Parables for children

Parable of Good and Evil

Once upon a time, an old Indian revealed to his grandson the truth of life:

- In every person there is a struggle, very similar to the struggle of two wolves. One wolf represents evil - envy, jealousy, selfishness, ambition, lies...

The other wolf represents goodness - peace, love, hope, truth, kindness, loyalty...

The little Indian, touched to the depths of his soul by his grandfather's words, thought for a few moments, and then asked:

- Which wolf wins at the end?

The old Indian smiled almost imperceptibly and replied:

“The wolf you feed always wins.”

wise father

The carpenter taught his two sons to work from childhood. At first, the boys just played with planks, and then they learned how to process them and make wooden toys. One day the father was away on business and the boys decided to do something on their own. - I will make a bench, like a real carpenter, - said the older boy. - But dad did not teach us how to make a bench. It seems to me that it is difficult, - objected the younger brother. "It's easy for a carpenter to make a bench," the older boy proudly declared. - I'll make a boat. It's spring now, and I'll let him into the stream, - the younger one decided. He planed the plank for a long time and diligently so that it looked like a boat, and then he made a mast from a stick and a sail from paper. The older boy did his best too. When all the parts of the bench were ready, he began to knock them down. This proved to be difficult, as the pieces were not made to size and did not fit well together. When the father returned, the youngest son showed him his boat. - A wonderful toy. Run outside, send the boat to sail, - praised the father. Then he asked the eldest son: - And what did you do? He showed a crooked bench. "Your nails don't drive in well," the boy muttered and blushed. “Son, if you want to become a real master, always drive in the nail that is driven in,” his father said sternly.

Questions and tasks:

• Why did the older boy decide that he himself could make a bench?
• What did father mean when he said, “Drive in the nail that is driven in”?
• Tell us about a craft you have made yourself?
• Do you think children need to learn crafts nowadays?
• Draw what you would like to do with your hands.

Respect for mother

The first rich man of the city arranged a holiday in honor of the birth of his son. All noble citizens were invited. Only the rich man's mother didn't come to the party. She lived far away in the village and, apparently, could not come. On the occasion of the wonderful event, tables were set up in the central square of the city and treats were prepared for everyone. In the midst of the holiday, an old woman covered with a veil knocked at the gate of the rich man. - All beggars eat in the central square. Go there, - the servant ordered the beggar. “I don’t need treats, just let me look at the baby for one minute,” the old woman asked, and then added: “I am also a mother, and I also once had a son. Now I have been living alone for a long time, and have not seen my son for many years. The servant asked the master what to do.

The rich man looked out the window and saw a poorly dressed woman covered with an old veil. - You see - this is a beggar. Drive her away,” he angrily ordered the servant. - Every beggar has his own mother, but I cannot allow all of them to look at my son. The old woman began to cry and said sadly to the servant: - Tell the owner that I wish my son and grandson health and happiness, and also say: "Whoever respects his mother will not scold someone else." When the servant conveyed the words of the old woman, the rich man realized that it was his mother who came to him. He ran out of the house, but his mother was nowhere to be seen.

Questions and tasks:

• Why didn't the old woman immediately say that she had come to her son?
• How should children be raised so that they show respect for other people's mothers?
• Tell me about all the good things your mom did for you.
• Think of a way to thank your mom so that she remembers it for a long time. For example, kiss her hand, write a love letter, make a gift with your own hands, etc.

alien mother

The old woman walked with difficulty along the muddy road. She had a large bag over her shoulders.

She had just left the city when she saw that a wagon was coming towards her.

The young driver stopped and waited for the old woman to step aside and clear the way for him.

The old woman gasped and asked the young man:

Take me home, honey, and I'll give you half a bag of rice. Kind people gave a bag of rice, but it is too heavy, I'm afraid I won't carry it.

I'm sorry, I can't, mother. For two days I worked without rest - I drove people. I myself was tired and my horse was tired, - the driver refused.

The wagon left, and the old woman, lifting the sack with difficulty over her shoulders, wandered on.

Suddenly she heard behind her the clatter of hooves and the voice of a young driver:

Sit down, mother. I decided to take you anyway.

The young man helped the old woman into the wagon and packed her sack. The journey took about two hours.

In order not to fall asleep from fatigue, the young man told the old woman about his life.

I came here with a horse from a mountain village to work. I am the only son of my mother and I must help her repay a debt to a rich neighbor.

My son also went to a foreign land to earn money. We haven't heard from him for a long time, - the mother sighed.

Arriving at the house, the old woman invited the young man to pour half of the rice out of the bag.

I will not take rice, - the young man refused. - Seeing you, I remembered my mother.

Mother is a spring at the foot of the mountain. Maybe someone will also give my mother a ride when her old legs have a hard time climbing up the mountain.

Questions and tasks:

Why did a young man give a free ride to an elderly woman, despite the fact that he was tired?

Do you think someone will help his mother in the mountains if it is difficult for her?

How would you help your mother if you were far away from her and could not come?

Write the word "MAMA" in beautiful letters so that each letter looks like your mother.

Why is it bad for one

Three small children were with their parents and one eldest daughter was an assistant. From morning to evening she nursed the younger children: fed, consoled, washed. In the evening, when the kids fell asleep, the girl helped her mother to wash and clean everything.

Once a girl went to the river for water and found someone's staff in the water. She pulled the staff out of the river and sees: the grandmother is walking along the shore.

Grandma, isn't this your staff? - asked the girl. The grandmother grabbed the staff, was delighted:

This is my magic staff. For finding him, I will reward you. Say what you want? “Most of all I want to rest for a day,” the girl replied. - You can rest as long as you want. My magic staff will grant any wish. - It's good, - the girl was delighted, - but who will feed me? "Don't worry about that," Grandmother said, and waved her staff.

Everything swirled before the eyes of the girl, and she found herself in a castle of wondrous beauty. In every room of the castle there were invisible servants who watered, fed, washed and dressed the girl. There was no one around the castle, only the birds were singing in the garden.

The day passed, the second passed, the girl got bored, so much so that everything around became not at all joyful, and she cried:

I want to go home. They'll probably disappear without my help. “If you return home, you will work without rest for the rest of your life,” someone’s voice sounded. - Well, let. Alone man and heaven is not heaven- said the girl. At the same moment she was at home. Her brothers and sisters rushed to her. One - asks to eat, the other - to drink, the third - to play, and the girl is happy.

Questions and tasks:

• Why do you think the girl did not stay in the wonderful castle, although the sorceress told her that she would work until the end of her life without rest if she left?
• Would you agree to live on a paradise island alone?
• Why is it bad for a person alone, even if he has everything?
• Can a person feel lonely if he lives in a big city?
• Draw a magical island with a castle, and next to you and everyone you love.

Who is more tender?

Two daughters grew up with their father, but he loved the eldest daughter more. She was very pretty: her face was rosy, her voice was sweet, her hair was fluffy.

“You are tender, like a rose in the garden,” said the father, admiring his eldest daughter.

The younger daughter was also good and obedient, but her father did not like her: her face was rough, the skin on her hands was rough from homework. Therefore, her father spoiled her less, forced her to work more.

Once a misfortune happened to my father while hunting. The gun exploded in his hands. His hands and face were burned by the explosion and shrapnel wounded him.

The doctor treated the wounds and put a bandage on his hands and face. The father became helpless, he does not see anything, he cannot eat.

The youngest daughter said: - Do not worry, dad, I will be your hands and eyes until you get better.

Then she gave her father a drink of healing broth and fed him.

For a whole year, the youngest daughter took care of her father. The wounds on the arms healed quickly, but the eyes had to be treated for a long time. Sometimes the father asked his eldest daughter to sit next to him, but she was always busy: either she hurried to the garden for a walk, or she hurried to a date.

Finally, the bandage was removed from the father's eyes. He sees his two daughters standing in front of him. The eldest is a gentle beauty, and the youngest is the most ordinary.

The father hugged his youngest daughter and said:

Thank you, daughter, for your care, I did not know before that you are so kind and gentle.

I think I'm much softer! exclaimed the eldest daughter.

During my illness, I realized that tenderness is not determined by the softness of the skin. - answered the father.

Questions and tasks:

Why, before the accident, the father did not see that his youngest daughter was kinder and more tender than the eldest?

Who is the sweetest in your family?

What are some ways to show affection?

Come up with tender words for all members of your family and give them to loved ones.

Who loves more?

The leader of the tribe was old and strong. The leader had three adult sons. In the morning they went into their father's house and bowed. - Your wisdom, father, keeps our lives! exclaimed the eldest son. - Your mind, father, multiplies our wealth! - said the middle son. “Hello, father,” said the youngest son. The father nodded amiably, but at the words of the youngest son his brows frowned. Then the father went hunting with the hunters and one of his sons. Only he never took his youngest son hunting. “You, the youngest son, help the women gather the roots,” ordered the father. The youngest son also wanted to go hunting, but it was impossible to break the word of the leader.

Once a bear hurt the leader's hand. The whole tribe rejoiced at the rich booty, but the leader left the feast because his hand was very sore.

In the morning the sons entered their father's house and saw that he was unconscious. The hand was swollen and red.

The eldest sons immediately announced to everyone that the leader was ill with blood poisoning, that there was no escape from this disease, and a new leader had to be chosen.

The eldest and middle son offered themselves as leaders, praising their merits. The people of the tribe decided in a week to arrange a battle between the brothers. Whoever wins will become the leader.

Meanwhile, the younger one treated his father with herbs and roots. He studied their properties well while collecting them. Father felt better, and the swelling subsided. “When you get sick, you will find out who loves more,” the father said to his youngest son. When the day of the battle came, the leader came out of the dwelling in full combat gear and announced menacingly: - I am the leader of the tribe and will be so until death, and after me my youngest son will become the leader.

Questions and tasks:

• Why do you think the two eldest sons praised their father, while the third son just said hello?
• In what way, besides words, can a person show his love for another person?
• If you were the leader of a tribe, how would you check who loves you more?
• Why did the youngest son decide to treat his father, although the disease was considered incurable?
• Draw a portrait of the person you love the most.

What do books contain?

The chief's little son was a smart boy. Once a white teacher came to the tribe and said that a school had opened in the village. The teacher suggested that the leader enroll the children of the tribe in school. The leader thought and brought his son to school, but he did not want to study. “Father, nature will teach me everything I need,” said the boy. “First learn to read, and then speak,” said the father. The boy went to school, but did not listen well to the teacher. He only liked Natural History. One day the teacher brought figs to the lesson. - These fruits are bitter! the boy exclaimed. - I tried them at the beginning of summer in the forest. “I also saw a wasp crawl inside. Whoever eats this fruit will be stung by a wasp,” the boy added. - The fruits of figs are sweet and healthy, - the teacher explained. - At the beginning of summer they are bitter from the white milky juice that is in unripe fruits. In spring, fleshy fruits appear on the fig tree, inside of which flowers are hidden. Small fig wasps carry pollen from one flower to another. Without this, the fruits will dry out and not turn into sweet figs. - How do you know that, teacher? the boy asked in surprise. - I read about it in books. Books store knowledge. The stars will appear - they will decorate the sky, knowledge will appear - they will decorate the mind, - the teacher answered. From that day on, the chief's son became a diligent student and soon learned to read and write. The father, seeing his son with a book, said: - I am glad, son, that you have learned to read, just do not forget our customs. - Sunrise awakens nature, reading a book enlightens the head, - the son smiled.

Questions and tasks:

• Why did the boy think that nature would teach him everything?
• How and what does nature teach people?
• Tell us about something unusual that you learned from books.
• Everyone lists everything he knows and receives from the teacher as many pebbles as he listed points. Children should put their stones into glass vessels with the same amount of water. The water in the vessels will rise. The teacher explains to the children that knowledge elevates a person in the same way that pebbles raise the water level.

Dialogue - presentation

"Land of Courtesy"

Let's imagine that you have two pointers in front of you. One of them points to the country of Politeness, and the other to the country where there are no rules. Which of these countries would you like to visit? (I warn you that the path to the country of Politeness lies through a country in which there are no rules) - So, we find ourselves in a country where there are no rules. The main slogans in this country are the slogans: “But I want it that way!”, “But I don’t care”, “I am the most, the most!” - Imagine for a moment what you can see on the streets of this country? – Would you like to stay in this country for at least a day, two, a week? Why? “Now let’s hurry to the land of Politeness.” It is ruled by the Queen of Ethics. She is young, beautiful, graceful. It was she who taught everyone to be kind and considerate, fair and accurate. It was she who taught the inhabitants of her country not only to observe the rules of conduct, but also to treat each other well. In this country, everyone is a little magician. He will certainly cheer up the sad, help you, be happy with you and your successes. - So, if you want to become a little kind magicians, then you must definitely get acquainted with kind (magic) words. Thank you ("God save you") Good morning! Good afternoon! Good evening! Please! (“perhaps” - do me a favor, do me a favor; “hundred” is a form of address. for example, Andrei - a hundred, perhaps to me tomorrow for a name day).

The story of V.A. Sukhomlinsky "Ordinary Man"

try to determine what kind of actions people are talking about in it?

