Saturday, February 20, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Bat and the Weasels
| A Bat who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused, saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse, and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel,whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice. The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. |
It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.
I chose this story in that I like bat's wisdom according to the situations to survive.
A Chinese fable
Blessing or Bane
Near china’s northern borders lived a man who is well versed in the practices of Taoism. His horse, for no reason at all , ran into the territory of the northern tribes. Everyone commiserated with him.
“Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a blessing,” said his father.
After a few months, his animal came back, leading a fine horse from the north. Everyone congratulated him.
“Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a cause of misfortune,” said his father.
Since he was well-off and kept that good horse, his son became like to ride and eventually broke his thighbone falling from a horse. Everyone commiserated with him.
“Perhaps this will soon turn out to be a cause of misfortune,” said his father.
One year later, the northern tribes started a big invasion of the border regions. All strong young men took up arms and fought against the invaders, and as a result, around the border nine out of ten men died. This man’s son did not join in the fighting because he was crippled and both the boy and his father survived.
This Chinese fable is very popular and very little children know it in China. Its moral is to caution people facing everything you meet in a placid mood. Sometimes the felicities you get will become a cause of misfortune, however sometimes your adversity will turn into a beginning of your luck. In our life, we will go through lot of unexpected things, for better of worse we should treat them composedly.
A fox fable
One day, while he was out walking, a fox saw a crow swoop down and pick up a piece of cheese in its beak. The crow then flapped its wings and flew up onto a high branch in a nearby tree.
“Man, that's a tasty looking piece of cheese,” said the fox to himself.
“Hey, I should have that cheese. I’m the fox and I deserve it,” he said. “I’m a sly, smooth talking fox too. I’ll have it soon enough."
The fox walked over to the foot of the tree. “Hi ya, Miss Crow” cried the fox.
“How are you today?" asked the fox. "You’re looking mighty fine. Is there something different about you? Have you changed shampoo?"
"Your feathers look so glossy and black and your eyes are sparkling like diamonds," said the fox, flattering the crow. "Hey, have you lost weight? Your figure looks great,”
“Wow, if you can sing as good as you look then I'll have to call you Queen of all Birds” said the fox.
Flattered by all the compliments from the fox, and wanting to be called Queen of all Birds, the crow lifted her head and began to sing.
But the moment she opened her mouth the cheese fell out, and the quick fox jumped and caught it before it hit the ground.
“Yes!!!” yelled the fox, holding the cheese up over his head as he did his victory dance. “I got what I wanted.”
The fox looked up at the sad crow in the tree. “To show you I’m not a really bad guy I’ll give you some advice for the future” he said to the crow.
“ Never trust a flatterer.”
Moral from this fable
: We should not trust one's words so easily. People, especially who like to flatter, are sometimes untrustworthy. So we should be careful about other people's saying. Actually the crow in this fable is quite silly, but the fable gives us another lesson through the fox. The two main lessons that the storyteller wants to say are ; Never deceive innocent people with greedily and never be cheated foolishly.
“Man, that's a tasty looking piece of cheese,” said the fox to himself.
“Hey, I should have that cheese. I’m the fox and I deserve it,” he said. “I’m a sly, smooth talking fox too. I’ll have it soon enough."
The fox walked over to the foot of the tree. “Hi ya, Miss Crow” cried the fox.
“How are you today?" asked the fox. "You’re looking mighty fine. Is there something different about you? Have you changed shampoo?"
"Your feathers look so glossy and black and your eyes are sparkling like diamonds," said the fox, flattering the crow. "Hey, have you lost weight? Your figure looks great,”
“Wow, if you can sing as good as you look then I'll have to call you Queen of all Birds” said the fox.
Flattered by all the compliments from the fox, and wanting to be called Queen of all Birds, the crow lifted her head and began to sing.
But the moment she opened her mouth the cheese fell out, and the quick fox jumped and caught it before it hit the ground.
“Yes!!!” yelled the fox, holding the cheese up over his head as he did his victory dance. “I got what I wanted.”
The fox looked up at the sad crow in the tree. “To show you I’m not a really bad guy I’ll give you some advice for the future” he said to the crow.
“ Never trust a flatterer.”
Moral from this fable
: We should not trust one's words so easily. People, especially who like to flatter, are sometimes untrustworthy. So we should be careful about other people's saying. Actually the crow in this fable is quite silly, but the fable gives us another lesson through the fox. The two main lessons that the storyteller wants to say are ; Never deceive innocent people with greedily and never be cheated foolishly.
