The Soldier Won Case Against King Philip

King Philip was the king of Macedonia and father of Alexander the Great. Philip was exceedingly dexterous at operating the state affairs, but sometimes even he would make mistakes. Once upon a time, King Philip received a complaint against one of his soldiers. Finally, the case was held in the king's court. Date of hearing was fixed. The soldier said that he was innocent, but the complainant was calling him guilty. The complainant and the soldier both appeared in the court of King Philip on the fixed date.

Soon the trial began. Both of them began to keep their side of the story, meanwhile king Philip fell asleep. King slumbered during the entire hearing he woke up when the hearing got over and without thinking he passed the verdict against his soldier. Hearing the decision the soldier said, "This decision is wrong. I appeal against it." Since king's decision is considered as the final judgment, therefore, King Philip said, "To whom will you appeal?". The soldier replied firmly, "I will appeal to awaked king Philip against sleeping king Philip." The king became speechless at soldier's reply and rectifying his decision he pardoned the soldier.

Moral: Instead of bearing injustice we must appeal against it in order to get the appropriate justice. With this, the moral atmosphere of the society would also become refined.

The Officer Became Speechless On Lord Mountbatten's Reply

In England, there was an interview for the selection of the naval authorities. There was palpitation in the heart of all the participants regarding the questions to be asked. Stress could be easily read on everyone's face except for one participant. He was sitting with a sense of quietness, and a glimpse of sheer confidence and determination was clearly visible on his face. Soon the interviewee called his name for the interview. He entered the interview room and greeting the interviewees he sat on the chair. The interviewer asked many tricky and enigmatical questions to the participant, and he composedly answered them all.

In the end, an interviewer asked him, "What would you do if a storm hits the sea?" He said, "I'll put the anchor." The interviewer asked him, "What will you do if one more storm hits the sea?" He said, "I'll put one more anchor." The interviewer asked the same question again, and the participant gave the same reply again. The officer smiled and asked him, "Young man! Where will you get so many anchors from?" The young man replied immediately without any hesitation, "Sir, from the same place from where you will bring so many storms." The interviewer got amazed at his reply and selected that participant. This young man later became the first governor-general of independent India his name was Lord Mountbatten.

Moral: Quick wittiness and self confidence are prerequisites for success in interviews. If an individual is sure about his capabilities, then he can pass even the most difficult tests.

An Impecunious Portrayer Won Napoleon's Heart

Emperor Napoleon of France was a patron of art and paid immense honor to scholars and artists. Whenever such people would come to his court, they would receive considerable respect and honor. Napoleon's ministers would also follow these rules meticulously. Once Napoleon's court was held, and he was meeting people from various streams of art. Amongst them was a portrait painter who was extremely poor. Napoleon did not take much notice of him. When he entered the court, seeing his dirty clothes Napoleon and his ministers gave him no importance and ordered him to sit apart.

After a while, the portraitist was called on to show his talent, and he made an excellent portrait. Seeing his exquisite portraiture Napoleon got so impressed that he walked to that man and shook hands with him. Giving, him adequate honor Napoleon came to see him out. The portrait painter got marveled at this change of behavior. He asked Napoleon, "When I came in your court, everyone looked down upon me. No one gave me any respect and ordered me to sit away from everyone else, and now you have come to see me out. May I know the reason for this?" Napoleon said, "The respect displayed at someone's arrival primarily depends on that person's physical appearance and apparels, but the respect given at the time of departure is due to that persons virtues and talents."

Moral: Clothing can provide you only physical attractiveness. The true accomplishments are knowledge and talent. Therefore, person's final estimation should be based on qualifications and conduct.

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Taught Civility With Incivility

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was an extremely simple, humble and a civilised human being. Everyone had immense reverence for him. There is an incident of the time when Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a teacher in a Sanskrit college. Once he went to the President College to meet the English Professor Mr. Caire. When Vidyasagar entered in Professor Caire's cabin then instead of welcoming Vidyasagar, Caire kept sitting on his chair with his legs on the table. Vidyasagar found it extremely repulsive, but he brooked that insult and returned after the requisite discussion.

