MORAL STORIES

2012-01-25T03:26:00.000-08:00

A FOOLISH FOX

A cunning fox was moving around a village insearch of food. It was dark but he easily located the chicken-shed and examinedthe place in detail. He found a stray hen sleeping outside the shed. She couldnot enter the shed as the careless servant had closed it before the hen couldreach it. The fox got ready to pounce upon the hen. Awakened by the movement ofthe fox, the hen opened her eyes. She felt that her end was sure and so made alast attempt to save her life. She begged to the fox, "Sir, I am ready todie and be your food, but kindly grant my last wish before killing me."

The fox asked herangrily, "Be quick. What do you want?" The hen pleaded, "I knowthat you are the best singer in the forest. I wish to hear your melodious musicbefore I breathe my last." The fox was flattered. He sat on his legs, openedhis mouth gracefully and started to howl happily, enjoying the melody of hismusic by moving his hands rhythmicallyin the air. A few moments passed and hearing the howl, all the dogs in the arearushed to the scene and sprang upon the fox. He fled for his life at top speed. The chickens in the shed praised the presence of mind, ingenuity andcourage of the hen. Intelligence combined with innocence leads to success inlife.

Jesus sent his disciples as missionaries withthe following advice: "Listen! I am sending you out just like sheep to apack of wolves. You must be as cautious as snakes and as gentle as doves"{Matthew 10: 16}.

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© By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University ofScience & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof.Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally andLeo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes forstudents, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-sites:

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Thisis Story No. 223 in the second site. Please click ‘OlderPosts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories andclick 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer storiesin these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' toread stories on that theme.

2012-01-25T00:05:00.000-08:00

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

Three cats lived inneighbouring houses. They were close friends and used to meet to discuss matters of common interest. One of them waswhite in colour. Another one was black. The third was brown. One day the blackcat argued that his colour was the best as he could hide in dim light andpounce on the prey without getting noticed. He added that the white colour ofhis friend was a terrible disadvantage in catching a prey in dim light.

The white cat retorted that white was a superior colour as itwas a combination of all colours and a symbol of purity. He added that blackwas the absence of any colour and a symbol of hell. When the argument becameuncontrollable, the brown cat intervened. He said, "I will tell a story.Listen carefully and then decide which is the better colour." He narrateda novel story:

"Before the creation of cats,God made models of cats using clay. Then he put them one by one in the fire tostrengthen and harden them before instilling life into them. When he introducedthe first model in the furnace, he had no idea about the optimum time forhardening. He kept it for a long time and it got charred and over burnt. Thatwas how the first 'black' cat was created. He learned a lesson but brought theblack model to life. All black cats are his descendants. The next time, God wasvery cautious to avoid overheating. So he removed the model from the furnace abit early to avoid overheating. The model was under burnt and white in colour.The white cats descended from him. Now God became proficient in the art andscience of hardening the models. So the third experiment was successful and themodel was removed after correct heating. It was perfect and had a beautiful browncolour. All brown cats, including me, are his descendants. We were heated andhardened correctly for the optimum time and temperature. Now you know who is the result of a perfectcreation."

The story amused theblack and white cats though they knew that it was fictitious. They stoppedtheir fight and became friends again, realizing that external appearance is insignificantand that nobody wins by an argument.

Man has fought thoughtlessly, throughout humanhistory, arguing about the superiority of one race over others. Men may differin characteristics and qualities such as calibre, caste, character, charm, cognition,colour, community, complexion, costume, courage, creed, culture and customs.But he is the roof and crown ofcreations and a noble work of God. We must appreciate unity in diversity andharmony in variety.

"God created manin His image; in the divine image He created him; male and female He createdthem" {Genesis 1: 27}.

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For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes forstudents, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-sites:

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Thisis Story No. 222 in the second site. Please click ‘OlderPosts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories andclick 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer storiesin these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' toread stories on that theme.

2012-01-24T00:28:00.000-08:00

CINDERELLA OF INDIA

'Sindhu' was the only daughter of a learnedcobbler of South India. Her mother died while she was very young. Under herfather's instruction, Sindhu earned proficiency in the principles of morality,stories of virtuous characters and the divine messages depicted in the greatepics of India. She was very beautiful and good-natured. She loved nature andhad several pet animals. She used to teach the girls of her village the storiesshe learned from her father.

They were staying in ahouse owned by a landlord. The cobbler made a pair of extremely beautifulsandals for Sindhu using all his skills and the finest materials available. Shepreserved the sandals as a treasure. Once there was a large flood and their landlord'sdaughter fell into the flooding river by accident. Her father died while tryingto save the girl. Poor Sindhu was orphaned.

The kind landlord let her stay inhis house where there were a large number of servants. But the landlady wascruel and made Sindhu work hard. She cut off Sindhu's beautiful black hair andgave her only the old clothes worn by her own daughter as the landlady and her haughtydaughter were envious of Sindhu's natural beauty and unusual knowledge. Theother servants made her do most of the hard works and ill-treated her in allpossible ways. She had to draw and bring water from a distant well, clean, feedand milk the cows, clean the house, premises and the animal house, look afterthe vegetable garden and work in the kitchen to prepare the meals for all. Shesuffered in silence and did her duties with dedication and perfection.

Every evening, she usedto go to the small temporary tomb where the remains of her father's dead bodywere preserved for an year before the ceremonious mixing with the water of aholy river. During this visit she used to put on the pair of sandals her fatherhad gifted to her, in remembrance of her loving father. Reaching the tomb, shewould remove her sandals and light an oil lamp in memory of the departed soulas per the customs of her community.

One evening, as she was lightingthe lamp at the tomb after removing her sandals, a bird snatched one of thesandals and flew away. The bird dropped the sandal before the king while he wasengaged in an evening walk near his palace. He showed it to his son, theprince. They were fascinated by the beauty of the sandal. The court astrologeradvised that it was a signal from heaven and the owner of the sandal should beidentified. She would be the ideal bride for the prince.

The king decreed that the prince would marry the girl whose footcorrectly fits the sandal. He sent his soldiers all around the country with thesandal. A large number of ladies of thecountry rushed to test their feet, but none of them suited the sandal. Finallythe soldiers found out that Sindhu was the real owner of the sandal. The kingand prince arrived to meet and greet her. She reluctantly produced the otherpair of the sandal from her bundle of old clothes. The king and the prince wereimpressed by her unusual wisdom, winsome manners and natural beauty. The royalwedding was celebrated ceremoniously. Sindhu reigned successfully as theprincess and later as the queen for several years. She introduced reforms tohelp the poor and downtrodden people. Her days are remembered in the country asthe golden age in its history.

God speaks throughJeremiah, "I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring youprosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for{Jeremiah 29: 11}.

"Blessed are they who mourn,for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit theland" {Matthew 5: 4,5}.

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For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes forstudents, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-sites:

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Thisis Story No. 221 in the second site. Please click ‘OlderPosts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories andclick 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer storiesin these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' toread stories on that theme.

2012-01-18T02:43:00.000-08:00

OCEAN OF MERCY

A catechist wasconcluding her class on forgiveness ofsins and the sacrament of reconciliation. She asked a question to her children,"Tell me, what we must do first, to obtain forgiveness of sins?" Aninnocent child replied, "Sin!"

A young woman, wholed a sinful life, became thoroughly depressed and decided to commit suicide byjumping into the sea from a tall rock on a sandy beach. As she walked along thebeach towards the rock, she felt that she should write her sins on the sandbefore ending her life. She sat down and wrote her major sins on the sand andstood up to read it. Suddenly a strong wave washed the shore and erased herwords completely. Seeing the blank beach, she recalled and realized the powerof God's forgiveness. She rushed to a church and confessed her sins. Shestarted a new life of peace and hope.

St. Anthony of Padua was in the confessional. A penitent person came forconfession, but he was overcome with repentance, sorrow and nervousness and socould not utter even a word. The saint advised him to go home, write his sinson a piece of paper and return with it. When he returned, he was asked to readthe sins one by one. As he read out each sin, the inscription of the sinvanished from the paper miraculously. Finally, at the end of the confession thepaper became blank. The saint asked him to burn the paper showing him that Godhas forgiven and forgotten all his sins.

A young man approached Archbishop Fulton. J. sheen and asked him how hecould be sure that his sins would be forgiven by God after the Sacrament ofconfession and reconciliation. The Archbishop led him to a beach and asked himto collect a handful of sand. He then asked him to throw the sand into thesea. Then he asked the young man if hecould recover or recognize the grains of sand he had thrown away. The manunderstood the power of God's forgiveness. When God forgives our sins, he castsour sins into an ocean of mercy, kindness, forgiveness and forgetfulness. St.Isaac the Syrian taught, "Our sinsare as so many grains of sand cast into the ocean of God's mercy."

The Lord says, "Now, let ussettle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as cleanas snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool"{Isaiah 1:18}.

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© By: Dr. Babu Philip,Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue,Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, FormerProfessor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S.John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes forstudents, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 220 in the second site. Pleaseclick ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previousstories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to readnewer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'StoryThemes' to read stories on that theme.