My favorite fable
There are a lot of fables in the world. When I was young, I used to read the fable books my parents gave me all day long. Though I can't remember all of fables I read, I like many fables. My favorite fable is always 'The hare and the tortoise' which is the most popular. Because it is similar to my value I have as I live. I believe that 'being steday' and 'doing one's best' are the most important things for coming true one's dream regardless of having natural talent or own environment. Of course, talent and environment are thankful factors, I know. But if someone wants to get anything, if try to accomplish that steadily and effortfully, there is nothing impossible.
A content of the fable is following.
"The hare and the tortoise"
Once upon a time, there was a hare who always boasted about his speed. And he made fun of the tortoise for being so slow. Then one day, the angry tortoise answered back, "You may be swift like the wind," said the tortoise. "But even you can be beaten,"The hare laughed, "Beaten in a race? I'm the fastest in the forest. Nobody can beat me." The tortoise said, "I can. I'll race you to prove it." The hare was amused at the idea of running a race with the tortoise, but he agreed. They planned the starting line for the course. Then they marked the finish line. The next day at dawn, the hare and the tortoise stood at the starting line. The hare yawned sleepily. All the animals in the forest gathered to watch. The race started. The hare soon left the tortoise far behind. Once he reached the midway mark, he slowed down. Then he stopped and looked back at the tortoise. “That tortoise will never catch me," he thought. "There is plenty of time to relax.” He lay down and took a nap. But the tortoise continued walking. He never stopped.After a time, the tortoise passed the place where the hare was sleeping. The hare slept on and on. At last the tortoise was near the finish line. The animals who were watching cheered loudly, so their noise woke the hare. The hare stretched and yawned and began to run again. But he was too late. The tortoise was over the finish line. The tortoise won the race!
A content of the fable is following.
"The hare and the tortoise"
Once upon a time, there was a hare who always boasted about his speed. And he made fun of the tortoise for being so slow. Then one day, the angry tortoise answered back, "You may be swift like the wind," said the tortoise. "But even you can be beaten,"The hare laughed, "Beaten in a race? I'm the fastest in the forest. Nobody can beat me." The tortoise said, "I can. I'll race you to prove it." The hare was amused at the idea of running a race with the tortoise, but he agreed. They planned the starting line for the course. Then they marked the finish line. The next day at dawn, the hare and the tortoise stood at the starting line. The hare yawned sleepily. All the animals in the forest gathered to watch. The race started. The hare soon left the tortoise far behind. Once he reached the midway mark, he slowed down. Then he stopped and looked back at the tortoise. “That tortoise will never catch me," he thought. "There is plenty of time to relax.” He lay down and took a nap. But the tortoise continued walking. He never stopped.After a time, the tortoise passed the place where the hare was sleeping. The hare slept on and on. At last the tortoise was near the finish line. The animals who were watching cheered loudly, so their noise woke the hare. The hare stretched and yawned and began to run again. But he was too late. The tortoise was over the finish line. The tortoise won the race!
Fable
The Ant and the Chrysalis
An Ant nimbly running about in the sunshine in
search of food cameacross a Chrysalis that was
very near its time of change. The Chrysalis moved
its tail, and thus attracted the attention of the Ant,
who then saw for the first time that it was alive.
"Poor, pitiable animal!" cried the Ant disdainfully.
"What a sad fate is yours! While I can run hither and
thither, at my pleasure, and, if I wish, ascend the
tallest tree, you lie imprisoned here in your shell,
with power only to move a joint or two of your scaly tail."
The Chrysalis heard all this, but did not try to make
any reply. A few days after, when the Ant passed that
way again, nothing but the shell remained. Wondering what
had become of its contents, he felt himself suddenly
shaded and fanned by the gorgeous wings of a beautiful
Butterfly. "Behold in me," said the Butterfly,
"your much-pitied friend! Boast now of your powers to run
and climb as long as you can get me tolisten."
So saying, the Butterfly rose in the air, and, borne along
and aloft on the summer breeze, was soon lost to the
sight of the Ant forever.
***
The moral lesson of this story was that appearance can
sometimes be misleading and you shouldn't judge the book
by its covers. I think this story is also telling us that
it's wrong to judge other people too quickly because the
first impression isn't always the right one. In the story
the ant was too arrogant and over confident, that kind of
attitude is very harmful. You should always respect others
no matter what!