A few days later Caire came to Vidyasagar's college for some work. When Vidyasagar saw Caire he put his feet with slippers on the table and kept sitting on the chair. He didn't even ask Caire to sit down. Caire gave a written complaint to the secretary of education council Dr Muat about Vidyasagar's behavior. Both Dr Muat and Caire went to Vidyasagar to question him about his misbehavior. Vidyasagar replied, "We Indians learn the European manners from the British. When I went to meet Professor Caire he was sitting in this manner, I assumed it as a European etiquette and followed it. I did not intend to offend him." Hearing this Caire felt ashamed and he apologized to Vidyasagar.

Moral: Many a times in order to teach civility to the uncultured we have to follow the path of "Tit for tat" which is as beneficial as bitter medicine.

Dr Rajendra Prasad's Gentle Behaviour Embarrassed A Young Man

India's first President Dr Rajendra Prasad was an extremely intelligent, quiet and a composed man. He always kept himself away from unnecessary anger and excitement. Whenever his associates would do anything wrong he would correct them affectionately. Once upon a time Dr Rajendra Prasad was going from Patna to his village. At that time, the only way of reaching the village was through crossing the river by boat or steamer as buses and trains were not easily accessible. Rajendra Prasad sat down with other passengers in the steamer in its ease. After a while, a young man got up and walked inside the cabin and began to smoke.

Since, Dr. Rajendra Prasad kept away from all these addictions; therefore he began having trouble with the smoke of the cigarette. He began to cough loudly. He tolerated the smoke for a while, but when he started choking he went to the young man and asked quietly, "Young man, is this your cigarette?" The young man puffed loudly and with his nose in the air said, "Do you think it is yours?" Then Dr Prasad said, "If the cigarette is yours then its smoke is also yours then why are you throwing it on others?" Listening to this, the young man felt embarrassed and throwing away his cigarette he apologized to him.

Moral: Wooly-minded cannot be shown the right direction through pressure rather they should be dealt with affectionate reasoning and logic.

A Boy Was Taught The Meaning Of Generosity

Pundit Madan Mohan Malviya was a pioneer in public welfare activities and would certainly take on the paths which lead to the wellbeing of the common man. Pundit ji used to travel day and night when he was collecting donations for the Kashi University. He went to large institutions and to well-heeled men and politely kept his demands in front of them, and humbly accepted the contribution they offered. Malviya ji never asked for excessive contribution and when returned empty handed he never complained. One day he went to a wealthy merchant's house in Kolkata to ask for a donation. The merchant welcomed him warmly. When they were drinking tea, the merchant's son also came and sat there. When Malviya ji was about to tell the merchant about the purpose of his arrival, the merchant's son sitting near by took out a matchstick and burnt it uselessly. The merchant slapped his son in anger.

Seeing that Malviya ji felt sorry, and he got up and walked away silently. The merchant came behind Malviya ji and asked him the reason of his visit. When Malviya ji told him the purpose of his coming the merchant took him inside with all due respect and giving him the check of 50 thousand rupees the merchant said, "Generosity befits only if it is contextual." He further continued, "If today my son will not understand the value of one matchstick then how he will value his wealth and possessions in future."

Moral: Whatever physical property we have should be consumed by considering its appropriate importance. Misuse of property is the path leading to its deprivation, and its proper use is a medium of its elevation and gives us inner satisfaction.

Robber Was Appointed The Chief Guard

Once upon a time, there was a robber who carried out countless robberies in his life time. One day, he heard about a spiritual gathering been held nearby. The robber decided to wait there until the sacred gathering got over and then rob a rich man in private. He quietly sat in a corner waiting for the spiritual gathering to get finished. It is often said that good company always bring positive effects, even if the company is for a short while. The robber got terrified when he heard Sage's words that every man gets terribly punished for his sins after death. When the spiritual discourse got ended, the robber approached the Sage and asked him, "I am a robber and cannot get rid of this habit. What Shall I do?" The Sage suggested him to stop speaking lie. The robber agreed on that.

