169583464 Thoughtful and Inspirational Stories

8/12/2019 169583464 Thoughtful and Inspirational Stories

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9/18/13 Thoughtful and inspirational stories

The t%o ho pital patie#t


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The tiger) %hi ker The he$gehogThe fe#ceYour i#flue#ce o# the u#i"er eA tur# of the cre%E"er( &ucketcou#t T%o frog i#the milk A tor( for

3a o"er 3iece ofmi#$ *umpi#g theueue

K#o%le$ge a#$ %i $omThe tarfi hThe America# $reamAle;a#$er a#$4ioge#e Te ti#g forgo ipRafti#g

The mou e trapA foot ha #o #o eCrom Ru ia %ith lo"eDirtua l( #ocompetitio# The little%a"eBelie"e %hat (ou feelE"er(o#e ca# pla(I mu t at lea t tr(

Ki#g Arthur a#$ the %itchHelpi#g ha#$The teacher a#$ the taught


4/44

The frog a#$ theto%er

The i#ter#atio#al foo$hortage

The *apa#e ema ter

The ecret ofhappi#e

The hou e %ith the gol$e#%i#$o%

Nothi#g i%ritte#

The -hi#e efarmer

Ki#g Solomo# a#$ the &a&( The%i e teacher a#$ the 8ar i te#i#g' at -hri tma a#$ al%a(

The la% of the gar&age truck

O#e $a( I hoppe$ i# a ta;i a#$ %e took off for the airport1 ,e %ere $ri"i#g i# the right la#e %he# u$$e#l( a &lack car 8umpe$ out of a parki#g pace right i#fro#t of u 1 M( ta;i $ri"er lamme$ o# hi &rake ! ki$$e$! a#$ mi e$ the other car &( 8u t i#che F

The $ri"er of the other car %hippe$ hi hea$ arou#$ a#$ tarte$ (e li#g at u 1

M( ta;i $ri"er 8u t mile$ a#$ %a"e$ at the gu(1 A#$ I mea#! he %a rea l(

frie#$l(1 So I a ke$! ),h( $i$ (ou 8u t $o that. Thi gu( almo t rui#e$ (our car a#$ e#t u to the ho pitalF) Thi i %he# m( ta;i $ri"er taught me %hat I #o% cal! )The a% of the


5/44

out i$e the %i#$o%1 The ma# i# the other &e$ &ega# to li"e for tho e o#e'hour

perio$ %here hi %orl$ %oul$ &e &roa$e#e$ a#$ e#li"e#e$ &( a l the acti"it(

a#$ colour of the %orl$ out i$e1



The %i#$o% o"erlooke$ a park %ith a lo"el( lake1 4uck a#$ %a# pla(e$ o#

the %ater %hile chil$re# aile$ their mo$el &oat 1 You#g lo"er %alke$ arm i# arm ami$ t flo%er of e"er( colour of the rai#&o%1


6/44

ma# ai$ %ithout tur#i#g arou#$G +I hear (ou1 ,hat) (our pro&lem.+

She e;plai#e$ the ituatio#1 Hi &ack til to her! he ai$! +Ah (e ! it) ofte# that%a( %he# ol$ier retur# from the %ar1 ,hat $o (ou e;pect me to $o a&out

it.+



+Make me a potio#F+ crie$ the (ou#g %ife1 +Or a# amulet! a $ri#k! %hate"er it take to get m( hu &a#$ &ack the %a( he u e$ to &e1+

The ol$ ma# tur#e$ arou#$1 +You#g %oma#! (our re ue t $oe #)t e;actl( fa l

i#to the ame categor( a a &roke# &o#e or ear i#fectio#1+

+I k#o%+! ai$ he1

+It %il take three $a( &efore I ca# e"e# look i#to it1 -ome &ack the#1+

Three $a( later! Yu# Ok retur#e$ to the hermit) hut1 +Yu# Ok+! he greete$ her %ith a mile! +I ha"e goo$ #e% 1 There i a potio# that %il re tore (our hu &a#$to the %a( he u e$ to &e! &ut (ou houl$ k#o% that it re uire a# u#u ual i#gre$ie#t1 You mu t &ri#g me a %hi ker from a li"e tiger1+

+,hat.+ he ga pe$1 +Such a thi#g i impo i&leF+

+I ca##ot make the potio# %ithout itF+ he houte$! tartli#g her1 He tur#e$ hi

&ack1 +There i #othi#g more to a(1 A (ou ca# ee! I)m "er( &u (1+

That #ight Yu# Ok to e$ a#$ tur#e$1 Ho% coul$ he get a %hi ker from a li"e

tiger. The #e;t $a( &efore $a%#! he crept out of the hou e %ith a &o%l of rice

co"ere$%ith meat auce1 She %e#t to a ca"e o# the mou#tai# i$e %here a tiger %a k#o%# toli"e1 She clicke$ her to#gue "er( oftl( a he crept up! her heart pou#$i#g!

a#$ carefu l( et the &o%l o# the gra 1 The#! tr(i#g to make a little #oi e a he coul$! he &acke$ a%a(1

The #e;t $a( &efore $a%#! he took a#other &o%l of rice co"ere$ %ith meat auce to the ca"e1 She approache$ the ame pot! clicki#g oftl( %ith her to#gue1

She a% that the &o%l %a empt(! replace$ the empt( o#e %ith a fre h o#e! a#$ agai# left! clicki#g oftl( a#$ tr(i#g #ot to &reak t%ig or ru tle lea"e ! or $o

a#(thi#g el e to tartle a#$ u# ettle the %il$ &ea t1

So it %e#t! $a( after $a(! for e"eral mo#th 1 She #e"er a% the tiger @tha#k

goo$#e for thatF he thought though he k#e% from footpri#t o# the grou#$ that the tiger 'a#$ #ot a ma ler mou#tai# creature ' ha$ &ee# eati#g her foo$1 The# o#e $a( a

he approache$! he #otice$ the tiger) hea$ poki#g out of it ca"e1


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a he coul$! et $o%# the fre h &o%l a#$! her heart pou#$i#g! picke$ up the

o#e that %a empt(1

After a fe% %eek ! he #otice$ the tiger %oul$ come out of it ca"e a it hear$

her foot tep ! though it ta(e$ a $i ta#ce a%a( @agai#! tha#k goo$#e F he thought! though he k#e% that ome$a(! i# or$er to get the %hi ker! he)$ ha"e

to come clo er to it 1

A#other mo#th %e#t &(1 The# the tiger %oul$ %ait &( the empt( foo$ &o%l a it

hear$ her approachi#g1 A he picke$ up the ol$ &o%l a#$ replace$ it %ith a fre h o#e! he



coul$ me l it ce#t! a it coul$ urel( me l her 1

+Actua l(+! he thought! remem&eri#g it almo t kitte#i h look a he et $o%# afre h &o%l! +it i a rather frie#$l( creature! %he# (ou get to k#o% it1+ The #e;t time he "i ite$! he gla#ce$ up at the tiger &riefl( a#$ #otice$ %hat a lo"el(

$o%#tur# of re$$i h fur it ha$ from o"er o#e of it e(e&ro% to the #e;t1 Not a %eek later! the tiger a lo%e$ her to ge#tl( ru& it hea$! a#$ it purre$ a#$

tretche$ like a hou e cat1

The# he k#e% the time ha$ come1 The #e;t mor#i#g! "er( earl(! he &rought

%ith her a ma l k#ife1 After he et $o%# the fre h &o%l a#$ the tiger a lo%e$ her to pet it hea$! he ai$ i# a lo% "oiceG +Oh! m( tiger! ma( I plea e ha"e 8u t

o#e of (our %hi ker .+ ,hile petti#g the tiger %ith o#e ha#$! he hel$ o#e

%hi ker at it &a e a#$! %ith the other ha#$! i# o#e uick troke! he car"e$ the %hi ker off1 She too$ up! peaki#g oftl( her tha#k ! a#$ left! for the la t time1

The #e;t mor#i#g eeme$ e#$le 1 At la t her hu &a#$ left for the rice fiel$ 1

She ra# to the hermit) hut! clutchi#g the preciou %hi ker i# her fi t1 Bur ti#g i#! he crie$ to the hermitG +I ha"e itF I ha"e the tiger) %hi kerF+

+You $o#)t a(.+ he ai$! tur#i#g arou#$1 +Crom a li"e

tiger.+ +Ye F+ he ai$1

+Te l me+! ai$ the hermit! i#tere te$1 +Ho% $i$ (ou $o it.+

Yu# Ok tol$ the hermit ho%! for the la t i; mo#th ! he ha$ ear#e$ the tru t of

the creature a#$ it ha$ fi#a l( permitte$ her to cut off o#e of it %hi ker 1 ,ith pri$e he ha#$e$ him the %hi ker1 The hermit e;ami#e$ it! ati fie$ him elf

that it %a i#$ee$ a %hi ker from a li"e tiger! the# flicke$ it i#to the fire %here it i le$ a#$ &ur#e$ i# a# i# ta#t1

+Yu# Ok+! the hermit ai$ oftl(! +(ou #o lo#ger #ee$ the %hi ker1 Te l me! i ama# more "iciou tha# a tiger. If a $a#gerou %il$ &ea t %il re po#$ to (our

gra$ual a#$ patie#t care! $o (ou thi#k a ma# %il re po#$ a#( le %ili#gl(.+

Yu# Ok too$ peechle 1 The# he tur#e$ a#$ teppe$ $o%# the trail! tur#i#g


8/44

o"er i# her mi#$ image of the tiger a#$ of her hu &a#$! &ack a#$ forth1 She

k#e% %hat he coul$ $o1

SourceG Korea# fa&le

The he$gehog

It %a the col$e t %i#ter e"er1 Ma#( a#imal $ie$ &ecau e of the col$1

The he$gehog ! reali i#g the ituatio#! $eci$e$ to group together to keep %arm1 Thi %a( the( co"ere$ a#$ protecte$ them el"e : &ut the uil of each o#e %ou#$e$ their



clo e t compa#io# 1

After a%hile! the( $eci$e$ to $i ta#ce them el"e o#e from the other a#$ the(

&ega# to $ie! alo#e a#$ fro e#1 So the( ha$ to make a choiceG either accept the uil of their compa#io# or $i appear from the Earth1

,i el(! the( $eci$e$ to go &ack to &ei#g together1 The( lear#e$ to li"e %ith the little %ou#$ cau e$ &( the clo e relatio# hip %ith their compa#io# i# or$er to

recei"e the heat that came from the other 1 Thi %a( the( %ere a&le to ur"i"e1

The &e t relatio# hip i #ot the o#e that &ri#g together perfect people! &ut %he#

each i#$i"i$ual lear# to li"e %ith the imperfectio# of other a#$ ca# a$mire theother per o#) goo$ ualitie 1

The fe#ce

There o#ce %a a little &o( %ho ha$ a &a$ temper1 Hi father ga"e him a &ag of

#ail a#$ tol$ him that e"er( time he lo t hi temper! he mu t hammer a #ail i#to the fe#ce1 The fir t $a( the &o( ha$ $ri"e# 9? #ail i#to the fe#ce1 O"er the

#e;t fe% %eek a he lear#e$ to co#trol hi a#ger! the #um&er of #ail hammere$ $ail(! gra$ua l( $%i#$le$ $o%#1 He $i co"ere$ it %a ea ier to hol$

hi temper tha# to $ri"e tho e #ail i#to the fe#ce1

Ci#a l( the $a( came %he# the &o( $i$#2t lo e hi temper at a l1 He tol$ hi father a&out it a#$ the father ugge te$ that the &o( #o% pu l out o#e #ail for each $a( that he %a a&le to hol$ hi temper1 The $a( pa e$ a#$ the (ou#g

