Very short parables. Short parables with morals

Why do people need books? Great philosophers, thinkers and ordinary people have asked this question more than once. Each creation of a writer is a small world that brings something new to the reader: some books teach to love and empathize, others to always come to the rescue and value friendship, and others to correctly set life priorities. However, there are also books that bring nothing but chaos and confusion, but they can hardly be called literature. Tales and short stories, short stories and novels, fables and fairy tales... All this represents the great heritage of human wisdom, at a separate level of which stand parables about the meaning of life .

What are these short stories, filled with deep meaning, which sometimes cannot be conveyed even in a three-volume collection of works? What is their great strength? Who are these talented creators who gave readers wise parables about the meaning of life and human relationships, about faith and hope, about love and mutual understanding, about tolerance and piety?

Why do we need parables about life?

Each of us, from a young age, albeit unconsciously, began our acquaintance with parables - short stories about fictional characters that carried teaching and morality, every mother was sure to tell them. And if in childhood this was perceived as part of upbringing, parental guidance, then in adult life the parables open up from a completely different side. In addition to the obvious meaning that the work contains, more and more new facets and subtexts appear that can show the full depth of morality.

The main feature of parables, in addition to their meaningful content and small volume, is their peculiar infinity - if stories or tales are interesting only upon first reading, then philosophical parables about life you can re-read an unlimited number of times, and with each reading they will become more and more interesting. They unobtrusively, metaphorically open the readers' eyes to the only important thing that exists in the world - goodness, mutual understanding and spirituality. Moreover, it does not matter at all how many years ago the parable was created - five years or five centuries ago - it does not lose its relevance, just as the moral values ​​passed on from generation to generation do not become unnecessary or unimportant.

Parables about life and wisdom: where to start getting acquainted?

In the context of modernity, literature has ceased to play a primary role - printed publications have been replaced by the Internet, mobile phones, e-books and other gadgets. Of course, this technique, when used wisely, can bring a lot of good - in a matter of seconds, find the necessary information, tell absolutely any work, no matter what year or origin it may be. On the other hand, not a single device is capable of creating a magical aura that appears the moment you open a book. That is why read parables about life better in printed form - this will help you feel the full power of the word, tactilely feel the softness of the pages, inhale the special typographic aroma and absorb every word spoken in the parable.

However, there is nothing seditious to draw the wisdom of centuries online - no matter how paradoxical it may sound, there are many truly valuable and deep collections of parables on the Internet that will allow you to plunge into the world of morality and spirituality, take a step towards a more conscious perception of yourself and get closer to knowledge of true values.

Beautiful parables about life Little listeners and readers really like it - the child’s soul is especially subtle and sensitive, so such works cannot fail to find a response in it. Therefore, caring parents who want to raise their child to be a full-fledged and spiritually developed personality should begin to get acquainted with this genre from the first years of the child’s life. Such upbringing will be useful not only for the baby, but also for the parents themselves - light, kind and instructive parables will explain to the child what cannot be conveyed directly, and will remind the adult of how important the soul is.

5 reasons to read parables about life

  1. Such works allow you to look at life from a different angle, direct your consciousness in the right direction, take a step towards self-development and reconsider your own values.
  2. In moments of special emotional experiences, there is nothing better than parables about life and wisdom . They will tell you what to do in a given situation, share the wisdom of centuries, and help open your eyes to current events.
  3. These mini-stories exude goodness and light. Here you will not find gloom, despondency, cruelty and abuse - the stories are presented in such a way that they look more like positive stories about other people's experiences than instructions.
  4. This collection will be an excellent antidepressant against stress and melancholy, sadness and unmotivated anxiety. An evening spent with a book of parables will relieve the stress of the past day, fill the soul with light and some indescribable faith in beauty, help you become more tolerant of others and understand what was hidden until that moment.
  5. Parables should become a reference book for any parent - these mini-stories can explain what cannot be presented in your own words. How to explain what God is? How to convey to a child that words can hurt more than deeds, and helping your neighbor should be in the order of things? Only with the help of wise parables!