“There is a well in the hot dry steppe. There is a hut near the well, a grandfather and grandson live in it. There is a bucket on a long rope at the well. People go, they go - they turn to the well, drink water, thank their grandfather.

One day the bucket broke off and fell into a deep well. My grandfather didn't have another bucket. Nothing to get water and drink.

The next day, in the morning, a man in a cart drives up to his grandfather's hut. He has a bucket under the straw. The traveler looked at the well, looked at his grandfather and grandson, whipped the horses and rode on.

This is not a man, - answered the grandfather.

At noon, another owner drove past the grandfather's hut. He took out a bucket from under the straw, tied it to a rope, took out water and got drunk himself, gave it to his grandfather and grandson to drink; poured water into the dry sand, hid the bucket again in the straw, and drove off.

What is this person? asked the grandson of his grandfather.

And this is not yet a man, - answered the grandfather.

In the evening, a third traveler stopped at the grandfather's hut. He took a bucket out of the cart, tied it to a rope, got some water, and got drunk. He thanked me and drove off, leaving the bucket tied by the well.

And what kind of person is this? - asked the grandson of his grandfather.

An ordinary person, - answered the grandfather.

What can you say about the main characters of the story? What are they? Why?

Do you agree with the characterization that grandfather gave to passers-by? What is he - an ordinary person? - (kind, take care of others, helps ...) At different times, people had a different concept of norms, we will talk about this in the next lesson.

Lesson on the fairy tale MOTHER'S HEART

A big beauty birch grew in the forest with three little daughters - thin-stemmed birch trees. With her spreading branches, the Birch mother protected her daughters from wind and rain. And in the hot summer - from the scorching sun. Birches quickly grew up and enjoyed life. Next to their mother, they were not afraid of anything.

One day a severe thunderstorm broke out in the forest. Thunder rumbled, lightning flashed in the sky. The little birches trembled with fear. Birch tightly hugged them with branches and began to reassure: “Do not be afraid, lightning will not notice you behind my branches. I am the tallest tree in the forest."

Before Birch's mother had time to finish, a deafening crack sounded, a sharp lightning struck directly at Birch and scorched the core of the trunk. Birch, remembering that she must protect her daughters, did not catch fire. The downpour and the wind tried to knock down Birch, but she still stood.

Not for a minute did Bereza forget about her children, not for a minute did she loosen her embrace. Only when the thunderstorm passed, the wind died down, and the sun shone again over the washed earth, the trunk of the Birch swayed. As she fell, she whispered to her children: “Don't be afraid, I'm not leaving you. Lightning failed to break my heart. My fallen trunk will be overgrown with moss and grass, but a mother's heart will never stop beating in it. With these words, the trunk of Mother Birch collapsed, without hitting any of the three thin-barreled daughters during the fall.

Since then, three slender birches have been growing around the old stump. And near the birches lies a trunk overgrown with moss and grass. If you come across this place in the forest, sit down to rest on the birch trunk - it is surprisingly soft! And then close your eyes and listen. You will surely hear how a mother's heart beats in it ...

Questions and tasks for the fairy tale:

• Tell us how three friendly sisters will live without a mother. In what and how will the mother's heart help them?
• Imagine that all the trees are a big family. Tell us who are the parents in this family, who are the grandparents, who are the children.
• Why do you think mothers always protect their children?
• Think and tell how you can help your mother if she has trouble at work, feels unwell, etc.
• Imagine that your mother had to leave for one week, and you need to do all your mother's business for a week. List these tasks and think about when and how you will do them.

"Thank you" V.A. Sukhomlinsky

Two people were walking along the forest road - grandfather and a boy. It was hot, they wanted to drink. The travelers came to a stream. Cool water gurgled softly. They leaned over and got drunk. “Thank you, you have a stream,” said grandfather. The boy laughed. - Why did you say "thank you" to the stream? - he asked grandfather - After all, the stream is not alive, will not hear your words, will not understand your gratitude. - This is true. If the wolf got drunk, he would not say “thank you”. And we are not wolves, we are people. Do you know why a person says "thank you"? Think who needs this word? The boy thought. He had plenty of time. The road was long...

parables is an excellent example of passing on the wisdom and instructiveness of the elders to the younger generation. A distinctive feature of parables is their small volume, the brevity of the transmitted thought. Parables, like fairy tales, are based on history, but their meaning is deeper. In value, they are closer to folk proverbs and sayings.

Ladybug

In the middle of God's beautiful, bright world lived a small gray insect. All other insects were very proud of their bright colors and did not pay any attention to her, and the Colorado potato beetle even mocked her. The little bug was very sad. But one morning a ray of sunshine stroked her back. The little girl was delighted that someone loved her, and thought with gratitude: “I can do a good deed! I’ll clean the leaves of aphids, ”and leaf by leaf, twig by twig, cleared the whole tree in a day. And every leaf on the tree whispered to her:

Thank you for saving us!

The little gray bug was so happy and embarrassed that she blushed. It was so beautiful!

Since then, she has always beamed and radiated such joy that everyone loved her and began to call her “ladybug”. And now, when people ask her to fly to heaven and fulfill their desire, she happily does it, because she is “God's”, and she knows for sure that everyone can become happy, you just need to do good to others!

Bucket with apples

A man bought himself a new house - a big, beautiful one - and a garden with fruit trees near the house. And nearby, in an old house, lived an envious neighbor who constantly tried to spoil his mood: either he would throw garbage under the gate, or he would do some other nasty things.

Once a man woke up in a good mood, went out onto the porch, and there was a bucket of garbage. The man took a bucket, threw out the garbage, cleaned the bucket to a shine, collected the largest, ripest and most delicious apples in it and went to a neighbor.

The neighbor, hearing a knock on the door, gloatingly thought: “Finally, I got it!”. He opens the door in the hope of a scandal, and the man handed him a bucket of apples and said:

Whoever is rich, he shares it!

Kind little fox

Once upon a time there lived a fox cub. He was very kind. He had many friends. He often went to visit them, and all his friends were always glad to see him.

But one day he got sick with a sore throat. His friends often visited and took care of him, and his bear cub friend brought a large cask of honey. The little fox quickly recovered and in his small cozy house, in the middle of a huge fairy-tale forest, more than once invited his friends to taste his wonderful delicious pies.

The path of kindness and mercy is the most reliable in the world.

Lie or truth?

Three boys went into the forest. Mushrooms, berries, birds in the forest. The boys were walking. Didn't notice how the day went by. We were going home - we were afraid: “It will hit us at home!” So they stopped on the road and thought what is better: to lie or to tell the truth?

I will say, - said the first, - as if a wolf attacked me in the forest. The father will be frightened and will not scold.

I will say, - said the second, - that I met my grandfather. The mother will be delighted and will not scold me.

And I'll tell the truth, - said the third. - It's always easier to tell the truth, because it's the truth and you don't need to invent anything.

Here they all went home. As soon as the first boy told his father about the wolf, lo and behold, the forest watchman was coming.

No, he says, there are wolves in these places.

Father got angry. For the first guilt he got angry, and for a lie - twice.

The second one told about the grandfather, and the grandfather is right there - he is coming to visit. Mother learned the truth. For the first guilt I got angry, and for a lie - twice.

And the third boy, as soon as he came, he confessed everything from the threshold. Mom grumbled at him, and forgave him.

Black glasses

The boy, walking down the street to his house, never greeted the neighbors. The neighbors told the parents that their son was being impolite. The father began to scold his son. He listened to his father, lowering his head in shame. Then the boy turned to his father:

Dad, please buy me black glasses!

Why son? asked the father in surprise.

Because now I will be very ashamed to walk along our street ...

Eh, son! You better try to improve and then you won't need black glasses! father smiled.

Best Peace Picture

There lived one king. He once offered an award for the best painting of peace. Many artists have tried to paint such a picture. The king looked at all the works, but among them there were only two that he really liked. Of these, it was necessary to choose the most worthy.

One painting depicted a quiet lake. It, like a mirror, reflected the mountains towering around it, the blue sky with white clouds. Everyone who looked at this picture thought that it was the perfect picture of peace.

The second picture depicted mountains. But they were uneven and naked. From above, a raging sky was depicted, it was raining, lightning flashed. A foaming waterfall fell down the mountain wall. It didn't look peaceful at all. However, looking at the waterfall, the king saw behind it a tiny bush growing from a crevice in the rock. A bird built a nest on it. There, surrounded by rapidly falling raging water, she was expecting chicks.

It was this picture that the king chose. He said:

Peace does not mean a place where it is quiet and peaceful, where there is no noise and disturbance, where there is no hard work. Peace is when you have it all, yet you keep peace and calm in your heart.

Tranquility Tree

Oh Master, what are the roots of peace? asked the inquisitive student.

The Roots of Tranquility are safe. If a person is not threatened with death or illness, he is calm, answered the Wise One.

Oh Master, what is the trunk of Tranquility made of? asked the smartest student.

The Trunk of Tranquility is a correct picture of the world, composed of true thoughts and devoid of passions, - said the Wise One.

Oh Master, where do the branches of Tranquility extend? asked the beloved student.

The branches of Tranquility extend to people who are close in spirit, - answered the Teacher, - for those who live with Tranquility gain Tranquility.

Stronger than love, faith and peace

Four candles burned quietly and slowly melted. It was so quiet that you could hear them talking.

The first one said:

I am calm, unfortunately, people are not always able to save me. I think I have no choice but to go out! - and the flame of this candle went out.

Second saying:

I am faith, unfortunately, they rarely remember me. People don't want to hear anything about me, so it makes no sense for me to burn further, - as soon as she said this, a light breeze blew and extinguished the candle.

Very sad, the third candle said:

I am love - I no longer have the strength to burn further. People do not appreciate me and do not understand. They are afraid of me - without thinking for a long time, and this candle went out.

A child entered the room and saw three extinguished candles. Frightened, he shouted:

What are you doing! You must burn - I'm afraid of the dark! and he wept bitterly.

The excited fourth candle said:

Don't be afraid and don't cry! While I am burning, you can always light the other three candles: I am Hope ...

two wolves

Once upon a time, an old man revealed to his grandson one vital truth:

In every person there is a struggle, very similar to the struggle of two wolves. One wolf represents evil: envy, jealousy, regret, selfishness, ambition, lies. The other wolf represents goodness: peace, love, hope, truth, kindness and loyalty.

The grandson, touched to the depths of his soul by the words of his grandfather, thought, and then asked:

Which wolf wins at the end?

The old man smiled and replied:

The wolf you feed always wins.

Parable about positive thinking

Once an old Chinese teacher said to his student:

Please take a good look around this room and try to notice everything in it that has a brown color.

The young man looked around. There were a lot of brown things in the room: wooden picture frames, a sofa, a curtain rod, desks, book bindings, and a host of other little things.

Now close your eyes and list all the objects ... blue, the teacher asked.

The young man was confused:

But I didn't notice anything!

Then the teacher said:

Open your eyes. Just look how many blue things are here.

It was true: the blue vase, the blue photo frames, the blue carpet, the old teacher's blue shirt. And the teacher said: “Look at all these missed items! The student replied, “But that’s a trick! After all, at your direction, I was looking for brown, not blue objects.

Master sighed softly and then smiled, “That's exactly what I wanted to show you. You searched and found only brown. The same thing happens to you in life. You seek and find only the bad and miss the good.

I have always been taught to expect the worst and you will never be disappointed. And if the worst doesn't happen, then I'm in for a pleasant surprise. And if I always hope for the best, then I will only expose myself to the risk of disappointment.

Confidence in the benefits of expecting the worst makes us lose sight of all the good things that happen in our lives.. If you expect the worst, then you will definitely get it. And vice versa.

One can find a point of view from which each experience will have a positive meaning. From now on, you will look for something positive in everything and everyone.

enviable friendship

Greek parable

There were two friends in Syracuse: Damon and Phintius. Damon accidentally harmed Dionysius and was captured and condemned to death.

Allow me to leave until the evening and arrange my household chores, - Damon said to Dionysius, - Phintius will remain a hostage for me.

Dionysius laughed at such a naive trick, but agreed. Evening approached, Phintius was already being led to his execution. And then, making his way through the crowd, Damon arrived in time.

Dionysius exclaimed:

You are forgiven! And I, please, accept me as the third in your friendship.

Self-confident ox

Assyrian parable

One ox became so proud of his strength that he always retired and grazed outside the herd. He considered it below his dignity to be friends with other oxen, who were smaller and weaker than him.

One day, going into seclusion as usual, he saw a lion. This lion knew that the ox had no friends and defenders, that neither the owner nor other oxen would intercede for him. And he boldly approached the proud man, hit him with his paw and killed him. And there was no one who would stand up for the arrogant ox.

Three friends

parable from Emma Lvova

Three friends met: present, old and future. We decided to find out which of them is the most worthy.

I will not leave a friend in trouble, - said the real one.

I will remain faithful for all time, said the old one.

I will tell a friend what he does not yet know about himself, - said the future.

The conversation about friendship continued for a long time, each one brought new arguments.

I will share the success and tears of joy, - the real one did not retreat.

I'll lead you to where the road is forgotten, - insisted the old one.

I will give you the opportunity, - said the future.

