THE LION AND THE MOUSE

Once when a lion, the king of the jungle, was asleep, a little mouse began
running up and down on him. This soon awakened the lion, who placed his
huge paw on the mouse, and opened his big jaws to swallow him.
"Pardon, O King!" cried the little Mouse, "Forgive me this time. I shall never
repeat it and I shall never forget your kindness. And who knows, I may be
able to do you a good turn one of these days!
The Lion was so tickled by the idea of the mouse being able to help him that
he lifted his paw and let him go.
Sometime later, a few hunters captured the lion, and tied him to a tree. After
that they went in search of a wagon, to take him to the zoo.
Just then the little mouse happened to pass by. On seeing the lions plight,
he ran up to him and gnawed away the ropes that bound him, the king of the
jungle.
"Was I not right?" said the little mouse, very happy to help the lion.
MORAL: Small acts of kindness will be rewarded greatly.
THE GOOSE WITH THE GOLDEN EGGS
Once upon a time, a man and his wife had the good fortune to have a goose
which laid a golden egg every day. Lucky though they were, they soon
began to think they were not getting rich fast enough.
They imagined that if the bird must be able to lay golden eggs, its insides
must be made of gold. And they thought that if they could get all that
precious metal at once, they would get mighty rich very soon. So the man
and his wife decided to kill the bird.
However, upon cutting the goose open, they were shocked to find that its
innards were like that of any other goose!
MORAL: THINK BEFORE YOU ACT

THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE

There once was a speedy Hare who bragged about how fast he could run.
Tired of hearing him boast, the Tortoise challenged him to a race. All the
animals in the forest gathered to watch.
The Hare ran down the road for a while and then paused to rest. He looked
back at the tortoise and cried out, "How do you expect to win this race when
you are walking along at your slow, slow pace?"
The Hare stretched himself out alongside the road and fell asleep, thinking,
"There is plenty of time to relax."
The Tortoise walked and walked; never ever stopping until he came to the
finish line.
The animals who were watching cheered so loudly for Tortoise that they
woke up Hare. The Hare stretched, yawned and began to run again, but it
was too late. Tortoise had already crossed the finish line.
MORAL: SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE

Gold Coins and a Selfish Man

Sam was a greedy and a selfish man. He always desired to have lots and
lots of money and never hesitated to cheat others to make money. Also, he
never wished to share anything with others. He was so selfish that he would
like to own everything for himself.
The selfish man used to calculate each and every small aspect. He paid
very little amount of wages to his servants. Where ever he went, he
calculated a lot to save money by deceiving others. He also told a lot of lies
to protect his wealth. Simply, Sam was the antonym for the word;
HONESTY.
However, he was taught a nice lesson by his own act.
One day, he missed a small bag, which contained 50 gold coins. He was
searching for the bag of gold coins, day and night. He sent his workers in
search of the bag, but none could find it. He told his friends and neighbors
that he had lost a bag of gold coins and requested them to inform him, if
they found it. Sam was so sad that he had lost so many gold coins.
After a couple of days, a ten year old girl, who lived near Sams house, told
her father that she had found a small bag and that it had 50 gold coins. Her
father worked in Sams land and he told his daughter that the bag belonged
to his master. He had lost it two days ago, and added that he would return
the bag to his master.
They werent very rich, and the father could have easily retained the gold
coins, and hide the fact of finding the bag. He was so honest that he felt that
he should return the valuable coins to his master, as he was the rightful
owner.
He gave the bag back to his master Sam, and asked him to check whether
the bag had 50 gold coins. Sam who was literally happy to get the coins,
decided to play a trick. He shouted at his worker, there were 75 gold coins
in this bag and you gave me only 50! Where are the other coins? You have
stolen them!

The worker was shocked to hear this, and he pleaded to his master that he
gave whatever his daughter had found. Selfish and greedy, Sam did not
accept the workers story, and decided to take the issue to court.
The judge heard both the sides. He questioned the daughter and the worker
about the number of coins they had found in the bag, and they assured it
was only 50.
He cross-examined Sam and Sam replied, Yes mlord, I had 75 gold coins
in my bag, and they gave me only 50. Hence, it is quite obvious that they
have stolen the balance 25 coins!
Judge then asked, Are you sure you that your bag had 75 coins? and Sam
nodded his head in acceptance.
The judge then made his judgment, Since Sam lost a bag of 75 gold coins
and the bag found by the girl had only 50 coins, it is obvious that the bag
found, didnt belong to Sam, and it was lost by someone else. In addition, if
anyone found a bag of 75 gold coins, I will declare that it belongs to Sam.
As there are no claims against the loss of 50 coins, I order the girl and his
father to take those 50 coins as a token of appreciation for their honesty!
Honesty will always be rewarded and greediness punished!

