by Susan | Sep 18, 2022 | folktales, inspiration
Once upon a time an artist who had painted a small and very beautiful picture placed it so that he could see it in the mirror. He said, “This doubles the distance and softens it, and it is twice as lovely as it was before.” The animals out in the woods...
by Susan | Sep 16, 2022 | folktales, inspiration
A Tale from Japan Ten men decided to celebrate the New Year with a big crock of hot sake wine. Since none of them could provide for all, they each agreed to bring one jug of wine for the large heating bowl. On the way to his wine cellar, each one thought, “My wine is...
by Susan | Sep 14, 2022 | folktales, inspiration
A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to...
by Susan | Sep 12, 2022 | folktales, inspiration
There was a mouse who was always in anguish because he was afraid of the cat. A magician had compassion of him and converted him into… a cat. But then he started to feel afraid of the dog. So the magician changed him into a dog. Then he started to feel afraid of...
by Susan | Sep 10, 2022 | folktales, inspiration
A young man spread a false rumor about an old man who lived at the end of his street. Overcome with guilt, he worked up the courage to apologize. He humbly walked to the old man’s door and said he was sorry. The wise old man looked at him. He said that he would...
by Susan | Sep 8, 2022 | folktales, inspiration
This is an intriguing story with many applications in contemporary politics. The animals state a case for compassion and justice; the farmer does not care, until he sees a glimmer of self-interest. The result is the same — the tree is saved — so does his motivation...
