The Laughing Saints

There were three Chinese saints.Nobody knew their name.Everyone called them "laughing saints" because they used to do nothing but laugh all the time.They used to wander from one place to another.They used to stand in the mid of the market and start laughing loudly without any reason.They had pot bellys and whenever they laughed their bellys would bounce up and down.Seeing this,the whole market would go crazy and filled with laughter.The three saints used to do this roaming whole of the China as they had made a covenant to make people laugh till they die.Sad people,angry people, misers-everybody alike used to have change in attitude because of these saints.People loved and respected them a lot.
One fine day,one of the saint died.Everyone were sad and thought,the other two would stop laughing from then on and hence they would also lose the chance to laugh often.But people were surprised to see them dancing and laughing;celebrating their friend's death.
People ridiculed,"This is too much! Dancing and laughing in front of a friend's dead body is utter disrespect".
Saints said,"You dont know anything.We had a bet among us as to who would die first.Our friend won.So we are celebrating.We have laughed with him all life.What better way to send him off than laughing? It is true way of showing him the respect he deserves".
To perform the last rights,the people were about to give the dead body a bath.But the saints stopped and said,"It is our friend's last wish to be put to pyre just the way he died,without removing the clothes he is wearing.We have to honor his wish".
So the dead body was put on the pyre.As soon as that happened,firecrackers started busting out of the pyre one after the another into the sky.The other two saints started laughing and dancing more.Seeing this some people couldnt control their laughter and some couldnt help but smile atleast.Soon the funeral environment which was supposed to be a mourning moment turned into a happy scene with beautiful fireworks display.
THE DEAD SAINT HAD PREACHED THE IMPORTANCE OF LAUGHTER AND SMILE EVEN IN HIS DEATH!

Father and 'The Son'

That old man had a heart attack.He was lying on the hospital bed.The chances of him surviving was very less owing to the severity of the attack.There seemed to be nobody from his family side.He was murmuring ,"Son,Son", in his half conscious state.

Nurse who was taking care of him thought of bringing her son to him as he didnt have much time.She came out of the ward and saw a young man standing,staring at the ward door,looking worried.

She went to him said,"Why did you come so late?Your father has been yearning to see you.He doesnt have much time.He needs you.Come,come,lets go."

She dragged the young man by his arms to the old man and whispered in his ears,"See,your son has come".

The old man opened his eyes slowly.His face lit up and tears rolled from the corner of his eyes as he saw the young man.The old man put his right hand forward as if wanting to hold the hands of the young man.The youngman smiled,came forward and held his hands affectionately.As they looked at each other,it seemd a silent conversation was taking place.

The young man sat beside the old man and held his hands all night long,listened to the old man when he was trying to talk with lots of difficulty.After a long time,the old man said with shaking voice,"Son,i have longed to hold your hands like this always in my life.But you left us for a silly reason.I havent held anything like this ever with so much love."

The young man had tears in his eyes,as he listened and watched the old man silently.By dawn the old man had breathed his last.The young man looked out for the nurse and informed her about the death.

She responded with a sad tone,"Oh! This is terrible.He looked so hopeful after you came.But please dont take it into heart.We cant fight death".

The young man sighed and said,"Yeah you are right.But can you please tell me who was that person?"

The nurse was puzzled and for a moment thought maybe his father's death had left him out of spin.She said,"Young man,please console yourselves.Why are you saying things like this? The dead man is your father.Isn't it?"

He replied,"No madam,I genuinely dont know who that man is.I AM NOT HIS SON."

She asked him in a state of shock and dibelief over her foolishness,"Then,why didn't you let me know that in the first place when i took you to him.You were standing outside the ward worried.I thought you were his son!"

He responded,"Its ok madam.I had come here to visit someone else and i was just standing outside thinking about my friend.You didnt let me give an explaination and just dragged me to him.When i saw the old man my heart went out for him.He was sure to die but it seemd was longing to see his son because he was not even in a position to recognize that i was not his son,when i stood in front of him.All night he tried to convey how much he loved his son ;and how he had left him and his wife over a trivial matter.He also had lost his wife it seems.His last wish,it seemed was to see his son a last time.Since he was about to die,i didnt wanna break his heart letting him know i wasnt his son.I LET THE OLD MAN DIE PEACEFULLY THINKING HE HAD MET HIS SON."

The Unsung Hero

Fleming was a poor farmer from Scotland.One day,Fleming heard a small boy's cry when he was working at his fields.Immediately he went there.Not caring for his life,he saved the life of a boy who had fallen into the swap nearby and was drowning.
Next day itself, a beautiful horse chariot came and stopped in front of Fleming's home.A rich man stepped out of it and introduced himself .He said sincerely,"Yesterday you saved the life of my son.I have come to repay your help".
Fleming replied,"I have just done my duty and i dont expect anything back".
The richman was impressed by this and expressed his honest desire to help him in any way possible and said,"If that is the case,leave your child to me.His upbringing will be my responsibility.I will guide him along with my son and make him a successful person in life".
As years passed,the boy was given best education by the rich man along with his son.The boy took a medicine degree from London Medical College and became world famous for one of his invention.The boy was none other than the inventor of pencillin,Alexander Fleming.The rich man's son too was on his way to became world famous.
One time the rich man's son was about to die,suffering from Pneumonia.Alexander Fleming saved the life of the rich man's son using his invention pencillin.
That rich man was Lord Randolph Churchill and his son who was saved by Fleming's father as a boy and later got cured by Alexander Fleming was one of the world's greatest leader and philosopher Winston Churchill!