One day, the robber went to the palace for heisting. The guard asked him who he was. The man replied that he was a robber. The guard thought that he was someone from the palace and got upset on been questioned, so he let him went inside. The robber collected plenty of materials from the palace and filled it in a box. On coming out, again the guard asked him what he was taking. The robber replied that he was taking a box full of gems. The guard asked him with whose permission he was taking them. The robber replied with decisiveness, "I am stealing it." Guard took it as a joke and let him go. The next day, there was a panic in the palace. On been questioned, the guard presented the whole matter before the king. The king ordered for the robber's search and summoned him in his court. Been happy with the robber's honesty, the king appointed him the chief guard of the palace.

Moral: Truth is worth respect and award in every stage of life whereas inveracity can earn immediate benefits, but it can never be long lasting.

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Served His Servant

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a compassionate and a generous man. He had a mellifluous behavior even towards the people who belonged to the lowest societal stratum. There was a servant in Vidyasagar's house who used to do all the household chores. Vidyasagar always showed him affection and treated him like his family members. One day, when Vidyasagar was descending the stairs of his house, he saw his servant sleeping on the staircase with a letter in his hand. Vidyasagar slowly took out the letter from his hand and read it and came to know about the bad news.

Vidyasagar saw that the servant had a streak of tears on his face, perhaps he sobbed himself to sleep. Seeing his servant in this condition the feeling of sympathy evoked in Vidyasagar's heart. He went inside the room and brought a hand fan and started fanning his servant so that he could sleep comfortably. At the same time, one of Vidyasagar's friend came there and seeing such a situation said astoundingly, "You are too much! How can you be engaged in the service of a servant whose salary is hardly seven-eight bucks?" Vidyasagar said, "My father also used to earn seven-eight bucks in a month. I remember one day while my father was returning home he felt unconscious and fell on the road, and a passerby helped him with water. In my servant, I can see the image of my late father."

Moral: Purity of heart is not only reflected through sweet words but also through the conduct. An affectionate behavior towards one and all underscores generosity and dignity. Therefore, we must be kind and generous towards everyone.

A Little Girl Was Rewarded For Her Contentment

Once upon a time, a vast area of Baghdad, capital of Iraq, faced famine. People were dying of hunger and starvation birds and animals were also famishing. In such a shattering situation, one day a rich man of that area showing mercifulness and compassion declared to give one chapati to all the small children of that area. Next day, in the morning all the children assembled in the garden. That rich man himself began distributing the chapatis amongst the children. The chapatis were all of different size some were big whereas, some were small in size. All the children were jostling their way through the crowd in order to grab the biggest chapati except for one little girl who stood quietly in a corner. Eventually she came forward and took the last chapati which was the smallest in size. Accepting the chapati with delight she went home.

Next day, the chapatis were again distributed. Second day also the girl received the smallest chapati, but she accepted it, with great joy. On returning home, when she took a bite from the chapati she found a piece of gold in it. Her mother asked her to return the piece of gold to the rich man. She immediately ran to the rich man and said, "I found this piece of gold in my chapati it must have fallen in the flour. I have come to return this." The rich man said, "My child, keep this. This is the reward of your contentment." The little girl replied with innocence, "My contentment got paid off when I did not have to face the jostling of the crowd." Been happy with the girl's honesty and contentedness the rich man made her his goddaughter and fixed a monthly salary for the girl's mother.

Moral: It can be said with reference to life that instead of showing unnecessary hastiness in all the matters we must keep a sense of satisfaction. Contenement always brings in better result then hastiness.