2012-01-17T03:14:00.000-08:00

A CRAFTY CAT

A family of fish living in a lake felt thattheir life was insecure. Larger fishes and reptiles were chasing themconstantly. People were after them with hooks, baits and nets. Worried abouttheir fate, they searched for a safe and secure space. Finally they soughtrefuge in an isolated area close to the bank, surrounded by rocks. They breatheda sigh of relief on reaching a safe spot at last. Then a large cat appearednear the bank. He saw the fishes through the clear water. Pretending to be theirsaviour, the tricky cat advised them in a loud voice, "Dear friends, whydon't you jump out and enjoy the freedom of the lovely and lively land. Hereyou will be safe from ferocious fishermen, fearsome fishes and repulsive reptiles.I can assure you full safety and security."

Actually the cat was a verycunning animal and wanted to trick the fishes and eat them as soon as theyreached the land. The head of the family of fishes was very wise. He warnedothers about the crafty cat and his tricky talk. Following his advice, thefamily migrated to the lowest region of their safe haven in the lake. The catlost all hope and left the lake in shame.

St. Peter warns us,"Be alert, be on the watch! Your enemy, the devil, roams round like aroaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Be firm in your faith and resisthim..."{1 Peter 5: 8, 9}. Satan tempted Eve to eat theforbidden fruit by giving her false offers and promises. The tragedy ofparadise ruined the sanctity of Adam and Eve {Genesis 3: 1-7}.

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© By:Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science &Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof.Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic'sCollege, Kanjirappally and Leo. S.John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes forstudents, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 219 in the second site. Please click‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories andclick 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer storiesin these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' toread stories on that theme.

2012-01-16T22:58:00.000-08:00

A HANDSOME HORSE

A wild horse became enviousof the zebras which are naturally blessed with beautiful black stripes all overtheir body. The horse spent sleepless nights meditating about a method to getdecorated with beautiful stripes like a zebra. He sought the advice of a monkeywho was the best scholar, artist and beautician of the forest. The monkey ledthe horse to a place where a wildfire had just burnt down several trees. Usingthe pieces of charcoal from the burnt wood, the monkey painted fine stripes onthe body of the horse. The happy horse thanked the monkey and joined a group ofzebras who accepted him without a doubt. As they were grazing together, a heavyrainfall occurred. The 'painted zebra' was in great trouble. The stripes ofcharcoal dissolved in the rain and created a dirty mess. The stripes lost theiroutline. The zebras rejected him. The horse ran away with a disfigured body. Hecame to his own relatives who were reluctant to accept him seeing his weirdappearance. Dejected and depressed, he approached the monkey who created thestripes and requested him to end his misery. The monkey led him to a stream andwashed his body, rubbing hard with the husk of a coconut. Having restored hisnatural appearance, the horse watched his appearance in the still water. Hesaid to himself, "I am really beautiful!"

Every creature isblessed with a unique form and appearance. We must be ready to accept the giftsof God instead of worrying about our appearance. Comparing our features withthose of others and trying to imitate others creates unnecessary worry. Let uslook at the less privileged brothers and thank God for His generous gifts. Thatis the path to peace and progress.

"Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears..."{Proverbs31: 30}.

St. Peter advises, "You should not use outwardaids to make yourself beautiful, such as the way you do your hair, or thejewellery you put on, or the dresses you wear. Instead your beauty shouldconsist of your true inner self, the ageless beauty of a gentle and quietspirit, which is of the greatest value in God's sight" {1 Peter 3: 3, 4}.

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© By:Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science &Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof.Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic'sCollege, Kanjirappally and Leo. S.John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes forstudents, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 218 in the second site. Please click‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories andclick 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer storiesin these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' toread stories on that theme.

2012-01-12T03:46:00.000-08:00

A WARM WELCOME

A boy had a quarrelwith his parents and ran away from home. He had a hard life and spent severalyears in a distant city without any contact with his family. Later he wanted toreturn and reconcile with his family. But he was reluctant to return as hefeared that his parents and siblings may not welcome him.

After much meditation,he sent a letter to his father expressing his desire to return home and begginghis pardon for deserting his family. In his letter he asked his father to tie awhite ribbon on the tree near his house by the side of the railway line if he was ready to welcomehim back to his home. He would then see the signal through the window of thetrain, alight from the train at the next station and come home. He added thatif he did not see the ribbon on the tree, he would assume that his family didnot like his return and then he would go away from them forever.

He boarded the train as informedand his tension grew tremendously as the train approached his native land. Asthe train passed by his house, he could not believe his eyes. The tree wasfully decorated with hundreds of white ribbons which danced in the wind as ifto wave him welcome. This showed how much they longed for his return.

His loving family didnot want him to miss the sight of the ribbon, the signal of welcome. So they didnot limit to a single ribbon which he may fail to notice. They gladly coveredthe whole tree with hundreds of ribbons to reflect their whole-heartedhappiness and willingness to welcome him back to their home.

God created man inHis image. He then instituted the 'family' in the image of heaven. The idealfamily is a heaven of happiness.

This incidentindicates the warm welcome a sinner receives when he repents and returns toGod. When we move one step towards God, He moves two steps towards us, eager toembrace us. The loving father in the parable of the prodigal son {Luke 15: 11-32} is an image of the lovingGod who showers His infinite affection on a repenting sinner.

Jesus said, " I tell you, the angels of Godrejoice over one sinner who repents" {Luke 15: 10}.

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© By:Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science &Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof.Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic'sCollege, Kanjirappally and Leo. S.John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moralstories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers andpreachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is StoryNo. 217 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at thebottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts'at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on aword in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2012-01-12T00:36:00.000-08:00

THE CHARM OF CHARITY

A poor young man was helpless, homeless and hopeless. He lost his joband had no one to help him. Depressed and dejected, he decided to commitsuicide. He collected all the coins he had with him and bought from a shop aripe banana wrapped in an old newspaper. He opened the packet and started toeat his last food when an old beggar approached him. With trembling lips, thebeggar told him that he has not had anything to eat for several days and wastoo weak to walk. The young man felt pity and gave the banana to the beggar. Heate it with great joy and thanked him. While leaving, the beggar gave him avery old coin, saying, "Thank you very much. You gave me everything youhad. Kindly accept this coin as my humble gift."

When the old man departed, he carelesslyglanced at the piece of paper used towrap the fruit. There he saw an advertisement from an agency dealing with oldcoins. Any one possessing old coins was invited to visit the agency and receivesuitable price for their old coins on the spot. Out of simple curiosity, hecarried the coin to the agency, which was quite close to him. He showed thecoin gifted by the beggar. The person managing the agency stared at it andexclaimed in excitement, "What a surprise! It is very rare and severalcenturies old. It is worth a fortune!" He was given a hefty sum of moneyas the price of the rare coin. Jumping with joy on receiving the unexpectedamount of money, he searched everywhere to find the old man who gifted him thecoin. He wanted to share his joy and the money with the beggar. But he couldnot find the beggar anywhere. On the way he saw a church. He had abandoned allreligious practices for months. But now he entered the church and thanked Godfor His generous gifts. He started a new life with renewed hope and enthusiasm.

Kindness cannot begiven away. It always comes back!

William Wordsworthwrote, "The best portion of a goodlife is the little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love."

Guy King said, "The greatest thing a man can do forhis heavenly Father is to be kind to some of His other children."

Jesus taught, "I was hungry and you fed me, thirstyand you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes,naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and youvisited me.....I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least importantof these brothers of mine, you did it for me!" {Matthew 25: 35-40}.

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© By:Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science &Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof.Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic'sCollege, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moralstories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers andpreachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

http://www.moral-stories.com

http://christian.moral-stories.com

This is StoryNo. 216 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at thebottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts'at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on aword in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2012-01-11T03:17:00.000-08:00

A SOLDIER'S SOLITUDE

A major war was inprogress. A soldier informed her mother, "Mommy, my military service isover. I am planning to return home. When I come home, I wish to bring alongwith me, a close friend of mine who was wounded seriously during the war. Helost one eye, one hand and one leg and needs our support." The motherstated casually, without any interest or enthusiasm, "OK, dear son, youmay bring him. Let him stay with us for a few days."

Her words clearlyconveyed that she did not appreciate a prolonged stay of the disabled soldierin their family. Two days later, she received a message from the military thather son had committed suicide and that his body would be brought to her home.

Whenthe soldier's body arrived, she was surprised to see that her son lacked aneye, a hand and a leg. Now it was very clear to her that her son had askedabout her attitude to the 'disabled friend' just to assess her attitude to herown handicapped son. She was overcome with remorse for not having welcomed himwholeheartedly. She realized that if she had shown more love, care and kindnessin her words, she would not have lost her dear son. she cried in agony forrejecting her own son. Words are like swords. Harsh words may act as sharpswords and inflict irreparable wounds in the minds of those who hear them. Suchwords may cause despair, dejection and discouragement. Careful use of thetongue is a prerequisite for peaceful life. Care, concern, compassion andkindness are essential for promoting a healthy, happy, harmonious and heavenlylife.