&o( %a fi#a l( a&le to te l hi father that a l the #ail %ere go#e1

The father took hi o# &( the ha#$ a#$ le$ him to the fe#ce1 He ai$ (ou ha"e

$o#e %e l! m( o#! &ut look at the hole i# the fe#ce1 The fe#ce %il #e"er &e the ame1 ,he# (ou a( thi#g i# a#ger! the( lea"e a car 8u t like thi o#e1J You

ca# put a k#ife i# a ma# a#$ $ra% it out1 It %o#2t matter ho% ma#( time (ou

a( I2m orr(! the %ou#$ i til there1 Make ure (ou co#trol (our temper the #e;t time (ou are tempte$ to a( omethi#g (ou %il regret later1


9/44

Your i#flue#ce o# the u#i"er e

I rea$ the fir t chapter of +A Brief Hi tor( Of Time+ %he# 4a$ %a til ali"e! a#$ Igot i#cre$i&l( hea"( &oot a&out ho% relati"el( i# ig#ifica#t life i ! a#$ ho%!compare$ to the u#i"er e a#$ compare$ to time! it $i$#)t e"e# matter if I e;i te$ at a l1

,he# 4a$ %a tucki#g me i# that #ight a#$ %e %ere talki#g a&out the &ook! I

a ke$ if he coul$ thi#k of a olutio# to that pro&lem1 +,hat pro&lem.+ +The pro&lem of ho% relati"el( i# ig#ifica#t %e are1+

He ai$! +,e l! %hat %oul$ happe# if a pla#e $roppe$ (ou i# the mi$$le of the Sahara

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4e ert a#$ (ou picke$ up a i#gle grai# of a#$ %ith t%ee er a#$ mo"e$ it o#emilimetre.+ I ai$! +I)$ pro&a&l( $ie of $eh($ratio#1+ He ai$! +I 8u t mea# rightthe#! %he# (ou mo"e$ that i#gle grai# of a#$1 ,hat %oul$ that mea#.+

I ai$! +I $u##o! %hat.+ He ai$1 +Thi#k a&out it1+ I thought a&out it1 +I gue I %oul$ ha"e mo"e$ a grai# of a#$1+ +,hich %oul$ mea#.+ +,hich %oul$

mea# I mo"e$ a grai# of a#$.+ +,hich %oul$ mea# (ou cha#ge$ the Sahara1+

+So.+ +So.+ So the Sahara i a "a t $e ert1 A#$ it ha e;i te$ for milio# of

(ear 1 A#$ (ou cha#ge$ itF+ +That) trueF+ I ai$! itti#g up1 +I cha#ge$ the SaharaF+

+,hich mea# .+ he ai$1 +,hat. Te l me1+ +,e l! I)m #ot talki#g a&out

pai#ti#g the Mo#a i a or curi#g ca#cer1 I)m 8u t talki#g a&out mo"i#g that o#e grai# of a#$ o#e milimetre1+

+Yeah.+ +If (ou ha$#)t $o#e it! huma# hi tor( %oul$ ha"e &ee# o#e %a( 111+

+Uh' huh.+ +But! (ou $i$ $o it! o 111.+

I too$ o# the &e$! poi#te$ m( fi#ger at the fake tar ! a#$ creame$G +I

cha#ge$ the u#i"er eF+ +You $i$1+

SourceG +E;tremel( ou$ I#cre$i&l( -lo e+ &( *o#atha# Safra# Coer

A tur# of the cre%

There %a a# i#$u triali t %ho e pro$uctio# li#e i#e;plica&l( &reak $o%#!

co ti#g him milio# per $a(1 He fi#al( track $o%# a# e;pert %ho take out a cre%$ri"er! tur# o#e cre%! a#$ the# ' a the factor( cra#k &ack to life '

pre e#t a &il for L >!>>>1

Affro#te$! the factor( o%#er $ema#$ a# itemi e$ "er io#1 The e;pert i

happ( to o&ligeG +Cor tur#i#g a cre%G L 1 Cor k#o%i#g %hich cre% to tur#G


10/44

L6!6661+

AuthorG Oli"er Burkema# i# +The

E"er( &ucket cou#t

O#ce $a(! ha"i#g lear#e$ that the Ki#g of Ce %a hu#ti#g lio# i# the

#eigh&ourhoo$! the( $eci$e$ to i#"ite him a#$ hi court! a#$ kile$ a #um&er of

heep i# hi ho#our1 The o"ereig# ha$ $i##er a#$ %e#t to &e$1 ,i hi#g to ho%their ge#ero it(! the( place$ a huge goat ki# &ottle &efore hi $oor a#$ agree$ tofil it up %ith milk for the ro(al &reakfa t1

The "ilager a l ha$ to milk their goat a#$ the# each of them ha$ to tip hi

&ucket i#to the co#tai#er1


11/44

AuthorG Meli a 4 artma#

A tor( for 3a o"er

A goo$ 3a o"er tor( houl$ al%a( i#"ol"e cake 1 Au tria# &aker Ma#fre$Kla chka i the u&8ect of thi (ear tor(1 He %a i# the #e% &ecau e of hi mo t rece#t catalogue of cake $e ig# : Kla chka i a pa tr( peciali t1

Of cour e! Au tria# pa trie are famou the %orl$ o"er1 No%! pa tr( &aker Ma#fre$ Kla chka mo t rece#t catalogue of uch ta t( $elight %a i# the #e%

thi %eek &ecau e it i#clu$e$ cake $ecorate$ %ith %a tika a %e l a o#e %itha &a&( rai i#g it right arm i# a Na i alute1

Herr Kla chka i# i t he i #ot a Na i1 After the #e% tor( &roke! he e"e# met%ith a Holocau t a%are#e group! a#$ apologi e$ for %hat he ha$ $o#e! a#$ hethe# &ake$ a cake to a( he %a orr( a cake %ith *e%i h a#$ -hri tia# (m&ol 1The poi#t of

the tor( the &it I fou#$ i#tere ti#g i Herr Kla chka e;pla#atio# for %hat he $i$1www.rogerdarlington.me.uk/stories.html9/40


+I ee it %a a mi take! a#(o#e %ho k#o% me k#o% %hat ki#$ of per o# I am1 Iam #o Na i+! ai$ Kla chka! %ho ha$ earlier ai$ he %a 8u t a pa tr( maker fulfili#g hi cu tomer %i he 1 Culfili#g hi cu tomer %i he . There i a market i# Au tria i#=> for cake %ith &a&ie rai i#g their arm i# Na i alute ! cake %ith

%a tika o# them. There are partie %here people er"e uch cake . Ma(&e &irth$a( partie for &a&ie .

Of cour e there are uch people! a#$ there are uch partie ! a#$ &ecau e of that!there i a market there i co# umer $ema#$ for %a tika cake 1 ,hich i %h(

Herr Kla chka %a happ( to &ake them1 A#$ #ot o#l( i# Au tria1

You ma( remem&er the ca e of the -amp&e l famil( from Ne% *er e(1

,he# Kurt ,al$heim %a e;po e$ a a %ar crimi#al hi popularit( ro e1 The #eo' Na i Cree$om 3art( hea$e$ &( the late *org Hai$er! %o# =? of the "otei# the=>>> electio# a#$ &ecame part of the coalitio# go"er#me#t the fir t time i#ce

6 5 that Na i ha$ at i# a Europea# go"er#me#t1

But thi #e"er happe#e$ i# Ne% *er e( %hich i %h( I %a#t to talk a&out the-amp&e l famil(1 The -amp&e l famil( i# Ne% *er e( ma$e the #e% &ack i#

=>>P %he# the( trie$ to get a &irth$a( cake ma$e for their o# the( ha"e a o# a#$ t%o $aughter at the local Shop Rite i# Ho la#$ To%# hip1The tore refu e$their re ue t1

A#$ the rea o# %a that Mr1 -amp&e l %a#te$ the cake to rea$ +Happ( &irth$a(A$olf Hitler+1 Becau e! (ou ee! hi o# #ame %a A$olf Hitler -ampe l1 O#e


12/44

of the $aughter i #ame$ i #ame$ *o(ce (## Ar(a# Natio# -amp&e l1 ,e l!

(ou get the poi#t1

,he# I rea$ a&out the Au tria# &aker Ma#fre$ Kla chka! I thought here %a amarketi#g opportu#it( for him1 He %oul$ ha"e happil( &ake$ a cake for the -amp&e l famil(1 So %hat $oe a l thi ha"e to $o %ith 3a o"er.

Thi %eek! %he# %e are for&i$$e# to eat Sachertore or i# er tort or e"e# the$elightfu l( #ame$ 3u# chkrapfe#! %e might %a#t to pau e a#$ thi#k a&out

omethi#g %e a( e"er( (ear at the 3a o"er e$erG )I# e"er( ge#eratio# it i the $ut( of ma# to co# i$er him elf a if he ha$ come forth from Eg(pt)1

Becau e i# thi ge#eratio#! a i# a l other ! there are tho e %ho or$er cu tom'ma$e %a tika cake 1 There are tho e %ho #ame their chil$re# after A$olf Hitler1A#$ there are other %ho fire a#ti'ta#k mi ile at chool &u e %ith *e%i h chil$re# i# them1 Becau e there are tho e %ho are &uil$i#g #uclear %eapo# !

ha"i#g tol$ the %orl$ that their i#te#tio# i to %ipe the *e%i h tate off the face of the earth1 Becau e people like that make 3haraoh look like a #ice gu(1

Becau e getti#g out of the hou e of &o#$age! out of la"er( i# Eg(pt! %a #ot thee#$ of the tor( for the *e%i h people! &ut %athe &egi##i#g1

It i a tor( of a #e"er'e#$i#g truggle for free$om! for $ig#it(! for re pect! for huma#



right ! that ha u#i"er al re o#a#ce a#$ mea#i#g for a l people! e"er(%here!

al%a( 1 SourceG Eric

ee

3eace of mi#$

O#ce Bu$$ha %a %alki#g from o#e to%# to a#other to%# %ith a fe% of hifo lo%er 1 Thi %a i# the i#itial $a( 1 ,hile the( %ere tra"e li#g! the( happe#e$to pa a lake1 The( toppe$ there a#$ Bu$$ha tol$ o#e of hi $i ciple ! I am

thir t(1 4o get me ome %ater from that lake there1

The $i ciple %alke$ up to the lake1 ,he# he reache$ it! he #otice$ that ome

people %ere %a hi#g clothe i# the %ater a#$! right at that mome#t! a &u lock cart tarte$ cro i#g through the lake1 A a re ult! the %ater &ecame "er( mu$$(!"er( tur&i$1 The $i ciple thought! Ho% ca# I gi"e thi mu$$( %ater to Bu$$ha to$ri#kF So he came &ack a#$ tol$ Bu$$ha! The %ater i# there i "er( mu$$(1 I

$o#t thi#k it i fit to $ri#k1

After a&out half a# hour! agai# Bu$$ha a ke$ the ame $i ciple to go &ack to the

lake a#$ get him ome %ater to $ri#k1 The $i ciple o&e$ie#tl( %e#t &ack to the lake1 Thi time he fou#$ that the lake ha$ a& olutel( clear %ater i# it1 The mu$

ha$

ettle$ $o%# a#$

the

%ater

a&o"e

it

looke$

fit

to

&e

ha$1

So

he

co

lecte$

ome %ater i# a pot a#$ &rought it to Bu$$ha1


13/44

Bu$$ha looke$ at the %ater! a#$ the# he looke$ up at the $i ciple a#$ ai$! See%hat (ou $i$ to make the %ater clea#1 You let it &e 111 a#$ the mu$ ettle$ $o%#o# it o%# a#$ (ou got clear %ater111 Your mi#$ i al o like that1 ,he# it i$i tur&e$! 8u t let it

