Wisdom stories, timeless vessels of insight, have long served as guiding stars in the human quest for understanding and enlightenment. These narratives, rich with the distilled knowledge of generations, offer much more than mere amusement; they are the repositories of profound truths and life lessons. In the rapidly changing landscape of our current society, the enduring wisdom encapsulated in these stories is not just beneficial but essential.
The act of reading wisdom stories is akin to engaging in a dialogue with the sages of old. These tales illuminate the complexities of human nature and the intricacies of the world around us. They encourage critical thinking and the questioning of assumptions, fostering a deeper appreciation for the subtleties of life’s experiences. Wisdom stories have the power to sharpen the mind and soften the heart, cultivating both intellect and empathy.
In an era marked by information overload and fleeting attention spans, wisdom stories cut through the noise, offering clarity and perspective. They remind us of the value of patience, the virtue of humility, and the importance of discernment. By presenting scenarios that reveal the consequences of choices, these stories reinforce the significance of thoughtful decision-making and the pursuit of ethical living.
Moreover, wisdom stories are a cultural touchstone, bridging the past and present, and connecting diverse peoples through shared human experiences. They underscore the commonality of our struggles and triumphs, fostering a sense of solidarity and community.
In conclusion, wisdom stories stand as beacons of insight in a world often shrouded in uncertainty. They prompt us to reflect on the principles that underpin a life well-lived and challenge us to embody the timeless virtues they extol. As society forges ahead into an ever-evolving future, these stories remain a compass, guiding us toward a more thoughtful, compassionate, and wise existence.
Wisdom Story: “A Box Full of Kisses”
"The story goes back some time ago. A man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, “This is for ...
Wisdom Story: “A Cartload of Almonds”
"A squirrel joined the service of the King of the Forest, the lion. He did whatever work was given him, quickly and well. The lion became fond of him and promised to give him a cart full of almonds as pension when he retired. The squirrel envied the other squirrels in the forest because of their carefree life. He longed ...
Wisdom Story: “A Father Learns A Lesson from His Son”
"Velan was a carpenter. He was living in a village. His mother dies a long time back. His aged father, Kuppan, lived with Velan. Kuppan was very weak. He could not even walk well. He was so weak. It was because Velan did not give him enough food. He had given his father a small earthen plate. Even a small ...
Wisdom Story: “A Foot has No Nose”
"Of the many interactions I had with my mother those many years ago, one stands out with clarity. I remember the occasion when mother sent me to the main road, about twenty yards away from the homestead, to invite a passing group of seasonal work-seekers home for a meal. She instructed me to take a container along and collect dry ...
Wisdom Story: “A Guilty Conscience need No Accuser”
"One fine day, Akbar lost his ring. When Birbal arrived in the court, Akbar told him "I have lost my ring. My father had given it to me as a gift. Please help me find it.” Birbal said ”do not worry your Majesty, I will find your ring right now.” He said, ”Your Majesty the ring is here in this ...
Wisdom Story: “A Recipe for Immortality”
"A stranger informed the Prince of Yen that he could make him immortal, and the Prince bade one of his subjects learn this art : but before the man could do so the stranger died. Then the prince, in great anger, executed his subject. He failed to see that the stranger was cheating him, but taken in by his lies ...
Wisdom Story: “A Sense of A Goose”
"Next autumn, when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying in a V formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying ...
Wisdom Story: “A Town Mouse and A Country Mouse”
"A Town Mouse and a Country Mouse were friends. The Country Mouse one day invited his friend to come and see him at his home in the fields. The Town Mouse came and they sat down to a dinner of barleycorns and roots the latter of which had a distinctly earthy flavour. The flavour was not much to the taste ...
Wisdom Story: “A Wise Counting”
"Emperor Akbar was in the habit of putting riddles and puzzles to his courtiers. He often asked questions which were strange and witty. It took much wisdom to answer these questions. Once he asked a very strange question. The courtiers were dumb folded by his question. Akbar glanced at his courtiers. As he looked, one by one the heads began ...
Wisdom Story: “All the Time in the World”
"While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. “That’s my son over there,” she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide. “He’s a fine looking boy,” the man said. “That’s my son on the swing in the blue sweater.” ...
Wisdom Story: “Almsfood is Almsfood”
"Once there lived a kind-hearted brahmin who often offered food to the Buddha and his monks whenever they came by on their almsround. One day they happened to arrive when he was already in the middle of his meal, and though they patiently stood in front of his door, he did not notice them. His wife did, however, but she ...
Wisdom Story: “Arresting the Stone Buddha”
"A merchant bearing fifty rolls of cotton goods on his shoulders stopped to rest from the heat of the day beneath a shelter where a large stone Buddha was standing. There he fell asleep, and when he awoke his goods had disappeared. He immediately reported the matter to the police. A judge named O-oka opened court to investigate. "That stone ...
Wisdom Story: “Avaricious and Envious”
"Two neighbours came before Jupiter and prayed him to grant their hearts' desire. Now the one was full of avarice, and the other eaten up with envy. So to punish them both, Jupiter granted that each might have whatever he wished for himself, but only on condition that his neighbour had twice as much. The Avaricious man prayed to have ...