The English poet, William Cowper (1731-1800) narrates in his poem, "The Solitude ofAlexander Selkirk", the lamentations of the sailor who landed on asolitary, desolate island, far away from his family and friends:

"O Solitude! Where are the charms

That sages have seen in thy face?

................Society, Friendship and Love

Divinely bestowed upon man,

Oh! had I the wings of a dove,

How soon would I taste you again!"

Mother Teresa said, "Kind words can beshort and easy to speak; but their echoes are truly endless." There is afamous Jewish proverb, "God could not be everywhere. So He createdmothers."

The loving Lordanswers our lamentations when we feel helpless and hopeless, "Can a womanforget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Even if a mother shouldforget her child, I will never forget you! {Isaiah 49: 15}.

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© By:Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science &Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof.Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic'sCollege, Kanjirappally and Leo. S.John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moralstories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers andpreachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

http://www.moral-stories.com

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This is StoryNo. 215 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at thebottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts'at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on aword in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-12-20T03:30:00.000-08:00

BUILDING A BRIDGE

The suspension bridge at Punalur town acrossthe river Kallada in Kerala, South India was built in 1877. It still remains as an architectural marvel. It was built bythe British engineer, Mr. Albert Henry.The construction took six years for its completion. It has a deck with threesuspended spans. When it was opened for vehicular traffic, people were afraidto use it. They hesitated even to walk over it as its appearance was unusual.

But the engineer was quiteconfident about the strength and stability of the structure. Hence he made aremarkable demonstration to alleviate the apprehensions of the public. Heboarded a country boat with the members of his family and stayed just below thebridge and arranged to parade six large elephants over the bridge. The peoplewatched this show of confidence with enormous enthusiasm and intense interest.They applauded the engineer's faith in the design and construction of thebridge. They were now ready to travel along the bridge without any fear. It wassuccessfully used for vehicular traffic for several decades. Recently aconcrete bridge was constructed parallel to the suspension bridge and the originalbridge is now preserved and protected as an archaeological monument, as a marvellousmasterpiece of the great engineer, Mr.Albert Henry.

He had full faith in the perfection of the design and construction ofthe structure. This deep faith enabled him to stay below it with completeconfidence while six elephants marched over it.

God expects us to possess strong faith in His power and providence. Hisconcern for man is infinite. He is our loving and living Lord.

God reminds us, "Do not be afraid- I am with you! I am your God - letnothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect youand save you" {Isaiah 41: 10}.

"The Lord Himself will lead you and be with you. He will not failyou or abandon you; so do not lose courage or be afraid" {Deuteronomy 31: 8}.

The psalmist declares with unfailing faith, "I wait patiently forGod to save me; I depend on Him alone. He alone protects and saves me; He is mydefender, and I shall never be defeated" {Psalms 62: 1-2}.

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© By:Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science &Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof.Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic'sCollege, Kanjirappally and Leo. S.John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moralstories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers andpreachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

http://www.moral-stories.com

http://christian.moral-stories.com

This is StoryNo. 214 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at thebottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts'at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on aword in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-12-12T23:20:00.000-08:00

MOUNTING AN ELEPHANT

Elephants are essential elements in traditional festivals of India. Theyare decorated with gold-plated caparisons and displayed with dignity incolourful processions. During such a festival, one of the organizers of thefestival wanted to climb upon an elegant elephant as it was his long-cherisheddream. The man was old and stout and was afraid of the exercise. With theexpert advice and assistance of the mahout, and a lot of personal effort, hemanaged to climb to the top of the elephant. But unfortunately, as he reachedthe top with much fear and difficulty, he got seated with his face facing thetail-end of the elephant. Noting his awkward position, his aides shouted fromthe ground, "Sir, please turn yourself to face the front side of theelephant!" But the scared dignitary could not move a bit. He sat still,holding the animal with all his might. He told his well-wishers, "I willsit as I please. If you want a change, you may turn the elephant to face myfront."

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827),one of the greatest composers and musicians in human history, was born in Bonnin Germany. He was proficient in playing a variety of musical instruments. Hecould mesmerize millions by his melodious music, crowning compositions andoutstanding performance. Once, while playing his musical instruments he noticedthat they did not produce any sound. He thought that the instruments haddeveloped some trouble and decided to repair them. Later he could realize that theproblem was not with his instruments but with his own ears, which became deafsuddenly. He continued to create excellent compositions ignoring his deafness.

When God confronted themfor sinning, Adam blamed his wife and Eve blamed the snake {Genesis 3: 11-13}. But God did not accept theirexcuses {Genesis 3: 16-19}.

It is human nature toassume that disorders are caused by the faults of the society and the people around us. Butoften it is the discord within a person that causes disorder in his sociallife. The first step in correcting the society is correcting ourselves {Matthew7:1-5}. We can initiate socialchange only by changing ourselves.

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© By:Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science &Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu,Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S.John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moralstories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers andpreachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is StoryNo. 213 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at thebottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts'at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on aword in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-12-12T01:40:00.000-08:00

THE STINKING SOCKS

JawaharlalNehru was a great statesman, patriotic leader and prolific writer of India. Hewas one of the top leaders of the struggle for Indian independence. He waselected as the first prime minister of independent India and served in thatposition from 1947 to his death in 1964.There is a story often ascribed to hisperiod of service as prime minister.

Once, he waspresiding over an important meeting. There were several dignitaries seated withhim. Nehru felt a foul smell and asked a delegate to investigate the cause ofthe dirty odour. It was reported to him that the stinking smell was from the soiled and sweaty socks of oneof the dignitaries seated near him. Nehru asked him to remove the stinking socksimmediately and then return to the meeting. The person went out and the smellfaded away. Later the person returned and once again there was the same foulsmell all around. Nehru asked him angrily, "Haven't you removed thestinking socks from your legs?" He replied, "Of course, I haveremoved them, sir. If you have any doubt, please see this." Then he drewout from his pocket the pair of foul-smelling socks he had removed anddisplayed them before the prime minister. "I brought it as an evidence toprove that I have removed it", he added with an idiotic gesture.

This popular story may be fictitious, but itdoes teach us an important lesson of life. Many of us leave our bad habits withthe mind of that person. We leave them only partially, half-heartedly andtemporarily and still carry it silently along with us. True transformationneeds a complete and whole-hearted elimination of the harmful habits and its conscioussubstitution by virtuous practices to prevent a recurrence of the previousvices.

"Cleanse your hands, you sinners and purify your hearts"{James 4: 8}.

The Lord says, "Now, let's settle the matter. You are stainedred with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains aredeep red, you will be as white as wool" {Isaiah 1: 18}.

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© By:Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science &Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu,Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S.John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moralstories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers andpreachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is StoryNo. 212 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at thebottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts'at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on aword in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-12-11T23:13:00.001-08:00

ZEROES AND HEROES

A young lady was proudly narrating to the Vicar of her church, thequalities of her prospective bridegroom. He took a piece of paper and a pen andgot ready to evaluate the person. As she excitedly enumerated each quality, heput a 'zero' mark on the paper, one after the other. She announced theattributes of the groom in alphabetical order: "He is affluent, beautiful, charming, dignified, educated and fashionable." She found that theVicar has marked a zero as she mentioned each quality and was obviously notimpressed by his action. Then she added, "He is also God-fearing." Now the Vicar quickly marked a 'one' to the left of the six zeroes. Thefigure now read as: 1000000. He saidgladly, "Now there is a meaning to all the qualities you listed. WithoutGod, we are zeroes. With Him, we areheroes."

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"{Psalms 111:10}.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge"{Proverbs 1:7}.

"Behold, the fear of the Lord is wisdom; and avoiding evil isunderstanding" {Job 28: 28}.

"For what this world considers to be wisdom is nonsense inGod's sight"

{1 Corinthians 3: 19}.

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© By: Dr. Babu Philip,Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue,Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, FormerProfessor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moralstories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers andpreachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No.211 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at thebottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts'at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on aword in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-12-06T23:57:00.001-08:00

A SCULPTOR'S SANCTIFICATION

JeanBaptiste Carpeaux (1827-1875) was one of the most renowned sculptors andpainters of France. His works were praised globally but one sculpture, "LaDanse" was labeled as obscene, immoral and lewd and attacked by somepeople. This upset the great artist. His wife deserted him with his three sons.He never lost his faith but was for years, a stranger to the practices of theCatholic Church. He suffered from cancer and hopelessness. He once lamented,"I am too guilty. God cannot pardon me."

Prince Stirbey, one of hisadmirers met him at the French city of 'Nice'. He was a devout Catholic andwanted to transform the gifted sculptor. When all attempts failed, the princesent a little girl, to win him over. Carpeaux loved children. The child couldeasily win his heart. She had just received her First Holy Communion at Parisand had come to visit the Prince, her godfather.

She asked Carpeaux, "Willyou give me a great joy, Monsieur Carpeaux?"

"Surely, my dear," he replied.

"I receive the Holy Communion tomorrow,"she informed. "Will you receive the Holy Communion with me?" sheasked him.

Carpeaux, after a brief silence, said, "But Iam not worthy to receive it."