King Cyrus Earned Immense Wealth By Giving Charity

Once upon a time, Cyrus, the king of Persia captivated Croesus, the king of Lydia. Cyrus was an upright, benevolent king. Seeing king Cyrus's endowment traits one day Croesus said to him, "If you will keep donating your treasure like this, then you will become penniless very soon." Croesus was also well-heeled, but he did not believe in charity. Therefore, he floated the same opinion to Cyrus. Cyrus questioned him, "From the time I sat on the throne until today if I had not given anything to anyone, can you guess how much assets I should possess?" Croesus said, "Immeasurable wealth."

Cyrus then said, "I will make an announcement amongst my subjects that I need a great amount of wealth for a very big project and then you see the result." People happily conducted in accordance with king's command, and as a result, there laid a pile of gold in front of the palace. Croesus said in surprise, "I had estimated less wealth than this." Then Cyrus said, "If I would not have used my wealth for donations and in public's interest, then my people would have hated me, but I did not do this and donated wholeheartedly. Therefore, my people love me a lot." Cyrus's answer opened Croesus's eyes.

Moral: Charity always increases your wealth because this generosity multiplies the blessings which flow from the soul of the needy people thousand times.

Scripture Knowledge Prevented The Brahmin From Committing Theft

Once upon a time, lived an erudite but impecunious Brahman, in the town of Maharaja Bhoj. One day, been perturbed by his impoverishment, he decided to rob the palace. At night when everyone was soundly sleeping, he covertly entered the palace. He saw precious gems, jewellery, gold and priceless pots been scattered everywhere around, but whenever he thought of picking up any object his religious knowledge always restrained him from doing so. Finally, with a determined mind, he extended his hand to pick up the gold. Only then, he recollected a line from the Holy Scripture which said, "One who steals the gold goes to hell". Likewise, whenever he thought about stealing anything, his memory recollected the lines from the scriptures which considered theft a sin and he stopped. He spent the whole night in the palace, but he could not steal anything.

At daybreak when the servants began waking up, the Brahman hid under the king's bed from the fear of being caught. When the king woke up, his queens and ladies in waiting respectfully greeted the king. Decorated elephants and horses were also standing outside the palace. Seeing this, the king's heart filled with joy, and he recited the three lines of a sloka. Then he suddenly stopped because he forgot the last line. The Brahman could not stop himself and completed the fourth line. The king startled, and asked the Brahmin to come out from under the bed. When the king asked the Brahmin that in spite of spending the whole night in the palace why he did not steal. The Brahmin said, "King, my religious knowledge guided me and stopped me from committing theft." Been happy with his honesty, the king gave him ample money and ended his poverty forever.

Moral: Knowledge helps us to sense the difference between appropriate, inappropriate and just, unjust. Using this knowledge at the time of various ethical dilemmas we can acquire the right path.

The Fig Tree Come Into Bloom With Composure And Assiduity

Once there was a wealthy businessman, who owned numerous castles and magnificent palaces. He was very fond of verdancy and therefore allocated a vast area for plantation. In his spare time, he often used to visit his gardens and inquire the gardener about each plant and tree. The gardener was also very loyal and devoted and did all his work with complete honesty and diligence. Keeping a watchful eye on every big and small plant, he took care of them with complete concentration and intentness. One day, the businessman asked the gardener to plant a fig tree. The next day, the gardener brought the fig plant and planted it carefully. Months elapsed, but the fig tree did not fructify. Seeing this, the businessman grew very upset and said to the gardener, “From past three years this tree has been using a vast area of land, but it has not born me a single fruit. This tree has proved fruitless. Cut it down.”

The gardener said, “Master, give me one year’s time. I will dig a basin around this tree and fertilize it with the best manure. Our equanimity and efforts will become fruitful and give new life to this stump. But even then if this tree did not effloresce, I will cut it.” The businessman agreed and next year the fig tree actually bore fruit.

Moral: Self-confidence and hard work brings success. Therefore, instead of conceding to our failure we must continuously strive for better results.

