Sand and Stone Story

Jimmy and Johnny were best friends. They fought for many reasons and but never gave up their friendship. They went in search of a job and visited many places to earn more money. They passed through various places, villages, towns, forests, beaches, and were supporting each other all the way through out their journey.

One day they reached a desert and they had a very little food and water. Jimmy told Johnny to eat half the quantity of food and then once they get very tired and feel like they cannot make a step they can eat another half and save water for later use.

However, Johnny disagreed. He wanted to drink water as he was very thirsty. They quarreled each other to have water. Jimmy slapped Johnny and they walked in silence. They decided to have food and continue their journey. Johnny wrote in sand, ‘My best friend slapped me!’

They shared the meager amount of food and water and finally reached an oasis. They were very tired after passing through the dry and hot desert. Johnny was so happy to see the oasis and had a lot of fun in the water. While they both were bathing, Johnny was a bit careless and began to drown. Jimmy rushed to him and saved Johnny.

Johnny hugged his friend and thanked him. They had a little nap and decided to leave the place. They were about to leave and Johnny carved something on the rock.

It was ‘My best friend saved my life!’

Jimmy asked ‘why you were marking all these here Johnny?’ Johnny replied, ‘You slapped me, I wrote in sand. It was definitely not good. However, if you go and see the sand you can find no letter wrote on the sand. Now I carved the good thing on the stone, and it will remain forever!’

Moral:

We have to forget the bad things done to us and engrave the good things in the stone.

Follow Your Dream

 

It’s story of a young man name Monty who was a son of horse trainer who would go stables, race tracks, farms, training horses. As a result boy’s high school career was interrupted continuously.

One day at this school he was asked to write a paper about what he wanted to be in his life when he grew up. That night boy wrote a seven page paper describing his goal about owning a horse ranch.

He wrote his dream in detail and even drew diagram of 200-acre ranch and all things he was going to include in his ranch such as building, track etc. He drew detailed floor plan for everything he dreamed about owning one day.

Next day he handed this project to his teacher. After two days he received his paper back with ‘F’ grade on top of it. Teacher asked him to meet her after class.

After class boy went to meet teacher and asked, “Why did he got ‘F’?”

Teacher said, “This dream is too unrealistic as you need lots of money to buy land, pay for horses and later other things to be paid for. You have no money. There is no way you can ever do it. Write more realistic goal and i will reconsider your grades.”

That day boy thought a lot about it and then went to his father about what to do. After listening to his problem his father replied, “Dear son, it your decision and you have to make up your mind about it as its important for you.”

After a week when boy again submit the paper, he gave the same paper he gave before without making any change in it stating at end, “You can keep the ‘F’ and i will keep my dream.”

Years after Same School teacher went on a field trip with 30 kids to camp on ranch for a week. It was a big Ranch with buildings and Track with big House. To the surprise it was same boy’s ranch to whom once she gave ‘F’ for that paper.

But realizing what she did back then before leaving the ranch she said, “Look Monty, I can tell you this now. When i was you teacher, i was dream stealer and i did that to lot of kids. Fortunately you had enough gumption not to give up yours.”

Moral:

Follow your Heart, No matter What. No Dream is too Big or too small, when One work hard to live it.

King And Wise Man

A long time ago, People lived happily under the Rule of King Shoelong. The Kingdom people had very prosperous life with abundance of Wealth and no misfortune. One day king decided to travel and visit Historical places and Pilgrim centers at far away places.

He decided to travel by foot and interact with people on the way. People of his kingdom were happy to meet their King and were so proud to know that their king was so Kind and Good heart-ed person.

After completing his travel, He was quiet happy that people in his kingdom are living good life. However he regretted one thing, it was the intolerable pain felt in his feet after such long trip he had been to for first time in his life.

He complained to his ministers that roads were not comfortable to walk. The path he walked all the way was stony and he couldn’t tolerate the pain he felt in his feet. King got worried about his people who used to walk on those roads. So, he ordered to cover the roads with leather so that people feel comfortable walking on roads. This thought of king was kind and for the betterment and happiness of the people.

As the ministers heard the order, they were stunned!! As this order would destroy the life of thousands of animals to get sufficient leather and also it would cost a huge amount of money also.