Folks,A Father figure/a father who gives the best guidance can change life.Mr.Randolph Churchill is an unsung hero because he,with right guidance and upbringing has contributed two great personalities to the world,who have been a gift to mankind.He must have been a really great Father/Fatherfigure.

p.s: Kindly dont confuse Winston Churchill's father and son. Both had the same names.click this link to know
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Randolph_Churchill
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randolph_Churchill

Learn to go beyond intellect

A yogi and his disciple [two travelling monks] walked from one village to another.Yogi would share his wisdom with the villagers,while villagers would offer them food and shelter.

One day they stopped at a village where folks harassed them and kicked them out.Disciple was surprised, as he had not seen this kind of (mis)behaviour.After rushing out of the village,yogi blessed the villagers with prosperity and safety of the entire village.Disciple was not very happy.

They both were very recieved very respectfully at the next village.People were very eager to serve them.They didn't let them leave for more than a week.After leaving this village,the yogi prayed that the village be destroyed.Disciple was now very upset.
This was obviously unfair.Disciple questioned his teacher.Yogi replied,"It's in the best interest of our planet that self centered people stay where they are.It would be nice to see wise people spread all over the world.They will carry their culture and wisdom with them.Our world will be a better place."

moral-Learn to go beyond the intellect.Look for the meaning beyond obvious.

courtesy: mail from fellow blogger and respected mentor K.Parthasarathi sir of www.kparthas.blogspot.com

The three statues

Long ago there lived a king.It so happened that the king always was having issues with almost all the neighbour kingdoms about one thing or the other.The root cause of the problems were the king's friends who used to create misunderstandings by gossiping and spreading lies about other kings.
A neighbour king,who had fallen prey to the king's friends' lies and was attacked unnecessarily all the time,wanted to make the king understand this.He decided to send his messenger.He arrived at the king's court and bowed to the king.
He said,"My king sends his regards and would like you to have this gift".
The king took the box and opened it.Inside he saw three beautiful statues that all looked the same.
The messenger said,"Your majesty,my king has instructed me to tell you that even though the statues look alike,they are different.My king wishes you to choose one of the three and return the others".
Everyone around the king became curious.The prime minister looked at the statues and scratched his head in wonder.The king studied them all again but was unable to decide how the statues were different.
He said to the messenger,"There must be some hidden meaning that i am not able to see right now.I need some more time.Please leave the statues here and come back tomorrow".
The king had a young son who was very clever.The king called him to his court and said,"There are three lovely statues in this box.I have to choose one and send the others back,See if you can find any difference between them".
For a long time the prince did many tests comparing the statues.Finally an idea flashed in his mind.He put the three statues in a bowl of water.His face lit up as he watched small bubbles rise in the water.He ran to the father's court.
Everyone eagerly watched him as he entered the hall.The prince picked up one of the statues and passed a long slender needle through one ear and it came the other side.
He said,"Some people listen to a thing with one ear and let it go out the other.That kind of friend doesnt really listen to another friend's problems.The message is you shouldnt be friends with such people'.
The prince picked the second statue and passed a needle through its ear.This time the needle came out of the mouth.
He said,"Some people listen to a thing and soon tell it to others.Such people are very hard to trust.The message is that such people dont make good friends'.
The prince picked the third statue and passed a needle through its ear.This time the needle went in but its end did not come out at all.
He said,"Some people listen to a thing and keep it to themselves.The message is that this kind of people make best kind of friends".
Soon the king understood that the neighbour king was indicating something regarding his friends and made up his mind to cross check his friends.He appreciated his son for solving the puzzle and rewarded him suitably.
When the messenger arrived to know what statue was king's choice,the king told him that he would want to keep all of them as a reminder about the message his good neighbour was trying to send.He also assured that from then on,there would be no issues with the neighbour's kingdom.The king as a token of gratitude sent lot of gifts and valuables to the neighbour king with a message that they would be friends forever.


[p.s: have you had such friends who listen to everything about you-good and ugly through best and worst phases and yet keep it to themselves? Me being the same kind of person,has attracted such people among the 'very few friends' in life.Not even once have they brought dishonour to my dignity.So i dedicate this story to all those friends-Manjunath,Harini,Annu,Navya and Pavan, to remind them that they are the best kind of friend anyone in the world can have.I got so many of them.So i consider myselves lucky.Thanks for choosing me to be your friend :-)]

Zen stories-The Teacher

Zen teacher had a lot of disciples.One of them had the habit of stealing.Even when the teacher knew it,he never made a point at him.Instead always kept on teaching generally why stealing was bad.This gave the student a fillip that he wont be punished for what he is doing and hence could continue stealing.The other students always complained about him and wanted him out of the school.
The first time they complained and the teacher didnt take any action,they kept quiet for not wanting to go against the teacher.
They complained second time.Yet there was no action from the teacher.
This kept going on.One day all the students discussed and told the teacher,"Sir,we are going to leave the school if no action is taken on the thief student."
The thief student who had overheard students' discussions,stood in a corner near the teacher's room and wanted to know what would happen thereafter.
Teacher said,"It is your choice.Even if all of you decide to leave the school,i wont suspend him."
Students asked unanimously,"What is so special about him?"
Teacher said,"See children,you are all wise.He is not.Since you are wise,you know all the good things.Since he is not,he is not aware of it and hasn't realized that stealing is bad.If wise children like you decide to get education in other schools,you will be welcomed with open arms.But if i suspend him on the basis of simple thing as bad habit of stealing instead of rectifying it,his life will be ruined forever.He wont be given chance in any other school.Instead of suspending him,I am trying to make him realize that what he is doing is bad things.That is my duty as a teacher."
The theif student started crying as soon as he heard this.He ran to the teacher and asked for forgiveness.Thereafter he vowed never to steal again and became a good student.