Unexpectedly, the one for whose sake the dispute was started arrived and noted with gratitude the experience of the old, the cordiality of the present, the wisdom of the future. And he came not alone, but with love.

trodden path

modern parable

There were two neighbors. Winter came, snow fell. One neighbor went out early in the morning with a shovel to shovel the snow in front of the house. While clearing the path, I looked at how my neighbor was doing. And he has a neatly trodden path.

The next morning it snowed again. The first neighbor got up early, set to work, looking - and the neighbor had already laid a path.

On the third day, the snow was knee-deep. The first neighbor got up even earlier and went out to clear the snow. And at the neighbor - the path is already flat, straight - just a feast for the eyes!

On the same day they met on the street and the first neighbor asked:

Listen, when do you have time to clean the snow in front of the house?

The second neighbor was surprised at first, and then laughed:

Yes, I never remove it. It's my friends who come to me!

Most valuable

modern parable

One person in childhood was very friendly with an old neighbor.

But as time went on, college and hobbies appeared, then work and personal life. Every minute the young man was busy, and he did not have time to remember the past, or even to be with loved ones.

Once he learned that a neighbor had died - and suddenly remembered: the old man taught him a lot, trying to replace the boy's deceased father. Feeling guilty, he came to the funeral.

In the evening, after the burial, the man entered the empty house of the deceased. Everything was the same as many years ago ...

Here are just a small golden box, in which, according to the old man, was kept the most valuable thing for him, disappeared from the table. Thinking that one of her few relatives had taken her, the man left the house.

However, two weeks later he received the package. Seeing the neighbor's name on it, the man shuddered and opened the box.

Inside was the same golden box. It contained a gold pocket watch engraved with "Thank you for the time you spent with me."

And he realized that the most valuable thing for the old man was the time spent with his little friend. Since then, the man tried to devote as much time as possible to his wife and son.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths. It is measured by the number of moments that make us hold our breath. Time is slipping away from us every second. And it needs to be spent right now.

Two friends

modern parable

The two boys have been friends for many years and never quarreled. They were inseparable. They were always seen together, people were surprised at their many years of friendship.

But then one day they suddenly got into a fight. All the neighbors were amazed! They were separated and began to ask what happened.

The guys were silent. Neither of them wanted to admit what had happened. But the neighbors asked: “Strange! You never quarreled. Why didn't you share?"

They nodded at each other, saying:

Let him speak!

– No, you yourself speak!

Then one of them said the following:

We were sitting on the sand, on the bank of the river. My friend said that when he grows up he will buy himself a buffalo. Then I said: "Don't do it, because at that time I will buy a farm and if your buffalo comes and tramples my crops, then our friendship will be over." Having said this, I drew the boundary of my farm in the sand and sat down on the throne in the middle. But he began to argue: “I was the first to decide to buy a buffalo, and if you don’t want to lose our friendship, then you shouldn’t buy a farm, because I won’t be able to run and watch her all day. And of course she'll wander into your farm." And he painted a buffalo on my farm. And he also sat on the throne. This is where we fought. I wanted to throw his buffalo off my farm, and he attacked me.

Family happiness

We once walked along the road of Happiness, Love and Health. In the first house on their way, there was only one free place. The hosts decided that the most important of the travelers was Happiness, and they let him into the hearth. And Love and Health were placed in the yard. And first, Love quietly left the house, then Health, and then Happiness.

In the second house, Health was let in to the hearth. “What Happiness and what Love without Health,” the hosts reasoned. And first Love left the house, then Happiness, and after them - Health.

And the owners of the third house decided that the main thing is Love. And she stayed at home. And together with it there were both Health, and Happiness.

Parable about love and family

Once upon a time there were people on the planet of Men, the planet of Women, a smaller planet called "Family" and on a tiny planet called "Happy Family". It just so happened that from time to time people from the planets of Men and Women met on the star bridge, fell in love with each other and settled on the planet "Family". Only those who managed to keep Love for at least a few years moved to the planet with the name “Happy Family”. There were very few of them...

And then the sages of the planet Happy Family began to think about how to make more inhabitants on their planet. So they flew to the planet of Women and asked them: “What kind of men do you love, what kind of men do you dream of?” The women answered differently, but almost everyone said: “About a strong spirit and body, caring and understanding, kind, gentle and loving, purposeful, intelligent, relaxed and harmonious, about one who can lead and carry away on a journey with the name "Life". Among the women there were also those who despaired of waiting for a meeting with such a man, dreaming of at least one of the above. There were those who still hoped to meet just such.

Then the sages of the planet “Happy Family” went to the planet of Men and asked them: “What kind of women do you love, what kind of women do you dream of?” The men answered differently, but almost everyone said: “About a beautiful, gentle and loving, and good housewife, about understanding and wise, about one who is ready to follow a man to the ends of the world.” Among the men there were those who despaired of waiting for a meeting with such a woman, dreaming of at least one of the above. There were those who still hoped to meet just such.

Then the wise men decided to find out what was happening on the Star Bridge. There they wandered in search of their future beloved or beloved Men and Women. Those who had few expectations and requirements or who really wanted to live on the planet "Family" found each other quickly, they joined hands and went to live together on a new planet. Those who dreamed of meeting their ideal sometimes wandered along the bridge longer than others, someone eventually managed to meet, and they were very happy that they met, and someone continued to search all their lives.

Then the wise men flew to the planet "Family" and began to watch how Men and Women live there. And they lived differently. Many were disappointed with their choice, as people changed over time with their expectations and values, and simply many did not know how or did not want to understand each other, help each other, reveal the best qualities. Some continued to live together, disappointed in each other. Some parted, never learning how to live together. Among them were often those who met their ideal on the star bridge and flew to the planet "Family" with a feeling of great mutual Love. Among the quite respectable citizens of the planet "Family", but who did not receive the right to move to the planet "Happy Family", there were so-called "strong families". In them, Men and Women lived without love, they were simply attached to each other, they were devoted to each other, but still, they were not happy. Among respectable citizens there were also those who liked to repeat the saying “Love is evil...” They were not happy, often quarreled, but still remained true to their feelings.

Then the sages returned to their native planet “Happy Family” and began to ask its inhabitants: “How do you manage to live in Love and Happiness?” Some answered that from the very beginning they were exactly what they dreamed of for each other, and then, of course, it took a lot of understanding and steps towards each other, but they managed it. Others said that they were not such a perfect couple from the beginning, but thanks to a generous and loving soul, as well as the desire of each of them to become the Man or Woman of their partner's dream, they managed to earn the right to live on the planet "Happy Family".

Then the wise men thought: “It’s really true that all couples are unhappy in different ways, but happy in the same way.” And the wise men decided: all men should learn to be strong in spirit and body, caring and understanding, kind, gentle and loving, purposeful, smart, relaxed and harmonious, those who can lead and carry a woman on a journey called “Life”. All women learn to be beautiful, gentle and loving, and good housewives, understanding and wise, such that they are ready to follow a man to the ends of the world. And all together learn to understand each other and help each other become the Man and Woman of their dreams, and be sure to grow a generous and rich soul in Love. And remember that for life on the planet "Happy Family" it is not enough that Love once gives birth to a Family, the main thing is that Love is born again and again in the Family....

Wallet

The boy was walking along the road. Looks - a penny lies. “Well,” he thought, “and a penny is money!” I took it and put it in my wallet. And he began to think further: “What would I do if I found a thousand rubles? I would buy gifts for my father and mother!” I just thought, I feel - the wallet seems to have become thicker. I looked into it, and there - a thousand rubles.

"Strange affair! – wondered the boy. - There was one penny, and now - a thousand rubles! What would I do if I found ten thousand rubles? I would buy a cow and give milk to my parents!” Looks, and he already has ten thousand rubles! "Miracles! - the lucky man rejoiced. - And what if you found a hundred thousand rubles? I would buy a house, take a wife for myself and settle my old people in a new house! He quickly opened the purse - and for sure: there are one hundred thousand rubles!

Then he thought: “Maybe not to take my father and mother to the new house? What if my wife doesn't like them? Let them live in the old house. And it's troublesome to keep a cow, I'd rather buy a goat. And I won’t buy a lot of gifts, so the expenses are high ... ”And suddenly he feels that the purse has become light, easy! I was frightened, opened it, looking - and there is only one penny, one alone.

Oasis

A man and a dog were walking across the sandy desert. They walked and walked until they were completely tired. Suddenly they see - in front of them is an oasis! Beautiful carved gates, through which pleasant music flows, the murmur of streams is heard, the aromas of flowers are heard. The porter sits at the gate. After saying hello, the traveler asked him:

-What it is?

-This is a sacred oasis - an island of life in a hot desert, where you can relax after a hard journey through the hot sands.

-Is there water there?

- As many as you like: clean fountains, cool pools ...

-Will they give you food?

-Whatever you want.

But I have a dog with me.

I'm sorry, but you can't bring a dog. She must be left here. - After these words, the traveler with the dog went further along the burning sands ... After a while, the road led them to a rich farm, at the gate of which the gatekeeper also sat.

“I am very thirsty,” the traveler asked.

-Come in, there is a well in the yard.

-What about my dog?

- You will see a drinking bowl near the well.

-Anything to eat?

- I can take you to dinner.

- And the dog?

- There is a bone.

– What is this place?

“This is a sacred oasis.

– How so?! Before that, another gatekeeper told me that the oasis was there.

-He lied. That "oasis" is just a mirage.

How do you tolerate such a false neighborhood?

– It is very useful for us, because only those who do not leave their friends reach us.

Friend act

Leonardo da Vinci

One day a man came to the teacher who was upset that his friend started to avoid him.

He asked:

– Teacher, my friend is avoiding me, I think he is bored with my company. What should I do?

Do you still consider yourself his friend? the teacher asked.

“Of course,” the man replied.

“Then go up to him and ask directly about the reason for his behavior,” the sage advised, “and if you see in his words or eyes that you really bored him, then the best thing you can do as a friend is to free him from the need to avoid you, - to leave first and not seek meetings with him.

“And if he wants to come back, what is the best thing I can do as a friend?”

“Do not hold a grudge,” the teacher said.

Caesar and the doctor

historical parable

Caesar had the only person and friend he trusted - this was his doctor. Moreover, if he was ill, he would take medicine only when the doctor personally gave it to him.

Once, when Caesar was not feeling very well, he received an anonymous note: “Be afraid of your closest friend, your doctor. He wants to poison you!" And after a while the doctor came and gave Caesar the medicine. He gave the received note to a friend and, while he was reading, he drank the healing mixture to the last drop.

The friend froze in horror:

“Lord, how could you drink what I gave you after what you read?!

Caesar replied:

"Better to die than to doubt your friend!"

Wealth, friendship and love

An old man lived on the seashore. He was completely alone, and he had no one in the whole wide world.

And then one late evening he heard a knock on the door. The old man asked:

-Who's there?

Behind the door they answered:

- This is your wealth.

But the old man replied:

“I used to be fabulously rich, but that didn’t bring me any happiness. And didn't open the door. The next day, he heard another knock on the door.

-Who's there? - he asked.

-This is your Love! he heard the answer.

But the old man said:

- I was loved, and I myself loved madly, but this did not bring me happiness! - and again did not open the door.

On the third day, they knocked again.

-Who's there? the old man asked.

This is your friendship! he heard back. The old man smiled and opened the door:

- I'm always happy to make friends.

But suddenly ... along with friendship, both love and wealth entered his dwelling. And the old man said:

But I only invited friendship!

To this those who entered answered him:

-You have lived on earth for so many years, and still do not understand one simple truth? Only together with friendship come love and wealth!

Eastern parable

“I am poor and weak,” the Teacher once said to his disciples. “But you are young. I am teaching you, and it is your duty to find money on which your old teacher can live.

– What should we do? the students asked. “After all, the inhabitants of this city are very stingy, and it will be in vain to ask them for help!

“My children,” the Teacher said, “there is a way to get money without asking too much, just by taking it. It will not be a sin for us to steal, for we deserve money more than others. But, alas, I am too old and weak to become a thief!

“We are young,” the students replied, “we can do it!” There is nothing we would not do for you, Master! Tell us what to do, and we will obey you.

“You are strong,” replied the Teacher, “it costs nothing for you to take away a rich man’s purse. Do this: choose a secluded place where no one will see you, then grab a passerby and take away the money, but do not harm him.

-Let's go right now! the students yelled.

Only one of them, lowering his eyes, remained silent. The teacher looked at the young man and said:

“My other disciples are full of courage and eager to help, but you don’t care about Master’s suffering.

-Sorry, Teacher! – answered the young man. But your offer is impossible! This is the reason for my silence.

- Why is it impossible?

“But there is no place where no one will see,” the student replied. Even when I'm all alone, I can see for myself. Yes, I'd rather go begging with a beggar's bag than let myself see myself stealing.

From these words, the Master's face lit up, and he embraced his disciple.

“I am happy,” said the old man, “if among my students at least one understood my words!

The rest of the disciples saw that the Master was testing them and bowed their heads in shame. From that day on, whenever an unworthy thought occurred to them, they remembered the words of their comrade: "I myself see." So they all achieved greatness and lived happily ...

Brothers

Two brothers lived in the village. The elder married and settled with his parents, while the younger began to live on the edge of the village. Life was not easy for both, they worked tirelessly, but they were not rich.