A wise man from the ministry came to the king and said that he had another idea. King Asked his minister about the idea.

So Minister said ” Why do you want to kill so many animals to cover the road with leather? Rather, you can just have a piece of leather cut in appropriate shape to cover your feet? ”

The king was very much surprised by his suggestion and applauded the minister. He ordered for a pair of leather shoes for him and requested the countrymen to wear shoes.

Moral:

We Curse And Blame the Things in Our Surroundings and Never Understand that We Need a Change in Us.

Desire to Eat Dates

Once upon a time, a Sadhu (Indian Monk) used to live in a hut outside village. One day while passing through market, he saw many basket and among them was basket of dates.

Seeing those dates, desire to eat them arose in Sadhu’s mind. He had no money to buy them, so he controlled his desire and continued on his way to hut.

But even after reaching his hut, thoughts of dates wouldn’t go away. He kept thinking about them only and couldn’t even sleep properly at night.

Next morning, when he woke up, he started thinking of way to earn money so that he can buy dates and fulfill his desire.

He decided to go to nearest forest and collect dry wood and sell that in market and earn money. He went to forest and started picking dry woods, till evening he was able to collect a lot of dry wood sticks and make a bundle of it. Carrying that bundle on his shoulder, he started walking toward market.

Bundle of wood was heavy and it was very difficult for Sadhu to lift it and cover that distance. Sadhu was tired because of all the work, so he stopped and rested for a while and then continued walking toward market.

He reached market and was able to sell all the wood in the market. Now, he had enough money to buy dates. He was very pleased and reached shop to buy dates. With all the money he earned, he bought dates and happily started walking back to his hut.

On his way, he thought, “Today i had desire to eat dates. Tomorrow some other desire may arise. If today i give in, then i will become slave of my desires.”

As soon as this thought came. Sadhu gave up idea of eating those dates, which he bought after so much hard work and gave all the dates to a poor man who was passing by him at that time.

Learning:

If we are defeated in front of all our desires, then we will become slaves of our desires forever. The mind is fickle, desires keep arising in it.

In such a situation, it is necessary to control the desires. Only after carefully assessing the desires, steps should be taken for their fulfillment. Only then will you get success in life. We are not to make ourselves slaves of our desires, but to make desires our slaves.

Cab Driver and Customer Conversation

Shyam came out of airport and started waiting for his cab which he had already booked. He was worrying about if cab will come on time and take him to destination on time..

Just then a shiny new looking car stopped near him. Seeing that Shyam wondered for a moment whether if it was the cab he had booked. Then he checked, it was cab he had booked.

Driver came out of car and opened rear door of car for Shyam to sit. As soon as Shyam sat down, driver handed him a sheet of paper and said, “Sir, our mission statement is written on this paper. You sit comfortably and read it. Till then i will put your luggage in trunk.”

Shocked Shyam to that mission statement and started reading it.

It read – Welcome to our cab service. We will try to get you to your destination at the cheapest, safest and fastest possible price. You will not face any kind of problem. Your journey will be good.

A smile appeared on Shyam’s face as he read that sheet. Then he looked inside the car. It was clean.

By then driver had already sat on driving seat.

Driver turned on car AC and asked, “Sir, is AC temperature OK? If you want to change it, please feel free to know.”

Shyam replied, “No need. AC temperature is fine.”

After this cab driver extended a card to Shyam and said, “Sir, this card has complete details of all radio stations. Please let me know which radio station you want to listen to. I will play that.”

Shyam took that card. Just then driver said, “Sir! Today’s all newspaper are also available here. Tell me what you want to read.”

Shyam took a newspaper to read. Shyam was feeling much relaxed.

Driver again asked, “Sir, will you have some tea or coffee?”

Shyam replied, “Actually, i wanted a soft drink.”

“There is a small fridge right in front of you. You will find chilled water as well as variety of soft drink and ice cream available.”, said driver.

Shyam was surprised by facility being provided in cab. He was thinking about all this..

Cab driver again said, “Sir, if you want to ask something about this city, then tell me about it. In this way you will get information about place and your time will pass easily.”

Shyam didn’t ask about city but he asked, “Brother, do you always treat every customer this way? Do you always give all these facilities? Do you talk like this always?”