Beautiful parables about life: a moral lesson or educational literature?

Each parable is its own ode, a small chest in which morality is stored. And although their variety is limitless, as are spiritual matters, the most popular narratives touch on the following aspects:

  1. Happiness. What really is real happiness, not polished, fake, ostentatious, but small and touching the soul to tears? In something distant, unattainable, or in simple little things? The answers to these questions can be found in parables.
  2. About relationships. Of course, no story is complete without describing the relationships between people. A friendly shoulder offered at the right time, the support of a stranger, a kind deed towards a stranger - this is what is truly valuable.
  3. Dreams. Not to confuse a desire and a dream, not to give up a dream in the name of a momentary benefit, means taking the first step on the path to success.
  4. Correctly set priorities. In the bustle of modern megacities, it is so difficult to notice what is really important - the loving look of a loved one, the smile on the face of a passer-by, the first flower that blooms in spring. Pay attention to the beautiful to make your life a little happier!
  5. Attitude to money and career. Are finances as important as we used to think? Is buying 101 handbags more important than spending a couple of hours with your family? Is it really worth working without a break for a vacation on an overseas coast instead of spending the weekend next to those who are looking forward to it so much? Work to live or live to work? Don't make the wrong choice so you don't miss out on what's really important!

This list can be continued endlessly - folk wisdom, collected together in parables, has no boundaries.

Wise parables about the meaning of life

Why do you get up every morning, go to a job you don’t like, sit in the office from 9 to 18, listen to dissatisfied remarks from your boss, stand in traffic jams, and then lash out at your loved ones because of fatigue and devastation? Is this really your true purpose? Parables will help you find answers to these difficult questions.

Parables about life created to remind a person of what is truly important. It is not for nothing that many collections open with a phrase that has long since lost its author and become popular: “Parables are the true art of words going straight to the heart”. The search for the meaning of life is considered one of the most important tasks of a person in self-knowledge. In order not to get confused on this difficult path, from time to time pick up a collection of these wise stories so as not to forget about something important.

Proverbs

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One man met a wild horse in the forest and brought it to his home.
- Wow! - said the neighbors, - so you took it and got a horse, lucky you!
“I don’t know if I was lucky or not...” he answered.
His son began to ride around this horse, but it was wayward and threw him off. He fell badly and broke both legs.
- Ah! What a misfortune! - the neighbors exclaimed, - how bad!
“I don’t know whether this is good or bad,” the man answered.
Soon the war began and all the young men who were fit for health reasons were taken into the army.
“It’s good for you,” the neighbors said, “our children are at war, but your son remains at home.”
“I don’t know if this is good or bad,” the man still answered...

In the palace of one nobleman there was an unusual room. The walls, floor and ceiling were mirrored. One day, by pure chance, a dog ran into this room. She was confused when she saw a whole pack of similar creatures around, and bared her teeth. The dogs surrounding her responded in kind. Then the dog began to bark and rush about, but grinning, evil creatures attacked it from all sides. The poor thing spent the whole night surrounded by a brutal pack, and the next morning the nobleman’s servants found her dead - she died of a broken heart. But everything could have been different if, upon entering the room, instead of an angry grin, the dog had wagged its tail and extended its paw to those who were looking at it from the mirror as a sign of friendship.

The eagle was sitting on a tree, resting and doing nothing.
The little rabbit saw the eagle and asked:
– Can I also sit like you and do nothing?
“Of course, why not,” he replied.
The rabbit sat down under a tree and began to rest. Suddenly a fox appeared, grabbed the rabbit and ate it. Moral of the story: To sit and do nothing, you have to sit very, very high.