&e1 >?! $uri#g a tu&e trike1 Our hero a tra# port 8our#ali t a#$ elf'$e cri&e$ +&ig! tock( &loke %ith a ha"e# hea$+

#ame$

K#o%le$ge a#$ %i $om

There i a $iffere#ce &et%ee# k#o%le$ge a#$ %i $om1

K#o%le$ge i k#o%i#g that a tomato i a fruit #ot a

"egeta&le1 ,i $om i k#o%i#g #ot to i#clu$e it i# a fruit

ala$1

The tarfi h


14/44


15/44

You %oul$ #ee$ to lea"e thi ma l coa tal fi hi#g "ilage a#$ mo"e to Me;ico

-it(! the# A a#$ e"e#tua l( NY- %here (ou %il ru# (our e;pa#$i#g e#terpri e1+

The Me;ica# fi herma# a ke$G +But e#or! ho% lo#g %il thi a l

take.+ To %hich the America# replie$G + 5'=> (ear 1+

+But %hat the#! e#or.+

The America# laughe$ a#$ ai$G +That) the &e t part1 ,he# the time i right! (ou %oul$ a##ou#ce a# I3O ' a# I#itial 3u&lic Offeri#g ' a#$ e l (our compa#( tock to the pu&lic a#$ &ecome "er( rich1 You %oul$ make milio# 1+

+Milio# ! e#or. The# %hat.+

The America# ai$ lo%l(G +The# (ou %oul$ retire1 Mo"e to a ma l coa tal fi hi#g"ilage %here (ou %oul$ leep late! fi h a little! pla( %ith (our ki$ ! take a ie ta%ith (our %ife! tro l to the "ilage i# the e"e#i#g %here (ou coul$ ip %i#e

a#$ pla( (our guitar %ith (our amigo 111+

Ale;a#$er a#$ 4ioge#e

No% %he# Ale;a#$er /the


16/44

8u t hear$ a&out (our frie#$.+

+Hol$ o# a mi#ute+! Socrate replie$1 +Before te li#g me a#(thi#g I)$ like (ou to pa a little te t1 It) ca le$ the Triple Cilter Te t1+

+Triple filter.+

+That) right+! Socrate co#ti#ue$1 +Before (ou talk to me a&out m( frie#$! it might &e a goo$ i$ea to take a mome#t a#$ filter %hat (ou)re goi#g to a(1

That) %h( I ca l it the triple filter te t1 The fir t filter i Truth1 Ha"e (ou ma$e a& olutel( ure that %hat (ou are a&out to te l me i true.+

+No!+!the ma# ai$! +Actua l( I 8u t hear$ a&out it a#$ 111+

+A l right+! ai$ Socrate 1 +So (ou $o#)t rea l( k#o% if it) true or #ot1 No% let) tr( the eco#$ filter! the filter of


17/44

,e ma tere$ the Motu1 I# e"er( rapi$ %e fought agai# t the ri"er a#$ %e o"ercameit1 The creame$ comma#$ of Bu %ere matche$ o#l( &( the fur( of our

pa$$le ! a %e took the raft e;actl( %here Bu %a#te$ it to go1

At the e#$ of the 8our#e(! there %a a great feeli#g of triumph1 ,e ha$ %o#1 ,e pro"e$ that %e %ere uperior1 ,e k#e% that %e coul$ $o it1 ,e felt

po%erful a#$ goo$1 The m( ter( a#$ ma8e t( of the Motu ha$ &ee# o"ercome1

The eco#$ time I %e#t $o%# the Motu1 the e;perie#ce I ha$ gai#e$ houl$ ha"e &ee# i#"alua&le! &ut the gui$e o# thi 8our#e( %a a "er( oftl( poke#

Ki%i1 It eeme$ that it %oul$ #ot e"e# &e po i&le to hear hi "oice a&o"e the #oi e of the rapi$ 1

A %e approache$ the fir t rapi$! he #e"er e"e# rai e$ hi "oice1 He $i$ #ot

attempt to take comma#$ of u or the ri"er1


18/44

A mou e looke$ through the crack i# the %a l to ee the farmer a#$ hi %ife ope#a package1 +,hat foo$ might thi co#tai#.+ the mou e %o#$ere$1 He %a $e"a tate$ to $i co"er it %a a mou etrap1

Retreati#g to the farm(ar$! the mou e proclaime$ the %ar#i#gG +There i a

mou etrap i# the hou eF There i a mou etrap i# the hou eF+

The chicke# clucke$ a#$ cratche$! rai e$ her hea$ a#$ ai$ +Mr1Mou e! I ca# tel thi i a gra"e co#cer# to (ou! &ut it i of #o co# e ue#ce to me1 I ca##ot &e

&othere$ &( it1+

The mou e tur#e$ to the pig a#$ tol$ him +There i a mou etrap i# the hou eF

There i a mou etrap i# the hou eF+ The pig (mpathi e$! &ut ai$ +I am o "er( orr(! Mr1Mou e! &ut there i #othi#g I ca# $o a&out it &ut pra(1 Be a ure$ (ou

are i# m( pra(er 1+

The mou e tur#e$ to the co% a#$ ai$ +There i a mou etrap i# the hou eFThere i a mou etrap i# the hou eF+ The co% ai$ +,o%! Mr1 Mou e1 I)m orr(for (ou! &ut it) #o ki# off m( #o e1+

So! the mou e retur#e$ to the hou e! hea$ $o%# a#$ $e8ecte$! to face the farmer) mou etrap alo#e1

That "er( #ight a ou#$ %a hear$ throughout the hou e ' like the ou#$ of amou etrap catchi#g it pre(1 The farmer) %ife ru he$ to ee %hat %a caught1

I# the $ark#e ! he $i$ #ot ee it %a a "e#omou #ake %ho e tail the trap ha$caught1The #ake &it the farmer) %ife1 The farmer ru he$ her to the ho pital a#$ he

retur#e$ home %ith a fe"er1

E"er(o#e k#o% (ou treat a fe"er %ith fre h chicke# oup! o the farmer took hi hatchet to the farm(ar$ for the oup) mai# i#gre$ie#t1 But hi %ife)

ick#e co#ti#ue$! o frie#$ a#$ #eigh&or came to it %ith her arou#$ the

clock1 To fee$ them! the farmer &utchere$ the pig1 The farmer) %ife $i$ #ot

get %e l: he $ie$1 So ma#(F people came for her fu#eral! the farmer ha$ the

co% laughtere$ to pro"i$e e#ough meat for a l of them1

www.rogerdarlington.me.uk/stories.html16/409/18/13 Thoughtful and inspirational stories

The mou e looke$ upo# it a l from hi crack i# the %a l %ith great a$#e 1 So! the #e;t time (ou hear omeo#e i faci#g a pro&lem a#$ thi#k it $oe #)t co#cer#

(ou! remem&erG %he# o#e of u i threate#e$! %e are a l at ri k1 ,e are a l i#"ol"e$ i# thi 8our#e( ca le$ life1 ,e mu t keep a# e(e out for o#e a#other a#$make a# e;tra effort to e#courage o#e a#other1 Each of u i a "ital threa$ i# a#other per o#) tape tr(1

A foot ha #o #o e


19/44

Of the ma#( i#teractio# I ha$ %ith m( mother tho e ma#( (ear ago! o#e

ta#$ out %ith clarit(1 I remem&er the occa io# %he# mother e#t me to the mai# roa$! a&out t%e#t( (ar$ a%a( from the home tea$! to i#"ite a pa i#g

group of ea o#al %ork' eeker home for a meal1 She i# tructe$ me to take a co#tai#er alo#g a#$ co lect $r( co% $u#g for maki#g a fire1 I %a the# to

prepare the meal for the group of %ork' eeker 1

The thought of maki#g a# ope# fire out i$e at mi$$a(! cooki#g i# a large three'legge$ pot i# that i#te# e heat! %a ufficie#t to up et e"e# a# a#gel1 I $i$ #ot

ma#age to co#ceal m( feeli#g from m( mother a#$! after er"i#g the group! heca le$ me to the "era#$a %here he u ua l( at to atte#$ to her e%i#g a#$

k#itti#g1

ooki#g traight i#to m( e(e ! he $ai$ +T holofelo! %h( $i$ (ou ulk %he# Ire ue te$ (ou to prepare a meal for tho e poor $e titute people.+ 4e pite m(

attempt to $e#( her a legatio#! a#$ u i#g the heat of the fire a#$ the u# a a# e;cu e for m(a lege$ &eha"iour! mother! gi"i#g me a firm look! ai$ ++ o#ao ga lo #a #ko+ '

+A foot ha

#o

#o e+1

It

mea# G

(ou

ca##ot

$etect

%hat

trou&le

ma(

lie

ahea$

of

(ou1

Ha$ I $e#ie$ thi group of people a meal! it ma( ha"e happe#e$ that! i# m( tra"el ome time i# the future! I fou#$ m( elf at the merc( of tho e "er(

i#$i"i$ual 1 A if that %a #ot e#ough to hame me! mother co#ti#ue$G +Motho ke motho ka motho (o mo#g%e+1 The literal mea#i#gG +A per o# i a per o#

&ecau e of a#other per o#+1

SourceG +Africa# ,i $om+ &( E le# K1 Ku %a(o

Crom Ru ia %ith lo"e

,he# the So"iet U#io# co lap e$ i# 66 ! the commu#icatio# tra$e u#io# for %hich I the# %orke$ recei"e$ e"eral $elegatio# from the emerge#t #atio# a#$

%e ra# cour e for them o# ho% market eco#omie operate$ a#$ ho% free co

lecti"e &argai#i#g %a co#$ucte$1 A i m( practice %he# lecturi#g to foreig# au$ie#ce ! Iha$ m( "i ual ai$ tra# late$ i#to the "er#acular! o I u e$ o"erhea$ li$e i#

Ru ia#! although of

cour e

I

poke i#

E#gli h

a#$

ha$

a#

i#terpreter1

I ca##ot rea$ the c(rilic alpha&et a#$ k#o% "er( little Ru ia#! o I 8u t

%orke$ through m( li$e i# or$er1 Ho%e"er! there came a poi#t %he# I coul$te l from the tati tical $ata o# the late t li$e that! for the pre"iou te# mi#ute ! I ha$ &ee#

www.rogerdarlington.me.uk/stories.html1 /40


peaki#g to the %ro#g li$e1 Briti h tu$e#t %oul$ ha"e poi#te$ thi out i#

eco#$ ! &ut #o#e of the Ru ia# ha$ ai$ a %or$1


20/44

I %a perple;e$ a#$ a ke$ %h( #o&o$( ha$ tol$ me that I ha$ &ee# peaki#g to

the %ro#g li$e1 E"e#tua l( o#e &ra"e oul "olu#teere$ a# a# %er a#$ the i#terpreter tra# late$G +I# our cou#tr(! #o o#e cha le#ge the teacher+1

AuthorG Roger 4arli#gto#

Dirtuall( #o competitio#

,hile profe io#al occer i til truggli#g to fi#$ a firm foothol$ i# the U#ite$ State ! i# the 6?> the North America# Soccer eague marke$ the &ra"e fir t

attempt to i#tro$uce the game to America# port fa# 1 ,hile mo t team ha$ o#l( limite$ ucce at &e t! o#e $i$ ma#age to &reak through to ge#ui#e

mai# tream popularit( ' the Ne% York -o mo 1

It %a the &rai#chil$ of Ste"e Ro ! a pa io#ate occer fa# %ho %a al o a

ma8or e;ecuti"e at ,ar#er -ommu#icatio# 1

Ma; Ro tol$ hi o# Ste"eG +I# life there are tho e %ho %ork a l $a(! tho e

%ho $ream a l $a(! a#$ tho e %ho pe#$ a# hour $reami#g &efore etti#g to %ork to fulfil tho e $ream 1