Once there was a lean year. The younger brother thought: “It is difficult for my brother, his wife with children and parents are all on him. Let me bring him a few sheaves from my stock." Decided and went. On the way, in the darkness, he missed a man who was also carrying sheaves. Having fulfilled his plan, he returned home and was surprised: as he had twenty sheaves, he remained.

He shouldered the four sheaves again and went to his brother. And again he ran into a stranger, in whom he recognized ... his own brother. The elder, it turns out, also thought: “My younger brother lives in need, we need to help him.”

Give, and then sooner or later good will return to you. Although sometimes the question is in the different quality of the harvest and vigilance.

apple branch

Workers were brought into the garden to repair the porch. They had to bend down all the time because of an apple tree branch that hung low over the path leading to the porch. One of the workers decided to take care of the elderly owners, who, apparently, did not have the strength to cut down this branch.

When the next morning the owners saw the cut branch, they were terribly upset. Indeed, out of the entire old apple orchard, only this branch bore fruit.

Don't provide unsolicited services.

Wizard

One day the mullah went to the pantry, put his hand into a bowl of nuts and grabbed so many in a handful that he could not get his hand out of it. And no matter how he stretched his hand, no matter how he cursed, no matter how he pulled, it was all in vain. The vessel would not let him go. Even his wife could not help him pull his arm out. After many futile attempts, they called the neighbors. One of them said:

I will help you if you do everything I say.

After that, he ordered to unclench his fist and pull out his hand. Reluctantly, he followed the neighbor's instructions, after which he said:

My hand is free, but I didn't get the nuts either.

Then the neighbor took the vessel, bent it and poured out so much

nuts, as much as the mullah needed. With his eyes wide open and his mouth gaping in amazement, the mullah exclaimed:

Are you a wizard?

There is a way out of almost any situation, and, moreover, the easiest one.

All in your hands

Long ago, a Master lived surrounded by his disciples. The most capable of them once wanted to ask a question that the Master could not answer. He went to a flowering meadow, caught the most beautiful butterfly and hid it in his palms. Smiling, he approached the Master and asked:

Tell me, which butterfly is in my hands: alive or dead?

He firmly held the butterfly in his closed palms and was ready to squeeze them at any moment ... for the sake of his truth.

Without looking at the student, the Master replied:

All in your hands.

If the truth depends on you, then it is not the truth.

Everything ahead

Who do you want to be? - asked the Mouse aunts and uncles.

Elephant, - answered the Mouse.

Well done! they told him. - We remained mice, and all roads are open to you, just learn.

And the mouse learned. Studied "excellent". After graduating from elephant courses, he received a diploma of the "Big Elephant". But he couldn't get a job anywhere as an elephant, and he didn't want to work as a mouse.

Do not grieve, - the relatives said to the Mouse. - Be an elephant. And if you don't, no problem. We are no longer elephants, but we live, do not grieve.

Time passed. The little mouse looked with envy at the happy Mice, which were just Mice.

I still have everything ahead, - the Mouse reassured himself, looking at the diploma.

So the mouse grew old. All his life he felt unhappy because he could not become an Elephant.

If I could start life all over again, - the Mouse sighed, - I would definitely achieve my goal.

To be happy, you need to set the right goals.

Mother's Eyes

Two people - young and old - stood near the well and boasted to each other who understands other people better. At this time, an old woman approached them and asked if a handsome tall young man had passed by them.

He went to the river, - immediately answered the old one.

But only a short elderly man with an ugly appearance passed us, - the young man was surprised.

That's right, but the woman was asking about her son. And for a mother, no matter how many years pass, the son will always be handsome and young.

Try to look at the world through the eyes of others, and then you will better understand others.

two frogs

Two frogs jumped on the ground and accidentally fell into a deep cauldron with sour cream. The first frog said sadly:

She folded her paws and drowned.

Two frogs jumped on the ground and accidentally fell into a deep cauldron with sour cream. The first frog said sadly:

Well, that's it, our lives are over.

She folded her paws and drowned.

And the second really did not want to die. And he sees no way out, and he does not want to die. While I was thinking what to do, I kept jumping. While jumping, sour cream hardened, turned into butter. The frog pushed off and jumped out.

Don't stop jumping and you might jump out.

good horse

Once upon a time there was a horse, and he had a house.

Once a donkey came to the horse and brought a new table, and threw the old one away. Then, in the same way, a bunch of other things appeared in the house. And the horse did not know whether to be happy or sad, because now he slept on the floor, ate at the threshold, and generally tried to be at home less often.

He wanted, as usual, to pluck a blade of grass in the garden, but a sign hung there: “Don’t eat grass!”

Once the donkey scratched the horse behind the ear and said:

When did you grow up like that? And you don't even look like a cat.

For which cat?

Yes, because he sold his house to me.

He imagined the horse how unpleasant it would be for the donkey if he

finds out the truth, and said:

Oh yes, I completely forgot!

No, I better go.

As you know. Just don't forget to pay back.

What debt?

He lived with me for six months and you ask - what kind?

Sorry, the horse blushed.

He was even pleased that he had done a good deed for the donkey. And then he could now sleep where he had to, pluck grass wherever he wanted. And he went, singing a song about three foals and thinking that it was necessary to pay the debt to the donkey so that he would not guess anything and would not be upset.

Sometimes a horse that is too kind can still spoil ... if not a furrow, then his own life. You need to defend your home to the end ... even if there are not yet three foals there.

rain and sun

One woman had two sons. The elder was selling umbrellas. The younger one dyed the takni. When the sun was shining, no one bought umbrellas from the eldest son, and when it rained, the fabrics of the youngest son did not dry. The woman's life was sad and hopeless.

One day she met a wise man and he gave her advice. Since then, when the sun was shining, she was happy for her youngest son, who successfully dried his fabrics, and when it rained, she was happy for her youngest son, from whom everyone bought umbrellas. And life got better.

You have to be good in life.

Friends and Enemies

The king asked his manager to go around the castles and lands and call for Christmas as many of his friends as possible. He went around castles and lands, but instead of friends he invited all the royal enemies. When the king saw them, he shuddered to the depths of his soul and asked in surprise why he had done this.

The manager replied:

Your friends, king, come to you at any time and at any hour of the year, and you gladly receive them. But when you accidentally meet your enemies, then your face is overshadowed by a dark cloud of sadness. That is why I brought these people here, so that your friendly face and good feast will turn them from your enemies into friends.

And so it happened: even before the start of the feast, most of those who considered themselves enemies of the king became his friends, for the first time knowing the real king, and not the one about whom they had heard a lot of bad things.

If you want your enemies to become friends, don't be afraid to take a step towards them.

Golden serpent, silver wind

There were two cities not far from each other. When they grew so large that they had to create protective walls around them, the first city built a wall in the shape of an orange, and the second one in the shape of a pig. But since life is full of symbols and signs, the shape of the city wall had its own meaning, and the pig could always eat an orange. Therefore, the inhabitants of one city had to be afraid of the inhabitants of another city. But by the end of the month, after heavy construction work, the wall changed its shape from an orange to the shape of a club that a pig could always beat, and the inhabitants of this city began to live much easier and more cheerfully. Then the inhabitants of the neighboring city also changed the shape of the city wall, turning the pig into a fire that could burn the club. And danger loomed again, until the idea came up to rebuild their wall in the form of a lake that could flood the fire. But terrible and amazing days followed, each like a new box with a terrible surprise. In a nearby town, a wall was rebuilt to look like a mouth that can drink up a lake. The needle is a sword, the sheath is lightning, the eagle is lightning, the moon is the sun.

Both cities did not have time to rebuild their walls in anticipation of misfortunes from their neighbors. The inhabitants, who had been working for a long time to rebuild the walls, were like pale shadows. From experiences, the mandarin of the city fell ill. The situation in both cities was hopeless. Then the tangerines of these cities met. They were carried to the top of the hill, into the sun, where the children flew kites in the summer wind. And then they decided that the first city would build its walls in the form

willow branch

One monk got a willow stalk from somewhere and planted it in his garden.

Look carefully so that the children do not climb in and break it, ”he ordered the servant.

The servant was very diligent. He set up a table on the terrace and looked after the handle all day long. So seven days passed. Once the monk again came to the garden and expressed his fear that the willow branch might be broken at night.

I already thought about that,” the servant replied smugly. “Since you can’t see anything at night anyway, every evening I pull out a branch and lock it in a box.

If you want to do something well, try to understand the meaning of your work.

True

A man who had been searching for the truth for many years entered the cave and asked his question about the truth to the magic well. From the depths came the answer: "In the village at the crossroads you will find what you are looking for."

Full of hope, the man ran to the village. At the crossroads he saw three shops. In one they traded pieces of metal, in the other - some kind of pieces of wood, and in the third - thin wire. Frustrated, he returned to the well to demand an explanation. But I heard only one phrase: "Soon you will understand."

Years passed. The story of the well was forgotten when, one moonlit night, he heard the sounds of an ancient musical instrument.

He looked at the fingers dancing on the strings, and suddenly realized: the instrument was made of the same materials that were once sold in the shops at the crossroads.

Everything is already given to us, we just need to know how to use it.

Princely manners

Of all his wealth, the prince most valued a carriage adorned with golden dragons. The subjects knew: who dares to sit in the prince's carriage, he will answer for it with his head.

The prince had a favorite official, Ni. One night, Ni's mother fell seriously ill. He rushed out into the street, jumped into the prince's carriage, whipped the horses and rushed after the doctor. In the morning he appeared at the palace, knelt before the prince and explained why he had violated the order.

Then the prince said to the courtiers:

Neither showed the pattern of filial love. For this I praise him and give him a golden vase!

The next day, while walking in the garden, Ni picked a peach from a tree, took a bite of it, and respectfully handed it to the prince, because the peach seemed to him unusually tasty. And the pleased prince said to the courtiers:

Take a cue from Ni. He always remembers his prince!

But time passed, and the prince had a new favorite.

Someone asked the prince what Ni had done to anger him. The prince answered angrily:

Don't you know that he disobeyed my orders and got into my carriage? Don't you know that he dared to offer me a bitten peach? Isn't all this enough to cut off a criminal's head?

Each action can be evaluated differently. It all depends on the mood of the judge.

Who is more valued

The student asked the teacher:

Please tell me who people value more - those who speak a lot, or those who speak little?

The teacher replied:

Frogs scream in the swamp from morning to morning. But no one pays attention to them. The rooster crows only at dawn, and people obey him: they get up and get to work.

If you have nothing to say, then shut up.

Purse with gold

One day the rabbi stood at the window and looked out into the street. Seeing a passerby, he knocked on the window and invited him to enter the house. And he asked what he would do with a purse filled with gold if he found a purse on the road. The passer-by replied that he would try to find the owner in order to return the wallet to him. "You are a fool," the rabbi told him.

The next passer-by answered the same question that he was not such a fool as to give a purse with money. “You are not a good person,” the rabbi said and called a third.

He replied that he could not say in advance what he would do, because he did not know what would win in him at the moment when he found the wallet - greed or righteousness. “Those are good words! the rabbi exclaimed. "You are a true sage."

Never judge in advance, because you really don’t know how you will act yourself.

Cross

One day the poor fellow, who complained all the time about his cross, about his poverty, imagined in a dream that he was in a large room filled with various crosses. And a voice from above said to him: "You complained about your cross, choose any other for yourself."

The poor man began to look for an easier cross. He took hold of one - he could not lift it, the other - only a little bit off the ground. The third cross, though not heavy, seemed to hurt my shoulders. So he went through all the crosses, but did not find a single suitable one. There was one more cross left in the corner, which he did not experience, because it looked to be the largest and heaviest. Raising this cross, the poor man joyfully shouted that this cross suits him, because although it is large, it is lighter than others.

They removed the veil from this cross, and on it was the inscription: "Poverty." So the poor man remained with his own cross.

Everyone bears the cross that he chooses.

Merchant and scientist

A merchant and a scientist sailed on a ship. The rich merchant was carrying a lot of goods with him, but the scientist had nothing. A storm arose and the ship was wrecked. Both clung to a log, and the wave threw them ashore. The merchant sees that the scientist is saddened, and says:

It was I who lost all my wealth, and you have nothing to be sad about: everything is yours with you.

Knowledge is the best capital that should not be lost.

Medicine

Old Asanbek fell ill. Neither day nor night he had no rest from acute pain.

Healers treated him, pronounced incantations loudly, appealed to the spirits, but nothing helped him. From excruciating and unbearable pain, he decided to die and took out a sharp knife.

Asanbek had an only son, sixteen years old. He saw a knife in his father's hands, rushed to him and took it away and said:

Father, it cannot be that the son cannot help the father. Even if a hundred healers failed to do so. When you moan, it seems to me that I myself am seriously ill. I will sit on a horse, go to foreign lands and find someone who can cure you. And don't lose hope.

The young man got on his horse and galloped away. For a long time she looked after her mother and was glad that she had such a determined son. Then she came to her husband and joyfully said:

Your son is already quite an adult. We wrongly considered him a boy. One can only be proud of such a dzhigit.

