The Son

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season-a season that he and his son had so looked forward to-would visit his house no longer.

On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I com in for a few moments? I have something to show you."

As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man's son had told everyone of his - not to mention his father's - love of art. "I'm an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking detail. Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hand the picture above the fireplace.

A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.

During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he ever received..

The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation. With the collector's passing, and his only son dead, this paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will if the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas day, the day he had received his greatest gift. The day soon arrived and art collector's from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day, greatness would be achieved as many would claim, "I have the greatest collection."

The auction began with a painting that was not at any museum's list. It was the painting of the man's son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. "Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the roomcame, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son. Let's forget it and go on to the good stuff." More voices echoed in agreement. "No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer. "Now you take the son?" Finally a friend of the old man spoke. "Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That's all I have. I knew the boy, so I'd like to have it."

"I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone" The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with that and we can bid bid on these treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean over? We didn't come here for a picture of some old guy's son. What about all these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here ! I demand that you explain what's going on here!"

The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. "According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son gets it all.


From: www.moral-stories.org/the-son/

Confidence Level

A story told by a man which is most frightening yet thought-provoking experiences of his life.

he had been in a long flight. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign flashed on: "Fasten your set belts."

Then, after a while a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."

As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."

And then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightening lit up the darkening skies and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.

The man confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying.

The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm. And then, I suddenly saw a girl whom the storm meant nothing. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat in her seat and was reading a book.

Everything within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid.

The man could hardly believe his eyes. It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, he lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.

Having commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid. The sweet child replied,

"Sir my Dad is the piolet and he is taking me home."

When you are sure of yourself, your confident level is steady and you are never shaky, you do the things calmly and successfully.

From: http://www.moral-stories.org/

Sunshine and Palm Tress

So far so good, it has been a pleasant day. Sometimes we have our bad days and good days. Its about keeping a balance between both of them. At times I will think negative about my trades in the market, but today I chose to stay positive even though I was losing money. But somehow my trades turned around and I started making profits. Not a big amount, but I like I said before it is all going to fund my vacation. I have made my final decision for where I will be traveling to. Maui is the spot that I have been wanting to go all my life and it is all coming together now. I'm counting the days and there is only 30 + left. Well, must get back to my trades to make things happen. Have a great day 

The Hidden Treasure

There lived a farmer if the village. He had five sons. They were all idlers and never helped their father.

They always quarreled among themselves. The father was very much sad and worried. he tried his best to mend their habits but all in vain. Once he was taken ill.

He called his sons. All of them reached there. He asked them to sit down and listen to him carefully.

The old father said, "My dear sons, I am weak and ill. I may die any moment. There is a lot of money hidden in our fields but I have forgotten where I had buried it. Dig that treasure out after my death."

The farmer died after two days. The sons dug every inch of the tend but could not find anything.

As the field was well ploughed  some old man advised then to sow wheat in that. They had a very good crop. By selling the wheat they got a lot of money. Now they understood what their father meant. It was really the hidden treasure. From that day they worked hard and lived a happy life.

Moral: No pains, No gains

The Jewel Hidden In The Robe

Once upon a time there lived a man who had, as a friend, a rich public servant. One day the man called on his rich friend, who entertained him with food and wine. He became completely inebriated and fell asleep. The rich friend, however, suddenly had to set out on a journey involving urgent public business. He wanted to give his friend a priceless jewel which had the mystic power to fulfill any desire. But his friend was fast asleep. Finding no other alternative, he sewed the gem into the hem of his friends sleeping robe. The man awoke to find his friend gone, totally unaware of the jewel his friend had given him. Before long, he allowed himself to sink into poverty, wandering through many countries and experiencing many hardships. After a long time, now reduced to sheer want, he met his old friend. The rich man, surprised at his condition, told him about the gift he had given him, and the man learned for the first time that he had possessed the priceless jewel all along.

This is an allegory told by Shakyamuni Buddha's disciples as they reflect upon their ignorance if forgetting to develop the supreme life condition of Buddhahood and being satisfied with lower states of life.

No one has the right to take human life, which contains the "jewel" of the supreme life condition...

Let me expand upon the parable of "The Jewel Hidden in the Robe" in everyday terms. Take for example, the human tendency toward arbitrary faultfinding. Parents, seeing their children's small mistakes, yell at them, "You're stupid and hopeless!" Even adults come to hate each other vehemently for trivial reasons. Yesterday they were good friends or neighbors, and today they are bitter enemies...When one insults another, the other replies in kind. Totally unaware of the existence of the "Supreme Jewel," in other means that one cannot recognize it in oneself either. I firmly believe, therefore, that we all should fix our attention on this point.

Your children or neighbors can, in a sense, be a mirror which reflects you as you are. As often as not, when you blame someone for some fault, you may be simply seeing the dark part of your own life rather than a true picture of the other person. In Miyamoto Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa (1892-1962), Musashi, a famous master swordsman, tells a little boy named Iori as he gazes up at Mount Fuji. If you do not cater to the world but instead come to be respect worthy in and of yourself, then people will naturally recognize your true value,"

There are many people of advanced age who are living a life of satisfaction and dignity, enjoying a state of life as lofty as Mount Fuji. Their faces, without exception, all shine like the "supreme jewel," polished by having weathered all kinds of adversities in the course of life.


This story is from : http://www.sgi.org/

A Beautiful Story

A little boy went to a telephone booth which was at the cash counter of a store and dialed a number. The store owner observed and listened to the conversation:

Boy: "Lady, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn?

Women: (at the other end of the phone line) "I already have someone to cut my lawn."

Boy: "Lady, I will cut your lawn for half the price than the person who cuts your lawn now."

Women: I'm very satisfied with the person who is presently cutting my lawn.

Boy: (With more perseverance) "Lady, I'll even sweep the floor and the stairs of your house for
free.

Women: No, thank you.

With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced the receiver. The store -owner, who was listening to all this walked over to the boy.

Store Owner: "Son...I like your attitude; I like that positive spirit and would like to offer you a job."

Boy: "No thanks,

Store Owner: But you were really pleading for one.

Boy: No Sir, I was just checking my performance at the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady I was talking to!"

(This is called self Appraisal) Give your best and the world comes to you!

It is possible to do good from wherever you are

An old man lived all by himself. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard. His only son, who used to help him was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament.

Dear Vincent, I am feeling pretty sad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like the old days. Love, papa

A few days later he received a letter from his son.

Dear Papa, Don't dig up the garden. That's where the bodies are buried.
Love, Vinnie

At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from is son.

Dear Papa, Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances. Love you, Vinnie.