21/44

faci#g a%a( from our cla mate ! a#$ fa l &ack%ar$! rel(i#g o# a#other tu$e#t

to catch u 1 Mo t of u are u#comforta&le %ith thi ! a#$ %e ca##ot let go for more tha# a fe% i#che &efore toppi#g our el"e 1 ,e laugh i# em&arra me#t1

Ci#a l(! o#e tu$e#t! a thi#! uiet! $ark'haire$ girl %hom I #otice almo t al%a( %ear &ulk(! %hite fi herma# %eater ! cro e her arm o"er her che t! clo e

her e(e ! lea# &ack! a#$ $oe #ot fli#ch! like o#e of tho e ipto# tea commercial %here the mo$el pla he i#to the pool11

Cor a mome#t! I am ure he i goi#g to thump o# the floor1 At the la t i# ta#t! her a ig#e$ part#er gra& her hea$ a#$ houl$er a#$ (a#k her up

har hl(1

+,hoaFF+ e"eral tu$e#t (e l1 Some clap1 Morrie fi#a l( mile 1 +You ee+! he

a( to the girl! )(ou clo e$ (our e(e ! That %a the $iffere#ce1 Sometime (ou ca##ot &elie"e %hat (ou ee! (ou ha"e to &elie"e %hat (ou feel1 A#$ if (ou are

e"er goi#g to ha"e other people tru t (ou! (ou mu t feel that (ou ca# tru t them too ' e"e# %he# (ou)re i# the $ark1 E"e# %he# (ou)re fa li#g+1

SourceG +Tue $a( ,ith Morrie+ &( Mitch Al&om

E"er(o#e ca# pla(

At a fu#$rai i#g $i##er for a# America# chool that er"e lear#i#g $i a&le$chil$re#!the father of o#e of the tu$e#t $eli"ere$ a peech that %oul$ #e"er

&e forgotte# &( a l %ho atte#$e$1 After e;to li#g the chool a#$ it $e$icate$ taff! he offere$ a ue tio#G

+,he# #ot i#terfere$ %ith &( out i$e i#flue#ce ! e"er(thi#g #ature $oe i $o#e %ith perfectio#1 Yet m( o#! Sha(! ca##ot lear# thi#g a other chil$re#

$o1 He ca##ot u#$er ta#$ thi#g a other chil$re# $o1 ,here i the #atural or$er of thi#g i# m( o#.+ The au$ie#ce %a tile$ &( the uer(1

The father co#ti#ue$1 +I &elie"e!that %he# a chil$ like Sha(! ph( ica l( a#$ me#ta l( ha#$icappe$ come i#to the %orl$! a# opportu#it( to reali e true

huma# #ature pre e#t it elf! a#$ it come ! i# the %a( other people treat that chil$1+The# he tol$ the fo lo%i#g tor(G

Sha( a#$ hi father ha$ %alke$ pa t a park %here ome &o( Sha( k#e% %ere pla(i#g &a e&a l1 Sha( a ke$!+4o (ou thi#k the() l let me pla(.+ Sha() father

k#e% that mo t of the &o( %oul$ #ot %a#t omeo#e like Sha( o# their team! &utthe father al o u#$er too$ that if hi o# %ere a lo%e$ to pla(! it %oul$ gi"e him

a much'#ee$e$ e# e of &elo#gi#g a#$ ome co#fi$e#ce to &e accepte$ &( otheri# pite of hi ha#$icap 1

Sha() father approache$ o#e of the &o( o# the fiel$ a#$ a ke$ if Sha( coul$ pla(!

www.rogerdarlington.me.uk/stories.html

19/409/18/13 Thoughtful and inspirational stories


22/44

#ot e;pecti#g much1 The &o( looke$ arou#$ for gui$a#ce a#$ ai$! +,e)re

lo i#g &( i; ru# a#$ the game i i# the eighth i##i#g1 I gue he ca# &e o# ourteam a#$ %e) l tr( to put him i# to &at i# the #i#th i##i#g1+

Sha( truggle$ o"er to the team) &e#ch put o# a team hirt %ith a &roa$ mile a#$ hi Cather ha$ a ma l tear i# hi e(e a#$ %armth i# hi heart1 The &o( a%

the father) 8o( at hi o# &ei#g accepte$1 I# the &ottom of the eighth i##i#g! Sha() team core$ a fe% ru# &ut %a til &ehi#$ &( three1 I# the top of the

#i#th i##i#g! Sha( put o# a glo"e a#$ pla(e$ i# the right fiel$1

E"e# though #o hit came hi %a(! he %a o&"iou l( ec tatic 8u t to &e i# the gamea#$ o# the fiel$! gri##i#g from ear to ear a hi father %a"e$ to him from the

ta#$ 1 I# the &ottom of the #i#th i##i#g! Sha() team core$ agai#1 No%! %ith

t%o out a#$ the &a e loa$e$! the pote#tial %i##i#g ru# %a o# &a e a#$ Sha( %a che$ule$ to &e #e;t at &at1

At thi 8u#cture! $o the( let Sha( &at a#$ gi"e a%a( their cha#ce to %i# the game. Surpri i#gl(! Sha( %a gi"e# the &at1 E"er(o#e k#e% that a hit %a a l

&ut impo i&le &ecau e Sha( $i$#)t e"e# k#o% ho% to hol$ the &at properl(! much le co##ect %ith the &a l1

Ho%e"er! a Sha( teppe$ up to the plate! the pitcher! recog#i i#g the other team putti#g %i##i#g a i$e for thi mome#t i# Sha() life! mo"e$ i# a fe% tepto lo& the &a l i# oftl( o Sha( coul$ at lea t &e a&le to make co#tact1 The fir t

pitch came a#$ Sha( %u#g clum il( a#$ mi e$1 The pitcher agai# took a fe%

tep for%ar$ to to the &a l oftl( to%ar$ Sha(1 A the pitch came i#! Sha( %u#g at the &a l a#$ hit a lo% grou#$ &a l right &ack to the pitcher1

The game %oul$ #o% &e o"er! &ut the pitcher picke$ up the oft grou#$er a#$ coul$ ha"e ea il( thro%# the &a l to the fir t &a ema#1 Sha( %oul$ ha"e &ee#

out a#$ that %oul$ ha"e &ee# the e#$ of the game1

I# tea$! the pitcher thre% the &a l right o"er the hea$ of the fir t &a ema#! out of

reach of a l team mate 1 E"er(o#e from the ta#$ a#$ &oth team tarte$ (e li#g! +Sha(! ru# to fir tF Ru# to fir tF+ Ne"er i# hi life ha$ Sha( e"er ra# that far &ut

ma$e it to fir t &a e1 He campere$ $o%# the &a eli#e! %i$e'e(e$ a#$ tartle$1

E"er(o#e (e le$! +Ru# to eco#$! ru# to eco#$F+ -atchi#g hi &reath! Sha(a%k%ar$l( ra# to%ar$ eco#$! gleami#g a#$ truggli#g to make it to eco#$

&a e1 B( the time Sha( rou#$e$ to%ar$ eco#$ &a e! the right fiel$er ha$ the

&a l! the ma le t gu( o# their team! %ho ha$ a cha#ce to &e the hero for hi team for the fir t time1 He coul$ ha"e thro%# the &a l to the eco#$'&a ema#

for the tag! &ut he u#$er too$ the pitcher) i#te#tio# a#$ he too i#te#tio#a l( thre% the &a l high a#$ far o"er the thir$'&a ema#) hea$1 Sha( ra# to%ar$ thir$

&a e $eliriou l( a the ru##er ahea$ of him circle$ the &a e to%ar$ home1

A l %ere creami#g! +Sha(! Sha(! Sha(! a l the ,a( Sha(+ Sha( reache$ thir$ &a e!

www.rogerdarlington.me.uk/stories.html

20/409/18/13 Thoughtful and inspirational stories


23/44

the oppo i#g hort top ra# to help him a#$ tur#e$ him i# the $irectio# of thir$

&a e! a#$ houte$! +Ru# to thir$F Sha(! ru# to thir$+ A Sha( rou#$e$ thir$! the &o( from &oth team a#$ tho e %atchi#g %ere o# their feet %ere creami#g!

+Sha(! ru# homeF Sha( ra# to home! teppe$ o# the plate! a#$ %a cheere$ a the hero %ho hit the +gra#$ lam+ a#$ %o# the game for hi team1

That $a(! ai$ the father oftl( %ith tear #o% ro li#g $o%# hi face! the &o( from &oth team helpe$ &ri#g a piece of true lo"e a#$ huma#it( i#to thi %orl$1

Sha( $i$#)t make it to a#other ummer a#$ $ie$ that %i#ter! ha"i#g #e"er

forgotte# &ei#g the hero a#$ maki#g hi father o happ( a#$ comi#g home a#$ eei#g hi mother tearfu l( em&race her little hero of the $a(F

SourceG Ra&&i 3a( ach Kroh#! a popular lecturer a#$ &e t' e li#g author of theArtScro l Maggi$ erie of hort torie

I mu t at lea t tr(

I# *u#e 6P5! t%o Briti h mou#tai#eer *oe Simp o# a#$ Simo# Yate ma$e the

fir t' e"er clim& of the ,e t Cace of the = !>>> foot #o%'co"ere$ Siula


24/44

21/40


SourceG +Touchi#g The Doi$+ &( *oe Simp o#

Ki#g Arthur a#$ the %itch

You#g Ki#g Arthur %a am&u he$ a#$ impri o#e$ &( the mo#arch of a #eigh&ori#g ki#g$om1 The mo#arch coul$ ha"e kile$ him &ut %a mo"e$ &(

Arthur) (outh a#$ i$eal 1 So! the mo#arch offere$ him hi free$om! a lo#g a he coul$ a# %er a "er( $ifficult ue tio#1 Arthur %oul$ ha"e a (ear to figure

out the a# %er a#$! if after a (ear! he til ha$ #o a# %er! he %oul$ &e put to $eath1

The ue tio#.1111,hat $o %ome# real( %a#t. Such a ue tio# %oul$ perple; e"e# the mo t k#o%le$gea&le ma#! a#$ to (ou#g Arthur! it eeme$ a#

impo i&le uer(1 But! i#ce it %a &etter tha# $eath! he accepte$ the mo#arch) propo itio# to ha"e a# a# %er &( (ear) e#$1

He retur#e$ to hi ki#g$om a#$ &ega# to poll e"er(o#eG the pri#ce ! the prie t !the %i e me# a#$ e"e# the court 8e ter1 He poke %ith e"er(o#e! &ut #o o#e

coul$ gi"e him a ati factor( a# %er1 Ma#( people a$"i e$ him to co# ult the ol$ %itch! for o#l( he %oul$ ha"e the a# %er1 But the price %oul$ &e high: a

the %itch %a famou throughout the ki#g$om for the e;or&ita#t price he charge$1

The la t $a( of the (ear arri"e$ a#$ Arthur ha$ #o choice &ut to talk to the %itch She agree$ to a# %er the ue tio#! &ut he %oul$ ha"e to agree to her price fir t1 The ol$ %itch %a#te$ to marr( Sir a#celot! the mo t #o&le of the K#ight of the

Rou#$ Ta&le a#$ Arthur) clo e t frie#$F You#g Arthur %a horrifie$1 She %a hu#ch&acke$ a#$ hi$eou ! ha$ o#l( o#e tooth! me le$ like e%age! ma$e o& ce#e #oi e ! etc1 He ha$ #e"er e#cou#tere$ uch a repug#a#t creature i# al l

hi life1

He refu e$ to force hi frie#$ to marr( her a#$ e#$ure uch a terri&le &ur$e#:

&ut a#celot! lear#i#g of the propo al! poke %ith Arthur1 He ai$ #othi#g %a too &ig of a acrifice compare$ to Arthur) life a#$ the pre er"atio# of the

