An old man died and left everything he had to his three sons. The oldest one got the house, the middle one – the cow, and the youngest one – an axe and gloves. The oldest son settled in the house, the middle one – started trading milk, and the youngest one – started earning … Read more
A prince inherited a kingdom. And, like all kings, he had everything in abundance. But suddenly the troubles began. The drought killed many, the diseases even more. And then, an enemy state stormed the kingdom and killed the ones who survived. The king somehow managed to escape. He went to his childhood friend, who ruled … Read more
One rooster rummaged in a pile of garbage from morning till night. – What are you looking for, rooster? – the other ones asked him. – A grain of corn – answered the Rooster. – But there are corn grains scattered all over the ground! – Ha! On the ground, even a fool can find … Read more
A certain sage brought a glass of living water to an emperor and said: – “If you drink this water – you will become immortal. If you don’t – you will eventually end up in the country of the dead. Just like everybody else.” The emperor thought a while about the offer, but couldn’t decide … Read more
Once upon a time, there lived one merchant. And like all merchants, he bought goods from one place, and travelled to sell them in another. From time to time, he would stop his caravan, and after resting a while, he would move on forward. But, once, after making few stops, he discovered that he had … Read more
Before the judge stood a man convicted of bribes. The judge offered the accused to choose between one of three possible punishments: either to pay 100 gold coins, to be hit 50 times with a stick, or to eat 3 pounds of raw onions. Being greedy, so he decided that the best punishment is also … Read more
There lived once two men. One of them was rich, and the other one was poor. There were many feasts in the house of the rich man. Meanwhile, the poor man had nothing to eat. A wise old man once came to the door of the rich man and asked him to sleep for the … Read more
A long time ago, in a kingdom far away, there lived two knights who befriended each other. The first one was smart, and the second one stupid. Nevertheless, they gave each other a promise of loyalty – that neither of them will leave the other in good times or in need, and that they will … Read more
The Fox and the Crane became friends. After a while, the Fox invited the Crane over for dinner. The Crane accepted the invitation and went to the Fox’s house. The Fox had some soup prepared and served it on a flat plate. The Crane tried peck-peck-pecking on the plate, but couldn’t get anything in his … Read more
One day, the little Raccoon went into the woods to pick some sweet sedge for dinner. When he arrived in the woods, however, a monkey decided to have some fun with him. So, he asked him: – Are you not afraid the ONE WHO is living in the pond? He’s so evil and scary. It … Read more
A believer once went to the Prophet and asked to see heaven and hell. The Prophet took his hand and led him to a palace. When they entered one room, he saw multitudes of people. In the middle of the room, there was a long table with a pot full of soup, spreading a pleasant … Read more
A small clay water jug stood on the stove. And in the corner of the room, a sick man lay on the bed. He was tormented by extreme thirst. “Just a sip, just a sip,” he groaned. But there was no one in the room. His pleas were so heartbreaking that the jug could not … Read more
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and … Read more
A horse and a donkey were once coming from the market. The donkey was carrying heavy load on his back, and the horse was lightly running. Halfway down the road, the donkey felt tired and barely able to breathe. He asked the horse to take some of his load. But the horse would not listen. … Read more
Towards the end of August, a huge silver coloured spaceship came to Earth, carrying with it Professor Hugo’s zoo. The zoo was open for only six hours. Adults and children waited since the early morning, forming the longest line ups ever witnessed. And everyone was holding in their hands the entrance fee, a small amount … Read more
In the early 1930s, an American manufacturing company sent an industrial machine to Japan. A month later, the company received a telegram: THE MACHINE DOES NOT WORK. SEND A REPAIRMAN. The company sent a specialist to Japan. But even before he could get to work, it received another telegram: THE REPAIRMAN IS TOO YOUNG. SENT … Read more
An old man lived alone in the country. He needed to plant his potato garden but the task was too daunting for the old man as the ground was hard. His only son, John, who used to help him dig, was in federal prison for Insider Trading and Stock Fraud. The old man wrote a … Read more
A patient complained to his doctor: – It seems to me, doc, that I will die soon… I feel terrible pain wherever I touch anything on my body. After examining the patient, the doctor replied: – Of course you do. Your finger is broken. The Lesson Every so often we feel as if we’re … Read more
Once upon a time, in a family of ordinary mice, a baby mouse was born. Few years passed, and she grew up to become a dazzling beauty. When it was her turn to get married, her parents started looking for a suitable mate. But how could they find one? Who was special enough to deserve … Read more
It often happens that a by-product of a manufacturing process proves worthier than the original product of that process. For example, many people know the name of the most famous product of the Bayer Chemical Corporation of Germany. But few are aware that it was discovered by an accident. Namely, while manufacturing other chemical products, … Read more