Wisdom Story: “Best Flowers”
"One day Akbar was taking a walk in his Royal gardens with several courtiers. Many flowers were flowering at that time of season. A poet pointed out towards a beautiful flower and said, “Look Jahaanpanaah, how beautiful flower that is? No man can produce such a beautiful thing as this.” Birbal was also there. He said, “I don’t agree with ...
Wisdom Story: “Birbal Outwits Cheat”
"A farmer and his neighbor once went to Emperor Akbar's court with a complaint. "Your Majesty, I bought a well from him," said the farmer pointing to his neighbor," and now he wants me to pay for the water." "That's right, your Majesty," said the neighbor. "I sold him the well but not the water!" The Emperor asked Birbal to ...
Wisdom Story: “Birbal Returns Home”
"Birbal was in Persia at the invitation of the king of that country. Parties were given in his honor and rich presents were heaped on him. On the eve of his departure for home, a nobleman asked him how he would compare the king of Persia to his own king. “Your king is a full moon,” said Birbal. “Whereas mine ...
Wisdom Story: “Birbal The Servant”
"One day Akbar and Birbal were riding through the countryside and they happened to pass by a cabbage patch. "Cabbages are such delightful vegetables!" said Akbar. "I just love cabbage." "The cabbage is king of vegetables!" said Birbal. A few weeks later they were riding past the cabbage patch again. This time however, the emperor made a face when he ...
Wisdom Story: “Birbal’s Sweet Reply”
"One day the Emperor Akbar startled his courtiers with a strange question. "If somebody pulled my whiskers what sort of punishment should be given to him?" he asked. "He should be flogged!" said one courtier. "He should be hanged!" said another. "He should be beheaded!" said a third. "And what about you, Birbal?" asked the emperor. "What do you think ...
Wisdom Story: “Blame”
"One day a man went for a walk on the beach. He saw that a ship full of passengers struck a rock and capsized in the sea. The ship went under water and all the people on board fell into the sea. As they did not know how to swim, they drowned one by one. The man watched all this ...
Wisdom Story: “Boar with Foresight”
"A wild boar was rubbing his tusks against a tree. A fox passing by asked him what he was doing. "My tusks are my weapons," said the boar. "I'm sharpening them." "Why waste time sharpening your weapons when there's no danger in sight?" said the fox. "You're being foolish." Just then a hunter appeared on the scene. Frightened by the ...
Wisdom Story: “Buddha’s Zen”
"Buddha said: "I consider the positions of kings and rulers as that of dust motes. I observe treasures of gold and gems as so many bricks and pebbles. I look upon the finest silken robes as tattered rags. I see myriad worlds of the universe as small seeds of fruit, and the greatest lake in India as a drop of ...
Wisdom Story: “Butterfly Lovers”
"Long ago in China, at a time when girls were expected to stay at home and learn household work while the boys went to school, a girl named Zhu conceived a desire to study. Her family was wealthy and Zhu was pampered but her father did not want to go against tradition. When she pestered him he told her if ...
Wisdom Story: “Changing Our Vision”
"There was a very wealthy man who was bothered by severe eye pain. He consulted many physicians and was being treated by several. He did not stop consulting a galaxy of medical experts; he consumed heavy loads of drugs and underwent hundreds of injections. But the ache persisted with more vigour than before. At last, a monk who was supposed ...
Wisdom Story: “Cycle of Evil”
"There was once a king who was so cruel and unjust that his subjects yearned for his death or dethronement. However, one day he surprised them all by announcing that he had decided to turn over a new leaf. “No more cruelty, no more injustice,” he promised, and he was as good as his word. He became known as the ...
Wisdom Story: “Different Ways”
"Once, an aged man was going to attend a religious gathering. A young man left his home to go and meet his fiancée. As they went on their way, their paths led them to the same road. They met on the road. Soon, both the travellers began to talk and they became very friendly with each other. The aged man ...
Wisdom Story: “Dream Comes True”
"Once, poor Bhiku went to Bansi Lal's shop. Bansi Lal asked Bhiku, "Why are you standing here like this?" Bhiku said, "Last night I saw a dream." “What about the dream?" Bansi Lal smiled. "I saw that I would get gold here, in front of your shop," Bhiku replied seriously. Bansi Lal laughed and said, "You fool, dreams never come ...
Wisdom Story: “Fear vs Respect”
"Long time ago very cruel king name Virat Singh was ruling the city of Vijay Nagar. All citizens were fearful because of his cruelty. Virat has a dog named Jack, which he used to love more than anything, one fateful morning Jack died. Virat Singh organized last rituals for dog; entire city came to cremation ground. Virat Singh was very ...
Wisdom Story: “Four Words”
"A king called all of his wise men and counsellors together for a meeting. He addressed them and said: “I want you to go and think, read, and research. Consult the wisest and most learned men in the land. Spare no expense. I want you to find the ONE statement that will get me through all situations in life. Whether ...
Wisdom Story: “God is Merciful”
"A king had a large orchard. He had got a variety of fruit trees planted there. He employed a skilled gardener to take care of the fruit trees. One day, the gardener would pick the ripe and juicy fruits from the various trees and gather them in a basket. Every morning when the royal court was in session, the gardener ...
Wisdom Story: “Hanging Together”
"The cranes were eating grain from his field, so the farmer set a trap and caught several of them. Among them was a stork. “You can see I don’t belong here,” said the stork. “I’m a law- abiding bird. Please let me go.” You may well be what you claim to be,” said the farmer. “But I caught you along ...