"Oh, if it is only that, that will be fixedsoon. My confessor is so good," she assured him.

The girl brought a priest tohim and Carpeaux made his confession. The next day they received the HolyCommunion together, side by side, at the church in Courbevoie. Though he hadagreed to receive the Sacraments to avoid disappointing the child, the incidenttransformed him totally. He had repeated discussions and confessions with thepriest and finally, received the Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction) andViaticum with deep piety. He kissed the crucifix repeatedly, crying, "Oh!how they treated Him?" He had a blessed and peaceful death on 12thOctober, 1875.

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are areal blessing {Psalms 127: 3}.

Jesus said, "Let the children come to me and donot stop them, because the Kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these"{Matthew 19: 14}.

"And whoever welcomes in my name one such childas this, welcomes me" {Matthew 18: 5}.

"See that you don't despise any of these littleones. Their angels in heaven, I tell you, are always in the presence of myFather in Heaven" {Matthew 18: 10}.

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© By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science& Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs.Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo.S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,Kottayam-686507, Kerala,

India

For more moralstories, parables and anecdotes forstudents, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 210in the second site. Please click ‘OlderPosts’ at the bottom of a pageto read previous stories and click 'NewerPosts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Pleaseclick on a word in the 'Story Themes'to read stories on that theme.

2011-12-06T20:28:00.001-08:00

STRUCK BY A STATUE

A nurse used to seekthe intercession of St. Joseph to get a good husband. She prayed for years buther prayers were not answered. All her colleagues got married and she was leftalone. She had a small statue of St. Joseph made of marble in her room in frontof which she used to light candles and pray every day. One day, depressed abouther fate and her unanswered prayer, she lost her control. In a fit of rage, she threw the statue through an open window.It struck the head of a person who was walking along the road in front of herhouse. He was badly wounded and was bleeding profusely. He knocked at the doorof her house seeking some help to control the bleeding. The nurse was sorry for her rash reaction and gave all possiblemedical assistance to the injured person. She carried him to the hospital whereshe was working and gave him expert treatment and loving care. He was muchimpressed by her kind care and affectionate attention. Gradually their familiesbecame close and within a short period, they got married and lived happily. Shewas glad that her prayer was answered, though in a strange way.

In thejourney of life, we may encounter a variety of problems concerned withdifferent facets of our life such as health, education, work, relations, familyand finance. We often create unnecessary tension, anxiety and worry when we tryto solve the problems by ourselves. We have an expert creator, who knowseverything about us and our life, our requirements, weaknesses and capabilitiesand so is able to solve any problem associated with our life. Let us have thehumility to surrender ourselves before the omnipotent God. He is the lovingLord who has a definite plan for the welfare of each of us.

It is said that theshortest distance between a problem and its solution is the distance betweenour knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can face any problemwith confidence. When prayers go up, blessings come down. Prayer should be the‘steering wheel’ and not the ‘spare wheel’ in the vehicle of our life. Godanswers ‘KNEE-MAIL’ without fail.

“The Lord says…I alone know the plans I havefor you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring aboutthe future you hope for” {Jeremiah 29: 11}.

“Happy are those who are humble; they will receivewhat God has promised!”{Matthew 5:5}.

“Ask, and you will receive; seek and you will find;knock and the door will be opened to you” {Matthew7: &, Luke 11: 9}. St. Paul advises,"Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for what youneed, always asking Him with a thankful heart" {Philippians 4:6}.

A child may see a sharp and shining knife andcry to get it as a toy. But no loving parent will give such a dangerous gift toa little child God. As our loving father knows our future, He grants only thosegifts which we deserve and would definitely benefit us. He knows the best timeto grant a gift. Hence some of our prayers may not be answered immediately.

Richard. C. Trench remarked, “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance but co-operating with Hiswillingness”.

William Cowper said, “Satan trembles when he seesthe weakest saint upon his knees”.

Inseveral oriental Christian churches, during the sacrament of matrimony, thepriest adorns both the husband and the wife with the matrimonial ring. Itsymbolizes that the spouse is received from God. Matrimony is thus a union ofthree - the husband, wife and God. Marriages are conceived in heaven andcelebrated on earth. The ideal family is an image of heaven.

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© By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science& Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs.Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo.S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,Kottayam-686507, Kerala,

India

For more moralstories, parables and anecdotes forstudents, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 209in the second site. Please click ‘OlderPosts’ at the bottom of a pageto read previous stories and click 'NewerPosts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Pleaseclick on a word in the 'Story Themes'to read stories on that theme.

2011-12-02T02:45:00.001-08:00

HAPPY HOME

ArchbishopFulton. J. Sheen (1895-1979), in his renowned book, "Way toHappiness" narrates an incident in the life of a pious nun residing in a cloisteredCarmelite convent (chapter 31). Thenuns were leading a simple, silent and austere life and were practisingpenance, prayer and meditation without access to the outside world. Once,during the feast of St. Therese, the cloister of the convent was opened tovisitors who wanted to witness their lifestyle. Among the visitors was anindustrialist who could not appreciate the silent lifestyle of the sisters. Hemet a young, beautiful and highly educated nun and showed her a large, palatialhouse on the opposite hill. It was large and luxurious with all modernamenities, a gorgeous garden, beautiful buildings, expensive cars and finefurniture. He asked her, "If you had the fortune to be born in and ownsuch a house with all facilities for a luxurious modern life, would you haveleft it and joined this convent with only poverty, penance and prayer?"The nun gave a short but firm reply, "Sir,that was my home!"

Herwords displayed the spirit of true dedication to her vocation. She could findreal happiness in a simple life of poverty, silence and sacrifice with prayer,penance and meditation. So she could easily abandon her rich home and all itsluxuries following the footsteps of Jesus. She could appreciate the beauty ofausterity, simplicity and poverty.

Jesus concludes theparable of the rich fool who planned to build bigger barns to store his corn,with the words: "But God said to him, “You fool! This very night you willhave to give up your life; then who will get all these things you have kept foryourself?”{Luke 12:16-21}.

Once a rich, young man approached Jesus to learn the way to receive eternallife. Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all youhave and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; thencome and follow me" {Matthew 19:21}. Jesus advised, "“Provide for yourselves purses that don’t wear out,and save your riches in heaven, where they will never decrease, because nothief can get to them and no moth can destroy them {Luke 12:33}.

Money may fetch us amusement,but not happiness; a bed, but not sleep; books, but not brains; a car, but notsafety; companions, but not friends; education, but not wisdom; flattery, butnot respect; food, but not appetite; a house but not a home; luxuries, but notculture; medicines, but not health; ornaments, but not beauty; a violin, butnot music.

Let us save our riches in heaven.

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© By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science& Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs.Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo.S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,Kottayam-686507, Kerala,

India

For more moralstories, parables and anecdotes forstudents, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 208in the second site. Please click ‘OlderPosts’ at the bottom of a pageto read previous stories and click 'NewerPosts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Pleaseclick on a word in the 'Story Themes'to read stories on that theme.

2011-12-02T00:48:00.001-08:00

THE CRAB CARRYING A CROSS

A rarespecies of marine crabs with a clear cross-shaped mark on their shells is foundin Malaysian and Indonesian waters. Its scientific name is 'Crucifix crab' or Charybdis feriatus. Rare specimensof the species have been collected from other places like Goa in India. Thereis a popular belief about the origin of the cross mark on the shells of thesecrabs.

In 1546, St. Francis Xavier, after strenuous andsuccessful missionary activities in India, set out to the lands and islands tothe east of India such as Singapore, Philippines, Malacca and Indonesia. In February 1546, the boat in which the saintsailed was caught in a storm in Eastern Indonesia. In an attempt to calm thetempest, he leaned out of the boat and dipped his crucifix in the raging wavesprayerfully and the sea became calm miraculously. But the cross slipped fromhis grip and fell down into the deep sea. He reached the shores of Seram islandthe next morning. On the shore, he saw a crab crawling towards him from the sea,carrying, clutched between its claws, the crucifix he lost in the sea. Thesaint knelt down, praised the Lord and recovered the cross from the crab. He thankedthe Lord, kissed the cross and blessed the crab. Popular belief is that thecrab developed the mark of the cross on its shell miraculously as the saintblessed it with the sign of the cross. Crabs bearing the cross mark which arefound even today in the sea, are believed to be the descendants of the crabthat was blessed by the saint for retrieving his cross from the sea. Thisincident was depicted on the altar at the ceremony for canonization of thesaint in 1622.

These special species of crabsbearing the sign of the cross are described as living miracles of the saint andhave been powerful instruments to strengthen the faith of many. St. FrancisXavier was one of the founding fathers of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Hewas transformed by the words of Jesus, repeated by St. Ignatius Loyola, "Will a person gain anything if hewins the whole world but loses his life?" {Matthew 16: 26, Mark 8: 36}.St. Francis Xavier is the patron saint of missions, missionaries and sailors. Hewas called to eternal rest on 2nd December, 1552. The blessed body of thisgreat saint still remains miraculouslywithout decomposition in the Basilica of Bom Jesus at Goa, India. His liturgicalfeast day is celebrated on the 3rd of December every year.