Old Asanbek, who had not smiled for a long time, smiled. He leaned on his elbows, felt much better and even asked for cold koumiss to drink.

Caring for children is the best medicine.

Fox and Crane

The Fox made friends with the Crane. The Fox decided to treat the crane. She invited him to visit. The Crane went to the invited feast. And Lisa boiled semolina porridge and spread it on a plate.

Crane knock-knock with his nose on a plate, nothing gets into his mouth. And the Fox licks his porridge and licks it. So I ate it all myself.

The crane, leaving, invited the Fox to his feast. The next day, the Fox came to the Crane, and he prepared okroshka, put it in a jug with a narrow neck, put it on the table and said:

Eat, gossip, right, there is nothing more to regale. The fox began to spin around the jug. And so he will come in, and that way, and lick him, and sniff him - his head does not climb into the jug. And the Crane pecks at itself and pecks until it has eaten everything.

If you want to be friends with someone, take care of him, not yourself. And it is better not to serve semolina or okroshka at the invited feasts.

extra legs

A centipede came for a consultation with an owl about pain in her legs.

You have too many legs! - answered the owl. - If you become a mouse, then you will have only four legs and only a tenth of the pain.

Great idea, replied the centipede. - Show me how to become a mouse.

How to become a mouse? Do not pester me with all sorts of trifles, - the owl answered. - I'm just working out the right strategy.

If you only develop the right strategy, you risk becoming unnecessary as a consultant.

Horse and camel

In former times, the Horse, turning to the sun, said:

O generous sun that gives life to all living things! I am called one of the most beautiful among animals. However, I think that something in my body can be made even more beautiful.

And what? - asked, smiling, the sun.

If my legs became even longer and slimmer, and my neck became as long as that of a swan, it would be even more beautiful for me. If my chest were wider, I would become stronger, and in order to always carry people on my back, a non-removable saddle on my back would not hurt.

Well, - the sun answered cheerfully, - be your way. - And lowered the camel to the ground. - Here is an animal made exactly according to your description. He has long legs, an elongated neck like a swan, a wide chest and a ready saddle. Well, how? Do you want to be the same?

N-n-no! - stuttering with fright, said the horse.

From that day camels appeared on the earth.

Be yourself, and this is the most beautiful thing that can be.

Healer's Wisdom

One sultan sailed with his beloved servant on a ship. The servant, who could not swim and had never gone to sea before, sat in the empty hold, trembling and crying. Everyone was kind to him and tried to calm him down. However, the words of sympathy reached only his ears, but not his heart, tormented by fear. Such a journey did not give the Sultan any pleasure. Then his court physician said:

Oh, lord, if you will allow me, I will calm him down.

After the Sultan agreed, the doctor ordered the sailors to throw the servant into the sea. The servant clung to the side of the ship and begged to be taken on board. He was dragged out of the water by his hair, and he quietly sat down in a corner. No more complaints escaped his lips. The Sultan asked the doctor to explain the essence of what had happened.

Your servant could not know what happiness it was to feel the hard planks of the deck of a ship under his feet until he learned what it means to choke in the waves of the sea.

To know the price of calmness and self-control only then at least once looked the dangers straight in the eyes.

Ants and snail

Ants began to build an anthill. They laid down a dozen needles, and then the Snail appeared and shouted:

Why are you building an anthill on my road? Remove everything now!

The ants took away the needles, and the snail crawled through. In the new place, the Ants built a high anthill, and when they put the last needle on top, the Snail appeared.

Again? she screamed. - Are you kidding me? Get everything out of the way now.

She hid in the house and snored.

The snail does not care where to crawl, - said one Ant, - but we cannot do without an anthill, we will freeze in winter. We need to unfold the snail.

The Snail woke up in the morning and couldn't believe her eyes. The road is free.

Of course, I don’t care where to crawl, but I basically don’t want to turn off if I can crawl straight.

And, pleased that the Ants had yielded, she crawled back to where she came from.

Sometimes it is better to pretend that you are giving in, and the evil will go out by itself.

You can't please everyone

A father and his son traveled through the dusty lanes of a southern city in the midday heat. The father rode on a donkey, and the son led him by the bridle. Passers-by began to scold the father for the fact that the little boy was exhausted, and he lazily sits on a donkey. The father got off the donkey and told his son to sit on horseback. After a while, passers-by began to shame the boy for the fact that he, like a sultan, sits on a donkey, and his poor old father runs after him. The boy got upset and asked his father to sit on the donkey behind him. Passers-by began to resent the ruthless attitude towards the animal. When the father and son went on foot next to the donkey, people began to mock them. Then the father put his hand on his son's shoulder and said:

No matter what we do, there will always be someone who will disagree with us. We ourselves must decide what to do.

A father and his son traveled through the dusty lanes of a southern city in the midday heat. The father rode on a donkey, and the son led him by the bridle. Passers-by began to scold the father for the fact that the little boy was exhausted, and he lazily sits on a donkey. The father got off the donkey and told his son to sit on horseback. After a while, passers-by began to shame the boy for the fact that he, like a sultan, sits on a donkey, and his poor old father runs after him. The boy got upset and asked his father to sit on the donkey behind him. Passers-by began to resent the ruthless attitude towards the animal. When the father and son went on foot next to the donkey, people began to mock them. Then the father put his hand on his son's shoulder and said:

No matter what we do, there will always be someone who will disagree with us. We ourselves must decide what to do.

Father's order

A wealthy man had an only son. Before his death, his father gave him three pieces of advice:

Never say hello first, eat sweets every evening, put on new shoes every morning.

When the father died, the son began to carry out his father's will. As a result of not greeting him first, everyone in the village stopped talking to him, and the money was spent on sweets and shoes.

Then he came to his mother and asked:

My father could not be my enemy, why did he give me such an order?

And the mother answered:

The order means - get up before everyone else and work in the field, then people passing by will greet you first. The second command means - if you work all day, then in the evening any food will seem sweet. The third order means that before going to bed, you need to put your clothes in order so that in the morning they seem new to everyone.

From the next morning, the young man began life according to the orders of his father. After some time, he became rich, married the most beautiful girl and passed on this mandate to his children.

Do not be lazy to do your own thing and create yourself.

Don't draw snake legs

Two weary travelers approached the inn at night and asked for a lodging for the night. The owner said:

There is room for only one mat in the room. Some of you will have to sleep outside. Whoever quickly draws a snake on the ground with a stick, I will let him into the house.

One of them was the first to draw a snake and exclaimed:

While you are digging, I still have time to add six legs to the snake.

When he finished the sixth leg, his companion put aside his wand and said contentedly:

I finished drawing the snake first.

To the objections of his friend, he replied:

Are you sure you drew a snake? But snakes don't have legs. I drew a real snake, and therefore I will sleep in the house, and you - in the yard, on bare ground. Since then, in China, they say: do not draw snake legs!

When solving a problem, you need to remember the problem itself and follow the conditions.

"Inexperienced" Master

In the early 1930s, a US manufacturing company sent an industrial machine to Japan.

A month later, the company received a telegram: “The machine is not working. Send a tuner."

The company sent a specialist there. Before he could get to work, the company received another telegram: “The Adjuster is too young. Send someone more experienced."

The company responded, “Better take advantage of it. He invented the machine."

Age adds, but does not add intelligence.

Night meeting

The expedition landed on Mars more than a year ago. Tom rode the night planet and smiled. He liked it here. Suddenly he saw a Martian.

Hello! - he said.

Hello! said the Martian in his own language.

They didn't understand each other.

What did you say? they continued, each in his own language.

What are you doing here?

Both frowned. In the incomprehensible speech and unfamiliar gestures of the other, both were ready to see the threat. A little more - and the meeting would have ended sadly. But then Tom smiled, and the Martian answered the same.

Their hands met and, as if through a fog, passed one through the other. Tom poured the Martian a cup of coffee, but he couldn't take it. The knife that the Martian had tossed to Tom as a token of friendship went through his clasped hands and fell to the ground. They existed in different dimensions, in different times. Each of them had their own world. But these worlds did not intersect. And, unable to find a way to each other, the travelers dispersed.

People often try to reach out to each other. But only those who are in the same dimension manage to reach out. And this rarely happens.

Sheep

The prince inherited the kingdom. And he had everything in abundance, like all kings. But suddenly troubles began, a drought set in, an epidemic began, the enemy took possession of the kingdom by storm and destroyed the survivors. The king managed to escape. He went to his friend, the king of a neighboring state, with whom they grew up together. When he reached his friend's capital, the guards did not let him in, not believing that he was a king, looking at his rags. He had to get a job and earn money for decent clothes.

Only then did he appear before his friend. He treated the guest's story with compassion and, after thinking, ordered his subjects to give him a herd of sheep of 100 heads.

Killed by the “friendly” attitude of the unfortunate man, he trudged off to graze the sheep, for he had no other choice. When he was tending sheep, wolves attacked his herd and destroyed all the sheep. He had to dejectedly return to his friend and again ask for help.

This time he was given 50 goals. But this herd also died. The next time he was given only 25 sheep. And after some time he already had a flock of 1000 sheep. Delighted, he came to the palace and said that in a year he would have twice as much.

Then his friend, delighted by this news, embraced him and ordered him to give him the neighboring state instead of sheep.

But our king, who had long been disillusioned with friendly relations, asked:

Why didn't you give it to me right away?

I was waiting for you to learn how to manage at least the sheep.

To manage people, one must learn to manage at least sheep.

Donkey and horse

A horse and a donkey were walking from the market. The donkey was loaded above its head, and the horse ran light. They went half way. The donkey was tired, barely breathing, and he asked the horse to take part of the load.

But the horse didn't move. After a while, the donkey pleaded, “I can’t take it anymore! Help."

But the horse only spins with its ears.

The road went uphill, the donkey asked for the last time and, without waiting for help, fell exhausted.

Nothing to do. The owner unloaded the donkey and loaded all the luggage onto the horse. Now the donkey was running light, and the horse was panting for two.

Help others, if not from a pure heart, then at least out of profit.

Father and sons

The father ordered his sons to live in harmony; they didn't listen. So he ordered to bring a broom and says:

Break!

No matter how much they fought, they could not break.

Then the father untied the broom and ordered to break one rod at a time.

They easily broke the bars one by one.

Father and says:

So you too: if you live in harmony, no one will overcome you; and if they quarrel, and all apart, everyone will easily destroy you. But the main thing is that the broom in the house sometimes needs to be changed, at least somehow

Rooster

The vinedresser gave the gardener two roosters and says:

You will breed thoroughbred chickens. The gardener was delighted, but it was too early: the roosters kept fighting each other and walking around bloody.

The gardener complained to the vinedresser, who advised:

Catch the roosters and pluck them.

And they won't choke?

Don't worry.

The gardener plucked the roosters and let them go. It became cold for them, they clung to each other to keep warm, and reconciled.

In the same way, people are more likely to cling to each other when they are overcome by troubles. Although it is better for roosters to have an isolated cage.

Let down character

The fox fell into a trap. Bad things: be her collar. The mouse runs past.

Help me out, mouse, I will remember the century.

The mouse ran up to the fox, and the fox grabbed it and swallowed it. Fortunately, a hamster runs past.

Help, sweetie, and I'll be useful to you.

The hamster began to release the trap, and the Fox herself did not have time to come to her senses as she swallowed it. The fox cried, scolding his unbearable character. No, to wait until they are released, and then eat it.

Here comes the hunter.

Evil always harms first of all the one who commits it, not wanting to curb his character.

Bird in a cage

One bird lived in a cage for a very long time. She often looked out the window, where she could see the trees and the meadow. More than once I saw other birds that flew merrily in freedom, and often thought about what it was like to feel how the sun warms the back, the wind spreads its wings, and, soaring and diving down, catch midges on the fly. When the bird thought about this, its heart began to beat faster. She sat higher on the crossbar and, breathing deeply, almost felt the thrill of a possible flight.

Sometimes another bird would sit on the ledge by the window, rest there for a while and look at the bird in the cage. The traveler tilted her head to one side and, as it were, asked herself if such a thing was possible. Bird in a cage! Unthinkable!

And at these moments the bird felt completely unhappy. Her small shoulders drooped dejectedly, there was a lump in her throat, and sadness lay in her heart.

One day the owner of the bird left the cage door open. The bird sat and looked out through the open door. She saw the birds fluttering there, in freedom, saw the sun play on their backs, and the wind stir up their feathers, and she felt excitement. The bird noticed that the window was open, and her heart began to beat even faster.

She tried to decide what to do. And she was still thinking when the owner returned at sunset and locked the cage door. The bird chose safety over freedom.

Everyone has what they want, but if you grew up in safety, maybe you don't need freedom so much?

Employees

The owner had two employees: Vanka and Fedka. Vanka moved twice as much as Fedka, but received half as much. Once a cart with a load was passing by the village, and the owner sent Vanka to find out what kind of cart it was. Vanka ran to the cart and, returning, told the owner that the cart was carrying wheat.

Are they taking her to sell? - asked the owner.

And Vanka ran back to the cart.

Yes, to sell, - he said, pleased that he quickly returned.

And why are they selling?

I’ll find out now, ”Vanka said and ran back. So he ran several times until the owner got tired and sent Fedka, who had to run quite far.