The Boiled Frog
They say that if you put a frog into a pot of boiling water,
it will leap out right away to escape the danger.
it will leap out right away to escape the danger.
But, if you put a frog in a kettle that is filled with water that is cool and pleasant,
and then you gradually heat the kettle until it starts boiling,
the frog will not become aware of the threat until it is too late.
The frog's survival instincts are geared towards detecting sudden changes.
This is a story that is used to illustrate how people might get themselves into terrible trouble.
This parable is often used to illustrate how humans have to be careful to watch slowly changing trends in the environment, not just the sudden changes. Its a warning to keep us paying attention not just to obvious threats but to more slowly developing ones.
I really like this story because people are not aware of slowly developing changes well. For example, people who smoke everyday don't know they are in danger because it's not an sudden illness.
Fable
The Fisher and the Little Fish
It happened that a Fisher, after fishing all day, caught only
a little fish. "Pray, let me go, master," said the Fish. "I am
much too small for your eating just now. If you put me back into
the river I shall soon grow, then you can make a fine meal off
me."
"Nay, nay, my little Fish," said the Fisher, "I have you now.
I may not catch you hereafter."
----
The moral : A little thing in hand is worth more than a great thing in prospect.
I chose this fable because I agree with the moral saying.
People always want more thing than they have. But it is important to be satisfied with
their having and having affirmative mind about what they possess even though it is small.
It happened that a Fisher, after fishing all day, caught only
a little fish. "Pray, let me go, master," said the Fish. "I am
much too small for your eating just now. If you put me back into
the river I shall soon grow, then you can make a fine meal off
me."
"Nay, nay, my little Fish," said the Fisher, "I have you now.
I may not catch you hereafter."
----
The moral : A little thing in hand is worth more than a great thing in prospect.
I chose this fable because I agree with the moral saying.
People always want more thing than they have. But it is important to be satisfied with
their having and having affirmative mind about what they possess even though it is small.
The Ant and Grasshopper
http://www.siue.edu/IS/WRITING/NewsletterC/Issue%206/page3.html
The moral: Time management is the key to be successful
I've been kind of lazy recently. This fable teaches time management is very important for me now. I'm the grasshopper now. I have to be the ant.
The moral: Time management is the key to be successful
I've been kind of lazy recently. This fable teaches time management is very important for me now. I'm the grasshopper now. I have to be the ant.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Fables :The boys and the frogs
Some boys playing near a pond,saw a number of frogs in the water,and began to pelt them with stones.They killed several of them,when one of the frogs,lifting his head out of the water,cried out:"pray stop,my boys,what is sport to you,is death to us!”
The moral: One man's pleasure maybe others' pain.
I like this fable, it is quite a simple and short one but with deep meaning.
sometimes we stand in our own point of view to deal with problems,and blame others whose opinions are different from ours.
Sometimes we know our actions will disturb others,but we still do it.Such as talking loudly in the midnight when others are trying to sleep.
And sometimes we know what we do will hurt others,but we keep on doing it for ourselves' benefits.
This story teach us we should care about others' feelings,because this is not your own world,then others will care about yours.
The moral: One man's pleasure maybe others' pain.
I like this fable, it is quite a simple and short one but with deep meaning.
sometimes we stand in our own point of view to deal with problems,and blame others whose opinions are different from ours.
Sometimes we know our actions will disturb others,but we still do it.Such as talking loudly in the midnight when others are trying to sleep.
And sometimes we know what we do will hurt others,but we keep on doing it for ourselves' benefits.
This story teach us we should care about others' feelings,because this is not your own world,then others will care about yours.
Fables
The Lion and the Mouse
Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up
and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge
paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O
King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive me this time, I shall
never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn
some of these days?" The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the
Mouse being able to help him, that he lifted up his paw and let
him go. Some time after the Lion was caught in a trap, and the
hunters who desired to carry him alive to the King, tied him to a
tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just
then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad
plight in which the Lion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away
the ropes that bound the King of the Beasts. "Was I not right?"
said the little Mouse.
The moral: Little friends may prove great friends--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I like this fable because it's simple yet applicable in our daily life. sometimes we feel that we're the strongest and can do anything by our self,but we always need others to help us in difficult situation. This story also teach us to help others.