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© By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor,Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016,Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic'sCollege, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom,Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala,

India

For more moral stories, parables andanecdotes for students,catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 207 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories andclick 'Newer Posts' at the bottom ofa page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on thattheme.

2011-11-24T23:29:00.001-08:00

A MANAGER'S MALPRACTICE

The proprietor of alarge construction company had a dishonest manager who used fraudulent means tocheat the customers and make money for himself. He used to manipulate theaccounts, use raw materials of poor quality and neglect the design, technical specificationsand workmanship to make unauthorized personal profit. The proprietor had fullconfidence in the manager and gave him complete control in the concern.

One day, the proprietortold the manager that he was proceeding on a tour of many foreign countries andwould return only after several months. He asked the manager to undertake theconstruction of a new house for the proprietor using the best materials and workmanship available.

The wicked managerdecided to betray the proprietor and make a fortune. He used the cheapestconstruction materials of the lowest quality and completed the construction ata fast pace. He ignored the technical specifications and quality in everyaspect of the construction - design, foundation, materials, masonry, plumbing,wiring, carpentry, plastering and painting but gave an attractive and appealingappearance to the final structure. He withdrew a very large sum of money fromthe proprietor's account giving false and exaggerated statements about theexpenditure.

When the proprietorreturned from abroad, the manager was ready to receive him at the airport. Heescorted the proprietor to the new house and ceremoniously handed over the keysto the proprietor. The proprietor thanked the manager for completing theconstruction in a short period and embraced him. The proprietor told him,"You may keep the keys with you. I am giving this house and the surroundingland to you as my special gift to you in recognition of your splendid servicesto me and our establishment."

The manager could notbelieve these words. He never expected to receive such a gift. He was afraid tooccupy the new house as he was fully aware of the poor quality of itsconstruction. He was in a real dilemma. He felt sorry for his fraudulentpractices.

Honesty is the best policy. It is a good rulethat we should be faithful and truthful in every action - both big and small. Jesus taught the golden rule of Christianity,"Do for others just what you want them to do for you"{Luke 6: 31, Matthew 7:12}

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© By: Dr. BabuPhilip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine ArtsAvenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor,St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil,Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala,

India

For more moral stories, parables andanecdotes for students,catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 206 in the second site.Please click ‘Older Posts’ at thebottom of a page to read previousstories and click 'Newer Posts' atthe bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on aword in the 'Story Themes' to readstories on that theme.

2011-11-18T02:14:00.001-08:00

AN EMPEROR'S EMBRACE

An emperor won several wars and conquered the neighbouring nations one by one, expanding his empire after every war. He had a baby boy, who was the heir to his throne. The emperor wanted his son to grow up as a fearless fighter and win wars to extend the borders of his empire further. He tried to instil into the infant the spirit of a valiant warrior.

Immediately after a successful war, he carried his only son along with him on his horse to the battlefield. He hoped to familiarize and intoxicate the child with the smell of fresh blood that filled the field. They could see the bodies of hundreds of soldiers lying dead or dying from serious wounds all around the battlefield. As he sped his horse victoriously, a dying soldier of the defeated country used all his remaining strength to shoot an arrow at the emperor. The unexpected arrow pierced the prince's heart and killed him on the spot. The emperor embraced his only son and cried aloud in agony.

Sir Winston Churchill once remarked, "In war, it does not matter who is right (ie. correct), but who is left (ie. not killed)!" In the war of 1861, a supporter told Abraham Lincoln that he hoped the Lord would be on their side. Lincoln replied, " I am not at all concerned about that; but it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this Nation should be on the Lord's side."

When the armed men approached Jesus to arrest Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, St. Peter, the Chief of His Disciples drew his sword and struck at one of them, cutting off his ear. Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back in its place. All who take the sword will die by the sword" {Matthew 26: 52}.

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©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala,

India

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 205 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-11-14T22:21:00.001-08:00

PURIFICATION BY PILGRIMAGE

Pakkanar is believed to be one of the twelve children of Vararuchi, a renowned scholar and astrologer who adorned the court of King Vikramaditya of India. Pakkanar was brought up in a poor low-caste family and is a popular character in the Malayalam folklore of South India. He was respected as a gifted scholar.

One day, his landlord informed Pakkanar about his intention to visit several holy lands and bathe in the holy rivers to purify his soul and wash away his sins. He invited Pakkanar to accompany him during the pilgrimage. But Pakkanar politely refused the offer, as he belonged to a low caste and so was denied permission to enter several sacred shrines. He requested his landlord to carry a bitter melon fruit (bitter gourd, Pavayka in Malayalam) from his farm throughout the pilgrimage, dip it in the holy waters and bring it back so that he too could share the gifts and benefits of the pilgrimage. The landlord completed the pilgrimage and returned the bitter fruit to Pakkanar.

Next day, the landlord arranged a grand feast to celebrate his successful pilgrimage and share his joy. Pakkanar was also invited. At the feast, no one could relish the food as it was very bitter. The landlord was furious. He enquired about the preparation and was told that Pakkanar had entrusted the landlord's wife with the holy fruit (bitter gourd) carried during the pilgrimage and following his request, she had included the bitter fruit in the dishes for the day. The bitter taste of the fruit had spoiled the feast. Pakkanar was summoned and questioned. He replied that he had included the fruit in the meals with the intention of sharing the blessings brought by the fruit among all the participants of the party. He added that as the fruit had been carried to several Holy lands and was washed in holy waters, he believed that the bitterness of the fruit would have been washed away like the sins of the landlord.

The land lord learned a lesson from the incident. Pakkanar taught him that a formal wash in holy water or a simple visit to a sacred place could relieve a person from his sins, only if the acts are accompanied by internal purification, real repentance, true transformation and acts of charity.

"The Lord says, " I hate your religious festivals; I cannot stand them! When you bring me burnt-offerings and grain-offerings, I will not accept them; I will not accept the animals you have fattened to bring me as offerings. Stop your noisy songs; I do not want to listen to your harps. Instead, let justice flow like a stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes dry" {Amos 5: 21-24}.

............................................................................................................

©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala,

India

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 204 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-10-03T04:53:00.000-07:00

BUSY BUSINESSMEN

A teacher asked her students in an elementary school what they wished to become when they grew up. There were several answers such as - a doctor, an engineer, a teacher, a pilot, an astronaut, a driver, a film-star etc.

One of the students gave a strange answer. This child told, "I want to be a television!" The teacher eagerly asked the child why he had such a wish. He told, with tears flowing from his eyes, "There is no one at home to watch me or care for me. Every one sits around the television. If there is anything wrong with the TV, they immediately give great attention and make it right."

The loving teacher met the child's mother and discussed the issue. The mother said, boastfully, "My husband is a very busy businessman. He never gets time to look after the child's affairs." " But what about you?" asked the teacher to the mother. "What do you know about me? I am the president of the women's club and we have several important social activities and commitments. I have to attend our daily meetings and plan our activities." The teacher now learned why the child felt lonely and abandoned at home.

A busy businessman used to go away from home early every morning and return only very late at night. Even when at home, he will be busy with his computer organizing his business activities. He did not find time to be with the members of his family. Every day, while leaving home, he used to give his child some coins as pocket money. The child used to store the money in his piggy bank. One day, when he said good bye in haste and started to get into his car, the child held the father's arms and asked him, "Daddy, how much money do you make in an hour from your business?" Though surprised, he gave a rough estimate of his income. Then the child took his piggy bank, broke it open and handed over its contents to his father, saying, "Daddy, take all the money in this and in return, stay with me for some time!"

Martin David Buxbaum (1912-1991), editor of Marriot's "Table Talk", said that success in parenting is not measured by the expensive gifts and facilities you may provide to a child:

"But the measure of your real success
Is the one you cannot spend.
It's the way your kids describe you
When they're talking to a friend."

It is said that in bringing up children, we must spend on them half as much money and twice as much time. Jesse Jackson said, "Your children need your presence more than your presents." H. Jackson Brown, Jr. said, "Always kiss your children goodnight - even if they're already asleep."

God created man in His image. Then He created the ‘FAMILY’ in the image of heaven. It was the first and best institution founded by God. The letters in the word, FAMILY may be regarded as representing the first letters of the words in the statement, “Father And Mother In Love, Year-round” or the hearty remark of a loving little child, “Father And Mother! I Love You”. Parents should stand between their child and God- not as a separating wall but as a connecting link.

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©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala,

India

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 203 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-09-29T21:34:00.000-07:00

BATS IN BATTLEFIELD

The bats have several unique and unusual features and habits. Students of basic biology often wonder whether they are birds or terrestrial animals. There is a legend about the peculiar nature of bats.

In early days, the land animals and birds lived in peace and harmony in the forest. A severe summer caused an intense drought in the forest. The trees and plants withered. There was a severe scarcity of food and water. In the struggle for survival, the birds and other animals fought against each other in their attempt to capture the available resources. Many animals and birds perished in the struggle. Finally the Lion King initiated a mediation between the warring groups. He put forward definite guidelines for feeding by the birds and other animals. The birds were to consume only the resources available on the top of trees. Whatever was found at lower level was reserved for the land animals which could not fly. The arrangement was accepted by the birds and other animals.