The Son Bought An Eternal Fruit For His Father

Once there was a father-son. The father often used to assign some market works to his little son so that he could acquire mundaneness. The son also used to do those works gleefully. One day, the father saw that the fruits were finished in the house. He called his son and giving him some money asked him to buy fresh fruits. When the son was on his way to the market he came across some extremely impoverished people. He felt rueful seeing their condition. There were no clothes on their body and they were dying of starvation. Having pity on them, he gave them all the money which he had kept to buy fruits. The poor people gave him a lot of blessings and bought food for themselves with that money. The boy felt exceedingly delighted and with a joyful heart he returned home empty-handed.

Seeing him empty-handed his father asked him, "Son, why didn't you bring the fruits?" Smiling happily the boy replied, "Father, I have got an eternal fruit for you." Father asked him in surprise which fruit was that. With innocence and pride the boy said, "Father, today I saw some impecunious and famished people on the way. I couldn’t see their hunger and gave them all the money I had. The food bought with that money must have satisfied their today's hunger. Father, if we would have eaten fruits with that money our mouth would have turned sweet for a few minutes, but isn’t the taste of this fruit going to last forever?" Hearing this his father happily patted his back on his instinct of compassion.

Moral: Helping needy people is our moral duty. This not only earns us virtue but also we obtain eternal and infinite delight and contentment. So, whenever and however we are in a position to help, we must help wholeheartedly.

Ho Chi Minh Understood That Pace Is Life

Ho Chi Minh, the National Hero of Vietnam wrote in one of his reminiscence, “When I was nine years old I failed in the school examination. I was very sad to see my poor exam results. My life seemed worthless and the entire world appeared to be dry and unstimulating, because of this mental turmoil and despair I thought of committing suicide. All my family members loved me a lot and they were all pained to see my disappointment. My father counseled me and tried to talk some sense into me, mother showed me great affection, the family priest gave many spell proven fruits, but everything proved futile and meaningless. I passed the days in discomfort and nights without sleep. One day I quietly ran away from home.

When I was passing near a Buddhist Monastery I heard a monk singing a melodious poem, which touched my heart. He was singing, ‘Why the water doesn’t get muddy? Because it flows. Why do not the obstacles come in the path of water? Because it flows. Why does a drop of water becomes a waterfall, a waterfall becomes a stream, a stream becomes a river, and a river becomes a sea? Because it flows. Therefore my life you do not stop, keep flowing, keep flowing.’ For a long time I kept standing speechless. When I returned I was like flowing water, even today I am like flowing water. I go all over the place and spread whatever pace is left in me because I am like flowing water, I am on the move.”

Moral: Never get disheartened on the failure of an achievement and never let the negative thoughts dominate you instead taking lesson from your failure progress towards another better goal. Being in motion is life and being motionless is death.

The Soldiers Bowed In Front Of Napoleon's Courage

Napoleon with some of his troops was going somewhere only then his general, Marchera along with nearly six-thousand soldiers blocked his way. He came with the intention of killing Napoleon. Napoleon had such a big army of soldiers that he could have easily faced the general, but he said, "I do not want to shed the blood of my own countrymen" and he mounted on a horse and advanced towards the enemy forces all alone. Being 50 meters off from the enemy forces he dismounted from the horse and moved forward on foot. Now when he was only ten meters away, Marchera targeted Napoleon and ordered his troop to fire. Pressing of a single trigger could have changed the destiny of France, but no finger pressed the trigger. Marchera's soldier ignored his orders.

Napoleon said, "Soldiers! If any one of you want to kill his emperor then accomplish your desire, I am standing alone." No one said anything. Soldiers put the guns down on the earth and began the acclamation of Emperor Napoleon. Napoleon said to an old soldier, "You raised the gun to kill me?" The soldier's eye filled with tears. He showed his gun. There was no bullet in it. The entire army had filled only ammunitions in the guns for the sound.

Moral: Where leaders are valiant and they themselves come in front to face any crisis, even their followers are loyal to them.