THE TWO FROGS

Two frogs had lived in a village all their lives. they thought they would like to
go and see the big city that was about ten miles away.
They talked about it for a long time, and at last they set off to see the city.
It was a hot day, and they soon began to feel tired. They had only gone a
little way when one said to the other, "We must be nearly there. Can you
see the city?"
"No," said the other frog; "but if I climb on your back I might be able to see
it."
So he climbed up on the back of the other frog to see the city.
Now when the frog put up his head, his eyes could only see what was
behind, and not what was in front. So he saw the village they had just left.
"Can you see the city?", asked the frog who was below.
"Yes," answered the frog who had climbed up. " I can see it. It looks just like
our village."
Then the frogs thought that it was not worthwhile going any farther. They
went back and told the frogs round the village that they had seen the city,
and it was just like theirs.

A Short Story : Bad Temper

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 back of 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
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."

THE GREEDY DOG

Once there lived a dog. He was very greedy. There were many times that he
had to pay for his greed. Each time the dog promised himself, I have learnt
my lesson. Now I will never be greedy again." But he soon forgot his
promises and was as greedy as ever.
One afternoon, the dog was terribly hungry. He decided to go look for
something to eat. Just outside his house, there was a bridge. I will go and
look for food on the other side of the bridge. The food there is definitely
better," he thought to himself.
He walked across the wooden bridge and started sniffing around for food.
Suddenly, he spotted a bone lying at a distance. Ah, I am in luck. This looks
a delicious bone," he said.
Without wasting any time, the hungry dog picked up the bone and was just
about to eat it, when he thought, Somebody might see here with this bone
and then I will have to share it with them. So, I had better go home and eat
it." Holding the bone in his mouth, he ran towards his house.
While crossing the wooden bridge, the dog looked down into the river. There
he saw his own reflection. The foolish dog mistook it for another dog. There
is another dog in the water with bone in its mouth," he thought. Greedy, as
he was, he thought, How nice it would be to snatch that piece of bone as
well. Then, I will have two bones."
So, the greedy dog looked at his reflection and growled. The reflection
growled back, too. This made the dog angry. He looked down at his
reflection and barked, Woof! Woof!" As he opened his mouth, the bone in
his mouth fell into the river. It was only when the water splashed that the
greedy dog realized that what he had seen was nothing but his own
reflections and not another dog. But it was too late. He had lost the piece of
bone because of his greed. Now he had to go hungry.

THE UGLY TREE

Long, long ago, in a dense forest there were thousands of tall and beautiful
trees. They were happy, but proud of themselves. Among them there also
an ugly tree whose branches were badly twisted. Its roots had uneven
curves. All the trees made fun of that ugly tree.
How are you, hunchback?" the other trees always shouted and their
laughter made the ugly tree feel sad. But, he never raised a voice against
them. The ugly tree thought, I wish I were as beautiful as the other trees.
Why did God do this to me? Neither can I provide shade to the travelers not
can the birds make their nests on me. Nobody needs me."
One day, a woodcutter came to the forest. He took a look at the trees and
said, These trees are lovely. I must cut them." As soon as he picked up his
axe the trees became frightened.
Chop, Chop, Chop went the woodcutters axe and one by one the trees
started to fall. None of us is going to be spared," screamed one of the
beautiful trees. Soon that tree too was brought to ground by the
woodcutters axe.
By now, the woodcutter had come near to the ugly tree. He had just raised
his axe when suddenly he noticed how crooked the ugly tree was. Hmm!
This crooked tree seems to be useless for me. I cannot make long straight
logs of this ugly tree," he thought. And he moved towards another beautiful
tree. The ugly tree heaved a huge sigh of relief. He realized that by making
him ugly, God had actually given him a boon.
From that day the ugly tree never complained. He was happy with his
crooked branches. He never forgot how he was spared from t he
woodcutters axe, only because he was crooked and ugly.