The bats came to the birds and pretended friendship. They said,

" We are flying animals like you. We reside on trees and have a body structure resembling the birds. Let us join and enjoy the resources on the trees." The birds readily agreed.

The bats then secretly approached the land animals and said, "Friends, look at our face. We are just like you. We give birth to young bats and suckle and nurse our children just like each of you. We wish to join your group and feed on the resources at lower level." The animals agreed.The bats now enjoyed the resources available in every part of the forest. They fed on the flying insects and also the crawling insects. They fed on the fish, frogs, lizards, small rodents, scorpions and other insects like the animals. They captured and ate the flying mosquitoes, moths, beetles, moths and small birds using their superb skills of flying like the birds. In between they relished on flowers, fruits, pollen and nectar. No one disturbed them.

Later the birds and other animals realized their error. They discovered that the bats were cheating both the groups and breaking the rules of the agreement on feeding. They were eating every available resource, enjoying their special status of dual citizenship. The bats were dismissed from both the groups. They were prevented from enjoying any resource in the forest. The hungry and abandoned bats were forced to stay away from feeding during day time as most of the birds and other animals were chasing them away. They decided to fast and rest by day and secretly seek their food by night, when other animals and birds are in deep sleep. The animals did not let them rest on the ground and drew them away. The birds did not let them rest on trees as the birds did. So the bats practised to hang upside down from branches of trees and sleep during daylight.

This story reminds us that one cannot be a member of two contradictory groups at the same time. He has to identify himself with one of the opposite groups. Jesus said to his disciples, “No one can be a slave of two masters; he will hate one and love the other; he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” {Matthew 6: 24, Luke 16:13}.

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©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala,

India

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 202 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-08-05T02:52:00.000-07:00

POWER OF PRAYER

A farmer had two daughters. The elder one was married to a farmer. The younger daughter was married to a potter. The father used to visit his daughters frequently. During one of his visits, the elder daughter requested him to pray for more frequent rains as their growing crops were badly in need of water. He agreed. Then he visited his younger daughter. She told him that they wanted more sunshine to get their clay pots dried in the sun for hardening. She wanted him to pray for more sunshine without any rain. The poor father was in great confusion as his daughters were demanding his prayers for contradictory gifts. Finally he took a bold decision and prayed, “God, do as you wish. May your will be done!”

A child may see a sharp and shining knife and cry to get it as a toy. But no loving parent will give such a dangerous gift to a little child. This explains why many of our prayers are not answered immediately. God, as our loving father, knows our future and grants only those gifts which we deserve and would benefit us.

Richard. C. Trench remarked, “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance but co-operating with His willingness”.

William Cowper said, “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees”.

God speaks through Jeremiah, "I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for {Jeremiah 29: 11}.

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For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 201 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-08-05T01:27:00.000-07:00

A WISE WOODCUTTER

Two woodcutters were entrusted with the work of cutting down the old rubber trees in an estate before replanting. One of them was stout and strong. The other was lean and thin. On the first day each of them could cut down the same number of trees. But the next day, the lean man could cut more trees than his friend. The third day, the trend continued, though the stout man worked harder without rest, sweating profusely. The stout man doubted his own strength and suspected that he was becoming weaker as his performance was steadily declining. He watched the work of the lean man to learn the secret of his success. He was found to take frequent breaks and go away, apparently to rest, but mysteriously, was more productive. The stout man asked his colleague about his secret. The lean man said that every hour he used to take a short break to rest and relax for a while, and during this period, he used to sharpen his axe as it gets dull with repeated use. A sharp axe enables one to work more effectively with less effort. The sharp axe cuts deeper and the occasional rest supplies strength and energy.

This is true in our daily life. Some people are always busy with their work. They do not find time to rest or sharpen their mind. Meditation, prayer, reading good books, hobbies and healthy interaction with family and society are the means to sharpen our personality and spirituality. ‘Workaholics’ like alcoholics get addicted to work and find no time to sharpen their ‘axe’. We can sharpen our axe (head, heart, hands and habits) by prayer. Abraham Lincoln once remarked, “If I had six hours to cut down trees, I would spend the first three hours sharpening my axe and the last three cutting down the trees.”

“If your axe is blunt and you don’t sharpen it, you have to work harder to use it. It is more sensible to plan ahead” {Ecclesiastes 10: 10}.

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For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 200 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-08-04T00:50:00.000-07:00

A BLESSED AND BLISSFUL BEAUTY

Dr. John Merritt is the Founder and Senior Pastor of Cross Pointe Church in Duluth, Georgia, USA. He is a renowned evangelist and hosts the popular programme, ‘Touching Lives’ in his international broadcasting ministry. Through this, he has touched millions of lives with the Gospel of Christ. He is a committed preacher who explains the Scriptures with clarity and lucidity. In his sermon on ‘God’s Blueprint for a Beautiful Home’ he narrates a nice story about a gifted painter who wanted to paint a masterpiece depicting the most beautiful thing in the world.

The painter met many people seeking their verdict on the most beautiful object on earth, to select the subject of his painting.

First, he consulted a senior priest who suggested ‘FAITH’ as the best theme. He told the painter that he could feel it in a church and find it at every altar.

Next, he met a recently married young lady. She suggested the subject, ‘LOVE’. Finally he met a weary soldier, returning from a battle-field. The soldier said that war was a curse and what man needs is peace. He recommended ‘PEACE’ as the most beautiful thing in the world.

The painter now had three different options. As a further selection was difficult, he decided to combine the three themes in one single painting. But he did not know where he could find such a combination of three beautiful objects. He returned home and there, in his home, he could find the perfect blend of the three beauties. He saw ‘faith’ in his wife who came to him with an innocent smile to meet him and greet him. He found lively ‘love’ in his loving and lovely children, who ran to him and embraced him. When the virtues – ‘faith’ and ‘love’ filled his home, he could witness the perfect ‘peace’ prevailing there. Much delighted and enlightened by his discovery, he painted his masterpiece, based on his own family, depicting the most beautiful things in the world and labeled it, ‘HOME’.

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©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India and Leo. S. John,Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 199 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-07-29T03:12:00.000-07:00

A FAR-SIGHTED FARMER

Dr. James Frederick Bender (1905-1997) was a renowned psychologist and the Founding Dean of the School of Business, Adelphi University, New York. In his renowned book, “How to Talk Well”(McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc. NY), he narrates a nice story about a brilliant farmer who used to receive the prestigious first prize in the state fair every year, for cultivating the best corn (maize) with richest yield. In an interview with the farmer, a journalist asked him about the secret of his success. He agreed that he developed the best corn with high yield by constant research and extensive experiments. He was asked about his reported habit of sharing his finest seeds with the fellow farmers who cultivated corn in the farmlands around his own farm. He explained his unusual action very clearly.

Corn produces male and female flowers on the same plant. The ‘tassel’ and ‘ear’ represent the male and female flowers respectively. Pollen grains are dispersed into the air and are carried by the wind to neighbouring plants resulting in the pollination of their ears. The farmer informed that if his fellow farmers grew inferior type of corn, the pollen from their plants may reach his own corn and cause cross-pollination and deterioration in the quality of his corn. But if he supplied the best seeds to all the fellow farmers, all the pollen reaching his field would be of the best quality. That, he affirmed, was the secret of his success in successive years.

The farmer was proving that the quality of his crop could improve only if that of his neighbours’ crops also improved. We are independent, but interdependent. If we intend to have peace, prosperity or joy in our life, we must ensure that others around us share the same gifts. When we receive a blessing, we must share it with others so that the blessing stays with us. Our personal welfare is connected to the welfare of our society.

When Cain, son of Adam, brutally butchered his brother (Abel), God asked him, “Where is your brother Abel?” But Cain replied carelessly, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” {Genesis, 4: 9}.

God wants everyone to have a role in ensuring the well-being of others around us. St. Paul reminds us, “None of us lives for himself only; none of us dies for himself only” {Romans, 14:7}.

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©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India and Leo. S. John,Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 198 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-07-27T22:44:00.000-07:00

PERFECT POSTURE FOR PRAYER

Three eminent experts were teaching liturgy in a major seminary in India. In a seminar, they were discussing about the ideal posture to be followed by the faithful during the recital of the Lord’s Prayer (‘Our Father’). They differed in their views.

One professor argued that the hands should be raised and outstretched to heaven to praise the Lord. That posture resembles that of a child lifting his arms to his loving father, requesting him to raise him and carry him on the shoulders of the father.

The second scholar said that the ideal posture for a prayer requesting generous gifts from God would be that of supplication, with open hands placed in front as if to receive a stream of water to drink.

The third expert was an advocate of inculturation and indigenisation in liturgy. He suggested that the hands should be austerely clasped together in front of the chest, with the palms pressed together firmly and evenly as this posture (namasthe or anjali mudra) is practiced by all Indians as a sign of respect and greeting. Even non-Christians use this posture during prayer in India, he informed.

