The Ant and The Grasshopper

The ant and the grasshopper were good friends. In the summer, the ant works hard
to fill his storage with food. While the grasshopper was enjoying the fine weather and
playing all day.

When winter came, the ant was lying cosily in his home, surrounded by the
food he stored during the summer. While the grasshopper was in his home, hungry
and freezing. He asked the ant for food, and the ant gave him some. But it wasn’t
enough to last the entire winter.

When he tried to ask the ant again, the latter replied: “I’m sorry my friend but my food
is just enough for my family to last until the end of winter. If I give you more, we too
will starve. We had the entire summer to prepare for the winter but you chose to play
instead.”

Winter, in this story, represents a time in our lives when food and resources
are scarce. Summer is that time when everything is abundant. So, if you have a lot
right now, save some of it for the winter.
 The Thirsty Crow

One hot day, a thirsty crow flew all over the fields looking for water. For a long time,
he could not find any. He felt very weak, almost lost all hope. Suddenly, he saw a
water jug below the tree. He flew straight down to see if there was any water inside.
Yes, he could see some water inside the jug!

The crow tried to push his head into the jug. Sadly, he found that the neck of
the jug was too narrow. Then he tried to push the jug to tilt for the water to flow out,
but the jug was too heavy.

The crow thought hard for a while. Then, looking around it, he saw some
pebbles. He suddenly had a good idea. He started picking up the pebbles one by
one, dropping each into the jug. As more and more pebbles filled the jug, the water
level kept rising. Soon it was high enough for the crow to drink. His plan had worked!

This story tells us, we must think and work hard. At the end we may find
solution to any problem.
 The King’s Painting

There was a king with only one leg and one eye, but he was kind and good at ruling.
One day, while walking in his palace, he saw the portraits of his ancestors on the
walls. He wanted a portrait of himself too but wasn’t sure how it would look because
of his physical differences. The king invited painters from all over and asked who
could make a beautiful picture of him. The painters didn’t know how to make the king
look good with only one leg and one eye, so they politely said no.

Then, a young painter stepped up and promised to make a beautiful portrait.

This story tells us, we must look at the positive aspects of someone rather
than their weaknesses.
 The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Every day, a young shepherd boy living in a village would take his flock of sheep to
graze on a nearby hill. One day, while the sheep were grazing, the boy felt bored
and decided to play a prank on the people of his village. "Wolf...Wolf!" he cried out
as loud as he could.

Listening to his cries for help, the villagers rushed to help. And, when they
came close, he began laughing. When the villagers understood that the boy had
fooled them, they were very angry. Warning him not to play the prank again, they
returned.

However, the boy indulged in the mischief again a few days later. This time
too, the villagers warned the boy before returning to the village.

A few days later, the villagers heard the boy's cries for help once again. And,
this time, it was for real. However, the villagers were tired of being laughed at and
didn't think that the boy was really in trouble. So, they ignored his cries for help. And,
the wolf killed and ate all his sheep.

This story tells us, people do not believe liars even when they tell the truth.
 The Midas Touch

There was once a king named Midas who loved gold. One day, God appeared
before him and asked him to wish for anything. Midas said, "Everything I touch
should turn to gold." God granted his wish and told him that, from the next day,
everything he touched would turn to gold. Midas was very happy. He woke up early
the next morning and went around touching everything and turning them to gold.

After a while, Midas felt hungry. He picked up a piece of bread to eat, but it
turned to gold. When he picked up a glass of water to quench his thirst, it turned to
gold as well. As Midas was thinking about what to do, his daughter rushed to him.
And, when Midas touched her, she turned into a golden statue.

Midas, feeling sad and crying, no longer wanted the gift. He prayed to God
and repented for his greed. God, pleased with his prayer. After a while, everything he
had changed to gold had turned back to normal.

This story tells us, we shouldn’t be greedy. There are many things in life more
important than gold or riches.
 The Mouse And The Lion

One day, a Mouse running over his face awakened a Lion from sleep. Rising up
angrily, he caught him and was about to kill him. Then the Mouse piteously
entreated, saying: “If you would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your
kindness.”

The Lion laughed at him but allowed him to go. It happened shortly after this
that some hunters, who bound him by strong ropes to the ground, caught the Lion.
The Mouse, recognizing his roar, came and gnawed the rope with his teeth, and set
him free.

“You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you, never expecting to
receive from me any repayment of your favour. Now you know that it is possible for
even a Mouse to confer benefits on a Lion.”

This story tells us, it is possible for even a Mouse to confer benefits on a Lion.
 The Wolf And The Crane

One day, a Wolf had been feasting too greedily, and a bone had stuck crosswise in
his throat. He could get it neither up nor down, and of course, he could not eat a
thing. Naturally, that was an awful state of affairs for a greedy Wolf.

So away he hurried to the Crane. He was sure that she, with her long neck
and bill, would easily be able to reach the bone and pull it out. “I will reward you very
handsomely”, said the Wolf, “if you pull that bone out for me”.

The Crane, as you can imagine, was very uneasy about putting her head in
Wolf’s throat. But she was grasping in nature, so she did what the Wolf asked her to
do. When the Wolf felt that the bone was gone, he started to walk away.

“But what about my reward!” called the Crane anxiously.

“What!” snarled the Wolf, whirling around. “Haven’t you got it? Isn’t it enough that I
let you take your head out of my mouth without snapping it off?”

This story tells us, expect no reward for serving the one who has no honour.
Staying in a company of selfish people will not do anyone any favour.