In 1859, Castiglione, an Italian town, had become a big hospital. A gruesome battle was being fought on its outskirts between France and Italy on one side and Austria on the other…
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A farmer saved a republic
Even two thousand five hundred years ago, Rome was a republic. The people elected their rulers. In times of peace the common people lived as farmers. They turned into soldiers when necessary.…
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The last sacrifice in the colosseum
In AD 80 Rome saw the opening of a huge amphitheatre, known as the colosseum. For almost four centuries this became the foremost place of enjoyment for the Romans. Bloody sports took…
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Simple thinking
A certain man who was fond of studying all kinds of systems of thought wrote to a Dervish Master, Abdul-Aziz of Mecca, asking whether he could talk to him in order to…
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Saving from peril
Hasan of Basra relates: ‘I had convinced myself that I was a man of humility and less than humble in my thoughts and conduct to others. ‘Then one day I was standing…
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Spirituality
Hasan came upon Rabia one day when she was sitting among several contemplators, and said, “I have the capacity of walking on water. Come, let us both go on to that water…
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The teacher
A man came to Bahaudin Shah and said, “First I followed this teacher and then that one. Next I studied these books and then those. I feel that although I know nothing…
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Going higher
It intrigued the congregation to see that their rabbi disappeared each week on the eve of the Sabbath. They suspected that he was secretly meeting the Almighty, so they deputed one of…
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The bad coin
There was once an old Sufi who earned his living by selling all sorts of odds and ends. It seemed as if the man had no judgment because people would frequently pay…
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Respect the “NO”
Once, a bird was searching for a home to lay her eggs and shelter in the rainy season. In her search, she saw two trees, and she went to ask them for…