Their argument continued till they had to stop the discussion to participate in the Holy Mass in the neighbouring church. They decided to observe carefully the postures adopted by different people during the Lord’s prayer in the Holy Mass and meet again to continue their discussion.

At the time of the Lord’s prayer, they watched the people carefully. Some people raised their hands, some showed a sign of supplication and some others held their hands clasped together as a uniform instruction was not given by the Vicar.

They noticed an apparently poor person at the back of the church, wearing torn and worn-out clothes, standing with his body covered by a cheap shawl. He remained in deep meditation, with closed eyes. He did not change his posture during the Lord’s prayer.

After the Mass, the scholars met this man and enquired why he did not change his posture during the Lord’s prayer. He shook his shoulders as he was afraid of facing three priests together. Soon the shawl which covered him fell down. They realized that he had no hands to display during the prayer! The poor man had lost his arms in an accident. The experts realized that real spirituality does not need rituals. Postures and rituals may strengthen spirituality but are not essential components of spirituality.

The three experts helped the man to cover himself with the shawl. They returned from the church, much enlightened.

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For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 197 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-07-06T23:14:00.000-07:00

OBITUARY

Mrs. Sosamma Philip
22.04.1925 - 30.06.2011

With deep sorrow and pain, I report the sad demise of my loving mother, Mrs. Sosamma Philip, whose constant prayer and loving guidance were sources of strength and inspiration to the contributors of this site and our activities in catechesis and evangelization.

She was called to heavenly bliss on 30^th June, 2011 at the age of 86.

She served as a talented teacher and loving counsellor for several decades. She was an active crusader of the Legion of Mary. She has enlightened innumerable students during her long and successful career as a teacher

May her soul rest in peace and continue to inspire us and intercede for us.

Dr. Babu Philip

2011-03-30T04:10:00.000-07:00

BODY AND BONE

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life (CCC-1324). Catholics consider the Eucharist or Holy Communion as a Sacred Sacrament and Sacrifice and believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The bread and wine are consecrated and consumed with the firm faith that they have become the body and blood of Jesus {Matthew 26: 26-28, Mark 14: 22-24, Luke 22: 19-20, 1Corinthians 11: 23-25}. As we receive the body and blood of Jesus, we are spiritually nourished and brought closer to God {John, 6: 53-58}.

The practice in a particular church was that those who wished to receive the Communion should come in a queue, make a bow as a sign of reverence and stand with reverence with the tongue stuck out so that the priest can place the Blessed Sacrament on the tongue of the recipient.

There was a very popular, active and senior member of the parish who was regular in attending the Holy Mass on all Sundays. He was well-known among the community and was the leader of several pious organizations. But he was a habitual drunkard.

One Sunday, this man was seen in the queue to receive the Eucharist. The Vicar observed his unusual gesticulations and unsteady gait and was sure that he was heavily drunk. The priest was confused. He considered it a sin and a sacrilege to administer the Holy sacrament to an obviously drunk person who was not in his right senses. But a public denial of the Communion was sure to damage his reputation. When the man reached the front of the queue, the priest made a sudden and bold decision.

He introduced his hand into his vestments and felt the button of his cassock. With a forceful pull, he removed the round, white and wide button and placed it on the drunkard’s tongue without letting anybody notice his action. The Vicar hoped to send the man a warning through the sacristan at the earliest, before he swallowed the button.

The drunkard returned to the pew and tried his best to soften the tough button with his tongue and saliva, but failed. He even tried to chew it. Then he asked those near him who had just received the Communion whether they too faced a similar situation. Finding that there was no one else with the problem, he made a loud remark, “You guys received the Body of Christ. But I got only His Bone!” Soon the sacristan came to him and conveyed the Vicar’s message and direction.

The Eucharist should not be received in a state of mortal sin or without faith or real reverence. St. Paul warns against receiving the Eucharist without reverence, real faith and sanctifying Grace, “It follows that if anyone eats the Lord’s bread or drinks from His cup in a way that dishonours Him, he is guilty of sin against the Lord’s Body and Blood. So then, everyone should examine himself first, and then eat the bread and drink from this cup. For if he does not recognize the meaning of the Lord’s body when he eats the bread and drinks from the cup, he brings judgement on himself as he eats and drinks. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and several have died” {1 Corinthians 11: 27-30}.

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For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 196 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-03-29T04:04:00.000-07:00

FILL TO THE FULL

In ancient India, students had to stay with the teacher (Guru) for years for formal education. Periodically, there would be tests to evaluate the students and assess their progress and sometimes to teach them a new lesson of life. One morning, a Guru asked his three students to fill their rooms fully before the evening. He said he would inspect their rooms in the evening and announce the result of the test. The students thought seriously about the test and went in different directions in search of suitable materials to fill their rooms to the full.

One of them saw a huge heap of hay stacked to feed the cows. He carried the hay in several lots and filled his room to the full. The second student could not find a suitable filling material. He searched everywhere and finally reached the filthy dumping ground. He collected the waste materials from the pit and filled his room with the foul-smelling filth.

The third student was wiser and remained quite calm in his room. When the teacher was about to arrive, the third student lit a candle and ignited some incense-sticks and placed them at the centre of his room and awaited the arrival of the teacher.

The teacher could feel the foul smell from the room of the second student from afar. He closed his nose and asked him to clean his room thoroughly and immediately. He reached the first boy’s room and asked him to carry the hay back to its place to feed the cattle. He entered the third boy’s room and was filled with joy and enjoyed the bright and brilliant candlelight that filled the dark room and the fine fragrance from the incense that enriched the ambience of the room.

Later, the teacher summoned his students to communicate his comments about their actions. He congratulated the third boy for an intelligent interpretation of his order. He criticized the first boy for his foolish execution of his order and polluting the whole area with the stench of rotting dirt. The second boy, he said, had done a useless and selfish work which deprived the cattle of their essential fodder.

Our hearts may be filled with vices such as selfishness, hatred, pride, envy and enmity. We must fill our hearts with the fine fragrance and brilliant radiance of a clear conscience and genuine love towards everyone around us.

Jesus taught, “Your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in Heaven” {Matthew 5: 16}.

Mother Teresa prayed, “Dear Jesus, help us to spread Your fragrance everywhere we go.”

St.Paul says, “ God uses us to make the knowledge about Christ spread everywhere like a sweet fragrance. For we are like a sweet-smelling incense offered by Christ to God, which spreads among those who are being saved and those who are being lost” {2 Corinthians 2: 14, 15}.

He advises, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be innocent and pure as God’s perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, as you offer them the message of life” {Philippians 2: 14-16}.

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For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 195 in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-03-28T22:36:00.000-07:00

A PRICELESS PORTRAIT

A rich man had a passion for collecting great works of art. He had a huge collection of exquisite and expensive paintings created by world-renowned painters. Everyone envied his priceless collection. He had an only son whom he loved more than anything. His wife died during the child’s birth and a loving nurse looked after the boy during his infancy. But the boy died young. The man made a fine portrait of his only son which he preserved as a treasure. Before the rich man died, he prepared a will and entrusted his faithful lawyer to execute it.

The lawyer announced the auction of the rich man’s possessions. A huge crowd had gathered, anxious to bid for the famous paintings at the lowest possible price. The lawyer announced that as per the will, the first article to be bid was the portrait of the rich man’s only son. There was a silence. Only one person - an old woman dressed in shabby clothes came forward to bid for the son’s portrait. She was the boy’s nurse from his infancy and wanted to keep the picture as a mark of her affection to the child. As she was very poor, she could offer only a small sum of money. But as there was no one to bid for a higher amount, she was declared to have won the bid.

The crowd made a loud demand to start the bid of the expensive paintings. But then, to the surprise of everyone, the lawyer declared that the auction was over. He then read aloud a secret stipulation in the will of the rich man, “Whoever comes forward and wins in the bid to possess the portrait of my beloved son shall be declared as the legal owner of all my possessions.” Thus the poor, loving lady became the legal heir to the whole assets of the rich man.

Here we see that the one who accepted the son got the Father’s entire assets. It illustrates the infinite riches we inherit from our heavenly Father when we are ready to accept Jesus, His only Son, into our hearts. We then gain entry into theKingdom of Heaven.

“For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die, but have eternal life” {John 3:16}.

“God has given us eternal life, and this life has its source in His Son. Whoever has the Son has this life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I am writing this to you so that you may know that you have eternal life - you that believe in the Son of God” {1 John 5:11-13}.

“If God is for us, who can be against us? Certainly not God, who did not even keep back His own Son, but offered Him for us all! He gave us His Son - will He not also freely give us all things?” {Romans 8:32}.

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©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India and Leo. S. John,Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-sites:

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This is Story No. 194 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2011-01-12T02:39:00.000-08:00

A FATAL FLOOD

A river was in flood following heavy rain. The authorities warned the people staying near the river that a heavy flood was imminent and exhorted them to vacate their residences immediately and move to a safe camp, carrying only the most essential articles with them. First they sent a truck to carry the people. Most of them escaped in the truck. One person was adamant that he would not follow them. He declared that he had a firm faith in God and was confident that God would save him.

