The Tree and a Boy: A Story About Parents

The Tree and a Boy: A Story About Parents

~ Author Unknown ~

inmagine.com

There was a very young boy, who used to spend time playing by a tree. One day he got bored and he said to the tree, "I'm bored, I've played with these toys too many times!" The tree replied, "OK, you can climb up on me and play on my branches." The boy got really happy with this suggestion and he had a lot of fun playing and sitting high up, on the branches of the tree.

When he started school, he spent more time away from the tree, but one day he came back to it, and the tree was overjoyed to see its young companion, and it encouraged him to climb on, but he refused. "My clothes are going to get dirty if I climb up on you." So the tree thought for a while, and said, "OK, bring a rope and tie it to me, and you can use my branches as a swing." The boy liked that idea, so he did that too, and would come back every other day to sit for a while on that swing. Whenever he used to get hot, the tree told him to rest in its shade.

As he got older, and moved on to college, times became harder on him and he ran short of food, so he went back to the tree which he had stopped visiting for a long time. The tree recognized him immediately and welcomed him, but he was hungry and complained to the tree, "I don’t have any food to eat; my stomach is cringing with hunger." So the tree said, "Pull down my branches and take off the fruit, and fill yourself up." The young guy didn’t even hesitate, but jumped up and tore off one of the smaller branches and ate to his fill. Over the weeks, he tore off all the branches and ate all the fruit.

After the fruits had all gone, he went away and didn’t come back to the tree. When he reached his middle ages, he came back to the tree and said to it, "I have been very successful in life. I have earned a lot of money, I have a huge house and I have found a great wife. Now I want to travel and see the world." The tree was now very old, but to help its longtime companion, it didn’t wait, and said, "Bring a saw, cut off my trunk and make a boat. Then you will see the wonders of the world." So again, without hesitation the man cut down the tree. The same tree which he had played on, ate its fruit, laid in its shade; he cut it down and made a boat. As soon as it was finished, he sailed away and wasn’t seen by his people again.

One day, an old man, walked past the tree. It hadn’t recovered from the time he had cut it down. He went up to the tree, but didn’t say anything. He felt the tears coming down from his eyes. This time the tree spoke in a faint voice, "I'm sorry. I don’t have a trunk for you to climb, nor fruit for you to eat, nor branches of shade for you to lie in. All I have now are my deep roots." The old man whispered, "That's fine. Tree roots are the best place to lie down, snuggle up and sleep after a long life."

The tree symbolizes our parents, and the boy symbolizes us. The moral of the story is that we use our parents like tissue paper, and use them all up, and don’t even give thanks, but they stay with us till the very end.

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Have a good, interesting, inspiring story? Let me know!

Smile, Laugh and Enjoy Your Day!!

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Note: In addition to writing my own blogs / stories, I also like to search for stories and other inspiring / motivating / encouraging things from around the World Wide Web. If you see an article or story that you have written and want it removed, please feel free to let me know. I do try to give credit to the people and/or web sites that I find the information when I can.

The King, a Mouse, and Their Friendship

This is the third and last story in my series of “Stories of Friendship.”

Life is short but the life of friendship is supposed to be long and everlasting. This short story of friendship makes you understand what friendship is and what you should keep in mind when someone offers you his or her friendship. You might already be familiar with this short story about friendship. If you are, you are advised to go and read it again. It will clarify the idea of friendship and make the concept of friendship clearer for you. In this story, you may find an important truth that you had not known until now.

The "King", a Mouse, and Their Friendship

jada-jada.blogspot

~ An Aesop fable ~
Once upon a time a Lion was sleeping in his den when a little Mouse began running up and down upon his body. This soon wakened the Lion.

Greatly angered, the ferocious beast placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him.

"Pardon me, O King," the little Mouse begged for forgiveness: "let me go this time. What will you get if you kill me? Besides, who knows but what I may be able to help you when you meet some crisis someday?"

The Lion was amused at the idea of the little Mouse being able to help him. He lifted up his paw and let the mouse go. The little mouse thanked the lion and ran away as fast as he could.

Soon after this encounter, the Lion was caught in a trap laid by some hunters. He tried and tried to free himself from the terrible net of ropes that he was caught in. But all his efforts proved futile. He roared and roared in anger and helplessness. He knew that death was imminent. At the first light of the dawn, the hunters would arrive and carry him off to the King.