At this cab driver smiled and replied, “Yes sir. I have been driving cab since 5 years but i started giving these facilities an year ago.

One day while driving a cab, i was listening to a story on radio.

It was story of eagle and duck. It was told story about how ducks always complain and at same time, eagle always keep flying high.

It was told in that story that if we want to become something different, then we have to something different from this world.

That story stuck in my mind. When i saw my fellow cab drivers, i found that they are also doing same work that i am doing. We all were working tirelessly throughout the day and used to complain about life.

But that day, i thought i should do something different. Slowly i started adding one facility each and till date i am doing it.

You are very lucky sir that you got booking of my cab because my cab is always booked.

Once a passenger comes with me, he always wants to go with me. He takes my number and calls me when needed.

Many times when customer tries to book and i am already booked, i send my friend and don’t let them face any problem.”

In mean time, they reached destination. When Shyam got out, before leaving cab driver took out his business card and handed it to saying, “You also take this card, sir. If you ever need me, then definitely give me a call..”

Shyam had never got such a good driver till date. This journey of his became special for him.

Albert Einstein Story – Quick Thinking

When Einstein’s “Theory of Relativity” became famous, he was invited to give presentation of his theory. Einstein used to go by car and everywhere he was accompanied by his driver. During Einstein’s presentation his driver used to sit in last row.

One day while going for presentation in his car, his driver said, “Sir, your ‘Theory of Relativity’ is so simple that even i can give presentation on it.. I have heard it so many time that i remember every word that you say to present your theory.”

Instead of getting annoyed, Einstein took it as compliment as he was happy to know that even his driver was able to understood his theory even when he has no knowledge about science.

During those day media was not booming industry and people didn’t really know how Einstein look. So when Einstein’s said to his driver, “For next presentation i would like you to present theory..”

His driver agreed. When they reached at location of presentation. They changed their clothes. Driver dressed as professional scientist and Einstein himself dressed as driver went inside hall.

Finally driver went on to stage and started to give presentation. He presented “Theory of Relativity” so well that no one could doubt him.

After presentation was finished there was question answer round. Most of question were same as in previous presentations so driver easily managed to answer those.

Almost question answer round was finished but just in the end one person from the audience asked a question, driver didn’t knew what to answer as no such question was asked in previous presentations.

Driver didn’t knew what to do but yet he knew it wouldn’t be good impression on people if they got to know that Einstein’s driver was giving this presentation.

So he thought for while and said, “Your question is so easy that even my driver can answer it.. he is sitting in the last row.. you can clarify it with him..”

Einstein was amazed at his response and answered that question and presentation was finished without any problem.

Moral:

Quick Thinking and Good Presence of Mind can get you Out of Difficult Circumstances.

Story of The Praying Hands Painting

In fifteenth century, There was a tiny village near Nuremberg. A family with 18 children lived there. Eighteen!! just to provide food for family the father and head of family, goldsmith by profession, worked eighteen hours a day.

Despite their seemingly hopeless condition. Two of Albrecht Durer and Albert the elder children had a dream. They both wanted to purse art but they knew their father will not be able to support financially both of them to study at academy.

After many long discussions both boys finally worked out a pact. They decided to toss a coin. The loser would support father in his work and other will get chance to go to academy and complete his four years studies. After completing the studies the boy who won the toss would come back and support his father and help other boy to complete his studies at academy.

On a Sunday morning they tossed a coin. Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg. Albert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation. By the time he graduated, he began to earn considerable fees for his commissioned works.

When the young artist returned to his village, the Durer family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht’s triumphant homecoming. Albrecht toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled Albrecht to fulfill his ambition. His closing words were, “And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will take care of you.”

All heads turned in eager expectation to the far end of the table where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his lowered head from side to side while he sobbed and repeated, over and over, “No …no …no …no.”

Finally, Albert wiped his tears and rose and said softly, “No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. It is too late for me. Look … look what four years in the mines have done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast, much less make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush. No, brother … for me it is too late.”

One day, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother’s abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful drawing simply “Hands,” but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love “The Praying Hands.”

Moral:

The next Time you see a Copy of that Touching Creation, take a Second look. Let it be your Reminder, if you still need one, that no one – No one – Ever makes it Alone!