ME,You and US

He falls in love with her and expresses it.
She tells him,"Go and do penance for an year and then come to me.I will test how much love you have and will tell you."
He goes to a forest and meditates for an year.He returns and knocks the door of her home.
She asks,"Who is it?"
He says,"ME."
She snaps back,"Go away.There is no place for ME or YOU in love.Do penance for another year and then come to me.I will test how much love you have and will accept you later."
He goes to a forest and meditates for an year.He had realization that for accepting his love he should become hers entirely.He returns and knocks the door of her home.
She asks,"Who is it?"
He says,"YOU."
She snaps back,"Go away.There is no place for ME or YOU in love.Do penance for another year and then come to me.I will test how much love you have and will accept you later."
He goes to a forest and meditates for another year.He had realized the true meaning of love.He returns and knocks the door of her home.
She asks,"Who is it?"
He says,"US."
She opens the door.

This is an unusual story just giving a simple message that love among two people is not about 'you' or 'me',its about 'us'..But the creativity in explaining it is inspiring.

The suitable 'Job'

A man came to share his worries to a sufi saint.
He cried,"No job! living is difficult'
The saint asked,"Do you have leather at home?"
Man said,"Yes"
The saint asked,"Do you have a needle at home?"
Man said,"Yes"
The saint asked,"Do you have threads at home?"
Man replied,"Yes"
The saint said,"Then you can atleast sew chappals and sell it to make money.isnt it? Why are you wasting time?
Man replied,"I have been brought up in a fairly respected family.How can i do that? I need a well respected job."
The saint said,"If that is how you think,then you should be living happily however your life is.Because your 'status thinking' wont feed you.If you feel ashamed to do a menial job even when its a question of survival,then live happily in the way you have chosen your life."

This is a simple story but it has great lesson for youth.We simply want this or that job based on this or that qualification.When we are jobless,instead of doing things which gives us scope to be fruitful,we think about status and all.We wont even make efforts to change it yet we keep complaining.If we are not ready to be humble when in dire need,then we need to accept the pathetic choices of ours to be fruitless.

The precious conscience

She was a very poor woman living alone in that hilly area.She found a precious stone once in the stream.She took it and kept it in her bag always not knowing what to do with it.One day a traveller was on the same way.He was tired and hungry.The man narrated all his story about his poor conditions.So the woman gave him food from her bag.He saw the stone in her bag when she had opened it and asked her,"Why are you roaming with a precious stone instead of selling it for some money to get rid of your poor conditions?.Atleast give that to me if you dont want it.
She gave it without any second thoughts.He said,"You fool! if this was sold,there will be a lot of money for life and you gave it to me just like that,huh!"
The woman just smiled at him and kept quiet.After few days he came back to the same place in search of her.She was sitting by the same stream.
When he saw her he said,"I was sure you would be here.I came to give this precious stone back."
She smiled and asked him,"What happened? Didnt you get the expected kind of money on selling it? I dont have anything else to give you."
He said,"This stone is precious.But i am here to ask something more precious than this.You gave away the precious stone with so much generosity.You could have kept that to yourselves when you came to know it could get you rich.Yet you let me have it. I want to have that precious,clear and kind conscience you have.Can you teach me how to have it?"

A poor state in terms of materials is better than a poor state of conscience.isnt it folks?

Change of destiny

Even when he was losing the war,even after losing most of his soldiers the general of the army had the will to win.Few soldiers that were left had lost confidence and were sure about the loose.The army general tried a lot to instill confidence in them but in vain.The last day of the war,they gathered for a prayer before the start of the battle.
After the prayer,the general took out a coin from his pocket and said,"I will toss this coin.If it is 'head',we will win the war.Else we'll loose"
He tossed the coin and the soldiers looked down eagerly what might be the result.There was a 'head'.Soldiers suddenly had a spurt of confidence.They fought with all their might and bravery later that day and won the war.
After the war was over,a soldier came to the general and claimed,"Sir! nobody can change the destiny.It was in our destiny to win"
The general smiled and said,"Yes."
He continued,"..But i want you all to see this."
He took out the coin from his pocket and showed it to them.The coin had two heads!

The death merchant

That man was a renowned person all over the country.He was reading newspaper early morning and was shocked to see a news.There must have been hoax news to the newspaper office about his death and the news paper had published it without confirming it.He knew that this must have become a big news and so all papers must have carried it out.Since he was a renowned person,as he had just invented dynamite and had just been applauded by the government,he was curious how people must have reacted to it.He was very proud that he had done a great contribution to the mankind.So people would surely be mourning his death.So he went through all the newspapers.He was surprised to see so much hatred about him.One paper quoted," King of bombs died". Another quoted,"The Death merchant dies".
He was moved by this and introspected that he might have done more harm by his invention than good.
He decided then and there itself that he didnt want to be remembered as a 'Death merchant'.He wanted to something to compensate for the prospective harm he might have caused to the mankind.From that day he started working for peace.He set up a foundation to encourage people who are contributing to the mankind in various areas.He was Alfred Nobel

We are so poor!

Father once took his son to the village he was born and brought up in.Over the years he had moved to a metropolitan city for job,became rich as time passed and had settled down with a family.He used to go rarely to that place.As a father one day he felt he had been giving his son everything he want.So that might be in a way spoiling him and stopping him from learning about sufferings.He wanted to show to his son what being poor was.So he thought of bringing his son to the village that had no facilities.
They stayed in a relative's home who was a farmer for few days.It was a new experience to the boy who had grown up in a posh city with all facilities.
On return,father asked,"What did you think about the situations in the village? Dont you think we are so fortunate to live in the city amongst all the facilities compared to them? We are so rich.Isnt it? "
Son replied,"No father! I think we are so unfortunate. We have so less compared to them. We have only one dog.They have so many dogs near their home roaming all day. We have a very small swimming pool.The lake in which they swim is so big. At nights,we compulsorily need street lights.They walk under the shimmering light of the stars and moon.We hardly see stars and moon here in the city sky.They have beautiful view of the sunrise and sunset in those hills.I have never seen that here.We have compunds around our houses and we have access to only that much of space.The houses there dont have any compounds and the space in front of their homes belong to everyone.They have big fields all around to play.We have to pay and go to stadiums to play.We pay for the food,fruits and vegetables we eat.They grow everything for themselves and share it. Oh! how much they have.We are so poor,Daddy!"
Father realized how foolish he was,for his son had taught him new lesson for life.