Half an hour later a cart loaded with grain drove into the yard. And Fedka explained to the owner that a lot of wheat was born in the neighboring village and. therefore, they are taking it for a pittance to sell it to a distant village, where the harvest is bad, and that if you buy this wheat now, and sell it yourself in a couple of months to a distant village, you can get a decent profit.

The owner did just that. That is why Fedka received more money than Vanka.

You have to pay more to those who bring more benefits, who move more.

Raja and his wife

The Raja's wife had amazing abilities: she could walk on the water of a pond, stand on a lotus leaf and scoop up water with a jug of unbaked clay.

Although the rajah was very rich, he and his wife always dressed in simple white clothes and did everything with their own hands. For this they were loved and respected by people.

They had a magic stone that could turn ordinary things into precious ones, but they never used it, because the raja's wife had an incomparable charm even without jewelry.

But one day, during a national holiday, the wife saw women in rich multi-colored dresses and expensive jewelry. She wanted to be no worse than others and asked her husband for the same clothes and jewelry. He tried to reason with her:

In your simple white attire, you cannot be compared to anyone in the world in grace and beauty. Why do you want to be like everyone else?

However, she insisted, and he did everything she asked. And when she went to other women for a feast, she was alone and many. She just didn't get noticed. When the Raja's wife lowered her jug ​​of unbaked clay into the well, it turned into ordinary clay ... And when she tried to walk on the water, she felt that she was sinking.

Each person has his own way, and there is no need to strive to be like everyone else.

Mittens and ax

The old man died and left an inheritance to his sons: the eldest - a house, the middle - a cow, the youngest - mittens and an ax.

The eldest began to live in his own house, the middle one - to trade in milk, and the youngest - to cut bread and salt with an ax.

How many, few years have passed, only the hut of the negligent owner squinted, the cow at the lazy cowshed reduced milk, and mittens and an ax - at least hew oars, at least knit frames. Cities are being built, bridges are being built, dams are being built, mills are being set up. So the youngest son cut down his house, bought his cow.

The brothers thought that the ax was enchanted, and decided to drag it away. But the ax doesn't work. It can be seen that strength is not in one ax. They also took away their gloves. Again - nothing.

And the younger brother, the master, bought a new ax and mittens and again began to work and sing a song. The brothers understood that it was not a matter of an ax and mittens, but of skill. They also became masters.

The best legacy is skills.

From someone else's words

Teacher Lezi fell into need and became emaciated from hunger. Some guest told the king about it. In order not to be considered an enemy of the sages, the king immediately ordered the attendant to bestow millet on Lezi.

The teacher went out to the messenger, bowed twice, but did not accept the millet. His wife began to beat her chest and said:

We were emaciated from hunger. The king gives you grain. Why are you refusing?

Master Lezi smiled and replied:

The king sends millet as a gift, but he himself did not see me, he knows about me only from other people's words. So, from other people's words, he will accuse me of a crime. That's why I didn't accept the gift.

Beware of the one who judges others from other people's words.

The best zoo

Toward the end of August, a huge silver-colored spaceship flew to Earth, bringing Professor Hugo's zoo. The zoo was open only for six hours. Already from dawn, adults and children lined up in the longest queue. Everyone clutched in their hands the coveted dollar - the entrance fee to look at the unseen animals.

Earthlings crowded around the cages, experiencing both disgust and admiration at the sight of unusual creatures that looked like horses and spiders at the same time.

Six hours later, the professor said that the zoo was going to other cities on Earth. Many of those present said that this time the zoo was the most interesting in recent years.

Two months later, the silver ship landed among the jagged rocks of the planet Kaan. The ship's passengers, who looked like horses and spiders at the same time, left the cages. At home they were greeted with questions.

The kid, who returned with his father, said:

The most interesting part of the tour was the planet Earth. The local inhabitants cover their skin with clothes and move on two legs.

Are they not dangerous? asked the mother.

No. We were protected from them by bars and did not leave the ship. But this spectacle was worth the money we paid for the tour.

Never feel superior to anyone.

Fairy tales

The grandson loved endlessly listening to bedtime stories read by his grandfather. And since these were the same fairy tales, the inventive grandfather once recorded them on a tape recorder so that the grandson himself would press the button and listen.

But the next evening, the grandson again came to his grandfather with the same book of fairy tales, climbed, as always, on his knees and asked him to read fairy tales.

Children no longer need information, but love.

Happiness

There lived a cattle breeder in one country. He was honest and sober, he never offended anyone, and all his flocks grazed in the mountains and in the meadows without supervision, and neither the beast nor the man offended them, since he had no enemies.

Lived in the same country lazy and loafer. Here this cattle breeder meets him one day and asks:

How do you live?

I can hardly breathe from hunger.

Come to me, work for a year, I'll give you a couple of good bulls - plow, sow your field, you'll be full.

The loafer thought:

Here's another, work because of a couple of bulls. They say that the sheep themselves graze with him, I’ll go and take away what I want for myself.

I thought and went. He climbed the mountains and sees: the cattle scattered over the mountains, but there are no shepherds. As soon as he approached, all the multitude of cattle crowded together in one place. A lazy person came up and saw: a tiny little man was standing among the cattle, and cows and sheep were flirting with him. The lazy man was surprised and asked:

What kind of creature are you?

And I am the happiness of the owner of this herd.

Where is my happiness?

Yours is on such and such a mountain, under such and such a bush.

The lazy man went, barely reached the mountain, got tired, lay down under some bush and dozed off. When I woke up, the sun was already setting. Suddenly he hears: someone sighs. He sees a little man lying under a bush, skin and bones, groaning.

What kind of creature are you?

And I am your happiness.

Oh, you bum! - got angry lazy. - I'm dying of hunger, and you're lying here, doing nothing!

You sit idle, and even more so I.

What is the owner, such is his happiness.

Such different birds

Are you a bird? the albatross asked the penguin.

Then follow me!

The penguin folded his flippers and disappeared under the water.

They don’t fly like that,” said the albatross.

So you're not a bird, - answered the penguin.

Try to understand the other, maybe he is also right in his own way.

The king and the crane

A certain wise man brought a bowl of living water to King Suleiman and said:

If you drink - you will gain immortality, if you don't drink - you will eventually go to the land of the dead.

The king thought and ordered to invite all the wise men on earth for advice: people and animals. All the wise men began to praise life and its blessings and agreed that Suleiman should drink living water. Only the wisest crane asked Suleiman:

Will you drink living water alone or will you give it to all your friends to drink?

The king replied:

Water was brought only to me, and no one else will have enough.

Do you need a life without friends and loved ones?

The king thought and did not drink living water.

Surviving everyone and staying alone is another question: is this a punishment or a reward?

Shank from a shovel

A man lived in a Russian village. Since childhood, he could not move, and therefore the only thing he could do was lie on the stove. So he lay for about thirty years. Probably, on the same stove, his life would have ended if his life, if one day an old man, passing through this village, had not entered his hut.

Give me some water to drink, the old man asked.

I am unable to help you, old man, because in all my life I have not taken a single step without someone's help, - said the sick man and wept.

How long have you tried this step? the old man asked.

A long time ago, - answered the patient. “I don’t even remember how many years ago.

Here is a magic staff for you, lean on it and go for water, - the old man said and gave the staff.

The patient slid down from the stove, as if in a dream, clasped the staff in his hands and ... got up! He cried again, but this time from happiness.

How can I thank you and what a wonderful staff you gave me?! exclaimed the young man.

This staff is an ordinary stalk from a shovel, which was behind your stove, - the old man answered. “There is nothing magical about it. You were able to get up because you believed in the staff and forgot your weakness. The next time you're having a hard time in life, don't sit idle, waiting for help from others, but take a closer look around. Nearby there will always be some “staff” left by God especially for you.

What is more important

Once a boatman was transporting a respectable old man. The old man inadvertently leaned over the side of the boat and began to sink. The boatman rescued him and questioned him. It turned out that the prince had invited the elder as an adviser. The boatman was very surprised:

You don't know how to swim at all. I swim like a fish. Why did the prince choose you?

The old man replied:

You are a boatman and therefore I am convinced that the most important thing is to be able to swim. The peasant is convinced that the main thing is to be able to grow rice. The hunter is convinced that his most necessary business. But they are all wrong. The truth is elsewhere. It is necessary that some people swim well, others grow crops well, and still others know the habits of animals and know how to shoot without a miss. Only then will the state be rich. But you have not comprehended this truth, and therefore, until the end of your days, you will be a boatman. But I, a decrepit old man who cannot swim, will help the prince govern the state.

Those who can think well should manage.

Buddha and villagers

One day, the Buddha and his disciples were walking past a village where opponents of Buddhism lived. Residents poured out of their houses, surrounded them and began to insult them. The Buddha's disciples became angry and were ready to fight back. After a pause, the Buddha spoke, and his speech confused not only the villagers, but also the disciples. First, he addressed the students:

These people are doing their job. They are angry, it seems to them that I am an enemy of their religion, their moral principles. Therefore, they insult me, and this is natural. But why are you suddenly angry? Why do you have such a reaction? You behaved as these people intended, and in doing so you allowed them to manipulate you. And if so, then you are dependent on them. But aren't you free? People from the village didn't expect such a reaction either. They fell silent.

In the silence that followed, the Buddha addressed them:

Have you said everything? If you haven't spoken yet, you will have that opportunity when we go back.

The puzzled villagers asked:

But we insulted you, why aren't you even angry with us?

The Buddha replied:

You are free people and what you have done is your right. I don't react to it. Therefore, no one and nothing can make me react the way he wants, no one can influence me and manipulate me. My actions flow from my inner state, from my awareness. And I would like to ask you a question that concerns you. In the previous village, people met me, welcoming me with treats. I told them: “Thank you, we have already had breakfast, take these fruits and sweets with my blessing for yourself. We cannot carry them with us because we do not carry food with us.” And now I ask you: What do you think they did with what I did not accept and gave back to them?

One person in the crowd said:

They must have taken those fruits and sweets back and distributed them to their children and families.

And today I do not accept your insults and curses, - said the Buddha. I return them to you. What will you do with them? Take them with you and do whatever you want with them.

Two views of the world. Parable of Socrates

Noon was approaching. Socrates went for a walk outside of Athens. He stopped to rest near a milestone about five miles from the city. A traveler got off the road and walked towards him.

Greetings my friend. Could you tell me if I'm on the right path to Athens?

Socrates replied that he was on the right track.

Stick to the beaten path. It's a big city, you can't get past it. "Tell me," the traveler asked, "what are the people of Athens like?"

Well, - answered Socrates, - tell me where you came from, and what kind of people live there, and I will tell you about the people of Athens.

I am from Argos. And I'm proud and happy to tell you that the people of Argos are the friendliest, happiest, most generous people I've ever known.

I am happy to please you, my friend, - said Socrates, - The people of Athens are exactly the same.

The traveler went on his way, and Socrates remained near the milestone. This conversation made him feel joy and pleasure from the kindness and humanity of the world around him. Just then, another traveler stepped off the road.

Greetings my friend. Am I going the right way to Athens?

Socrates confirmed that the road is correct.

Go straight. It's a big city, you can't get past it.

Tell me, - asked the traveler - what are the people living in Athens like?

Well, - Socrates smiled, - tell me where you are from and what kind of people live there, and I will tell you about the inhabitants of Athens.

I am from Argos, - the traveler answered, - and I am very sorry to tell you about it, but the inhabitants of Argos are the most dishonest, mean and unfriendly people I have ever met.

I am sorry to disappoint you, my friend, - said Socrates, - but the inhabitants of Athens are exactly the same.

Christian parables and fables for children for the lessons of spiritual and moral education.

Kharitonova N.V.

How do we see the world?

There was an old withered tree on the road.

One night a thief passed by him and was frightened - it seemed to him that it was standing, waiting for his guard.

A young man in love passed by and his heart beat joyfully. He mistook the tree for his beloved.

The child, frightened by terrible tales, burst into tears when he saw the tree, and decided that it was a ghost, but the tree was only a tree.

We see the world as we are.

And why you?

Andrey Marko's fable

Once a little Mishutka asked his father Bear:

Dad, do you know everyone who lives in our forest?

Yes, son, everyone.

But tell me, is the wolf the bravest? - asked the son.

He is very brave, much braver than me, - answered the bear.

Is the tiger strong? - Mishutka did not let up.

Incredibly strong, I can't even compare to him.

Well, what about the lynx? Is she smart?

Woo! muttered the bear. - She is so dexterous that the leaf does not move when she hunts for prey.

And what about the fox? She is said to be very smart.

Yes, son, they are right. She is really smart and agile.

So why, dad, are you the head of the forest, and not a tiger, a wolf or a smart fox? - Mishutka asked in bewilderment.

You see sonthe wolf is brave but cannot be careful. The tiger is strong, but very quick-tempered. The lynx is agile, but often cannot keep what it has acquired. The fox is smart, but sometimes she uses her skills to outwit others, and therefore gets into trouble. Well, I just see ten entities where they only see one. And depending on the situation and time, I am either a fox, or a tiger, or a wolf. That's the only reason I'm the head of the forest.

The world is the way you see it.