Rou#$ Ta&le1

He#ce! a %e$$i#g %a proclaime$ a#$ the %itch a# %ere$ Arthur) ue tio# thu G ,hat a %oma# rea l l( %a#t ! he a# %ere$1111i to &e i# charge of her o%# lifeF E"er(o#e i# the ki#g$om i# ta#tl( k#e% that the %itch ha$ uttere$ agreat truth a#$ that Arthur) life %oul$ &e pare$1 A#$ o it %a ! the #eigh&ori#g mo#arch gra#te$ Arthur hi free$om a#$ a#celot a#$ the %itch

ha$ a %o#$erful %e$$i#g1

The ho#e(moo# hour approache$ a#$ a#celot! teeli#g him elf for a horrifice;perie#ce! e#tere$ the &e$room1 But! %hat a ight a%aite$ him1 The mo t

&eautiful %oma# he ha$ e"er ee# la( &efore him o# the &e$1 The a tou#$e$

a#celot a ke$ %hat ha$ happe#e$


25/44

The &eaut( replie$ that i#ce he ha$ &ee# o ki#$ to her %he# he appeare$ a

a %itch! he %oul$ he#ceforth! &e her horri&le $eforme$ elf o#l( half the time

a#$ the &eautiful mai$e# the other half1 ,hich %oul$ he prefer. Beautiful

$uri#g the $a(111or



#ight.

a#celot po#$ere$ the pre$icame#t1 4uri#g the $a(! a &eautiful %oma# to ho%

off to hi frie#$ ! &ut at #ight! i# the pri"ac( of hi ca tle! a# ol$ %itch. Or! %oul$ he prefer ha"i#g a hi$eou %itch $uri#g the $a(! &ut &( #ight! a &eautiful %oma# for him toe#8o( %o#$rou i#timate mome#t .

No&le a#celot ai$ that he %oul$ a lo% HER to make the choice her elf1 Upo# heari#g thi ! he a##ou#ce$ that he %oul$ &e &eautiful a l the time

&ecau e he ha$ re pecte$ her e#ough to let her &e i# charge of her o%# life1

Helpi#g ha#$

A mother! %i hi#g to e#courage her o#) progre at the pia#o! &ought ticket to a performa#ce &( the great 3oli h pia#i t Ig#ace 3a$ere% ki1 ,he# the e"e#i#g

arri"e$! the( fou#$ their eat #ear the fro#t of the co#cert ha l a#$ e(e$ the ma8e tic Stei#%a( %aiti#g o# the tage1 Soo# the mother fou#$ a frie#$ to talk to!a#$ the &o( lippe$ a%a(1

At eight

o)clock!

the

light

i#

the

au$itorium

&ega#

to

$im!

the

potlight

came

o#! a#$ o#l( the# $i$ the( #otice the &o( ' up o# the pia#o &e#ch! i##oce#tl( picki#g out +T%i#kle! T%i#kle ittle Star1+ Hi mother ga pe$ i# hock a#$

em&ara me#t &ut! &efore he coul$ retrie"e her o#! the ma ter him elf appeare$ o# the tage a#$ uickl( mo"e$ to the ke(&oar$1

He %hi pere$ ge#tl( to the &o(! +4o#)t uit1 Keep pla(i#g1+ ea#i#g o"er!3a$ere% ki reache$ $o%# %ith hi left ha#$ a#$ &ega# fili#g i# the &a part1

Soo# hi right arm reache$ arou#$ the other i$e a#$ impro"i e$ a $elightful o&ligato1 Together! the ol$ ma ter a#$ the (ou#g #o"ice hel$ the cro%$

me meri e$ %ith their &le#$e$ a#$ &eautiful mu ic1

I# a l our li"e ! %e recei"e helpi#g ha#$ ' ome %e #otice! ome %e $o#)t1

E ua l( %e our el"e ha"e cou#tle opportu#ite to pro"i$e helpi#g ha#$ ' ometime %e %oul$ like our a i ta#ce to &e #otice$! ometime %e $o#)t1

ittle of %hat %e a l achie"e i %ithout lear#i#g from other a#$ %ithout upport from other a#$ %hat %e recei"e %e houl$ ha#$ out1

The teacher a#$ the taught


26/44

A (ou#g teacher from a# i#$u trial cit( i# the #orth of E#gla#$ ha$ accepte$ atemporar( 8o& teachi#g a cla of four'(ear'ol$ out i# o#e of the mo t i olate$! rural part of #orth ,ale 1 O#e of her fir t le o# i#"ol"e$ teachi#g the letter S

o he hel$ up a &ig colour photograph of a heep a#$ ai$G +No%! %ho ca# te l l me %hat thi i .+

No a# %er1 T%e#t( &la#k a#$ %or$le face looke$ &ack at her1 +-ome o#! %ho ca# te l l me %hat thi i .+ he e;claime$! tappi#g the photograph

$etermi#e$l(! u#a&lewww.rogerdarlington.me.uk/stories.html23/40


to &elie"e that the chil$re# %ere uite o ig#ora#t1 The => face &ecame apprehe# i"e a#$ e"e# fearful a he co#ti#ue$ to ue tio# them %ith mou#ti#g

fru tratio#1

E"e#tua l(! o#e &ra"e oul put up a ti#(! relucta#t ha#$1 +Ye F+ he crie$! %a"i#g the #ap aloft1 +Te l me %hat (ou thi#k thi i F+ +3lea e! Mi !+ ai$ the

&o( %aril(1 +I it a three'(ear'ol$ Bor$er eice ter.+

SourceG +> a1m1 cla o#e Mo#$a( at U#i"er it( of Ne"a$a! a Dega @UN D ! I cheerfu l( a ke$ m( tu$e#t ho% their %eeke#$ ha$

&ee#1 O#e (ou#g ma# ai$ that hi %eeke#$ ha$ #ot &ee# "er( goo$1 He)$ ha$ hi %i $om teeth e;tracte$1 The (ou#g ma# the# procee$e$ to a k me %h( I


27/44

al%a( eeme$ to &e o cheerful1 Hi ue tio# remi#$e$ me of omethi#g I)$

rea$ ome%here &eforeG +E"er( mor#i#g %he# (ou get up! (ou ha"e a choice a&out ho% (ou %a#t to approach lifethat $a(+! I ai$ to the (ou#g ma#1 +I choo e to &e cheerful+1 + et me gi"e

(ou a# e;ample+! I co#ti#ue$1

The other 7> tu$e#t i# the cla cea e$ their chatter a#$ &ega# to li te# to ourco#"er atio#1 A oo# a I got there! I ca le$ AAA a#$ a ke$ them to e#$ a to%truck1 The ecretar( i# the 3ro"o t) office a ke$ me %hat ha$ happe#e$1 +Thi

i m( luck( $a(+! I replie$! mili#g1 +Your car &reak $o%# a#$ to$a( i (our

luck( $a(..+ She %a pu le$1 +,hat $o (ou mea#.+



+I li"e ? mile from here+! I replie$1 +M( car coul$ ha"e &roke# $o%# a#(%herealo#g the free%a(1 It $i$#)t1 I# tea$! it &roke $o%# i# the perfect placeG off thefree%a(! %ithi# %alki#g $i ta#ce of here1 I)m til a&le to teach m( cla ! a#$ I)"e

&ee# a&le to arra#ge for the to% truck to meet me after cla 1 If m( car %a

mea#t to &reak $o%# to$a(! it coul$#)t ha"e &ee# arra#ge$ i# a more co#"e#ie#t fa hio#1+ The ecretar() e(e ope#e$ %i$e! a#$ the# he mile$1 I mile$ &ack

a#$ hea$e$ for cla 1) So e#$e$ m( tor( to the tu$e#t i# m( eco#omic cla atUN D1

I ca##e$ the 7> face i# the lecture ha l1 4e pite the earl( hour! #o o#e eeme$ to &e a leep1 Someho%! m( tor( ha$ touche$ them1 Or ma(&e it %a #)t the tor(at a l1 I# fact! it ha$ a l tarte$ %ith a tu$e#t) o& er"atio# that I %a cheerful1 A %i e ma# o#ce ai$G +,ho (ou are peak lou$er to me tha# a#(thi#g (ou ca#

a(+1 I

uppo e it mu t

&e

o1

AuthorG ee R(a# Miler ' tor( from hi &ook +Teachi#g Ami$ t the Neo# 3almTree + ' for %ho e %e& ite click here 1

4iffere#t per pecti"e

The Mi#i ter tra"e le$ for $a( &( trai# a#$ car a#$ &oat to o#e of the furthe t i la#$ i# the #atio#1 A he ur"e(e$ the &leak &ut i# piri#g la#$ cape! he

tur#e$ to a local"ilager a#$ ai$G +You)re "er( remote here! are#)t (ou.+ She re po#$e$G

+Remote from %hat.+

The eagle

O#ce a farmer fou#$ a# a&a#$o#e$ eagle) #e t a#$ i# it %a a# egg til %arm1He took the egg &ack to hi farm a#$ lai$ it i# the #e t of o#e of hi he# 1 The egg hatche$ a#$ the &a&( eagle gre% up alo#g %ith the other chicke# 1 It

pecke$ a&outthe farm(ar$! cra&&li#g for grai#1 It pe#t it life %ithi# the (ar$ a#$ rarel(


28/44

looke$ up1 ,he# it %a "er( ol$! o#e $a( it lifte$ up it hea$ a#$ a% a&o"e it a

%o#$erful ight' a# eagle oari#g high a&o"e i# the k(1 ooki#g at it! the ol$ creature

ighe$ a#$ ai$ to it elf! +If o#l( I)$ &ee# &or# a# eagle+1

SourceG a# a$aptatio# from a# A#tho#( $e Me lo tor(

The three race

I# ol$ time ! fa&le rete l the tor( of the (ou#g athletic &o( hu#gr( for

ucce ! for %hom %i##i#g %a e"er(thi#g a#$ ucce %a mea ure$ &(

uch a re ult1

O#e $a(! the &o( %a prepari#g him elf for a ru##i#g competitio# i# hi ma l

#ati"e "ilage! him elf a#$ t%o other (ou#g &o( to compete1 A large cro%$ ha$co#gregate$ to %it#e the porti#g pectacle a#$ a %i e ol$ ma#! upo# heari#g of thelittle &o(! ha$ tra"e le$ far to &ear %it#e al o1


9/18/13 Thoughtful and inspirationalstories

The race comme#ce$! looki#g like a le"el heat at the fi#i hi#g li#e! &ut ure e#ough the &o( $ug $eep a#$ ca le$ o# hi $etermi#atio#! tre#gth a#$ po%er 11

he took the %i##i#g li#e a#$ %a fir t1 The cro%$ %a ec tatic a#$ cheere$ a#$ %a"e$ at the &o(1 The %i e ma# remai#e$ til a#$ calm! e;pre i#g #o

e#time#t1 The little &o(! ho%e"er1 felt prou$ a#$ importa#t1

A

eco#$ race

%a

ca

le$!

a#$

t%o

#e%

(ou#g!

fit!

cha

le#ger

came

for%ar$!

to

ru# %ith the little &o(1 The race %a tarte$ a#$ ure e#ough the little &o( came through a#$ fi#i he$ fir t o#ce agai#1 The cro%$ %a ec tatic agai# a#$ cheere$

a#$ %a"e$ at the &o(1 The %i e ma# remai#e$ til a#$ calm! agai# e;pre i#g #oe#time#t1 The

little &o(! ho%e"er! felt prou$ a#$ importa#t1

+A#other race! a#other raceF+ plea$e$ the little &o(1 The %i e ol$ ma# teppe$for%ar$ a#$ pre e#te$ the little &o( %ith t%o #e% cha le#ger ! a# el$erl( frail la$( a#$ a &li#$ ma#1 +,hat i thi .+! ui e$ the little &o(1 +Thi i #o race+ he

e;claime$1 +RaceF+! ai$ the %i e ma#1 The race %a tarte$ a#$ the &o( %a the o#l( fi#i her!the other t%o cha le#ger left ta#$i#g at the tarti#g li#e1 The little &o( %aec tatic! he rai e$ hi arm i# $elight1 The cro%$! ho%e"er! %a ile#t ho%i#g#o e#time#t to%ar$ the little &o(1