Moral- Life is good or bad,by the way we percieve it

The reserved front row seat!

 He always was a loner and never used to mingle with other kids.He always was dressed untidily,uncombed and used to sit alone in a corner on his own looking somewhere in class.He never used to do homework even after scoldings,beatings and punishments.
 A new teacher had come to that school and she was made the class teacher of the boy's class.After few days,he was the topic of discussion in the school meeting.The new class teacher poured out complaints after complaints about him.The other teachers too added.The principal mentioned that the boy had studied there from nursery.He used to be smart enough and was a good kid.The said developments had taken place since an year or two.
The class teacher started to think in another manner.She wanted to know what could have went wrong.She started digging about each and every aspect of the boy's life.She came to know that his father had died a few years back and was living with his mother on father's pension money in bad conditions.His mother too had cancer and was almost bedridden.All she could do was barely cook for the child with lots of difficulty.Other than that she couldnt take care of him in any manner.
 The teacher realized why he was always unkempt.She decided to change her approach towards the boy.She started giving him individual attention inside and outside the class.She went to his home one day,spoke to his mother and suggested to send him to her home for a while every morning and evening.She started to take care of his life like a mother,dressing him up,taking care of his homework etc.She told the other teachers his truth so that they paid him extra attention and care.There were remarkable improvements in the boy and he passed the high school with flying colors.The government offered scholarship to the boy to study further after knowing his conditions.The same year the class teacher was to leave the school as she was getting married and was shifting to another part of the country.She bid good bye to the boy with heavy heart and regrets that she couldn't be there for him anymore.She adviced him to come up in life and went away.
 After few years passed,the teacher shifted back to the same place with her family.One fine day she recieved a wedding invitation at her home.The name on it sounded familiar to her.She guessed it could be that boy from the past.She ignored it thinking it could be any student of hers by that name and he was gracious enough to send the invitation just like all her other students.One fine day as she visited her old school,she was told that the boy whom she had cared for had reached a coveted position in a Government organization in the country.She felt proud and was confirmed that the invitation she recieved was his itself.He was to marry few months later to an orphan girl he had chosen.
 After few days,she recieved a letter from him asking her to make her presence felt in his marriage, and that she will be sent a car to come.She felt that the old student must be showing off as now he was a big shot.Else why would he simply send invite and notes instead of calling in person.
 On the day of the wedding,a car came to her home to take her to the wedding.As she was curious to see her old student,she just simply sat in it without much fuss and started towards the church where the wedding was due to take place.She reached the venue late.But the ceremony hadn't begun.It seemed as if everyone were waiting for someone.
As soon as she reached the door,a man in his early thirties came to her smilingly,bowed to her feet and introduced himself as the boy whom she had helped in school.On asking about his mother,he told that she had passed away in his college days itself.He had studied on scholarships and working part times.Thereafter,he had landed a coveted job position on merit.He apolgized for not inviting her personally as he had been busy taking care of a major Government assigment since a few months.He had searched for her adress earlier,but in vain.He had come to know only few days before,through a chance meeting with another teacher,that she was back in the same place few months before.Later he mentioned that everyone had been waiting for her to begin the ceremony.
 She realized that wedding was already delayed and suggested him to go ahead with the ceremony as it was already late enough.The preist too reminded him not to delay.So the student requested her to occupy the seat that had been reserved for her in the front row and be there till the end of the ceremony.As she walked to the front row,the student turned and smiled at her with a grateful look and teary eyes.She was surprised all along by his attitude towards her.And she was even more surprised now because,the seat that was reserved for her had a placard with "MOTHER" written on it..!

I am actually looking forward for my son to grow up well

Farmer used to tell his son to daily go to the field and look after the crops.His friends were curious why he was being so overcautious about the crops.
They asked,"Why are you bothering your son so much.Dont the crops grow well themselves after taking the necessary precautions.Why should he daily sweat it on the field?"
The farmer said,"I am not looking forward to growing crops well.I know they are doing just fine.I am actually looking forward for my son to grow up well."

He got the job

He was in the interview at a big multinational corporation.There were a lot of people along with him waiting for the interview to begin.He had sore throat and he remembered he had medicated throat lozenge in his bag.He took it out,unwrapped it,looked around and was about to put it into his mouth.A few well suited people were passing the same time in front of him and happened to glance at him.He didnt know who they were but immediately put the lozenge back in his bag and nodded with an apolegtic look.Later he got the job!

[p.s:The suited people were the interview panel,if you didnt get :-)]

Moral - The most uncommon thing in common people is common sense.So those who have it are not common people and reap good rewards for it

A Generous Business Partner.