A young man came to one oasis, drank water and asked an old man who was resting near the source:

What kind of people live here?

The old man, in turn, asked the young man:

What kind of people live where you came from?

A bunch of selfish people with bad thoughts,” the young man replied.

On the same day, another young man went to the source to quench his thirst from the road. Seeing the old man, he greeted and asked:

What kind of people live in this place?

The old man asked the same question in response: - And what kind of people live where you came from?

Beautiful! Honest, hospitable, friendly. It hurt me to part with them.

You will find the same ones here,” said the old man.

One man who overheard both conversations asked, "How could you give two such identical answers to the same question?"

To which the old man replied:

Each of us can only see what is in our hearts.

He who has not found anything good wherever he has been will not be able to find anything else either here or anywhere else.

If you don’t like something in the world around you, then most of all we are upset not by the phenomenon itself, but by our opinion about it.

Are Hell and Heaven the same?

One day a good man was talking to God and asked him: Lord, I would like to know what Heaven is and what Hell is.

The Lord led him to two doors, opened one, and led the good man inside.

There was a huge round table in the middle of which was a huge bowl filled with food that smelled very delicious. The people around the table looked like they were starving. They all had spoons with long, long handles attached to their hands.

They could take out a bowl filled with food and scoop up food, but because of their long handles, they could not bring the spoons to their mouths. The good man was shocked at the sight of their misfortune.

The Lord said, "You just saw Hell just now."

The Lord and the good man then went to the second door. There was the same huge round table, the same giant bowl filled with delicious food.

The people around the table held the same very long-handled spoons.

Only this time they looked full, happy, and deep in pleasant conversations with each other.

The good man said to the Lord, "I don't understand."

"It's simple," the Lord answered him,

"These have learned to feed each other. Others think only of themselves."

If Hell and Heaven are arranged in the same way, then the difference is inside us?

Parable about wolves.

Once upon a time, an old man revealed to his grandson one vital truth:

In every person there is a struggle, very similar to the struggle of two wolves. One wolf represents evil: envy, jealousy, regret, selfishness, ambition, lies. The other wolf represents goodness: peace, love, hope, truth, kindness and loyalty.

The grandson, touched to the depths of his soul by the words of his grandfather, thought, and then asked:

Which wolf wins at the end?

The old man smiled and replied:

The wolf you feed always wins.

Is the world hostile to humans?

The student asked the dervish:

Master, is the world hostile to man? Or is it good for a person?

I will tell you a parable about how the world treats a person, - said the teacher.

"A long time ago there lived a great shah.

He ordered the construction of a beautiful palace. There were many wonderful things.

Among other curiosities in the palace was a hall where all the walls, ceiling, doors and even the floor were mirrored. The mirrors were unusually clear, and the visitor did not immediately realize that there was a mirror in front of him - they reflected objects so accurately.

In addition, the walls of this hall were arranged in such a way as to create an echo.

Ask: "Who are you?" - and you will hear in response from different sides: "Who are you? Who are you? Who are you?"

Once a dog ran into this hall and froze in amazement in the middle - a whole pack of dogs surrounded it from all sides, from above and below.

The dog bared its teeth just in case, and all the reflections responded to her in the same way.

Frightened in earnest, she barked desperately. The echo repeated her barking.

The dog barked louder and louder. The echo didn't stop. The dog darted back and forth, biting the air,

And her reflections, too, rushed around, snapping their teeth.

The next morning, the servants found the unfortunate dog lifeless, surrounded by millions of reflections of dead dogs. There was no one in the room who could harm her in any way. The dog died fighting its own reflections."

Now you see, - finished the dervish,- the world does not bring either good or evil by itself. He is indifferent to humans. Everything that happens around us is just a reflection of our own thoughts, feelings, desires, actions.

The world is a big mirror.

The basic rule for achieving the goal

Three beginners came to the Master of Archery:

You are the most dexterous shooter in the whole world! We want to become as successful and continue your work,” they said.

I can teach you archery! Master replied. - Tell all the secrets and wisdom of this case. But I will take only one as my student! And he can become the best shooter and a truly successful person.

In order to choose someone to be his disciple, the Master offered to pass a small test for all three. He hung a target on a tree, and at a distance of several meters let down the first beginner.

What do you see in front of you? the Master asked.

I see a tree with a target hanging from it.

What else? the master asked

Behind a green lawn, flowers grow on it.

Good, - said the Master and called the next applicant to be a student. - What do you see in front of you?

I see a target, a tree, a clearing, flowers, the sky,” the second newcomer replied.

Good! - answered the Master and asked the same question to the third beginner. – What do you see?

I see a target in front of me! he replied.

All right, said the Master, what else?

Nothing else! The most important thing is the target, I see only it!

Well done! Master said. You will achieve great success in life. I will take you as my student.

When there is a goal, nothing else matters.

Parable "True knowledge".

One day a school Teacher came to a very respected Teacher and accused her of being completely illogical in her method of teaching, that it was some kind of crazy chatter, and some other things of that kind. The teacher took out a gem from her bag. She pointed to the mall shops and said:

Take it to stores that sell silverware and watch batteries and see if you can get a hundred pounds of gold for it.

The Schoolmaster tried everything he could, but he was offered no more than a hundred silver pence.

Great, said the teacher. “Now go to a real jeweler and see what he will give you for this stone.”

The Schoolmaster went to the nearest jewelry store and was surprised when he was suddenly offered ten thousand gold pounds for this stone.

The teacher said:

You have tried to understand the nature of the knowledge I am giving and my way of teaching, just as the silver merchants tried to value this stone.

If you want to be able to determine the true value of a stone,

Become a jeweler.

The Parable of the Purposeful Frog

Several frogs gathered and started talking.

What a pity that we live in such a small swamp. I wish I could get to the neighboring swamp, it's much better there! one frog croaked.

And I heard that there is a great place in the mountains! There is a clean big pond, fresh air, and there are no those hooligan boys, - the second frog croaked dreamily.

And you something that from this? snarled the big toad. "You'll never get there anyway!"

Why not get there? We frogs can do anything! Really, friends? - said the dreamer frog and added, - let's prove to this harmful toad that we can move to the mountains!

Let's! Let's! Let's move to a big clean pond! - croaked all the frogs in different voices.

So they all began to gather to move. And the old toad told all the inhabitants of the swamp about the "stupid idea of ​​the frogs."

And when the frogs set off, everyone who remained in the swamp shouted with one voice:

Where are you, frogs, it's IMPOSSIBLE! You will not reach the pond. It's better to sit in your swamp!

But the frogs did not listen, and moved on. For several days they walked, many were exhausted from their last strength and abandoned their goal. They turned back to their native swamp.

Everyone whom the frogs met on their difficult path dissuaded them from this crazy idea. And so their company got smaller and smaller. And only one frog did not turn off the path. She did not return back to the swamp, but reached a clean beautiful pond and settled in it.

Why did she manage to reach her goal? Maybe she was stronger than the others?

It turned out that this frog was simply DEAF!She had not heard that it was IMPOSSIBLE! I didn’t hear how they dissuaded her, which is why she easily reached her goal!

The parable of the oyster and the eagle.

(This parable is based on a story from ancient Indian mythology about how man was created)

In the beginning, God created an oyster and placed it at the very bottom. Her life was not varied. She did nothing all day

She just opened the sink, let some water in, and closed it again. Day after day, and she kept opening the shell and closing, opening and closing ...

Then God created the eagle and gave it free flight and the ability to reach the highest peaks. For him there were no boundaries, but the eagle had to pay for his freedom.

Nothing fell to him from the sky. When he had chicks, he hunted all day to get enough food. But he was glad to pay for this gift at such a price.

After all, God created man. And he led him first to the oyster, then to the eagle. And told him to choose his way of life.

Constantly learning and developing, we make a choice between two forms of existence. Oyster means people who do not seek to expand their horizons. Very often in this case they have to do the same thing all their lives.

Whoever decides to live like an eagle chooses, for sure, a difficult road. Most likely, there is only one way to go through it to the end - we must learn to find pleasure in learning and development.

The more we learn and grow, the freer we become. Obstacles and problems become, from this point of view, lessons.

Butterfly lesson.

One day, a small gap appeared in the cocoon, and a man who happened to pass by stood for long hours and watched how a butterfly was trying to get out through this small gap. A lot of time passed, the butterfly seemed to have abandoned its efforts, and the gap remained just as small. It seemed that the butterfly did everything she could, and that she had no more strength for anything else.

Then the man decided to help the butterfly, he took a penknife and cut the cocoon. Butterfly came out immediately. But her body was weak and feeble, her wings were transparent and barely moved.

The man continued to watch, thinking that the butterfly's wings were about to spread and get stronger, and it would fly away. Nothing happened!

For the rest of its life, the butterfly dragged along the ground its weak body, its unspread wings. She was never able to fly.

And all because the person, wanting to help her, did not understand that the effort to get out through the narrow crack of the cocoon is necessary for the butterfly, so that the fluid from the body passes into the wings and so that the butterfly can fly. Life forced the butterfly to leave this shell with difficulty so that it could grow and develop.

Sometimes it is effort that we need in life. If we were allowed to live without difficulties, we would be deprived. We could not be as strong as we are now. We could never fly.

I asked for strength ... And life gave me difficulties to make me strong.

I asked for wisdom... And life gave me problems to solve.

I asked for wealth ... And life gave me the brain and muscles so that I could work.

I asked for the opportunity to fly ... And life gave me obstacles so that I could overcome them.

I asked for love... And life gave me people whom I could help in their problems.

I asked for blessings ... And life gave me opportunities.

I didn't get anything I asked for. But I got everything I needed.

Strong snowflake.

Let's check which of us is stronger, who can break this dry branch.

The first snowflake ran up and jumped with all its might onto a branch. The thread didn't even move. Behind her is the second. Nothing too. Third. The branch didn't budge either. Snowflakes fell on the branch all night. A whole snowdrift formed on it. The branch bent under the weight of snowflakes, but did not want to break. And one small snowflake hovered in the air all this time and thought: “If the bigger ones couldn’t break the branch, then where should I go?”

But her friends called her: - Try it! Suddenly you can!

And the snowflake finally made up its mind. She fell on a branch, and ... the branch broke, although this snowflake was not stronger than the others.

And who knows, maybe it is your good deed that will defeat evil in someone's life, although you are not stronger than the rest.

Who to blame?

In the train car, the girl diligently writes something in a notebook. Mom asks her: “What are you writing, daughter?” - “I describe the places that I see from the window. You can read, mommy, ”the daughter replies. Mom reads what was written and raises her eyebrows high: “But you have so many mistakes in your words, daughter!” - “Ah, mother! - exclaims the girl. - There's a different kind of train here! He shakes so much that it is very difficult to write correctly!

Always blame yourself for your mistakes, not the circumstances, and you will never make a mistake.

Forget-me-not.

Parable about mercy and love for nature for children

A flower grew in the field and rejoiced: the sun, light, heat, air, rain, life ... And also the fact that God created it not with nettles or thistles, but in such a way as to please man.

He grew, grew ... And suddenly a boy walked by and plucked it. Just like that, without even knowing why.

Crumpled up and thrown onto the road. The flower became painful, bitter. The boy did not even know that scientists had proven that plants, like people, can feel pain.

But most of all, the flower was offended that it was simply torn off and deprived of sunlight, daytime heat and night coolness, rain, air, life ...

The last thing he thought about was that it was still good that the Lord did not create him with nettles. After all, then the boy would certainly burn his hand.

And he, having known what pain is, did not want so much that at least someone else on earth would be hurt ...

The dispute between the wind and the sun.

One day, the angry North Wind and the Sun started a dispute about which of them is stronger. They argued for a long time and decided to try their hand at one traveler.

The wind said: “I will immediately tear off his cloak!” And he began to blow. He blew very hard and for a long time. But the man only wrapped himself more tightly in his cloak.

Then the Sun began to warm the traveler. He first lowered his collar, then untied his belt, and then took off his cloak and carried it on his arm.The Sun said to the Wind: “You see: with kindness, affection, you can achieve much more than violence.”

Happiness is near.

The wise old cat lay on the grass and basked in the sun. Then a small, nimble kitten rushed past him. He tumbled past the cat, then jumped briskly and began to run in circles again.

What are you doing? the cat asked lazily.

I'm trying to catch my tail! - out of breath answered the kitten.

But why? the cat laughed.

I was told that the tail is my happiness. If I catch my tail, I will catch my happiness. So I've been running for the third day after my tail. But he always eludes me.

Yes, - the wise old cat smiled, - once I, like you, ran after my happiness, but it eluded me all the time. I left this idea. After a while I realizedthat there is no point in chasing happiness. It always follows me around. Wherever I am, my happiness is always with me, you just need to remember this.

Mother's heart.

On the forest edge illuminated by the sun, a beautiful birch tree grew with young daughters. She loved her children, caressed with sprawling branches, protecting them from the cold wind and heavy rain. And in the summer, under its canopy, no scorching sun frightened the birches. They were "warm in the sun, but good in the mother."

But one day a thunderstorm broke out in the forest. No joke. Thunder rumbles shook the earth, and the sky was lit up with lightning every now and then. Thin-barreled beauties trembled with fear. But mother birch reassured them, hugging them with her strong branches: "Do not be afraid of anything. Lightning will not be able to notice you under my branches. I am tall and ...". She did not have time to agree.