King Solomon had a favorite ring, on the back of which was the inscription: “Everything will pass.” When Solomon felt bad, he took the ring off his hand, looked at this inscription and calmed down. One day, King Solomon had a very great misfortune. He took the ring off his hand, but this time the inscription did not calm him down, but only angered him. In anger, Solomon threw the ring to the ground. And then the stone fell off the ring. Solomon regretted breaking his favorite ring, picked it up and read the second inscription that was under the stone: “This too shall pass.”

One day a wise man was telling a group of people about God and life's trials. He concluded his story with the words:
“Everything will be fine in the end.”
“And if it still doesn’t go well,” someone asked him.
“And if it’s not good yet, it means you just haven’t reached the end yet,” the sage smiled.

One man had a dream that he was walking along a sandy shore, and God was walking next to him. And God asked the man:
– Do you want me to show you your life?
- I want, Lord.
A gentle wind picked up the man and lifted him above the mountains and deserts that appeared below. The man immediately noticed two chains of footprints crossing the sands.
-What is this, Lord? – the man asked.
- This is your life. – God answered.
- Why is there more than one trail?
- I walked next to you.
- But sometimes one trace disappears...
– These are the most difficult parts of your life.
“Why did you leave me, Lord, when I needed you most?”
- I never left you. I just carried you in my arms during difficult times.

Once upon a time, an old man revealed one vital truth to his grandson:
– There is a struggle in every person, 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 and loyalty. The grandson, touched to the depths of his soul by his grandfather’s words, thought for a moment, and then asked:
– Which wolf wins in the end?
The old man smiled and answered:
– The wolf you feed always wins.

Two wise men went around the world to see how people live. In one small town they met a crowd of people carrying huge stones. It was clear that it was very difficult for them, their hands were calloused, and sweat was rolling down their faces. The sages began to wonder what these people were doing.
- What are you doing? - they asked one person.
“I carry stones upstairs,” he answered irritably.
- What are you doing? - they asked the other.
“I earn food for the children,” the second one answered indifferently.
- Well, what are you doing? - they asked the third.
– I am building a Temple! – he answered joyfully.
And then the sages understood one simple truth - the same activity can bring pain and suffering to one person, and bring joy to another.

One day a man was walking across a field. He looks like a hole, and Happiness sits in it.
- Tell me what you want - I’ll do it all! - it says.
- I want a lot of money! - he answers.
Happiness handed him a bag of gold coins, and the man, throwing it on his shoulders, went home. The second man is coming. Happiness to him:
- What do you want? I will fulfill any wish!
- I want a beautiful wife!
At the same moment, a girl of written beauty appeared nearby. The man took her hand and ran away at breakneck speed. The third is walking across the field. Happiness again:
-What do you want?
And he answered:
- What do you want?
- Yes, I wish I could get out of the hole.
The man threw a long stick into the hole and went his way. And Happiness got out of the hole and ran after...

One kind and wise old woman was asked:
- Grandmother! You lived such a hard life, but at heart you remained younger than all of us. Do you have any secret?
- Yes, dears. I write down all the good things that were done to me in my heart, and all the bad things are written down on the water. If I had done the opposite, my heart would now be covered in terrible scars, but as it is, it is a fragrant paradise. God has given us two precious abilities: remembering and forgetting. When they do good to us, gratitude requires us to remember it, and when they do evil, love encourages us to forget it.

People passed on their most valuable experience through thousands of chronicles and stories. Gathering around the wisest person in the family, the children adopted the experience and wisdom of existence. People all over the world tried to find a teacher or sage who was able to guide them. Today, the wisest parables have not lost their relevance and continue to help a person in a difficult situation gain wisdom, peace and understanding of life.

What is a parable?

A parable is not just stories about life, but entire instructive stories inherited from our ancestors. The wisest parables were passed down from generation to generation, from mouth to mouth. Each parable can completely change a person’s consciousness and teach him something new. There is no intricate plot in such stories. Absolutely every person can understand and feel the parable. Sometimes, when making a decision, a person turns to the narrative of his ancestors for help and is sure to find all the answers.