+,hat ha happe#e$. ,h( #ot $o the people 8oi# i# m( ucce .+ he a ke$ the

%i e ol$ ma#1 +Race agai#+! replie$ the %i e ma#! +111thi time! fi#i h together! a l three of (ou! fi#i h together+ co#ti#ue$ the %i e ma#1 The little &o( thought a

little! too$ i# the mi$$le of the &li#$ ma# a#$ the frail ol$ la$(! a#$ the# took

the t%o cha le#ger &( the ha#$1 The race &ega# a#$ the little &o( %alke$ lo%l(!e"er o lo%l(! to the fi#i hi#g li#e a#$ cro e$ it1 The cro%$ %ere ec tatic a#$


29/44

cheere$ a#$ %a"e$ at the &o(1 The %i e ma# mile$! ge#tl( #o$$i#g hi hea$1

The little &o( felt prou$ a#$ importa#t1

+Ol$ ma#! I u#$er ta#$ #otF ,ho are the cro%$ cheeri#g for. ,hich o#e of uthree.+! a ke$ the little &o(1 The %i e ol$ ma# looke$ i#to the little &o() e(e !

placi#g hi ha#$ o# the &o() houl$er ! a#$ replie$ oftl( 11 + ittle &o(! for thi

race (ouha"e %o# much more tha# i# a#( race (ou ha"e e"er ra# &efore! a#$ for thi race the cro%$ cheer #ot for a#( %i##erF+

AuthorG 4arre# E$%ar$

The o& tacle i# our path

I# a#cie#t time ! a Ki#g ha$ a &oul$er place$ o# a roa$%a(1 The# he hi$ him elfa#$ %atche$ to ee if a#(o#e %oul$ remo"e the huge rock1 Some of the ki#g)

%ealthie t mercha#t a#$ courtier came &( a#$ impl( %alke$ arou#$ it1 Ma#( lou$l( &lame$ the Ki#g for #ot keepi#g the roa$ clear! &ut #o#e $i$ a#(thi#g

a&out getti#g the to#e out of the %a(1

The# a pea a#t came alo#g carr(i#g a loa$ of "egeta&le 1 Upo# approachi#g

the &oul$er! the pea a#t lai$ $o%# hi &ur$e# a#$ trie$ to mo"e the to#e to

the i$e of



the roa$1 After much pu hi#g a#$ trai#i#g! he fi#a l( uccee$e$1 After the pea a#t picke$ up hi loa$ of "egeta&le ! he #otice$ a pur e l(i#g i# the roa$

%here the &oul$er ha$ &ee#1 The pur e co#tai#e$ ma#( gol$ coi# a#$ a #ote from the Ki#g i#$icati#g that the gol$ %a for the per o# %ho remo"e$ the

&oul$er from the roa$%a(1

The pea a#t lear#e$ %hat ma#( of u #e"er u#$er ta#$F E"er( o& tacle

pre e#t a# opportu#it( to impro"e our co#$itio#1

Ba$ &( #ame: &a$ &( #ature.

4uri#g Nel o# Ma#$ela) 6 (ear impri o#e$ o# Ro&&e# I la#$! o#e particular comma#$i#g officer %a the mo t &rutal of them a lG

+A fe% $a( &efore Ba$e#hor t) $eparture! I %a ca le$ to the mai# office1


30/44

e#$ea"our 1

I thought a&out thi mome#t for a lo#g time after%ar$ 1 Ba$e#hor t ha$ perhap &ee# the mo t ca lou a#$ &ar&aric comma#$i#g officer %e ha$ ha$ o# Ro&&e#

I la#$1 But that $a( i# the office! he ha$ re"eale$ that that there %a a#other i$eto hi #ature! a i$e that ha$ &ee# o& cure$ &ut til e;i te$1

It %a a u eful remi#$er that a l me#! e"e# the mo t eemi#gl( col$'&loo$e$!

ha"e a core of $ece#c( a#$ that! if their heart are touche$! the( are capa&le of

cha#gi#g1 Ultimatel(! Ba$e#hor t %a #ot e"il: hi i#huma#it( ha$ &ee# foi te$ upo# him &( a# i#huma# ( tem1 He &eha"e$ like a &rute &ecau e he

%a re%ar$e$ for &ruti h &eha"iour1+

SourceG + o#g ,alk To Cre$om+ &( Nel o# Ma#$ela

E"er(o#e i importa#t

4uri#g Mark) fir t mo#th of co lege! the profe or ga"e hi tu$e#t a pop ui 1

He %a a co# cie#tiou tu$e#t a#$ ha$ &ree e$ through the ue tio# ! u#til he rea$ the la t o#eG +,hat i the fir t #ame of the %oma# %ho clea# the chool.+

Surel( thi %a ome ki#$ of 8oke1 He ha$ ee# the clea#i#g %oma# e"eral

time 1 She %a ta l! $ark' haire$ a#$ i# her 5> ! &ut ho% %oul$ he k#o% her

#ame. He ha#$e$ i# hi paper! lea"i#g the la t ue tio# &la#k1

www.rogerdarlington.me.uk/stories.html2 /40


*u t &efore cla e#$e$! o#e tu$e#t a ke$ if the la t ue tio# %oul$ cou#t

to%ar$ the ui gra$e1 +A& olutel(!+ ai$ the profe or1 +I# (our career ! (ou %ilmeet ma#( people1 A l are ig#ifica#t1 The( each $e er"e (our atte#tio# a#$

care! e"e# if a l (ou $o i mile a#$ a( )he lo)+1 Mark #e"er forgot that le o#1 He al o lear#e$ her #ame %a 4oroth(1

The carrot! the egg! a#$ the coffee &ea#

A (ou#g %oma# %e#t to her mother a#$ tol$ her a&out her life a#$ ho% thi#g%ere o har$ for her1 She $i$ #ot k#o% ho% he %a goi#g to make it a#$%a#te$ to gi"e up1 She %a tire$ of fighti#g a#$ truggli#g1

It eeme$ that! a o#e pro&lem %a ol"e$! a #e% o#e aro e1 Her mother took her to the kitche#1 She file$ three pot %ith %ater a#$ place$ each o# a high fire1

Soo# the pot came to a &oil1 I# the fir t! he place$ carrot ! i# the eco#$ he place$ egg ! a#$ i# the la t he place$ grou#$ coffee &ea# 1

She let them it a#$ &oil! %ithout a(i#g a %or$1 I# a&out t%e#t( mi#ute ! hetur#e$ off the &ur#er 1 She fi he$ the carrot out a#$ place$ them i# a &o%l1She pu le$ the egg out a#$ place$ them i# a &o%l1 The# he la$le$ the coffeeout a#$ place$ it i# a &o%l1 Tur#i#g to her $aughter! he a ke$! +Te l me! %hat


31/44

$o (ou ee.+

+-arrot ! egg ! a#$ coffee!+ the (ou#g %oma# replie$1 The mother &rought her clo er a#$ a ke$ her to feel the carrot 1 She $i$ a#$ #ote$ that the( %ere oft1

She the# a ke$ her to take a# egg a#$ &reak it1 After pu li#g off the he l! he o& er"e$ the har$'&oile$ egg1 Ci#a l(! he a ke$ her to ip the coffee1 The

$aughter mile$ a he ta te$ it rich aroma1 The $aughter the# a ke$! +,hat $oe it mea#! mother.+

Her mother e;plai#e$ that each of the e o&8ect ha$ face$ the amea$"er it( ' &oili#g %ater ' &ut each reacte$ $iffere#tl(1 The carrot %e#t i#

tro#g! har$ a#$ u#rele#ti#g1 Ho%e"er! after &ei#g u&8ecte$ to the &oili#g%ater! it ofte#e$ a#$ &ecame %eak1

The egg ha$ &ee# fragile1 It thi# outer he l ha$ protecte$ it li ui$ i#terior1 But!after itti#g through the &oili#g %ater! it i# i$e &ecame har$e#e$F The grou#$

coffee &ea# %ere u#i ue! ho%e"er1 After the( %ere i# the &oili#g %ater! the( ha$ cha#ge$ the %ater1

+,hich are (ou.+ the mother a ke$ her $aughter1 +,he# a$"er it( k#ock o#

(our $oor! ho% $o (ou re po#$. Are (ou a carrot! a# egg! or a coffee &ea#.+

Thi#k of thi G ,hich am I. Am I the carrot that eem tro#g &ut! %ith pai# a#$

a$"er it(! $o I %ilt a#$ &ecome oft a#$ lo e m( tre#gth. Am I the egg that

tart %ith a ma lea&le heart! &ut cha#ge %ith the heat. 4i$ I ha"e a flui$ pirit

&ut! after a $eath! a &reakup! or a fi#a#cial har$ hip! $oe m( he l look the

ame! &ut o# the i# i$e am I &itter a#$ tough %ith a tiff pirit a#$ a har$e#e$ heart. Or am I like the coffee &ea#. The &ea# actua l( cha#ge the hot %ater! the"er( circum ta#ce that &ri#g the pai#1 ,he# the



%ater get hot! it relea e the fragra#ce a#$ fla"our1

If (ou are like the &ea#! %he# thi#g are at their %or t! (ou get &etter a#$ cha#gethe ituatio# arou#$ (ou1 ,he# the hour are the $arke t a#$ trial are their

greate t! $o (ou ele"ate to a#other le"el. Ho% $o (ou ha#$le a$"er it(. Are (oua carrot! a# egg! or a coffee &ea#.

The t%o %ol"e

A Nati"e America# gra#$father %a talki#g to hi gra#$ o# a&out ho% he felt1He ai$! +I feel a if I ha"e t%o %ol"e fighti#g i# m( heart1 O#e %olf i the "e#geful! a#gr(! "iole#t o#e1 The other %olf i the lo"i#g! compa io#ate

o#e1+ The gra#$ o# a ke$ him! +,hich %olf %il %i# the fight i# (our heart.+ The gra#$father a# %ere$G +The o#e I fee$1+

The great

fire

a#$

the

little

%ater


32/44

Amo#g the A tec people of Me;ico! it i ai$ that a lo#g time ago there %a a

great fire i# the fore t that co"ere$ our Earth1 3eople a#$ a#imal tarte$ to ru#!tr(i#g to e cape from the fire1 Our &rother o%l! Tecolotl! %a ru##i#g a%a( al o

%he# he #otice$ a ma l &ir$ hurr(i#g &ack a#$ forth &et%ee# the #eare t ri"er a#$ the fire1 He hea$e$ to%ar$ thi ma l &ir$1

He #otice$ that it %a our &rother the Quet al &ir$! Quet altototl! ru##i#g to the ri"er! picki#g up ma l $rop of %ater i# hi &eak! the# retur#i#g to the fire to

thro% that ti#( &it of %ater o# the flame1 O%l approache$ Quet al &ir$ a#$ (e

le$ at himG +,hat are (ou $oi#g &rother. Are (ou tupi$. You are #ot goi#g to achie"e a#(thi#g &( $oi#g thi 1 ,hat are (ou tr(i#g to $o. You mu t ru# for

(our lifeF+

Quet al &ir$ toppe$ for a mome#t a#$ looke$ at o%l! a#$ the# a# %ere$G +Iam $oi#g the &e t I ca# %ith %hat I ha"e1+

It i remem&ere$ &( our


33/44

,hat me age $o %e gi"e %he# %e ho#k from &ehi#$.