 

 One day, a very wealthy man was walking on the road. Along the way, he saw a beggar on the sidewalk.The rich man looks kindly on the beggar and asked, "How did you become a beggar?
 The beggar said, "Sir, I've been applying for a job for a year now but haven't found any. You look like a rich man.Sir, if you'll give me a job, I'll stop begging."
 The rich man smiled and said, "I want to help you. But I won't give you a job. I'll do something better.
I want you to be my business partner. Let's start a business together.
 The beggar blinked hard. He didn't understand what the older man was saying. "What do you mean, Sir? "
The rich man said,"I own a rice plantation. You could sell my rice in the market. I'll provide you the sacks of rice.I'll pay the rent for the market stall. I'll even give you food allowance everyday for the next 30 days.All you'll have to do is sell my rice. And at the end of the month, as Business Partners, we'll share in the profits."
 Tears of joy rolled down his cheeks. "Oh Sir," he said, "you're a gift from Heaven. You're the answer to my prayers.Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
 He then paused and said, Sir, how will we divide the profits? Do I keep 10% and you get the 90%? Do I keep 5% and you get the 95%? I'll be happy with any arrangement.
 The rich man shook his head and chuckled. "No, I want you to give me the 10%. And you keep the 90%.
 For a moment, the beggar couldn't speak. When he tried to speak, it was gibberish,"Uh, gee, uh, wow, I mean, huh? "
He couldn't believe his ears. The deal was too preposterous.The rich man laughed more loudly. He explained, "I don't need the money, my friend.I'm already wealthy beyond what you can ever imagine.
I want you to give me 10% of your profits so you grow in faithfulness and gratitude."
The beggar knelt down before his benefactor and said," Yes Sir, I will do as you say.Even now, I'm so grateful for what you've done for me!"
And so that was what happened. He forgets where the blessings came from.Each day, the beggar now dressed a little bit better operated a store selling rice in the market. He worked very hard.He woke up early in the morning and slept late at night. And sales were brisk, also because the rice was of good quality.And after 30 days, the profits were astounding.
 At the end of the month, as the ex-beggar was counting the money, and liking very much the feeling of money in his hands, an idea grew in his mind.He told himself," Gee, why should I give 10% to my Business Partner? I didn't see him the whole month!I was the one who was working day and night for this business. I did all this work! I deserve the 100% profits!"
A few minutes later, the rich man was knocking on the door to collect his 10% of the profits.The ex-beggar opened the door and said, "You don't deserve the 10%. I worked hard for this.I deserve all of it!" And he slammed the door.

If you were his Business Partner, how would you feel?

Friends, this is exactly what happens to us

God gave us everything, God is Our Business Partner.God gave us life-every single moment, every single breath, every single second. God gave us talents-ability to talk, to create, to earn money God gave us a body-eyes, ears, mouth, hands, feet, heart. God gave us mind- imagination, emotions, reasoning, language. So we need to give back Our Business Partner something in return.


courtesy:an email from K.Parthasarathi sir,respected mentor and fellow blogger
read his blog www.kparthas.blogspot.com

Zen stories- Where the happiness lie

 It was a very hot summer.Zen teacher was sitting resting in his monstery.The pupil was seated beside him and reading.The teacher felt hungry.He took out an orange from his bag.Since the student was sitting,he gave one half of it to him and started eating the other half.The student staunchly believed that whatever his teacher did had some hidden meanings.He wanted to know what was it behind his act now.He asked,"Sir,You are wise.Whatever you do always has a meaning to convey.What is the indication of this half fruit?"
Teacher kept eating the fruit silently.The student said,"Sir,whenever you are silent it also has hidden meanings to convey.It seems you are thinking about something deeply". The teacher didnt react.
The student continued,"You seem to be enjoying the fruit a lot.You must be thinking whether happiness lies in the fruit or the tongue tasting it".
The teacher asked him to stop assuming things and said,"Enough of your madness and thoughts.I felt like eating the fruit.I ate.Since you were beside me,i shared it with you.If you wanna experience the happiness that the fruit has to offer with its sweetness right this moment,then experience it.But dont waste your time thinking about happiness instead of experiencing it.Zen doesnt mean finding meaning to everything in life to attain happiness.Instead,it is experiencing happiness in each and every moment and act of life"

Zen stories-How are you going to feel lighter inside?

Chen che was a boy with lots of patience.One day he came late to the class.Zen teacher asked,"Why late?"
Chen che said,"A glass piece had pierced my leg on my way here.I was bleeding profusely and unable to walk.With lots of difficulty i somehow managed to come to the class."
"When the glass pierced you,didn't it hurt? Then why are you not crying when in pain?",asked the teacher.
Chen che was silent as he couldnt tell his teacher that it was considered shameful to cry for boys.The teacher slapped him once with full force.Chen che started crying out of pain.
Teacher said,"Keep crying.The pain will reduce.If you donot cry when you are supposed to cry,how are you going to feel lighter inside?"

Zen stories-Please accept its death calmly

Zen teacher Ik-yu was very sharp and intelligent right at young age itself.He captured everyone's attention by his wit and smartness.Ik-yu's master had a precious antique beautiful tea cup which he loved a lot.One day as Ik-yu was cleaning master's room,it fell off his hands accidently and broke.Ik-yu was worried how to tell the teacher about his mistake.The same time,he heard the footsteps of the master approaching his room.
He hid the broken cup behind and stood humbly in front of the master and asked."Teacher,I have a question.Please clear my doubt.Why do people die in this world? Cant we escape it?"
The master explained,"Everyone and everything has death in this world that is natural phenomenon.There is no escpaing it ever.It has to be accepted with calm mind no matter what."
Immediately Ik-yu brought the broken cup in front of him and sheepishly said,"Your antique tea cup died today.Please accept its death calmly!"

Self appraisal

There was a telephone booth at the end of a shop.A boy came and called someone.The shopkeeper could hear the conversation clearly
Boy-Madam,can you give the gardening work of your home?
Woman on phone- No child,Because we already have someone for that work
Boy-I will do the lawn work half the price of the one you have appointed.
Woman on phone-Its not like that.I am happy with the work of the present worker.There is no fault finding in his work.
Boy- Madam,If you want i will do the sweeping work of your home along with the lawn work for free
Woman on phone- No,thanks.The present worker is doing a perfect job and hence i dont want anybody else.