Why are parables needed?

They are the most effective means for learning and development. Such instructive stories can cultivate spirituality in children and reveal to them all the laws of life and existence. Regardless of how old it is, even the most ancient parable can still be relevant in the modern world. Some may think that parables are stupid and incomprehensible, but this does not mean that they are bad.

Perhaps the parable you read does not suit you at all. Parables about life, wise parables, parables about good and evil - all this is a whole complex of instructive stories based on real events. And when a person is immersed in his own problems, it is often parables that become a ray of light at the end of the tunnel.

Parables about good and evil

The parable of good and evil will help you understand what these two concepts are. And what to choose for a person who stands at the crossroads of two strongest elements. Often a person thinks that in the modern world only evil wins, and good is absolutely not valued. To draw the right conclusions for yourself, you should turn to the ancient stories of your ancestors.

In time immemorial, one old man decided to tell his grandson a very life story. Here she is.

In the life of every person there is a strong confrontation, similar to a war between two furious wolves. The first wolf carries destructive feelings such as anger, fear, hatred, jealousy, selfishness and lies. The second, on the contrary, brings goodness, peace, hope, love. The little boy became very interested in this story, and he hastened to ask his grandfather which wolf wins this difficult fight? The wise old man explained to his grandson that it is the wolf that the man himself feeds and cherishes that wins.

The moral of this parable is very simple: if a person himself tries to develop evil qualities in himself, then they will prevail. In fact, a person himself chooses what to be - evil or good. Parables about life are wise and philosophical. They help a person find a bright path.

All the evil committed by a person remains with him, and the good given is returned to him

One poor woman in India baked a couple of flatbreads every morning. She left one for the family, and gave the second to a random passerby. She left the baked goods on the windowsill, and anyone could just come up and try the cake. Leaving the cake, the woman began to pray for her son, who left his father’s house in search of a new destiny. This went on for several months.

Soon she noticed that every morning a man with a hump came and took the cake from the windowsill. He often said to himself: “All the evil that you do remains with you forever, but the good comes back threefold,” and left. The woman did not hear the slightest kind words. Offended by the hunchback, the poor woman decided to teach him a lesson. She poured poison into the second cake, wishing to get rid of the ungrateful guest forever. But as soon as she began to take the cake to the window, her hands began to tremble. She could not do this and threw the cake into the flame. Having prepared a new one, she took it to the windowsill. As usual, the hunchback came and, having said his words, continued on his way.

Soon there was a knock on the woman’s house, and her son was standing on the threshold. The guy was very thin and dirty. He told his mother that he almost reached home, but was so exhausted that he fell from exhaustion. A passing hunchback took pity on him and gave him a flatbread, and this helped the guy get home. Hearing this, the mother's heart trembled.

This parable is about goodness, which clearly shows the laws of nature. People who do good always receive good in return. And those who do evil are surrounded only by evil.

Parables about morality

The wisest parables always help a person find the true path. The most interesting stories cannot leave a single person indifferent. A parable about morality helps a person to feel the truth of existence and his own spirituality. Here is one of them.

There was a tree not far from the road. It was dried out and withered. At night, a thief was passing along the road, and when he saw a tree, he got scared, thinking that the police had come for him. The child, walking next to the tree, trembled all over, he thought that this ghost was watching him. The young man, hurrying on a date, thought that the tree was his beloved. But in all cases, the tree was just a tree.

The moral of this parable is that everyone sees exactly what is inside him - a reflection of his own inner world.

And here is another parable on this topic.

One day the teacher gathered his students around him, took a piece of paper and drew a small black dot on it. He asked the guys to tell him what they saw. Without thinking twice, the students said that they saw an ordinary black dot. To which the teacher said: “Don’t you notice the white sheet? After all, the dot is so small, but the white sheet is so big.”

