“It is said that the first storyteller crept at night to listen to the gods talking in their sleep — so each tale collected contained the breath of gods.” ~ Author unknown
Every now and again when I’m researching a topic for a post I come upon an ancient fable brimming with wisdom. These stories are like character vaccines intended to fight sicknesses of the spirit. So I pass on to you some of my recent finds in the theme of:
A word to the wise is sufficient.
It was Aesop himself who said: “Better be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own.”
The authorship of these tales have been long lost to the mists of history, but their impact continues to reverberate through time.
Enjoy.
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Know Who You Really Are
The story is about a little wave, bobbing along in the ocean, having a grand old time. He’s enjoying the wind and the fresh air — until he notices the other waves in front of him, crashing against the shore. “My, this is terrible,” the wave says. “Look what’s going to happen to me!”
Then along comes another wave. It sees the first wave, looking grim, and it says to him: “Why do you look so sad?” The first wave says: “You don’t understand! We’re all going to crash! All of us waves are going to be nothing! Isn’t it terrible?”
The second wave says: “No, you don’t understand. You’re not a wave, you’re part of the ocean.”
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You Keep What You Give Away
A woman who had worked all her life to bring about good was granted one wish: “Before I die let me visit both hell and heaven.” Her wish was granted.
She was whisked off to a great banqueting hall. The tables were piled high with delicious food and drink. Around the tables sat miserable, starving people as wretched as could be. “Why are they like this?” she asked the angel who accompanied her. “Look at their arms,” the angel replied.
She looked and saw that attached to the people’s arms were long chopsticks secured above the elbow. Unable to bend their elbows, the people aimed the chopsticks at the food, missed every time and sat hungry, frustrated and miserable. “Indeed this is hell! Take me away from here!”
She was then whisked off to heaven. Again she found herself in a great banqueting hall with tables piled high. Around the tables sat people laughing, contented, joyful. “No chopsticks, I suppose,” she said. “Oh yes, there are. Look — just as in hell they are long and attached above the elbow, but look — here, people have learned to feed one another.”
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Persuasion Is Better Than Force. 
The North Wind and the Sun are arguing over which is stronger. Suddenly, they see a traveler coming down the road. They decide to settle the argument over whoever can get the traveller to take his coat off.
The Wind blows as hard as it can, but the traveler tightens his coat up even more. Then the Sun softly shines its rays on him. The traveler suddenly feels hot and finally removes his coat. The Sun is declared the winner.
A kind, gentle manner like the Sun is always better than cold threats and force. So, if you ever need something from someone, it is best to be kind and humble over yelling at them, as you might find that they will respond better.
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No Act of Kindness Is Ever Wasted
A Lion is fast asleep until a Mouse wakes him. The Lion opens his big jaw to swallow him. But the Mouse begs the Lion to think again, as he may become useful in the future. The Lion laughs the idea off and lets him go. Sometime later, the Lion is caught in a trap by some Hunters. At that moment the same little Mouse walks by and notices the Lion trapped. He walks up and chews the rope to free the Lion. The Mouse smiles and says, was I not right?
You never know who will prove to be useful in the future. It is best to maintain great relationships with everyone and to be kind to all. You never know where your kindness could lead you! Little friends may prove great friends.
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“Always remember,” the storyteller told the wide-eyed children, “Once-upon-a-time in a tale also means Now.” ~ Dr. SunWolf
Just a thought…
Pat
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