Ranade Explained The Benefits Of Keeping The Tongue In Control

One day, a friend of Mahadev Govind Ranade sent a basket of mangoes to their home. Ranade's wife Ramabai washed the mangoes and kept them before Ranade to eat. Having two three slices of mangoes Ranade praised its taste and said to his wife, "You also eat this and give it to the servants also." Ramabai was surprised to see that her husband only had the two three slices of the mango. So she asked her asked husband if his health was all right. Ranade said, "You must be thinking if these mangoes are so delicious then why didn't I eat much? These mangoes are indeed very delicious therefore I am not taking much." Ramabai didn't understand her husband's strange reply.

Then Ranade said, "During my childhood there was a woman in our neighborhood who was extremely rich, but unfortunately lost all her wealth and riches. With great difficulty she used to earn two meals a day for her son and herself. Many a times sitting alone she used to say to herself, "I have been an epicure throughout my life but now I explain my tongue that the days of getting four-six dishes a meal have gone. Many kinds of sweets are now rare and there is no use missing those dishes, still my tongue doesn't understand this, while my son feels contented even after eating this dry meal." Hearing that woman I made a rule to eat only a little of the food that my tongue likes."

Moral: Reducing your needs not only let you enjoy the comfortable days of life but also not let you suffer in the days of pain.

George Washington Gave The Lesson Of Punctuality

George Washington, the former President of America, was a very punctual man. He used to do all his routine work at a scheduled time. His meal time and sleeping time were all fixed. Being familiar with his temperament the servants were also accustomed to work promptly. Washington was very strict in the observance of this rule. Once, after the U.S. Congress elections were held, Washington invited the elected new Congress members to dinner. His main aim was the mutual acquaintance amongst the members and also to allocate them their duties, but the members did not arrive at the appointed time. They arrived with some delay. On coming, they saw Washington having the dinner. Members were surprised to see Washington, and thought how the President could take dinner without even waiting for his guests.

Seeing their surprise Washington said, "Brothers, why are you so surprised? I do all my works on time therefore my cook doesn't wait for all the appointed guests to come, and lay the table at the predetermined time." The members realized their mistake and asked for an apology. In this way, Washington gave the lesson of punctuality to the new members of the U.S. Congress.

Moral: The time that has past never comes back. Each moment of this life is precious therefore do your works on time so that good results can be achieved.

Vidyasagar Taught Hundred Percent Use Of The Objects

Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar and Khudiraam Bose shared a strong bond of friendship. They both often used to meet and discuss several issues. One day Khudiram Bose came over to Vidyasagar's house and they both chatted for around two hours. Vidyasagar offered him fresh oranges to eat. Khudiraam praised the taste of oranges and ate them. When Vidyasagar saw that after peeling off the orange segments and sucking it Khudiraam is throwing them down, he said, "My friend, do not throw them down they will also be of some use." Khudiram asked him with surprise, "Whom will you give these to? For what can they be used now?" Vidyasagar said to him, "Keep them outside the window and move off, you will see it yourself."

Khudiram kept the sucked orange segments outside the window and moved off. Shortly, some crows came to pick up those segments. Then, Vidyasagar said, "As long as any substance can be of some use to any creature it should not be thrown away. In fact, it should be kept in such a way that it doesn't get destroyed by dust and soil and can be used by other creatures."

Moral: The utility of creating anything is only when it gives a hundred percent access. Therefore, before throwing away any object, other potential uses of the object should be considered.

Twayinski Gave The message Of Love & Affection

Twayinski, a very big patriot of Poland, was greatly famous for his philosophical ideas. People highly honored him for his ideals and thoughts. One day when it was raining heavily, only then Twayinski had to go out for some important work. When he stepped out of his house, a dog came running towards him and started showing him affection. Twayinski also responded to its affection with great love and started dandling it. At the same time Twayinski's friend came there and was amazed to see him soaked in mud. He saw that a dog was bouncing on Twayinski messing his clothes and Twayinski too was enjoying with the dog without even caring that he was covered in mud.