The same thing happens in life: a person most often pays attention to the bad moments. And the fact that in addition to this little blackness there are many more good moments, he does not see point-blank.

And finally, a very small, but no less significant piece of wisdom.

One student asked the sage what he would do if he knew about his fall? The sage, without thinking twice, replied that he would order him to get up again. And so on ad infinitum. After all, only the dead fall and do not rise.

Parables about life

The wisest parables about life help not only to understand the hidden essence of existence, but also to guide a person in the right direction, forcing him to think about the main thing.

The little goat, having lost his herd, got lost. Seeing this, a huge gray wolf chased after him. Turning to the wolf, the kid said: “Listen wolf, I understand that I am your prey. But I don’t just want to die, I want to dance. Play the pipe for me, and I’ll dance.” The wolf, without thinking twice, took the pipe and began to play, and the little goat began to dance merrily. Hearing the music, the dogs rushed into the forest to save the kid and chased the wolf far, far away. The wolf, turning around, shouted to the kid: “Serves me right, there is no need to turn from a hunter into a musician.”

The frogs set out in search of a home after their swamp dried up. They came across a well. One, without thinking twice, jumped down, and the other said: “And if this well dries up, how will we jump out of there?”

The moral of this parable is that you should not take on a task without thinking.

About parents

This section of parables is the most instructive. Often people do not appreciate those who gave them life. The parable about parents will allow a person to rethink his attitude towards the closest people in his life.

One fine day, a little boy, returning from school, gave his mother a note from the teacher. The woman took a piece of paper, began to read and burst into tears. Then she read the contents of the letter to her son. It said that the child was a real genius, that there were no teachers at school who could help develop his talent. Therefore, the boy was provided with home schooling. Many years later. After the woman’s death, the now adult son was looking through the family archives and saw a letter. After reading it, he cried for several days. It was written there that the boy was recognized as mentally retarded. And they recommended that the mother take her child away from school. This child was Thomas Edison and by the time the letter was read, he was already a famous inventor.

Wise Christian parables

The wisest parables about the Christian life will help readers find faith and inspiration.

One day, an old man was walking through the hot desert and leading a blind old woman. They had neither water nor food. Suddenly an oasis appears in front of them with a Garden of Eden, water and food. A nobleman meets them at the garden gate. And he invites the old man to visit his corner of paradise, but there is no place for a blind old woman in paradise. The old man did not listen and walked away from the garden. Soon they came to an old hut. The owner of the house fed and watered the travelers and said: “This is your paradise, people are allowed into such a paradise who did not betray their own and did not leave them to die.”

Everyday parable

Wise everyday parables arose from the stories of ancestors who found instructive moments during ordinary everyday activities.

One loving couple moved to a new apartment. Every time, hanging out the laundry, the woman exclaimed in surprise: “Lord, our neighbor doesn’t know how to wash her laundry at all, it’s always gray, not like ours.” And this happened constantly. The woman was surprised all the time and wanted to visit her neighbor and teach her how to do laundry properly. One morning, a woman exclaimed: “Darling! Look! She has learned to wash her clothes. They are snow-white. She has finally learned how to wash.”
- “You’re wrong, dear. I just washed the window.”

There are countless different parables in the world. The wise parables of Omar Khayyam occupy an important niche among all the wisest centuries-old records. Their essence speaks of the greatest experience of the one who created them. There are also wise parables of antiquity, parables in verse and prose, and others. In every parable, a person can find a truth that can change his worldview, make him laugh, wonder or cry.

One day, in search of an answer to the question of how to live, a young man turned to an old man:

Tell me, how can I swim along this river of life? What is right?

- Do not be like everyone else,- he answered. and added, “Don’t go with the flow in the general crowd of gray and indifferent people.” Swim against all odds! Life is a struggle. Break the waves! Strive! Achieve! Overcome difficulties for the common good and improvement of the world!

The young man nodded and went for advice to another elderly man.

How can I swim along the river of life? - He asked. – Is it worth resisting the current?