The boy hanged the call and there was a smile on his face.The shopkeeper who was hearing this conversation went to the boy and said."I like your mentality.I am impressed by the positive spirit you have.If you want,I can give you work.
 The boy said politely,"Thanks a lot for your concern.But i dont need a job.I am already in the job and i was just checking out how i am doing my job.The woman i talked to just now,I do her home's gardening work!"

God,Why?

Me: God, can I ask you a question?
God: Sure.
Me: Promise you won't get mad.
God: I promise.
Me: Why did you let so much stuff happen to me today?
God: What do you mean?
Me: Well, I woke up late.
God: Yes.
Me: My car took forever to start.
God: Okay.
Me: At lunch they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait.
God: Huummm.
Me: On the way home, my pho ne went dead, just as I picked up a call.
God: All right.
Me: And on top of it all, when I got home I just wanted to soak my feet in my
new foot massager and relax, but it wouldn't work!!!
Nothing went right today! Why did you do that?
God: Let me see, the Death Angel was at your bed this morning and I had to send
one of the other angels to battle him for your life.
I let you sleep through that.
Me: (humbled): OH...
GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route
that would have hit you if you were on the road.
Me: (ashamed): Oh...
God: The first person who made your sandwich
today was sick and I didn't want
you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to mi ss work.
Me: (embarrassed): Ok...
God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give
false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to
them so you would be covered.
Me: (softly) I see, God.
God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out
all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the
dark.
Me: I'm sorry, God.
God: Don't be sorry, just learn to trust me.....in all things, the good and
the bad.
Me: I will trust you.
God: And don't doubt that my plan for your day is always better than your plan.
Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, thank you for everything today.
God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God, and I love
looking after my children.


COURTESY: K.Parthasarathi Sir's email,a fellow blogger
visit his blog
www.kparthas.blogspot.com

Your learning ends today!

There was a sculptor whose works were magnificient and used to make a living by selling his sculptures.He had a great desire to make his son a great scultpor than him.So he daily taught his son the art.Day by day the son learnt everything quickly and started to work on his art.People started to buy his sculptures.The father's work were sold at 20000 and son's for 5000.Father used to advice son regarding the improvements which son used to follow accordingly.From then on the son's works were sold at 10000.Then gradually father gave away all the intricate secrets of sculpting.Thereafter the son's works were sold at 25000.One day,Father suggested few improvements to one of his works and snap came the reply from the son,"Father! I think what i have done is perfect because my works are being sold at more prices than you.".Father calmly said smiling,"Son! your learning and education ends today!", and walked away.

Moral: When someone realizes he is wise and becomes arrogant ,he starts to become a fool!

Why me?

Tennis legend Arthur Ash was diagnosed with cancer.The news spread like a wildfire all throughout the world.Fan letters started pouring offering him solace,condolensces.
One fan had written,"There are billions of people in this world.Why did God choose you particularly for a dangerous disease like this?"
Arthur wrote back,"Thank you for your concern.In this world, 5 crores kids start playing tennis in their childhood.Out of them only 50 lakh learn tennis properly.5 lakh enter professional tennis.50 thousand play in professional matches.Only 5000 play in Grandslams.50 play at Wimbledon.Only 4 out of them enter semi finals.2 play finals and only 1 win.When i picked the Wimbldon Grandslam with so much joy,I didnt ask God,"Why me?". When am in pain today, Am not supposed to ask God,"Why me?"

When God laughs!

God laughs on many occasions.Two such are given below
He laughs when the physician says to the patient's relative,"Dont be afraid, i shall certainly cure your family member".God laughs saying to himself ,"I am going to take the life of this person and he is saying he will save.The doctor thinks he is the master."
God laughs again when two brothers divide their land,saying to each other,"This is mine and that is yours". God laughs and says to himself,"The universe belongs to Me but they say they own this portion or that portion"

courtesy :spiritual india

Donot leave everything to God!

Once a priest was passing through a barren region when he suddenly saw an exceptionally beautiful farm.He stopped to appreciate the beauty of the nature,against the backdrop of that dry rocky region.He came across the farmer who owned that farm.
"Son,God has blessed you with a beautiful farm.You should be grateful to him", the preist said.
"Of course,I am grateful to Him for blessing me with this beautiful farm", the farmer aknowledged."But,you should have seen this farm when God was managing it all by himself",he added.

Moral :Donot leave everything to God.We can improvise too!

Tasteful words

An Israeli philospher went to a poor family's home along with his disciple on invitation for dinner.The food that was served seemed stale and was not good enough.Even then,the philosopher didnt say anything and ate everything without much fuss.
After finishing ,the philosopher said,"Mother,how tasty the food was! God bless you".
On way the disciple asked,"Sir,Why did you praise the food even when it was not even worthy of eating? Isnt it lying which is a sin".
The philosopher asked,"The food that was served may not have tickled the taste buds in your mouth.But should the words that coming out of it be tasteless and bitter? There is no harm in lies which would brings happiness to someone"

Tenaliram stories-How Diamonds were got back!