Fable
The Fox and the Grapes
One afternoon a fox was walking through the forest and spotted a bunch of grapes hanging from over a lofty branch.
"Just the thing to quench my thirst," quoth he.
Taking a few steps back, the fox jumped and just missed the hanging grapes. Again the fox took a few paces back and tried to reach them but still failed.
Finally, giving up, the fox turned up his nose and said, "They're probably sour anyway," and proceeded to walk away.
It's easy to despise what you cannot have.
I chose this fable because I think it has a deep message to everyone. Sometimes is easy for us to give up really fast, but without trying harder and harder things can not be made. Also is easy for people not appreciate things are difficult to have and worst than that things we already have.
One afternoon a fox was walking through the forest and spotted a bunch of grapes hanging from over a lofty branch.
"Just the thing to quench my thirst," quoth he.
Taking a few steps back, the fox jumped and just missed the hanging grapes. Again the fox took a few paces back and tried to reach them but still failed.
Finally, giving up, the fox turned up his nose and said, "They're probably sour anyway," and proceeded to walk away.
It's easy to despise what you cannot have.
I chose this fable because I think it has a deep message to everyone. Sometimes is easy for us to give up really fast, but without trying harder and harder things can not be made. Also is easy for people not appreciate things are difficult to have and worst than that things we already have.
This is the fable which I chose!
I'm Eunice:)
The fable which I chose is "The three little pigs." I tried to copy this fable, but it is not working.
I think the moral of this story is that the harder you work, the better off you'll be. In simple words, "Be diligent."
The reason why I like this fable is that it is one of the most popular fables in the world, and the moral of this fable is essential for everyone as well as children.
I found it in this website.
http://www.ivyjoy.com/fables
The fable which I chose is "The three little pigs." I tried to copy this fable, but it is not working.
I think the moral of this story is that the harder you work, the better off you'll be. In simple words, "Be diligent."
The reason why I like this fable is that it is one of the most popular fables in the world, and the moral of this fable is essential for everyone as well as children.
I found it in this website.
http://www.ivyjoy.com/fables
Sunday, February 14, 2010
One day a fox was travelling thorugh the forest, when she entered into a clearing and saw a rabbit busily working a typewriter. Naturally, this unusual phenomennon intrigued the fox. So she approached the rabbit and instead of immidiately eating her, asked what is going on.
"I'm typing my thesis," said the rabbit.
"What is the topic of your thesis," asked fox.
"it's called Whay Rabbits Eat Foxes."
"That's crazy," said the fox, "everyone knows that foxes eat rabbits, not the other way around."
"Why don't we step into my den and discuss this," the rabbit said, and the fox agreed. Time passed. Soon the rabbit emerged from the den, but the fox didn't. The following day, a wolf came into the same clearing. Same story, except this time the thesis title was Why Rabbits Eat Wolves. Same outcome: the rabbit came out of the den but the wolf didn't. The day after, there was a similar occurance with a weasel.
All this time an owl had been watching all this, she wondered why all the other animals had not come out, and said to herself"i must see what is going on here." So the owl crept up very quietly to the entrance of the rabbit's hole and peered in. After her eyes became accustomed to the darkness, she saw in one corner a neat pile of fox bones. Nearby, another pile of wolf bones. And in the middle of the den was an enormous, mean-looking Lion, who was just finishing a nice weasel dinner.
"I'm typing my thesis," said the rabbit.
"What is the topic of your thesis," asked fox.
"it's called Whay Rabbits Eat Foxes."
"That's crazy," said the fox, "everyone knows that foxes eat rabbits, not the other way around."
"Why don't we step into my den and discuss this," the rabbit said, and the fox agreed. Time passed. Soon the rabbit emerged from the den, but the fox didn't. The following day, a wolf came into the same clearing. Same story, except this time the thesis title was Why Rabbits Eat Wolves. Same outcome: the rabbit came out of the den but the wolf didn't. The day after, there was a similar occurance with a weasel.
All this time an owl had been watching all this, she wondered why all the other animals had not come out, and said to herself"i must see what is going on here." So the owl crept up very quietly to the entrance of the rabbit's hole and peered in. After her eyes became accustomed to the darkness, she saw in one corner a neat pile of fox bones. Nearby, another pile of wolf bones. And in the middle of the den was an enormous, mean-looking Lion, who was just finishing a nice weasel dinner.
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