When the little Mouse heard the lion's cries, he immediately understood that the king was in some great danger. He ran fast in the direction where the lion's cries were coming from. Soon he arrived at the spot where the lord of the jungle was trapped. Seeing the sad plight in which the Lion was, the mouse went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes that bound the great beast.

The mighty lion understood that even the smallest creatures can be of help if the need arises. That day on, the lion and the mouse became the best of friends. They were always there for each other.

Never underestimate friends
This short story of friendship makes you understand what friendship is all about. One should never underestimate friends because of their size or position. We must be friends with all kinds of people, even with those who are inferior to us in size, rank or social status. This is the message that I hope you learned through this short story.  So, never ignore the offer of friendship from anyone whom you consider beneath yourself in any way. One never knows who may help you in your times of need.

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Life is AWESOME! Enjoy EVERY moment!

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Note: In addition to writing my own blogs / stories, I also like to search for stories and other inspiring / motivating / encouraging things from around the World Wide Web. If you see an article or story that you have written and want it removed, please feel free to let me know. I do try to give credit to the people and/or web sites that I find the information when I can.

A Friendship in the Midst of Racism: The Jackie Robinson Story

This article is the second part of a three part series that I decided to write about friendship. This is a great story of a true friendship.

Racism is an ugly and repulsive belief that millions of people around the world still believe in this poisonous mentality. Therefore, it is always good to hear of stories of people who took a stand against racism despite what people thought of them. Today’s story is about two professional baseball players. One that had to face the evils of racism everywhere he went…and another who decided to show people how he felt about racism and be a friend to his teammate.

A Friendship in the Midst of Racism

whenitwasagame.com

Jackie Robinson was the first black to play major league baseball. Breaking baseball's color barrier, he faced jeering crowds in every stadium. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he committed an error. The fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated, while the fans jeered. Then, shortstop Pee Wee Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career.

~ Leadership ~.

Same story different version:  One example of friendship remains with me as vividly as the moment I first heard of it as a boy. In his first seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson, the first black man to play Major League baseball, faced venom nearly everywhere he traveled--fastballs at his head, getting spiked on the bases, brutal epithets from the opposing dugouts and from the crowds. During one game in Boston, the taunts and racial slurs seemed to reach a peak. In the midst of this, another Dodger, a Southern white named Pee Wee Reese, called timeout. He walked from his position at shortstop toward Robinson at second base, put his arm around Robinson's shoulder, and stood there with him for what seemed like a long time. The gesture spoke more eloquently than the words: This man is my friend.

~ Willie Morris in Parade ~.

There are many people who are lonely, made fun of, and need someone to stand up for them…regardless what others say. So, be a friend... a real friend to someone today.

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Life is AWESOME! Enjoy EVERY moment!

---------------------------

Like my site? SPREAD THE WORD!!

-----------------------

Note: In addition to writing my own blogs / stories, I also like to search for stories and other inspiring / motivating / encouraging things from around the World Wide Web. If you see an article or story that you have written and want it removed, please feel free to let me know. I do try to give credit to the people and/or web sites that I find the information when I can.

A Heartwarming Story of Friendship: The Jesse Owens Story

I decided that for the next few blog posts, which I am going to share some great stories of friendships that I have found. When you read this (and other forthcoming stories), try to envision yourself in the environment and situation that these people were experiencing at the time. Hopefully, it will give you a “feel” of how they felt and why their story of friendship is so special.

A Heartwarming Story of Friendship: The Jesse Owens Story

blog.smithsonianmag.org

The 1936 Olympics was held in Berlin, Germany. Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party had risen to power three years earlier and were already to spread their evil beliefs of racism and hate.  Hitler believed that the “perfect” person was from an Aryan race…a blue-eyed, blond haired, the perfect physique without any blemishes or handicaps.  

Hitler saw the Games as an opportunity to promote his government and ideals of racial supremacy to the world. The official Nazi party newspaper wrote in the strongest terms that Jews and Black people should not be allowed to participate in the Games. However, when threatened with a boycott of the Games by other nations, Hitler relented and allowed Black people and Jews to participate.

After much deliberation and debate whether or not to boycott the Olympics, the United States and other nations decided to participate in the Games.

One of the American athletes was a Track and Field star named Jesse Owens and he was black. Jesse Owens seemed sure to win the long jump at the 1936 games. The year before he had jumped 26 feet, 8 1/4 inches -- a record that would stand for 25 years.