One day two people came to Tenaliram with a dispute.one was a farmer and another was an old villageman.They were confident that Tenaliram was intelligent and that they would get suitable solution from him.
The farmer kept his complaint in front of Tenaliram first.He said,"Sir,I had given my diamonds to this man to keep it safely.But now this oldman is denying to return it.They are all i got to payback my debt.If i cant pay my debt i will loose everything that i have".
Tenaliram asked the oldman, "Is this farmer telling the truth?".
The oldman was silent for a moment in deep thoughts.Then,he gave his walking stick to the farmer.Looking up at the sky,he said loudly,"I have given back the diamond to the farmer.I swear to God as witness.I am telling the truth".Everyone including Tenaliram were puzzled for a moment by the oldman's act.
After saying this the oldman was about to take back the stick from the farmer.But Tenaliram stopped him and said ,"Stop! your stick has been handed over to the farmer with God as witness.So give it to him".The oldman wasnt convinced and questioned how was it justified that he should be giving his walking stick,his saviour as a old man to that farmer.
But Tenaliram said, "As a soultion to your dispute I am ordering you to give the walking stick,your support for life in exchange for the diamonds of his that you didn't return.That is fair." Finally,the oldman gave it away and went home without any other way.
Tenaliram turned to the farmer and said,"Take this stick and go.As soon you go home,break it.Trust me you will get back your diamonds soon".
The farmer was unhappy with the decision but he couldnt question Tenaliram's intelligence and was sure that he must have thought some way to get back the diamonds.He decided to do just what Tenaliram had told.
After reaching home,the farmer broke the stick.Lo behold! Diamonds fell from it!

The dream of 'Mukti'

Once a person dreamt that he attained Mukti.He became very excited with the dream.So he started dancing joyously where he was standing thinking finally he achieved what human being life wants.
But,the neighbour came and shouted at him," This is my land.You can dance how much ever you want in your land.Dont step foot here!"
He walked a few distance and started dancing joyously on the street.Another person came and shouted,"You are not supposed to dance here.The people who live here and you have different religions.So dont dance in this street"
He walked searching for a free space and came to a nearby village and started dancing joyously.One villager came and shouted,"You are not from my village.Nobody other than our village people should dance here..".
He kept walking and came to the border of the country and thought he will dance there without anyone's restrictions.When he was about to cross the border,the security gaurd shouted,"You cannot cross the border without a permission letter.."
By now all his enthusiasm that he attained Mukti was gone.He simply kept walking,climbed a mountain top and sat simply.In the moments of solitude,he thought of enjoying the view.He saw that the clouds in the sky were sailing across borders without any restrictions.The river flowing below had cut across barriers silently.Birds in the sky were flying happily to their heart's content without anybody's permission.
Suddenly he realized that attaining Mukti was only in his dreams.It wasnt reality.He thought ,"Probably,For human beings Mukti is a dream with so many complicated things in this world"

Isnt it people.We can never have Mukti,Freedom i guess with all the complicated things we have created for ourselves?

 For those of you wondering what MUKTI is..

Mukti Is liberation of the senses from the clutches of the mind.Its general definition is enlightenment or a state of self-realization.it literally means freedom from everything material
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_meaning_of_mukti#ixzz23LL5WlHu

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moksha

The Teacher's lesson

A boy decided to get married.His teacher asked "Have you made a firm decision?"
"Yes",he said. But he couldnt control himself and went to a stripper's home to spend night with her the very next day.
The watchman at her house stopped him at the door saying,"She is still getting ready".
After a while,when the boy went back the watchman stopped him again and said,"She is with guests right now".
After a while,again when the boy went,the watchman stopped him and sent back saying,"She is asleep.She wont meet anyone now".
The whole night was spent in this way.In the morning,the guy went to his teacher.The teacher was still asleep.The boy was surprised to know this as his teacher always woke up at the Braamhi muhurtam at 4 in the morning.
The boy woke him up and asked the reason."Inorder to stop you from committing mistake falling trap to desires i had to be up all night.Your decision to get married is not yet firm as you are not willing to be faithful to your future wife.",said the teacher!
The boy found out a new meaning for life from that moment.

Troubles are like pebbles

A woman was pouring out her troubles endlessly to her friend.Her friend consoling her picked a small pebble.looked at the woman and said,"Look at this pebble,how tiny it is!".
Then she held it right in front of the woman's eye and said,"Now see it from the close.It blocks your vision and blocks the entire world."
Finally she threw it on the ground and asked the woman to cursh it.It became a powder.There was no need to explain further.The weeping woman understood that troubles were like pebbles,Looked at it objectively,they are challenges we can meet and conquer;but if magnified,they assume gigantic proportions that cause us to fret and fear.

Where is happiness?

A big dog saw a pup chasing its tail and asked,"Why are you chasing your tail?"
Said the puppy,"I have learned that the best thing for a dog is happiness and that happiness is in my tail.Therefore i am chasing it;and when i catch it,i shall have happiness"
Said the old dog."My son,i,too,have judged that happiness is in my tail.But i have noticed that when i chase it,it keeps running from me;but when i go about my business,it comes after me

Moral - Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you

what you are is what you see

Two men walk together through the city of mirrors.One is smiling while the other is frowning.
After leaving the city boundaries,the man who is always smiling tells the one who is always frowning "What a beautiful city with so many smiling faces"
"What smiling faces?" the frowning man asks."All i saw were sad and frowning faces"
In the city of mirrors,what you are is what you see!

Courtesy in Rags

Some little children were playing in the corner of a park.As they played hide and seek,running with bare feet,their shouts sounded pleasant to the passers-by.A poor woman dressed in a tattered saree,was crossing the playground.Suddenly she stopped and picked up something,hid it in her saree and walked on.The children's parents who were sitting together chatting on near by benches saw this.There was a policman in the park patrolling.Immediately they informed him about the woman.
They said,"She must have picked up something that belongs to our children,their purse,locket,chain etc.She seems to be a theif.You need to arrest her".
The policman walked up to her and said "What are you carrying off in the sari?"
She hesitated and then showed him few broken pieces of glass
"What will you do with them?" he enquired
The woman replied,"I took them out of the way of children's feet"

How selfishness catched up!