- No,– he said in response. — This makes no sense. The river of our life is Tao. To resist it means to come into conflict with the Universe. Surrender to it, dissolve in it, float with its flow - and you will know the truth of unity with the universe.

The young man thanked him and went to the third respected old man.

Tell me, good man, how should I live? Should you swim against the tide, fighting and winning? Or downstream, dissolving in the flow of the world?

The point is to swim not with the flow or against, but where you need to go. In this, your wisdom and reason should be your rudder, and your soul should be your sail.

And on the way back he met another old man. Can extra advice really hurt?

Tell me how should I live? To go with the flow? Or against the flow? Or, under the guidance of reason, swim where I need to go?

Flow? – The elderly man was surprised. – What current?.. Sorry, I didn’t notice it. I just like swimming.

2. Parable "weather"

The traveler asked the shepherd:

What will the weather be like today?

To which the shepherd replied:

Just the way I like it.

How do you know the weather will be just the way you like it?

After realizing that you can't always get what you like, I learned to love what comes. Therefore, I am absolutely sure that the weather will be exactly what I like...

Remember - only we are responsible for the weather in our soul.

3. Parable “At the Barber Shop”

One man came to the hairdresser. While getting a haircut and shaving, we started talking to the barber about God.

The hairdresser said:

No matter what you tell me, I don’t believe that God exists.

Why? - asked the client.

It is enough to go outside to be convinced that there is no God. Tell me, if God exists, why are there so many sick people? Where do street children come from? If he really existed, there would be no suffering or pain. It is difficult to imagine a loving God who allows all this.

The client thought about it. When the hairdresser finished the job, the client paid generously. Coming out of the barbershop, he saw an overgrown and unshaven man on the street. Then the client returned to the hairdresser, invited the hairdresser to the window and, pointing his finger at the tramp, said:

- Hairdressers don't exist! - politely raised his hat and left.

Parable of the Bow and Arrow

One famous Master practiced archery with his students. The young man took the weapon, prepared a couple of arrows for it and carefully began to aim. But the coach took one of them from him and threw it away:

Why did my second arrow bother you? – the young man did not understand.

This was the first one. You don’t need it, it wouldn’t hit the bull’s eye anyway and wouldn’t be useful.

Why are you so sure? – the young man was surprised.

It is impossible to immediately hit the intended target if a person thinks that he has two attempts.


A parable about the importance of life situations

One bird found a safe hiding place in the spreading branches of a dry tree. She built a nest and began to live here. But the trunk stood in the center of a hot desert, where there was nothing living.

One day, a violent tornado unexpectedly flew there and tore the dried tree out of the sand by the roots. The bird had no choice but to fly in search of a new permanent home.

She scoured the distant surroundings for a very long time, but one day a wonderful garden caught her eye. In the middle of it there was a large lake with clear water, and on all sides grew numerous shady bushes strewn with tasty and juicy berries.

The bird simply couldn’t believe its luck. But, having thought thoroughly, she suddenly realized that if it had not been for the sudden hurricane that destroyed her former nest, she would never have found such great well-being in her life. Without moving from your favorite place, you cannot reach it.


Parables about vices

The Parable of Indecision

A young man approached one wandering monk, who constantly sat in the market square and asked passing people for alms. He asked him:

Help me, O wise one! Please advise what I should do next. I am passionately and mutually in love. But I don’t know if I should get married or is it better to wait until marriage?

You should forever abandon such a decision.

Why, because my girlfriend and I love each other very much? – the young man was amazed at his amazing words.

If the bride were truly important to you, you wouldn't ask me what you should do with her.


Parable about weeding

Early spring came, and in the garden we had to pull out the tall weeds that were visible everywhere. This tedious work was entrusted to an old grandfather with a young grandson.