As he walked to the long-jump pit, however, Owens saw a tall, blue eyed, blond German taking practice jumps in the 26-foot range. Owens felt nervous. He was acutely aware of the Nazis' desire to prove "Aryan superiority," especially over blacks. At this point, the tall German introduced himself as Luz Long. "You should be able to qualify with your eyes closed!" he said to Owens, referring to his two jumps. For the next few moments the black son of a sharecropper and the white model of Nazi manhood chatted. Then, Long made a suggestion. Since the qualifying distance was only 23 feet, 5 1/2 inches, why not make a mark several inches before the takeoff board and jump from there, just to play it safe? Owens did and qualified easily. In the finals Owens set an Olympic record and earned the second of four gold medals.

The first person to congratulate him was Luz Long -- in full view of Adolf Hitler. Hitler was furious and embarrassed. Owens never again saw Long, who was sent out to the front lines and was killed in World War II. "You could melt down all the medals and cups I have," Owens later wrote, "and they wouldn't be a platting on the 24-carat friendship I felt for Luz Long."  

~ David Wallechinsky in The Complete Book of the Olympics ~

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This is an amazing story of how a friendship trumped the hatred and racism of a nation and a crazy man’s ideology! How thankful are you of the friends that you have? Could your friendship(s) withstand the “storms” of life and the hard times that might come your way? How much can you go out of your way to be a friend to someone in unpleasant situations? REALLY good friends are hard to find…and if you have one…Be THANKFUL!

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“Prosperity begets friends, adversity proves them.”  ~ Unknown ~

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Note: In addition to writing my own blogs / stories, I also like to search for stories and other inspiring / motivating / encouraging things from around the World Wide Web. If you see an article or story that you have written and want it removed, please feel free to let me know. I do try to give credit to the people and/or web sites that I find the information when I can.

Simple Rules For A HappyLife

The other day I was looking for some good stories on the internet and found this little article. I thought that it was good because not only were the rules simple but they are also true. I decided to post them because not only do I actually do a lot of these every day, they can also be an encouragement to other people. I hope that these “rules” can help you have a very, happy life.

Simple Rules For a Happy Life

sblawlink.com

Keep a Journal - There a great outlet for your feelings.  Plus there really fun to buy, the selection is half the process and one day looking back through you’ll be able to grown and learn from what you done in the past.  I have 4 full journals.

Dress Up - This is you for you too boys.  Sometimes it’s just fun to look nice, take at least one day a week to put yourself together. Dressing good makes you feel good. It’s fun to feel like you’re in style or to just try on all the clothes in your closet.  May sound like you’re a fourth grade sleepover to you, but give it a chance.

Eat Healthy, but also allow yourself a Cupcake Here and There

Dance and Sing as Often as Possible- It is okay to just let loose.  Whether your good at it or not you’d be surprise how good you’ll feel after a good jam session. Whether it’s in the shower or around your room, there no shame in cutting loose and having some fun.

Dive into EVERYTHING Head First - Most people would say this is a fault but I tend to disagree.  You only live once and if you’re not going to do something full out and full hearted then what’s the point of doing it.  Yes it increases your chances of getting hurt, but it also increases your chances of finding something great.  Whether it’s in love, with friends, your job everything deserves your full attention. You get one ride make it worth it.  

Be Silly and Learn to Laugh at Yourself - It’s okay to be absolutely ridiculous at times. Laugh at what’s funny and take pleasure in it.  If you learn to laugh at yourself it changes your whole view on life.  When we can laugh at ourselves people start laughing with us instead of at us.
 

Learn That There Are No Mistakes in Life - Nothing is a mistake, but everything is a lesson.

Speak your Mind - Don’t ever let something go unsaid, your words have a right to be heard. Bitchy or kind you need to tell it straight or you’ll go through life regretting what you left unsaid.

Kiss Often, Hug More- Everyone not just your significant, other friends and family too. A hug can change someone’s day. 

Love Yourself - If you can’t love yourself, then you’re not ready to let anyone else too either.

So, there you are…..being Happy is Simple as that! :)
~ myconfessionalwallflower.com ~

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Smile, Laugh and Enjoy Your Day!!

-------------------------

Note: In addition to writing my own blogs / stories, I also like to search for stories and other inspiring / motivating / encouraging things from around the World Wide Web. If you see an article or story that you have written and want it removed, please feel free to let me know. I do try to give credit to the people and/or web sites that I find the information when I can.