A farmer imported some specially fine seed corn and produced a crop that was the envy of his neighbours.When they sought some of his seeds,he refused,fearing to lose the competitive advantage he had gained.The second year,his crop was not so good,the third year results were even worse.Suddenly,it dawned upon him that the poor grade corn of his neighbours was pollinating his prize corn.His selfishness had caught up with him

Moral- no need to mention!

The value of a smile

Many years ago there lived a little girl in one of the streets of New York.She was about twelve years old.Her cheerful face brought gladness to many a person who lived in the slums of the city.One day this little girl was taking part in a concert.She was very thrilled about it.Many people came to see the show.Now it so happened that in the audience that afternoon, was a well-known doctor.Whether he was feeling sad or lonely,one could not tell.Somehow as he saw the little girl's face,his heart was touched.Then she happened to turn ,and looked straight at him and smiled! Her smile was as sunshine.It brightened  everything.The doctor thought he had never seen anything so lovely before.He left the hall a happier and brighter man and he never forgot that smile.Its memory remained with him till his death.
When his will was read all were astonished.He was an extremely rich man.But he didnot leave his money to any relatives for he had none;nor did he leave it to any hospital or charitable institution.But to use his own words 'to those who have given me happiness during my lifetime"
On the list was little girl's name,the one who had smiled at him from the stage,years earlier! He left her 150000 dollars! Just imagine for a smile!

Moral: Smile is very valuable!

GANDHIJI'S SENSE OF HUMOR

Once an artist made a sketch of Gandhiji and sent it to him to get his autograph.Returning that sketch Gandhiji wrote to the artist, "Who is such an ugly man ,whom you have made a model by mistake and sent this picture? "

Gandhiji used to slap the one he loved.One day Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan said to Gandhiji,"Bapu,you slap the one you love,but you have never slapped me.This means that you donot love me".
Gandhiji looked at the huge body of Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan  and said ," I do love you,but i donot slap you because if you return it i will be crushed"

In 1946 Gandhiji went to se Satyavati,grand daughter of the famous Arya Samaj leader Swami Shradhdhanand Saraswathi.She was lying on her death bed.She was a staunch socialist and Arya Samajists donot pronounce the name of Ram in the form of God.So Gandhiji said to Satyavathi, "I know that you will not say 'Ram Ram'.So when you are in pain say 'Mara Mara'.The underlying fact was that when it is said rapidly it will be converted into 'Ram Ram'!

                                                                    Moral
             Have a funny bone.Sense of humor always helps to deal with stressful situations with ease

Birds and Wings

Once upon a time,the birds had no wings.They crawled about the earth.Then one day God threw wings at their feet and commanded them to pick them up and carry on on their backs.At first,it seemed very hard.The little birds didnot want to carry those wings.But they loved the lord and in obedience,they picked up the wings and carried them on their backs.
"And lo behold,the wings fastened there! What they once thought was a burden enabled them to fly!"
                                                                     
                                                                           Moral

Always surrender to the will of God and you will soar above.

           The burden we carry by necessity or by choice,instead of weighing us down,actually can lift      us to great heights .



Thomas Moore,on being a gentleman!

Thomas Moore,the poet,came from a humble family,a fact which made him to be proud of .At the height of his fame,he was invited to join a fashionable London Club dinner.
At the meeting,he was approached by a Lord who said to him,"Mr.Moore I came to understand that your father was a shopkeeper".
"Indeed it is so and a very honest one too",replied Moore.
"How interesting",said the noble man,"May i ask why you didnot follow his footsteps".
"Because Sir my talents are limited",replied Moore and added ,"I have heared that your father was a gentleman,why you donot follow his footsteps?"

Moral-Always be humble And tackle people cleverly  who try to make you look bad

 about Thomas Moore http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Moore

It is for others!

A blind man was carrying a lighted lamp,which could be seen from a good distance at night.As he appraoched a corner and made the sound with his cane to determine exactly where he was,a woman approached him and inquired,"Pardon me,sir,why are you carrying a lantern ? You cannot even see!"
The blind man replied,"Oh I donot carry it for myself,Madam,it is for others.So that they will not stumble over me"

Moral-Some people got more commonsense even if they may be lacking in physical sense

 This is not some serious blog particularly for all the tales n stories that offers life lessons,morals,values.I think every story has something to teach us to be wise.So this basically is a 'khichdi' of stories,of all kind.What did you learn after reading that story,Sometimes there will be morals said and sometimes you will have to find out yourselves!
My most important motivation in creating this blog is to start a Story book,or rather i would say E-storybook,of my own,from all possible sources.Story books were an integral part of my childhood because of which i had ended up being quite a famous storytellar with a lot of stories in my kitty,with classmates requesting me to tell stories during free periods at school.They even played the major role,major enough,making me mention 'reading' as one of the many hobbies in resume,for few years down the line I became an avid reader.
 Thanks to my father who would bring new story books in Kannada and English till graduation thus encouraging my flare for 'reading',whenever he would come visit after 2-3 months from working place.Maybe I want to relive childhood days again.Quite frankly,I would love to,for It was thrilling being a 'popular storytellar' back then.
 In this Gadget n Internet Era,Children dont bother about books made of paper n am not sure in future if there would be any 'serious book reading culture'.They rather prefer surfing internet and dont mind reading from there once in a while,by accidental notice.I myself end up E-reading almost always and honestly not happy about the developments.Maybe starting a blog about stories was an extension of that development.Call me Hypocitical! I Am secretly hoping,my child/children,which is/are still few years away, would know lots of stories too by reading Mom's blog,atleast out of curiosity!


Happy Story Reading time,Young n Old Alike

Komal :)

[P.S: If you are one of mine reading it.Mommy says,"Go ahead Kiddo.Mommy is proud of you"]