come in", they replied.
In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.
"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!"
The woman went out and invited the men in.
"We do not go into a House together," they replied.
"Why is that?" she asked.
One of the old men explained:
"His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love."
Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."
The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed.
"How nice!!", he said.
"Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"
His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?"
Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion:
"Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"
"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his wife.
"Go out and invite Love to be our guest."
The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest."
Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?"
The old men replied together:
"If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!!!!"
Inspirational Story 02 - The Duck
The Duck
There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm.
He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods.
He practised in the woods, but he could never hit the target.
Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner.
As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck.
Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it.
He was shocked and grieved.
In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching!
Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.
After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes."
But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen."
Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?"
So Johnny did the dishes.
Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing.
Grandma said, "I'm sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper."
Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help."
She whispered again, "Remember the duck?"
So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.
After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed the he had killed the duck.
Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug, and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."
Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done, the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, debt, fear, hatred, anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc.)
Whatever it is, you need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing, He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven.
He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets.
Inspirational Story 01 - Two Monks
Two Monks
Two monks on a pilgrimage came to the ford of a river.
There they saw a girl dressed in all her finery, obviously not knowing what to do since the river was high and she did not want to spoil her clothes.
One of the monks took her on his back, carried her across and put her down on dry ground on the other side.
Then the monks continued on their way.
But the other monk after an hour started complaining, "Surely it is not right to touch a woman; it is against the commandments to have close contact with women. How could you go against the rules for monks?"
The monk who had carried the girl walked along silently, but finally he
remarked, "I set her down by the river an hour ago, why are you still
carrying her?"
Feb 1, 2015
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