THE UNGRATEFUL LION

In a dense forest, lived a fierce lion. He was very cruel. One day the lion
was caught in a hunters trap. One by one many animals passed by. Please
helped me!" pleaded the lion. But none of the animals listened to his plea.
After a while, a man happened to come into the forest. He saw the lion. The
lion said, I will die of hunger and suffocation. Please help me out, O! kind
man." The man was thoughtful. I assure you I will never harm you. Please
help me now. The hunter will be anytime now," said the lion.
The man felt sorry for the lion and set the beast free. As soon as the lion
was free, he let out a fierce roar. I have been trapped in the cage for a long
time. I am hungry. I will have to eat you," said the lion, looking at the man.
But you promised that you would not harm me," said the man, in a meek
tone. Yes, I said that. But only to convince you to free me. Now, I am
terribly hungry," said the lion.
The terrified man thought quickly. He said, Alright, you can eat me. But let a
judge decide if you are right in eating the person who has rescued you."
The lion agreed. He was sure that no animal would speak against him. Just
then a jackal came that way and the lion asked the jackal to be the judge.
He addressed the lion, Sir, would you please show me how it all
happened?" The lion was only too willing. He entered the cage and closed
the cage door. The jackal immediately bolted the cage from outside.
Now the lion is trapped again. Run away, you foolish man! And never offer
help to anyone without thinking," said the jackal. The frightened man ran for
his life. And the ungrateful lion was trapped in the cage again. The hunter
came and took the lion away to his circus.

THE DONKEY AND THE HORSE

Once, there lived a washer man named John. He had a donkey and a
horse. The donkey carried clothes to the pond and back to his house. The
horse carried John to the market and back, occasionally. The donkey
worked much harder than the horse.
On a bright sunny day, John was going to the pond with donkey. He took the
horse along to give it a drink of water. The donkey was carrying a heavy
load of clothes. The horse was carrying nothing. The load was unusually
heavy and the donkeys back was hurting.
When the pain became unbearable the donkey said to the horse, This load
is too much for me, brother! Please take some of this load on your back."
The horse replied some what rudely, Eh! Why should I? I am here only to
carry our master to the market." The proud horse continued on his way. The
day was getting hotter as the day went on. The donkey felt totally
exhausted. He was almost dragging himself. Humph! Humph!" The donkey
tried to move. He just could not. The poor donkey collapsed to the ground.
Oh! What has happened to the poor donkey?" thought the washer man.
Immediately he took the load off the donkey. Indeed the load is really very
heavy. I should have been little more careful," thought the washer man.
Then he gave some water to the donkey. The donkey felt better now.
The washer man then picked up the bundle of clothes off the back of the
donkey and placed it on the horses back. Umf! Umf! Came the sound from
the horses mouth. I should have helped the donkey. I made a mistake. I
should have taken half the load when the donkey requested me. Now I
realize sharing a burden is easier." The horse carried the heavy load of
clothes for the remaining distance. There after both the donkey and the
horse lived together.

THE PERFECT PALACE

Thousands of years ago, there lived a King. His people loved him since he
looked after their needs well. At the end of every month, he would invite
some noble men of his Kingdom to analyze his work and advised him.
The King built many things. Every year he would rebuild his palace and
every time it looked better that before. Marvelous! Unmatched!!" the
couriers would praise and the King would feel elated.
One day the King thought, This year, I will build the perfect palace, with all
comforts. It should be praised not only within my kingdom, but also by the
people of the neighboring states."
The next day, the King worked out a perfect design for his perfect palace.
After finalizing it, he handed it over to the builders and masons. In about a
month, the perfect palace of the Kings dream was ready. The King invited
noblemen of his kingdom, as well as the neighboring states, to get their
opinions about the palace.
Unbelievable! Indeed, it is a perfect palace," cheered the noblemen in
unison. But a saint standing in the corner was silent.
The King wondered why the saint was silent, when everyone was praising
his palace. He walked up to the saint and said, Please tell, O Saint, why
you are silent. Is not my palace perfect?"
The Saint replied in a calm voice, Dear King! Your palace is strong and will
last forever. It is beautiful but not perfect, since the people living in it are
mortals. They are not permanent. Your palace will live forever but not the
people in it. That is why I am silent. Man is born with empty hands and so
does he die."
The King thanked the saint for his wise words and never tried to build a
perfect palace again.