Ci#a l( ' a#$ thi i importa#t ' %he# a goo e get ick or i %ou#$e$ &( gu# hot! a#$ fa l out of the formatio#! t%o other gee e fa l out %ith that goo e

a#$ fo lo% it $o%#to le#$ help a#$ protectio#1 The( ta( %ith the fa le# goo e u#til it i a&le to fl( or u#til it $ie : a#$ o#l( the# $o the( lau#ch out o# their o%#! or %ith a#other

formatio# to catch up %ith their o%# group1If %e ha"e the e# e of a goo e! %e %ill ta#$ &( each other like that1

The eeker of truth

After (ear of earchi#g! the eeker %a tol$ to go to a ca"e! i# %hich he %oul$

fi#$ a %e l1 )A k the %e l %hat i truth)! he %a a$"i e$! )a#$ the %e l %il re"eal itto (ou)1 Ha"i#g fou#$ the %e l! the eeker a ke$ that mo t fu#$ame#tal ue tio#1 A#$ from the $epth came the a# %er! )


34/44

A meeti#g of mi#$

Marti# %a retur#i#g to %ork i# hi o#$o# office after pe#$i#g t%o %eek %ith hi &rother o"er i# Ne% York1 He %a comi#g &ack %ith a hea"( heart1 It

%a #ot 8u t that it %a the e#$ of a %o#$erful holi$a(: it %a #ot 8u t that he i#"aria&l( uffere$ &a$l( from 8et lag: it %a that Mo#$a( mor#i#g al%a(

&ega# %ith a team meeti#g a#$! o"er the mo#th ! he ha$ gro%# to hate them1

Marti# %a a%are that co league approache$ the e meeti#g %ith hi$$e# age#$a : the( i#$ulge$ i# game'pla(i#g: a#$ he k#e% that people %ere #ot

&ei#g ho#e t a#$ ope#1 The meeti#g them el"e %ere &a$ e#ough ' &ut the#

there %a a l the moa#i#g after%ar$ 1 +The u ual people a(i#g the u ual thi#g +1 +I coul$ ha"e impro"e$ o# that i$ea! &ut I %a #)t goi#g to a(+1 +I %a

thi#ki#g of maki#g a ugge tio#' &ut I coul$#)t &e &othere$+1

A thi mor#i#g) meeti#g &ega#! Marti# &race$ him elf for the u ual moro e#ea#$ mo#oto#(1 But! a the meeti#g progre e$! he &ecame a%are of a tra#ge

&ackgrou#$ #oi e1 At fir t! he thought that he %a til heari#g the e#gi#e #oi e from the aircraft that ha$ &rought him &ack to o#$o# ' he ha$ ha$ to it o"er the%i#g a#$ the $ro#i#g%a terri&le1 But! a he co#ce#trate$ o# the #oi e! it &ecame a little clearer1

He reali e$ ' to hi ama eme#t ' that he coul$ hear %hat hi co league %ere thi#ki#g a %e l a %hat the( %ere a(i#g1 A he co#ce#trate$ til har$er! he

fou#$ that he coul$ actua l( hear %hat the( %ere thi#ki#g at the ame time a the( %ere peaki#g1 ,hat urpri e$ him! e"e# more tha# the ac ui itio# of thi

tra#ge po%er! %a that he $i co"ere$ that %hat people %ere a(i#g %a #ot rea l( %hat the( %ere thi#ki#g1 The( %ere #ot maki#g clear their re er"atio# 1 The(

%ere #ot upporti#g "ie% %hich the( thought might &e u#popular1 The( %ere #ot co#tri&uti#g their #e% i# ight 1 The( %ere #ot "olu#teeri#g their #e% i$ea 1

Marti# fou#$ it impo i&le #ot to re po#$ to hi #e% k#o%le$ge1 So he tarte$ to make ge#tle i#ter"e#tio# ! &a e$ more o# %hat he coul$ hear hi co league

thi#ki#g tha# o# %hat he coul$ hear them a(i#g1 +So! *oh# are (ou reall( a(i#g 11+

+Su a#! 4o (ou reall( thi#k that + +Tom! Ha"e (ou got a# i$ea o# ho% %e coul$



take thi for%ar$.+ He %a a%are that hi co league %ere u# ettle$ &( ho%i# ightful %ere the e i#ter"e#tio# 1 The( looke$ at him m( tifie$1 I# truth! he

felt rather prou$ of hi #e%l('ac uire$ tale#t1

Em&ol$e#e$ #o%! Marti# forgot hi u ual mi er( at participati#g i# uch meeti#g a#$ &ega# maki#g comme#t of hi o%#1 Ho%e"er! he &ecame a%are that ome of hi

co league

%ere

looki#g

at

him

ui ica

l(1

O#e

or

t%o

e"e#

ha$

a

ge#tle

mile

pla(i#g o# their lip 1 O#l( gra$ua l( $i$ it $a%# o# him ' the( coul$ hear hi


35/44

thought a#$ he %a #ot rea l( a(i#g %hat he %a thi#ki#g1

A the meeti#g progre e$! Marti# &ecame a%are of cha#ge to the to#e a#$ t(le of the e"e#t1 It %a clear to him #o% that! o#e &( o#e! each mem&er of the

meeti#g %a lear#i#g ho% to hear the thought of a l the other a#$ thi %a u&tl( cha#gi#g ho% the( i#ter'acte$ %ith o#e a#other1 The game'pla(i#g

tarte$ to fa l a%a(: people tarte$ to peak more $irectl(: "ie% &ecame &etter u#$er too$: the atmo phere &ecame more ope# a#$ tru ti#g1

The meeti#g e#$e$1 A people left the room! Marti# fou#$ that he coul$ til hear %hat the( %ere thi#ki#g1 +That %a the &e t meeti#g %e)"e e"er ha$1+ +All

meeti#g houl$ &e like that1+ +I# future! I)m goi#g to a( %hat I thi#k+1


-hop tick

A %oma# %ho ha$ %orke$ a l her life to &ri#g a&out goo$ %a gra#te$ o#e

%i hG +Before I $ie let me "i it &oth he l a#$ hea"e#1+ Her %i h %a gra#te$1

She %a %hi ke$ off to a great &a# ueti#g ha l1 The ta&le %ere pile$ high

%ith $eliciou foo$ a#$ $ri#k1 Arou#$ the ta&le at mi era&le! tar"i#g people a %retche$ a coul$ &e1 +,h( are the( like thi .+ he a ke$ the a#gel

%ho accompa#ie$ her1 + ook at their arm !+ the a#gel replie$1 She looke$ a#$a% that

attache$ to the people) arm %ere lo#g chop tick ecure$ a&o"e the el&o%1

U#a&le to &e#$ their el&o% ! the people aime$ the chop tick at the foo$! mi e$e"er( time a#$ at hu#gr(! fru trate$ a#$ mi era&le1 +I#$ee$ thi i he lF Take

me a%a( from hereF+

She %a the# %hi ke$ off to hea"e#1 Agai# he fou#$ her elf i# a great &a# ueti#g ha l %ith ta&le pile$ high1 Arou#$ the ta&le at people laughi#g!

co#te#te$! 8o(ful1 +No chop tick I uppo e!+ he ai$1 +Oh (e there are1 ook ' 8u t a i# he l the( are lo#g a#$ attache$ a&o"e the el&o% &ut look111 here people ha"e lear#t to fee$ o#ea#other+1

The pro&lem %ith $a#$elio#

A ma# %ho took great pri$e i# hi la%# fou#$ him elf %ith a large crop of $a#$elio# 1www.rogerdarlington.me.uk/stories.html32/40


He trie$ e"er( metho$ he k#e% to get ri$ of them1 Stil the( plague$him1

Ci#a l( he %rote to the 4epartme#t of Agriculture1 He e#umerate$ a l the thi#g

he ha$ trie$ a#$ clo e$ hi letter %ith the ue tio#G +,hat ha l I $o #o%.+


36/44

I# $ue cour e! the repl( cameG +,e ugge t (ou lear# to lo"ethem1+

I# the ame &oat

T%o me# %ere out o# the ocea# i# a &oat1

O#e of them &ega# $rili#g i# the &ottom of the &oat! a#$ the other! agha t ai$ +,hat are (ou $oi#g. Stop $rili#gF+1

A#$ the fir t ma# replie$G +It) a l right1 I)m o#l( $rili#g o# m(i$e1+

The frog a#$ the to%er

There o#ce %a a &u#ch of ti#(frog 111

111 %ho arra#ge$ a ru##i#g competitio#1 The goal %a to reach the top of a "er(high to%er1 A &ig cro%$ ha$ gathere$ arou#$ the to%er to ee the race a#$cheer o# the co#te ta#t 111

The race &ega#111

Ho#e tl(! #o'o#e i# cro%$ rea l( &elie"e$ that the ti#( frog %oul$ reach the

top of the to%er1 You hear$ tateme#t uch a G

+Oh! ,AY too$ifficultFF+

+The( %il NEDER make it to thetop+1

+Not a cha#ce that the( %il uccee$1 The to%er i too

highF+ The ti#( frog &ega# co lap i#g1 O#e &( o#e111

111 E;cept for tho e %ho i# a fre h tempo %ere clim&i#g higher a#$

higher111 The cro%$ co#ti#ue$ to (e l

+It i too $ifficultFFF No o#e %il make

itF+ More ti#( frog got tire$ a#$ ga"e

up111

111But ONE co#ti#ue$ higher a#$ higher a#$higher111


37/44

Thi o#e %oul$#)t gi"eupF



At the e#$! e"er(o#e el e ha$ gi"e# up clim&i#g the to%er1 E;cept for the

o#e ti#( frog %ho! after a &ig effort! %a the o#l( o#e %ho reache$ the topF

THEN a l of the other ti#( frog #atura l( %a#te$ to k#o% ho% thi o#e frog ma#age$ to $o it.

A co#te ta#t a ke$ the ti#( frog ho% the o#e %ho uccee$e$ ha$ fou#$ the

tre#gth to reach the goal.

It tur#e$ out111

That the %i##er %a $eaf1

The i#ter#atio#al foo$ hortage

Rece#tl(! a %orl$%i$e ur"e( %a co#$ucte$ a#$ the o#l( ue tio# a ke$ %a G+,oul$ (ou plea e gi"e (our ho#e t opi#io# a&out the olutio# to the foo$

hortage i# the re t of the %orl$.+

The ur"e( %a ! #ot urpri i#gl(! a huge failure1

Becau eG I# Africa the( $i$#)t k#o% %hat +foo$+

mea#t1

I# Ea ter# Europe the( $i$#)t k#o% %hat +ho#e t+ mea#t1

I# ,e ter# Europe the( $i$#)t k#o% %hat + hortage+

mea#t1 I# -hi#a the( $i$#)t k#o% %hat +opi#io#+ mea#t1

I# the Mi$$le Ea t the( $i$#)t k#o% %hat + olutio#+

mea#t1 I# South

America

the(

$i$#)t

k#o%

%hat

+plea e+ mea#t1

A#$! i# the USA the( $i$#)t k#o% %hat +the re t of the %orl$+ mea#t1

The *apa#e e ma ter

A great *apa#e e ma ter recei"e$ a u#i"er it( profe or %ho came to e# uire a&out %i $om1 The ma ter er"e$ tea1 He poure$ hi "i itor) cup fu l! a#$ the#

kept o# pouri#g1 The profe or %atche$ the o"erflo% u#til he coul$ #o lo#ger re trai# him elf1


38/44

)It i o"erfu l1 No more %il go i#F) ) ike thi cup!) the ma ter ai$! )(ou are fu l of(our o%# opi#io# a#$ peculatio# 1 Ho% ca# I ho% (ou %i $om u#le (ou fir t empt( (our cup.)

