The Farmer and the Horse or How the Farmer’s wife died Once upon a time there was a farmer. He had a large property and many fine fields. He decided to plant his fields with corn, so he got a strong smart horse to take him into town to buy seeds and pull his plow … Read moreThe Farmer and the Horse
The donkey One day a farmer’s donkey fell into a well. The farmer frantically thought what to do as the stricken animal cried out to be rescued. With no obvious solution, the farmer regretfully concluded that as the donkey was old, and as the well needed to be filled in anyway, he should give up … Read moreThe donkey
The buddha and the abuse A tale is told about the Buddha, Gautama (563-483BC), the Indian prince and spiritual leader whose teachings founded Buddhism. This short story illustrates that every one of us has the choice whether or not to take personal offence from another person’s behaviour. It is said that on an occasion when … Read moreThe buddha and the abuse
The very old lady A very old lady looked in the mirror one morning. She had three remaining hairs on her head, and being a positive soul, she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.” So she braided her three hairs, and she had a great day. Some days later, looking in the mirror … Read moreThe very old lady
Rocks in Bucket Start with a bucket, some big rocks enough to fill it, some small stones, some sand and water. Put the big rocks in the bucket – is it full? Put the small stones in around the big rocks – is it full? Put the sand in and give it a shake – … Read moreRocks in Bucket
The bath and the bucket A party of suppliers was being given a tour of a mental hospital. One of the visitors had made some very insulting remarks about the patients. After the tour the visitors were introduced to various members of staff in the canteen. The rude visitor chatted to one of the security … Read moreThe bath and the bucket
The Hearing Aid An old lady had a hearing-aid fitted, hidden underneath her hair. A week later she returned to the doctor for her check-up. “It’s wonderful – I can hear everything now,” she reported very happily to the doctor. “And is your family pleased too?” asked the doctor. “Oh I haven’t told them yet,” … Read moreThe Hearing Aid
A blind man had been waiting a while at a busy road for someone to offer to guide him across, when he felt a tap on his shoulder. “Excuse me,” said the tapper, “I’m blind – would you mind guiding me across the road?”The first blind man took the arm of the second blind man, … Read morethey both crossed the road
If one speaks or acts with a cruel mind, misery follows, as the cart follows the horse … If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows, as a shadow follows its source. – the Dhammapa