A loud crack resounded through the forest. A huge lightning struck the birch mercilessly, scorching the core of its trunk. But the birch did not catch fire. Her strength left her, an evil wind tried to knock her to the ground, a heavy downpour unraveled the branches, but under them were her children and no one except her mother could protect them now. camps, washing the tears flowing down the leaves. Last time. There was no limit to motherly love.

Only when everything was over and the sun shone again over the rain-washed forest, she, swaying, quietly sank to the ground. “I will never leave you,” she whispered to the birches, “my trunk will very soon be overgrown with grass and covered with moss. But my mother’s heart will never stop beating in it. No lightning can break it.”

When the birch fell, she once again affectionately hugged her daughters, and did not touch any of them. So three slender beauties grow around an old stump covered with moss. It happens that a traveler sits down to rest in their shade on the trunk of an old tree and it seems to him that it is surprisingly soft. He closes his eyes and hears the beat of his mother's heart...

Holy lake.

There lived two brothers-banks and a sister-river. One bank was high and overgrown with dense forest, which is why it was considered rich. And the other, low and sandy, is poor.

Somehow he asked the poor shore from his rich brother for some firewood to make a fire and warm himself. Yes, where is it! The rich shore was indignant:

If every time I give you even a little, then, you see, there will be nothing left for yourself. And I will become poor, just like you!

Heard this sky, frowned. Lightning flashed and struck a large oak tree on a high bank. The forest caught fire. And such a fire began that the high bank pleaded:

Sister River! Brother coast! Help out! Save! Without water and sand - perish!

Without hesitation, the river and the poor bank rushed to help their brother.

And they tried so hard that she, filling the fire with water, gave herself to the last drop, and he, filling it with sand, gave everything to the last grain of sand.

So they put out the fire.

But this did not bring relief to the rich brother. After all, now there was only a large empty lowland in front of him. And he didn't have a sister or a brother...

Time has passed.

Rains and industrious springs gradually filled the lowland with water. And it became a lake, which people, having learned its history, called "holy". How else to call the fruit of sacrificial love?

And when someone stayed here to spend the night, the high bank, sighing guiltily, generously endowed him with the best firewood, which was invariably enough until dawn, despite the fact that the nights in these places were always long and cold ...

Required knowledge.

Chinese fable.

In ancient times, the Zhu people lived. One day, he learned that the old hunter Ma Teng could kill dragons. Zhu came to him and asked him to teach him how to kill dragons.

This is a difficult art. Are you ready to study from morning to evening without rest for five years? Do you have money to pay for teaching?

Yes, - said Zhu and began to study. Five long years have passed. All these years, he diligently learned to defeat dragons. He returned to the village without a penny in his pocket, but he could defeat any dragon. Zhu lived a long life, but he never met a dragon. And since he did not know how to do anything, his life was spent in sorrow and need. And only when he got old, Zhu realized a simple truth:good knowledge is that which people need and benefit them.

About a boy who believed in miracles.

The boy was very fond of reading kind and clever fairy tales and believed everything that was written there. Therefore, he looked for miracles in life, but could not find anything in it that would be similar to his favorite fairy tales. Feeling somewhat disappointed in his search, he asked his mother if it was right that he believed in miracles. Or miracles do not happen in life?

“My dear,” his mother answered him lovingly, “if you try to grow up as a kind and good boy, then all the fairy tales in your life will come true.Remember that they are not looking for miracles - they come to good people on their own.

The material was collected from various Internet sites.

Hello, dear visitors of the Orthodox island "Family and Faith"!

Before you is an amazing book: “Little Parables for Children and Adults. Volume 1, written by the Russian writer, poet and playwright monk Varnava (Sanin).

Parables are a special genre, which is very rare not only in Russian, but throughout the world literature. Short allegorical and instructive stories enable a person to look at his shortcomings from the outside, think about eternal values, help to find answers to various questions of our being.

Monk Barnabas (Eugene Sanin), having created in his parables an amazing fusion of high spirituality and morality with folk wisdom, at the same time managed to write them in a very capacious, fascinating, intelligible language, which makes it possible to read these instructive stories not only for adults, but also for children.

Monk Barnabas (Sanin)

LITTLE PARABLES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS. Volume-1

PAGE 1st

REAL LOVE

At I saw a pool on the shore a beautiful lily. And decided, by all means, to take possession of it.

What he just did not offer the beauty: to ride on his fast waves, the gentle coolness of the water in the unbearable heat and a whole whirlpool of all kinds of entertainment and pleasures.

The beauty hesitated.

The bug, who hopelessly loved her, noticed this and began to dissuade:

- He will kill you! You'll be lost!

Only where there!

“He is so strong, handsome and all sort of mysterious ...” Lily objected. - No, I think I'll still accept his offer!

- Ah well? the beetle shouted. “Well then, look what awaits you if you do this!”

And he, folding his wings, rushed to the surface of the whirlpool, which immediately mercilessly swirled, spun it, and soon disappeared forever from the eyes of the lily, who only now understood what true love is ...

ENVY

P envy came to the store with money to buy bread.

He looks, and there a man buys a pie for a ruble ...

So envy jumped out of the store!

Then she decided to at least drink water from the well. She took the biggest tub so that everyone would envy her!

And at the well the peasant's wife - light buckets, painted yokes ...

She threw her bucket of envy, and, well, completely run away from the village - without food, without drink ...

She lay down on a hillock, which is higher, and began to envy herself that there was a time when she did not envy anyone ...

PROUD WIND

W The wind extinguished the candle and became proud:

“Now I can pay off everything!” Even the sun!

A wise peasant heard him, made a windmill and said:

- Eka unseen - the sun! Even the night can extinguish it. You try to stop this wheel!

And, with all his strength, he spun a large, heavy wheel.

The wind blew once, blew another - but the wheel does not stop. On the contrary, the more he blew, the more it spun.

Flour flowed into the smart peasant's bags, and he began to live: he himself was in abundance, and the poor should not be forgotten!

And the wind, they say, still blows on this wheel. Where exactly? Yes, wherever there is a place for pride!

REPENTANCE

At a man fell into a deep abyss.

Lies wounded, dies ...

Friends came running. They tried, holding on to each other, to go down to help him, but they themselves almost fell into it.

Mercy has come. It lowered the ladder into the abyss, yes - oh! .. - it does not reach the end!

Good deeds, done once by a man, arrived in time, threw down a long rope. But also - a short rope ...

They also tried in vain to save a person: his loud fame, big money, power ...

Finally, repentance came. It extended its hand. A man grabbed it and ... got out of the abyss!

— How did you do it? – everyone was surprised.

But repentance had no time to answer.

It hurried to other people whom only it could save...

CONSCIENCE

R I told the man's conscience that he was wrong, another, third ...

On the fourth he decided to get rid of her. Yes, not for a day or two - forever!

I thought and thought about how to do it, and thought of ...

“Come on,” he says, “conscience, play hide and seek!”

“No,” she says. - You will deceive me anyway - you will peep!

Then the man pretended to be completely sick and said:

- I got sick of something ... Bring me some milk from the cellar!

Her conscience could not refuse him this. Went down to the cellar. And the man jumped out of bed - and closed it!

He called his friends to the joys and with a light heart: he deceived one, offended the other, and when they began to take offense, he completely drove everyone out. And no remorse for you, no reproaches - good at heart, calm.

It’s good, it’s good, but only a day has passed, another, but something began to be missed by a person. And a month later he realized what - conscience! And then such anguish fell upon him that he could not stand it and opened the lid of the cellar.

“All right,” he says, “come out!” Just don't order now!

And the answer is silence.

He went down to the cellar: there, here - there is no conscience anywhere!

Apparently, indeed, got rid of her forever ...

The man sobbed: - How am I going to live without a conscience now?

- Here am I…

A man called to the joys of his friends, apologized and arranged such a feast for them here!

Everyone thought it was his birthday and congratulated him on it. But he did not refuse, and his conscience did not object. And not at all because I was afraid to be in the basement again.

After all, if you look, that's how it was!

WHO IS STRONGER?

W whether on the road good and evil. In front of them are two men.

“Come on,” says the evil, “let’s test which of us is stronger?”

- Let's! - agreed not knowing how to object good. - But as?

- And let these two men fight for us, - says evil, - I will make one of them strong, rich, but evil!

- Good! - says good. - And I'm different - weak and poor, but kind!

No sooner said than done.

In a moment, one man was on a horse, in rich clothes. And the other is in rags, and even with a stick ...

- Get out of my way! - shouted at him turned into a rich man, beat him with a whip and galloped home as soon as possible - to count the money.

Made poor sighed and silently trudged along.

— Aha! Evil rejoiced. “Is it clear now which of us is stronger?”

“Wait,” he says kindly. - Everything is easy and fast for you, but not for long. And I, if I do something, then - forever!

And there was this. How long, no, the poor man walked, only suddenly he sees - a rich man is lying under a horse that has fallen on him and cannot rise in any way. Wheezing already, suffocating ...

The poor man approached him. And he felt so sorry for the dying man, that where did the strength come from! He threw away the stick, pulled himself up and - helped the unfortunate man to free himself.

Weepy rich. Doesn't know how to thank the poor.

“I,” he says, “with a whip, and you saved my life!” Come live with me. You will be my brother now!

Two men left. And evil says:

- What are you, good? They promised to make their little man weak, but he could lift such a heavy horse! If so, then I won!

And good and did not argue. After all, it was not able to object - even to evil.

But since then, good and evil do not go together. And if they go along the same road, then only in different directions!

OLD ROAD

H It began to wear the strength of people on a country road.

For a hundred years they have been trampling on it, trampling it: it’s time to retire - she knew about the pension from those who walked along it all their lives. And who needs it: now more and more highways and asphalts are in fashion!

The road curled up and lay down to rest on the sidelines.

People came out in the morning: there is no road!

How to be? What to do?..

You can’t walk on asphalt - the asphalt of spring streams could not stand it, it all cracked, and now they will re-pave it until autumn.

The highway is also soft, viscous in the heat. So the soles stick to it.

The road saw this, sighed and - nothing can be done! - began to serve people again.

WATERCOLOR PAINTS

At they knew watercolors that they were going to be diluted with water, and were indignant:

- Why can't we do it ourselves?

- No, - she said, tired of rubbing on dry paints, even the softest brush.

- Don't do it! - confirmed the paper that has seen a lot in its lifetime.

The artist didn't say anything.

He diluted the paints with water and painted a picture.

One that everyone was happy with.

And first of all, the watercolors themselves!

TWO BOGATYRS

E the hero roamed the field.

Helmet, armor, shield, spear, mace, and even a sword in a sheath ...

Towards the old monk.

A faded skullcap on his head, a patched cassock, and a rosary in his hands.

- Be healthy, honest father!

- And you, kid, do not get sick! Where are you heading?

— To the war. And you?

- And I'm in the war. I don’t need to look for her, just like you!

The two heroes looked at each other with understanding.

And they hurried to save Russia from visible and invisible enemies!

ICON

To settled in the museum of the painting on the icon and did not understand anything:

"And why was she hanged among us?" No bright colors, no beauty of movement, no liveliness of the image! Right, black square?

But the black square did not answer. Behind the silence, he hid his complete emptiness and therefore was known as the most wise and even mysterious. In addition, due to his price, he was very rich, and therefore even more respected.

The icon itself was very upset. And not at all with these gossip addressed to you. And the fact that people walked by and just looked at her.

But she was created not to be looked at, but to pray before her!

And then she went to look for her.

But it was raining heavily outside, lightning flashed continuously in the sky, thunder rumbled loudly and reverberantly ... From these lightnings, from this thunder, the woman was terribly scared.

Life story...

The merchant returned home from a trip. And found that his son was completely out of hand. What to do? You have to raise your son somehow. But how?

Having thought well, the father came up with the following: he dug a pole against the house, and after each misconduct of his son, he drove a nail into this pole.

Some time passed ... And there was no living place left on the pillar - it was all studded with nails.

This picture struck the imagination of the son.

The lion was sleeping under a tree. Suddenly the Mouse ran over his body. He woke up and caught her. The mouse began to ask him to let her in; she said:

- If you let me go, and I will do you good.

The lion laughed that the mouse promised to do him good. But he let her go anyway. Then the hunters caught the lion and tied it to a tree with a rope. The mouse heard the lion's roar, ran, gnawed through the rope and said:

“Remember, you laughed, you didn’t think that I could do you good, but now you see, sometimes good comes from a mouse.

Parable. How to find friends

The girl came to a village where she didn't know anyone. She complained to her father:

- I'm bored. Nobody wants to be friends with me. How can I find friends?
- There are a lot of friends around. Come out, daughter, on the street, but take a closer look- he said.

The girl went out into the street - no one. She went to the field. He sees a foal running. Rushed to catch up - did not catch up. A hare jumped out from under a bush. She rushed to catch him - did not catch. He sees - a dove is flying, she ran after her, but where is there. The dove flew away. The girl saw a ladybug, extended her hand - and ... caught it.

- Let me go! the ladybug asked.

two oars