The pencil-maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. “There are 5 things you need to know,” he told the pencil, “before I send you out into the…
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Androcles and the lion
This story takes place in Rome, where a Greek slave named Androcles escaped from his master and fled into the forest. There he wandered for a long time until he was weary…
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Burdens give us wings
An old legend relates that, long ago, God had a great many burdens which he wished to have carried from one place to another on Earth. So he asked the animals to…
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Empty your cup
Scholar Tokusan – who was full of knowledge and opinions about dharma — came to Master Ryutan and asked about Zen. At one point, Master Ryutan re-filled his guest’s tea cup but…
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True love never fades
It was a busy morning about 8:30 when an elderly gentleman in his ‘80s arrived at the clinic to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry…
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Does the Ganges wash away our sins?
…Jagadguru Shankaracharya Abhinava Vidyateertha Mahaswami of Sringeri Sarada Peetham has often spoken of the efficacy of bathing in the Gaṅgā as a means of purification (Source: Exalting Elucidations, page 52). He has…
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A true devotee’s faith
“Once, while going to Kamarpukur, I was overtaken by a storm. I was in the middle of a big meadow. The place was haunted by robbers. I began to repeat the names…
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The faith behind miracles
A milk-maid used to fetch milk daily for a brahmana priest living on the other side of a river. Owing to the irregularities of the boat service, she could not maintain punctuality…
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Depth of devotion
Pride once entered the heart of Arjuna, the beloved friend of Lord Sri Krishna. Arjuna thought that none equalled him in love and devotion to his Lord and friend. The omniscient…
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By the will of God
In a certain village, there lived a weaver. He was a very pious soul. Everyone trusted him and loved him. He used to sell his goods in the market-place. When a customer…