THE FOOLISH FISH

In a huge pond, there lived many fish. They were arrogant and never
listened to anyone. In this pond, there also lived a kind-hearted crocodile.
He advised the fish, It does not pay to be arrogant and overconfident. It
could be your downfall." But the fish never listened to him. There is that
crocodile, advising us again," they would say.
One afternoon, the crocodile was resting beside a stone near the pond,
when two fishermen stopped there to drink water.
The fishermen noticed that the pond had many fish. Look! This pond is full
of fish. Lets come here tomorrow with our fishing net," said one of them. I
am surprised we have not seen this place before!" exclaimed the other.
The crocodile heard all this. When the fishermen left, he slowly slipped into
the pond and went straight to the fish. You all had better leave this pond
before dawn. Early morning those two fishermen are going to come to this
pond with their net," warned the crocodile.
But the fish just laughed and said, There have been many fishermen who
have tried to catch us. These two are not going to catch us either. Do not
you worry about us, Mr. Crocodile," they said in a mocking voice.
The next morning, the fishermen came and threw their net in the pond. The
nets were big and strong. Very soon all the fish were caught. If only we had
listened to Mr. Crocodile. He had only wanted to help. For our arrogance we
have to pay with our lives," said the fish.
The fishermen took the foolish fish to the market and sold them for a good
profit.

THE JUDGE MONKEY

Once upon a time, two cats were passing through a street. Suddenly they
spotted a loaf of bread lying beneath a tree. Both pounced upon it and
caught the loaf at the same time. It is mine. I saw it first," claimed one cat.
While the other said, I pounced upon it first and so it belongs to me." After
having fought for a while, one cat said, Let us divide it into two and take
one piece each." Indeed, a good idea," said the other cat. But how do we
divide it now?"
A monkey sitting on the branch of the tree had watched all that happened
between the two cats. That loaf of bread looks good. I could do with it
myself," he thought. Slowly he came down from the tree and walked up to
the confused cats.
Yes, my dear friends! Can I help you?" asked the monkey. The cats told the
monkey what the problem was and said, Why do not you be the judge
between us?" When the monkey nodded, the cats said, Please divide this
loaf for us."
The clever monkey smilingly broke the bread into two pieces. But one piece
was a little bigger that the other. OH no! I will take a little bite of this bigger
piece to make both equal," said the monkey, slyly. He took a bite from the
bigger piece. But, he had taken a big bite. Uh oh! Now it has become
smaller than the other piece. I will just have to take a little bite from this
piece now," said the clever monkey.
The Judge Monkey took another bite. The two cats sat in front of the
monkey, seeing the loaf of bread they had found getting smaller and
smaller. When the whole loaf was eaten by the monkey, the monkey said, I
am sorry. I was really difficult to divide that loaf. I must be going now." And
the monkey jumped onto the tree and was gone. If only we had not
quarreled among ourselves, we would have remained united and we need
not have to go to the monkey and to become hungry now," said the two
cats.

THE DEER AND HIS REFLECTION

There once lived a proud deer. While wandering in the forest, he came upon
a pond. He stopped there to drink water in order to quench his thirst. As he
bent down, he saw his own reflection in the water. How beautiful are my
antlers!" he thought, admiring its long curves.
As the deer was admiring his antlers, he suddenly noticed his legs. Ohh!
Look at my skinny legs. I cannot believe God has given me both beautiful
antlers and such ugly legs," he thought. The proud deer now felt ashamed
of his legs. His pride vanished. These ugly legs are no match for my
beautiful antlers," he thought.
Just then the deer heard the roar of a lion. When he turned around he saw a
lion charging at him. Oh no!," screamed the deer and ran as fast as he
could.
The deer felt the lions breath close to him, I must get into the densest part
of the forest where there are many branches. The lion will not be able to
catch me in that part of the forest," thought the deer.
So, with this thought in mind, the deer ran into an area where there were
many bushes and branches. Soon the deer had left the lion far behind.
Ah, I outsmarted the lion," thought the deer proudly. But all of a sudden his
antlers got entangled between the trunks of two trees standing close to each
other. Aaarghh!" cried the deer, as he had to stop at once.
The more he tried to free himself, the more difficult it became. As the deer
was struggling to get free, the lion came nearer and nearer.
How I praised my horns and cursed my legs. Now I know the real value of
my legs which almost took me to safety," wailed the deer.
The lion pounced on the deer and killed him. That was the end of the proud
deer.