Seeing Twayinski's happiness, his friend said, "Brother, your behavior towards this dog is surprising me. This dog is splotching your expensive and precious clothes and instead of shooing it off you love him." Twayinski smiled and said, "This dog got me the first time and expressed great closeness considering me his friend. His feelings are admirable. If I brush him away in fascination of my precious clothes his feelings will get hurt. My expensive clothes are of no value in front of his love."

Moral: Every creature is the creation of God therefore considering God's presence in every creature and keeping a friendly behavior towards one, and everyone is preferable. Such feeling is the true worship of God.

Progress Of A Woodcutter

Once there was a woodcutter who lived in a village with his family. Inspite of toiling day and night his life was encircled with scarcities. Observing his financial condition for many days, one day a Saint said to him, "My child! Move ahead - move ahead - move ahead...!" Listening to him, the woodcutter moved a little ahead from the place where he used to work and found a sandal wood forest there. He began cutting and selling sandal wood earning a good amount of money from it. One day again the Saint met him and explained him, "Do not stop at one level of progress in life or else you will putrefy like the water of lake. Therefore, keep moving, keep progressing."

The woodcutter again moved ahead from the sandal wood forests and this time he found copper mines. He earned a lot of money from that mine. Later, with continuous progress and efforts he found a silver mine and became affluent. Again the Saint explained him, "My son! Do not stop here. As you have earned so much money and riches with constant progress in life likewise happens in state of religion and good deeds." Now the woodcutter progressed on the path of good deeds and religious works. As a result he found gold and diamond mines and became very rich. Now there was no scarcity in his life and he was pleased and delighted.

Moral: Progression is another name for life which can be achieved only with continuous efforts. Stopping at one place will not only restrict our progress but will also make us feel discontented and unhappy. The feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment can be achieved only with the innovation and continuity of actions. Stagnation is the father of inertia and depression whereas progress leads to development, growth and happiness.

A Golden Axe

One day two friends were going somewhere and they saw a golden axe lying on the way. One of them jumped on it and grabbed it. He looked at it for a while and said, 'Aha! I am very lucky to find this golden axe. I will sell this and get lot of money'. On hearing this his friend said, 'Why are you saying that 'You' found this axe? You must say that 'We' found this axe because we both saw it together'. The first friend said, 'I picked the golden axe first, so how can you have any share in it? I will not share it with you'. The second friend kept quiet. Meanwhile the owner of the golden axe came there and asked the one who held the axe, 'Where are you taking my axe? You robber, I will take you to the king'.

He got very scared and told his friend that we both are in great trouble now, neither we would have picked this axe nor we would have been in problem. To this his friend replied, 'A couple of minutes back you were saying that the axe belong to you and now after being caught you are changing colors. It is not 'We' but 'You' who is in trouble'. Hearing this the first friend started crying, the second friend had compassion on him and told the owner of the axe that my friend did not steal your axe, he found it lying here so you cannot blame him for theft. The axe owner released him. The first friend realised his mistake and regretted on deceiving his friend.

Moral: Equal contribution in joy and sorrow make the true friendship go on.

God Refused To Take Offerings

A man was returning from the jungle with loads of wood logs piled on his bullock cart. While crossing the muddy area through the forest one of the cart wheel got stuck in the mud. The man tried hard to pull out the cart wheel from the mud, he even beat the bulls but all his efforts went in vain. He could find no one for his help finally he closed his eyes and prayed, 'Oh God! Please help me and get this cart out from the mud safely. I will present you great offerings in the temple'. God heard his prayer and appeared. He asked the man 'What do you want?'

The man humbly put his request in front of God and also mentioned about the offerings. God smiled and said, 'Don't beat the bulls rather push the wheel with full force and call out loud for your bulls and see if the cart wheel comes out of the mud or not'. The man did the same and his cart came out safely. He thanked God and promised to pay offerings as he reach home but God said, 'I do not need offerings, I did not help you with your bullock cart you yourself did this job'. God further said, 'I help those who themselves make an effort to accomplish their tasks but those who seek others for help and make no effort themselves do not receive my blessings'.

Moral: God help those who help themselves and when we do our work ourselves many helping hands join our way.