The boy got bored very quickly and began pestering his older relative: “Tell me, where are there so many different weeds here? No one sowed or watered them. This is how they have grown, and what was planted and cared for can only be seen from the ground. But how much effort was put into vegetables.”

Grandfather answered him with a smile: “You, grandson, are a real good fellow, you notice everything around you. Know, then, that something that is most important for people is obtained by them only through great difficulty and inexhaustible patience. But everything harmful and destructive comes simply from nowhere. Therefore, we must carefully develop our strengths and weed out our shortcomings without regret.”


Parables about the meaning of life

Parable about children

One day, bamboo and stone got into a desperate argument. They believed that it was their own life that was a role model for everyone around them. Glyba said:

- Everyone should exist the way I do. Then no one will die.

But the plant objected to her:

– Not at all, if people live the way I grow, only then will they truly achieve true happiness. After all, after death, I am born again.

The stone replied:

“And it’s even better if they can take the position I’m in.” In a calm sitting position, it will not be affected by wind, heat or cold. Rain or hail doesn't bother me either. Nothing can do me any harm. I will remain on earth forever. Stones do not know grief, shame or grief. If only everyone could learn these things.

But bamboo insisted:

- No I do not agree. Only then will people be able to achieve immortality if they begin to live as I live. Of course, I am not eternal, but I continue my lineage in children. Look around and you will see them everywhere. They will also have numerous offspring in due time and they will exist on earth forever. They will all look like me and become truly beautiful.

The stone had nothing to object to. He had to admit defeat in the dispute. People's lives are so happy and wonderful because their existence on earth resembles bamboo.


Parable about life

One teacher stood surrounded by his young students. One of them suddenly asked him a question:
- Tell us, why do people live in the world?
“I don’t know,” the sage told him.

Another young man also inquired:

– Then what is the purpose of our earthly existence?

- I won’t answer.

“But we then came to you to enrich ourselves with your knowledge,” the students were upset.

The elder looked at them with a long, kind look and said:

– For a person, it is not so important why and for what purpose he lives on earth. The joy of everyday existence comes first for him. Imagine a very tasty dish. After all, each of you would like to taste it, but not understand why and for what purpose it was prepared.


Parable about life expectancy

In one remote village lived an old teacher, whose fame quickly spread throughout the land. Every day he added a new student. Finally, there were so many of them that he was no longer able to remember everyone by sight.

But they constantly communicated with each other and one day agreed to ask the sage the most important question for them about what awaits people after they pass away.

But the teacher was silent and the young men soon lost patience. He had to give them the long-awaited answer. He said:

– The most interesting thing is that such a problem is asked only by those who are not involved in anything serious in their daily lives. These people are very afraid of death because they have not lived their present existence. That's why they dream of immortality.

“No, teacher, we are interested in exactly what awaits them after death,” one of the students disagreed.

“You’d better ask what awaits you before your death,” the sage answered with a smile.


Parable about happiness

One day three tired travelers were walking along a country road. They talked among themselves and sang songs during breaks. Each of them complained about their hard lot.

Suddenly they heard plaintive cries for help. There was a big hole on their way, and they saw that happiness had fallen into it. It begged them to save him and promised the fulfillment of any desires.

The first man said importantly:

“I ask you for wealth, so that it will never be transferred to me for the rest of my life.”

His wish was instantly fulfilled. He took the treasure and left.

The second person also expressed his wish:

“I want the most beautiful wife in the whole wide world.”

Immediately, out of nowhere, a dazzling beauty appeared, took him by the arm, and they quickly disappeared from sight.

- What do you want? – happiness asked the third person sadly.

- And you? – he asked him again.

“What I dream of most is getting out of the terrible hole,” happiness answered with tears.

He looked around, found a long pole and held it out. And he turned and left without expressing any desire.

Happiness quickly jumped out of the hole and rushed after him, and never fell behind in his life.


Parables about human relationships

Parable about someone else's misfortune

One mouse climbed into the barn and told the animals living there that a mousetrap had appeared in the owner’s house.