The ecret of happi#e



A certai# hopkeeper e#t hi o# to lear# a&out the ecret of happi#e from the%i e t ma# i# the %orl$1 The la$ %a#$ere$ through the $e ert for > $a( ! a#$ fi#a l( came upo# a &eautiful ca tle! high atop a mou#tai#1 It %a there that the

%i e ma# li"e$1

Rather tha# fi#$i#g a ai#tl( ma#! though! our hero! o# e#teri#g the mai# roomof the ca tle! a% a hi"e of acti"it(G tra$e me# came a#$ %e#t! people %ere co#"er i#g i# the cor#er ! a ma l orche tra %a pla(i#g oft mu ic! a#$ there

%a a

ta&le

co"ere$ %ith

platter

of

the

mo t

$eliciou

foo$

i#

that

part

of

the

%orl$1 The %i e ma#co#"er e$ %ith e"er(o#e! a#$ the &o( ha$ to %ait for t%o hour &efore it %a hitur# to &e gi"e# the ma#) atte#tio#1

The %i e ma# li te#e$ atte#ti"el( to the &o() e;pla#atio# of %h( he ha$

come! &ut tol$ him that he $i$#)t ha"e time 8u t the# to e;plai# the ecret of happi#e 1 He ugge te$ that the &o( look arou#$ the palace a#$ retur# i# t%ohour 1

+Mea#%hile! I

%a#t

to

a k

(ou

to

$o

omethi#g+!

ai$

the

%i e

ma#!

ha#$i#g

the

&o( a tea poo# that hel$ t%o $rop of oil1 +A (ou %a#$er arou#$! carr( thi poo# %ith

(ou %ithout a lo%i#g the oil to pil+1

The &o( &ega# clim&i#g a#$ $e ce#$i#g the ma#( tair%a( of the palace! keepi#g hi e(e fi;e$ o# the poo#1 After t%o hour ! he retur#e$ to the room

%here the %i ema# %a 1

+,e l+!

a ke$

the

%i e

ma#!

+4i$

(ou

ee

the

3er ia#

tape trie

that

are

ha#gi#g

i# m( $i#i#g ha l. 4i$ (ou ee the gar$e# that it took the ma ter gar$e#er te# (ear to create. 4i$ (ou #otice the &eautiful parchme#t i# m( li&rar(.+

The &o( %a em&arra e$! a#$ co#fe e$ that he ha$ o& er"e$ #othi#g1 Hi o#l( co#cer# ha$ &ee# #ot to pil the oil that the %i e ma# ha$ e#tru te$ to

him1

+The# go &ack a#$ o& er"e the mar"el of m( %orl$+! ai$ the %i e ma#1 +You ca##ot tru t a ma# if (ou $o#)t k#o% hi hou e+1

Relie"e$! the &o( picke$ up the poo# a#$ retur#e$ to hi e;ploratio# of the


39/44

palace! thi time o& er"i#g a l of the %ork of art o# the ceili#g a#$ the %a l 1

He a% the gar$e# ! the mou#tai# a l arou#$ him! the &eaut( of the flo%er ! a#$ the ta te %ith %hich e"er(thi#g ha$ &ee# electe$1 Upo# retur#i#g to the

%i e ma#! he relate$ i# $etail e"er(thi#g he ha$ ee#1

+But %here are the $rop of oil I e#tru te$ to (ou.+ a ke$ the %i e ma#1

ooki#g $o%# at the poo# he hel$! the &o( a% that the oil %a go#e1

+,e l! there i o#l( o#e piece of a$"ice I ca# gi"e (ou+! ai$ the %i e t of %i eme#1 +The ecret of happi#e i to ee a l the mar"el of the %orl$ a#$ #e"er toforget the $rop of oil o# the poo#+1

AuthorG 3aul -oelho i# +The Alchemi t+www.rogerdarlington.me.uk/stories.html35/40


The hou e %ith the gol$e# %i#$o%

The little

girl

li"e$

i#

a

ma

l!

"er(

imple!

poor

hou e

o#

a

hil

a#$

a

he

gre%

he %oul$ pla( i# the ma l gar$e# a#$ a he gre% he %a a&le to ee o"er the gar$e# fe#ce a#$ acro the "a le( to a %o#$erful hou e high o# the hil ' a#$

thi hou e ha$ gol$e# %i#$o% ! o gol$e# a#$ hi#i#g that the little girl %oul$ $ream of ho% magic it %oul$ &e to gro% up a#$ li"e i# a hou e %ith gol$e#

%i#$o% i# tea$ of a# or$i#ar( hou e like her 1

A#$ although he lo"e$ her pare#t a#$ her famil(! he (ear#e$ to li"e i#

uch a gol$e# hou e a#$ $reame$ a l $a( a&out ho% %o#$erful a#$ e;citi#g itmu t feel to li"e there1

,he# he got to a# age %here he gai#e$ e#ough kil a#$ e# i&ilit( to go out i$e her gar$e# fe#ce! he a ke$ her mother i he coul$ go for a &ike ri$e

out i$e the gatea#$ $o%# the la#e1 After plea$i#g %ith her! her mother fi#a l( a lo%e$ her to go! i# i ti#g that he kept clo e to the hou e a#$ $i$#)t %a#$er too far1 The

$a( %a &eautiful a#$ the little girl k#e% e;actl( %here he %a hea$i#gF 4o%# the la#e a#$ acro the "a le(! he ro$e her &ike u#til he got to the

gate of the gol$e# hou e acro o# the other hil1

A he $i mou#te$ her &ike a#$ le#t it agai# t the gate po t! he focu e$ o# the path that lea$ to the hou e a#$ the# o# the hou e it elf111a#$ %a o $i appoi#te$ a he reali e$ a l the %i#$o% %ere plai# a#$ rather $irt(!

reflecti#g #othi#g other tha# the a$ #eglect of the hou e that too$ $erelict1

So a$ he $i$#)t go a#( further a#$ tur#e$! heart &roke# a he remou#te$ her &ike111 A he gla#ce$ up he a% a ight to ama e her111there acro the %a( o# her

i$e of the "a le( %a a little hou e a#$ it %i#$o% gli te#e$ gol$e# 111a the

u# ho#e o# her little home1

She reali e$ that he ha$ &ee# li"i#g i# her gol$e# hou e a#$ a l the lo"e a#$ carehe fou#$ there %a %hat ma$e her home the )gol$e# hou e)1 E"er(thi#g he


40/44

$reame$ %a right there i# fro#t of her #o eF

Nothi#g i %ritte#

M( a l'time fa"ourite film i + a%re#ce Of Ara&ia+ a#$! if I ha"e a fa"ourite ce#e from the mo"ie! the# I gue it i the o#e of a%re#ce) triumphal retur#

from the Nefu$ $e ert! ha"i#g go#e &ack to re cue the Ara&


41/44

farmer! %ho e o#l( reactio# %a ! )Ba$ luck.


42/44

%ith a ge#tle ighi#g ou#$ i#to the large gla 8ar @%hoo h %here it ettle$arou#$ the pi#k pe&&le a#$ the $ark gre( rock 1 ,he# a l the a#$ %a i# the

8ar! the teacher tur#e$ to the tu$e#t a#$ a ke$! )I the 8ar #o% fu l.)

The tu$e#t %ere #ot o co#fi$e#t thi time! &ut the a#$ ha$ clearl( file$ a l the pace i# the 8ar o a fe% til #o$$e$ a#$ ai$! )Ye ! teacher! the 8ar i #o% fu

l1 No% it) fu l)1

,ithout a"i#g a %or$! the teacher took a 8ug of %ater a#$ poure$ it

carefu l(! %ithout pla hi#g a $rop! i#to the large gla 8ar1 @


43/44

le$ i#to the ope# area &et%ee# the golf &a l 1 He the# a ke$ the tu$e#t agai#

if the 8ar %a fu l1 The( agree$ it %a 1

The profe or #e;t picke$ up a &o; of a#$ a#$ poure$ it i#to the 8ar1 Of cour e!the a#$ file$ up e"er(thi#g el e1 He a ke$ o#ce more if the 8ar %a fu l1 The

tu$e#t re po#$e$ %ith a u#a#imou +Ye 1+ The profe or the# pro$uce$ t%o

ca# of &eer from u#$er the ta&le a#$ poure$ the e#tire co#te#t i#to the 8ar! effecti"el( fili#g the empt( pace &et%ee# the a#$1 The tu$e#t laughe$1

+No%+! ai$ the profe or! a the laughter u& i$e$! +I %a#t (ou to recog#i e that thi 8ar repre e#t (our life1 The golf &a l are the importa#t thi#g ' (our

famil(! (our chil$re#! (our health! (our frie#$ ! (our fa"orite pa io# ' thi#g that! if e"er(thi#g el e %a lo t a#$ o#l( the( remai#e$! (our life %oul$ til &e

fu l1 The pe&&le are the other thi#g that matter like (our 8o&! (our hou e! (our car1

The a#$ i e"er(thi#g el e ' the ma l tuff1 If (ou put the a#$ i#to the 8ar fir t+ he co#ti#ue$! +there i #o room for the pe&&le or the golf &a l 1 The ame goe

for life1 If (ou pe#$ a l (our time a#$ e#erg( o# the ma l tuff! (ou %il #e"er ha"e room for the thi#g that are importa#t to (ou1 3a( atte#tio# to the thi#g thatare critical to (our happi#e 1 3la( %ith (our chil$re#1 Take time to get me$ical checkup 1 Take (our part#er out to $i##er1 There %il al%a( &e time to clea# the

hou e! a#$ fi; the ru&&i h1 Take care of the golf &a l fir t! the thi#g that rea l( matter1 Set (our prioritie 1 There t i 8u t a#$+1

O#e of the tu$e#t rai e$ her ha#$ a#$ i# uire$ %hat the &eer repre e#te$1

The profe or mile$1 +I)m gla$ (ou a ke$1 It 8u t goe to ho% (ou that! #o

matter ho% fu

l (our

life

ma(

eem!

there)

al%a(

room

for

a

couple

of

&eer +1



i te#i#g ' at -hri tma a#$ al%a(

A fe% (ear after I left m( eco#$ar( chool i# Ma#che ter! I %a i#"ite$ to

help out %ith the chool) -hri tma Cair a#$ I $eci$e$ to ha"e a go at &ei#g

Cather -hri tma 1 I ha$ rece#tl( gro%# m( fir t fu l &ear$ a#$ thought that I %oul$ e#ter i#to the role &( ru&&i#g flour i#to m( gro%th1 Though I a( it m( elf! I looke$ rather ple#$i$ a#$ certai#l( I attracte$ lot of cu tom1

I %a e#8o(i#g m( elf e#ormou l(! &ri#gi#g a e# e of magic to o ma#( (ou#gchil$re#! &ut I %a m( tifie$ &( o#e (ou#g &o( %ho pai$ for a eco#$ "i it a#$

the# a to#i hi#gl( for a thir$1 The pre e#t o# offer %ere rea l( prett( pitiful! o Ia ke$ him %h( he %a comi#g to ee me o ofte#1 He a# %ere$ impl(G +I 8u t

lo"e talki#g to (ou+1

It %a the# that I reali e$ that! i# ma#( hou ehol$ ! pare#t $o #ot e#courage their chil$re# to talk a#$ rea l( li te# to them1 Thi %a a le o# that I ha"e


44/44

take# %ith me throughout m( life1 So! at home! at %ork! ocia l(! al%a(

e#courage famil(! frie#$ ! co league to talk a&out them el"e a#$ their feeli#g ' a#$ rea l( li te#1


a t mo$ifie$ o# 7 Septem&er => 9

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169583464 Thoughtful and Inspirational Stories

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