The cows, chickens and sheep only laughed at her and told her not to distract them from more important matters with her stupid worries. They were completely sure that they had nothing to do with them.

But one day a poisonous snake fell into the trap. She grabbed her owner's hand with her teeth. She became seriously ill. In order to cure her, her husband killed a chicken. He hoped that the nutritious broth would help her recover.

Three relatives came to look after her. The consumption of food in the house increased and the owner had to slaughter a sheep.

But nothing helped the woman and she soon died. The husband scheduled a wake and cooked a lot of beef, slaughtering a cow.

And only one mouse did not suffer in any way in a series of troubles. She watched these events in horror through a tiny crack in the wall of the house and thought about what the animals had told her earlier. They believed that the mousetrap would not touch them at all.

Therefore, you should not ignore other people’s troubles; sooner or later they may affect other people.


A parable about love and passion

Once upon a time there was a hurricane. He constantly rushed above the ground, not knowing any restrictions. He never felt grief, joy, love, or compassion for anyone.

But one day, when it was completely quiet and clear, he saw a beautiful flower in the garden. The wind approached him and the petals fluttered under his breath. He did not hide his admiration. The flower, noticing him, responded with the sweetest smell.

The hurricane, seeing that his feeling was not left without reciprocity, intensified its wind and the plant swayed on its stem. It held on for a long time, but eventually broke.

The wind tried to help him, but to no avail. He stopped blowing and began to blow on the flower again with tenderness. But he no longer showed signs of life.

Then the hurricane cried out in despair: “I gave you a great feeling and a powerful passion, why were you not able to bear it? So your love was just a façade? If she were genuine, we would be together all our lives."

But the flower did not respond, but only, exuding the last wonderful fragrance, slowly died. The hurricane realized too late that violent passion does not always accompany true love and can even kill it if the impulses are too strong.


Parables about worldly wisdom

A parable about good and bad memories

In a distant village there lived an elderly woman. She was famous for her kindness and wisdom, and people often came to her for advice. One day her closest neighbor asked her:

- Mother, tell me! You have lived in this world for so long, but in your soul you remain younger than any of us. How did you do this? Tell me a secret, I wouldn’t want to grow old either.

Grandmother smiled at her and answered:

- I’ll tell you, my dear. I forever mark all the good with notches on the wall of the house, and put the evil into the water. If I acted differently, I would only be tormented by difficult thoughts. I would look around and see only reminders of grief and troubles. But I see good, and evil has long disappeared. Each of us decides what he wants to keep in memory and what to throw out of it. Therefore, kindness must be put aside in the soul, and anger must be drowned in love.


A parable about the meaninglessness of endless memories

One day, a wise teacher, standing in a circle of numerous students, told them a very funny incident from his long life. Everyone laughed heartily, as he was truly amazingly funny. Less than a quarter of an hour had passed before he retold it again. People were very surprised, but smiled out of politeness. Twenty minutes later, the sage again told the students the same incident. They remained silent in bewilderment.

Then he laughed himself and said: “Why don’t you laugh, you were amused by the story? Yes, I repeated it three times. But why is it acceptable to shed tears for the same reason, but not to have fun?”


Parable about money and happiness

One young man came to the Teacher and asked him:

– Should we believe that happiness does not lie in wealth?

The sage agreed with this statement. He said to the young man:

“We see evidence of this at every step. Hard coins buy you a soft bed, but you can’t sleep in it for them. Delicious food is sold, but there is no appetite for it. Everyone is able to buy a servant, but friends are not for sale. You can get along with a woman for money, but her love cannot be bought. A rich person allows himself a luxurious home, but the comfort in it is not valued in large denominations. People pay for entertainment, but it is not known whether they will receive joy for a large sum. Parents pay teachers, but the knowledge and intelligence of their children are not valued by wealth. And I have listed a far from complete list of what cannot be acquired for any treasure in the world.

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