The water from the overflowing river filled the lower areas and covered the roads. A rescue team was sent in a country boat in search of the remaining people to carry them to a safe place. The boatmen rowed along the roads which were now submerged and announced their mission, inviting those trapped in their houses to escape in the boat. The ‘believer’ still refused to enter the boat, repeating that he would continue to stay and pray till God came to save him. The boatmen left with the remaining people.

The river burst its banks and flooded the valley. The overflowing water covered the houses one by one. The believer reached the terrace of his house and raising his hands to the sky, continued his prayer.

The final rescue team surveyed the flood-hit area in a helicopter. They found the lone man on the terrace of his house and lowered a rope to him, shouting through a loudspeaker that he should hold on to the rope for being pulled into the helicopter and thus save himself. But the man was obstinate and adamant. He rejected their requests and refused to be saved. He stayed there, expecting God’s direct intervention to save him. The last team left, abandoning the adamant believer. The floods soon covered his house and he was drowned to death. Reaching heaven, he complained to God that He did not come to save his faithful servant in spite of his fervent prayers. God replied, “Son, I had come to you thrice - first in the truck, then in the boat and finally, in the helicopter. But you foolishly turned down my requests. You wasted the three chances I gave you to save your life.”

A person used to pray every day that he may win the first prize in a lottery. He was very sad as his prayer was not answered for a long time. Once he complained to God for not answering his only prayer. God told him in a dream, “Son, I am ready to grant your wish; but please purchase a lottery ticket first.”

That shows the prerequisite for an answer to our prayers: God wants our participation to perform a miracle in our life. When Jesus wanted to feed the thousands, He asked, “How much bread have you got? Go and see” {Mark 6:38}. He then accepted the boy’s gift of five loaves and two fish and multiplied them miraculously.

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© By Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site:http://www.moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com

This is Story No. 193 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-11-02T21:39:00.000-07:00

THE SACRED SACRAMENT

Dionysius (Denis, Dennis or Diniz) was a king of Portugal.St. Elizabeth (1271-1336) was his saintly wife who led a virtuous life. She had a great concern for the poor and needy. She did not admire the glory, grandeur and riches of the royal family. She led several acts of charity, often secretly, with the help of a pious young servant of the palace.

An assistant of the king was envious of the young servant of the queen. He told the king that the young man had illicit relations with the queen. The king believed this false accusation and made arrangements to assassinate the young man. King Dionysius had a secret agent - the owner of a limekiln where large amounts of lime-stone were heated to a high temperature in a large furnace to manufacture quick lime. The king informed the kiln-owner that he would send a servant with the secret message, “Have you obeyed the king’s order?” He instructed the kiln owner to have the servant bound and burned alive mercilessly in the raging fire of the blazing furnace.

The king summoned the pious servant and sent him to the kiln-owner with the secret message.

On the way to the limekiln, there was a church where the Holy Eucharist was being celebrated. Following his usual practice, he entered the church with reverence and participated in the celebration of the Sacred Sacrament with great devotion. As he was about to come out, bells rang indicating that another Holy Mass was to be celebrated in that church soon. He participated in the next Holy Mass also and was much delayed in dispatching the king’s message to the kiln-owner.

Meanwhile, the king and the wicked servant were anxious to know the fate of the pious young man. The king sent the wicked servant to enquire about the assassination of the pious servant. While the pious servant was still on his way, the wicked servant reached the kiln and asked the owner, “Have you obeyed the king’s order?” Hearing the king’s code-words, the kiln-owner assumed that the wicked servant was the person destined for death. The wicked servant was bound and thrown into the fierce fire of the furnace and burned to death.

A little while later, the pious and saintly servant reached the kiln and delivered the king’s message. The kiln owner happily replied that he has obeyed the king’s order and sent him back to the king to convey this news to the king. Seeing the innocent servant who returned safely to inform about the end of the envious man, the king was shocked. He was transformed. He resolved to respect the virtues of his queen. This incident proved how the Divine Sacrament saved a saintly believer from death.

The sacred Sacrament imparts divine grace to every one who participates in its celebration with a pure heart. It saves us from sin and leads us to salvation.

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©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site: http://moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com

This is Story No. 192 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-10-20T03:51:00.000-07:00

SERVICE OF SPIDERS

The Wise Men from the East who visited Child Jesus returned without meeting King Herod, as directed by the angel. The furious Herod was determined to kill Jesus. So he ordered that all male children in Bethlehem who were two years old and younger be murdered mercilessly. The armed soldiers ran in all directions causing a massive massacre of innocent infants {Matthew 2: 1-18}.

St. Joseph had left for Egypt with St. Mary and Child Jesus as advised by an angel, to save Jesus from the murder. There are several legends about miraculous events during their escape into Egypt.

One legend is about the service of spiders. The Holy Family moved as fast as they could, along the way to Egypt. There were sandy deserts and minor forests on the way. Troops of Herod heard that a family had escaped along that way and followed the Holy Family. It was a very cold night and the Holy Family sought refuge in a dark and damp cave on the way. Joseph and Mary prayed fervently.

There were several spiders in the cave. They sprang into action to save the Holy family and to protect the Child from the freezing cold. The spiders quickly wove a thick web covering the entrance of the cave like a curtain. By the time the troops reached the scene, the giant spider-web was ready. The troops inspected everywhere to find out the fleeing family. Seeing the intact cobweb covering the entrance to the cave, the captain of the troops said, “That cobweb is completely unbroken. Any one entering the cave would certainly have torn the web. As it is intact, there is no one inside. Let us continue our chase without wasting time.”

The troops left the cave and Child Jesus could sleep peacefully that night, due to the sincere service of the silly spiders. This is a fanciful story without any historical or Biblical evidence. But it teaches that even insignificant insects could accord a royal reception and protection to the Holy Child. We may be silly and simple by worldly standards. But God treasures our sincere services.

Let us welcome Jesus into our hearts. The popular hymn in Malayalam entitled, “Vaa Vaa Yesu Nadhaa …” offers wonderful words of welcome to our loving Lord . The hymn may be translated and sung in the same tune as follows:

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Welcome, Jesus, my Lord! Welcome, my loving Lord!

You are the love which - my heart is searching for, Lord. [Welcome...]

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You are my beloved; you are my loving King.

In you I will have - all my love and my living. [Welcome…]

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There is no such joy in - either earth or heaven;

Without you there is - no joy at all for anyone. [Welcome…]

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Blossoms lose their beauty; and honey seems tasteless;

When you come to me - my joy becomes limitless. [Welcome…]

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Do not leave me my Lord! Please be with me, my Lord!

I will make for you - an altar of flowers, my Lord! [Welcome…]

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Agony may arise; disease may disturb us;

If you are with me, I feel relieved, my Jesus. [Welcome…]

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Swimming in sereneness; immersed in sanctity;

I will be with you, be with me, Oh! Almighty! [Welcome…]

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©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site:http://www.moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com

This is Story No. 191 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-10-08T04:28:00.000-07:00

HOPELESS END AND ENDLESS HOPE

There was a wealthy king who was fond of all worldly pleasures. He had a wise and witty jester. One day he announced in his court that he was giving as a gift a specially made staff to the greatest fool in the court. He gave it to the jester, with the words, “Give it to a greater fool, if you happen to find such a person some day.” The jester kept the staff with him.

A few months later, the king fell seriously ill and was on his death-bed. He was worried tremendously. His mental agony worsened his health. The jester was summoned to make him merry. But the jester’s jokes could not remove the king’s worries. Worrying about his impending death, the king told the jester, “I am about to leave this world for a long journey to an unknown land.” The jester enquired, “Lord, have you made all preparations for the journey and your royal stay in the novel land?” The king moaned, “No, dear man. I am doomed. I am not prepared to die!”

The jester took the staff presented by the king and gave it to the king, saying, “Now you may hold this staff. You are more qualified to hold it than I am.” The king admitted that he was the greatest fool and sought the jester’s advice about preparations for death. The jester told him the story of another king:

“In an old kingdom, there was a cruel custom. There a person was anointed as king for only three years. Then he would be sent into exile to a distant uninhabited island, covered by a dense forest full of ferocious wild animals and had to live at the mercy of nature. Most of the ex-kings met with a tragic end there. Then a wise king adorned the throne for three years. He secretly sent all essential articles to the wild island and built a safe palace there for his comfortable stay after the end of his term. After his three-year-term, he happily left for the island and spent his last years in comfort.”

This story narrated by the jester enlightened the king. He was totally transformed. He repented sincerely for all his misdeeds and refined his life. He reconciled with his enemies and the newly gained mental peace gave him a miraculous recovery. He regained his health and reigned for many more years as a wise and saintly king.

There is a meaningful hymn sung at the home of the dead during the funeral rites of the Syro-Malabar Catholic church. In Malayalam, the words are:

“Maranam varumoru naal; Orkkuka marthya nee.

Koode porum nin, jeevitha cheythikalum.

Salkrithyangal cheyyuka nee, alasatha koodathe.”

The hymn may be translated as follows and sung in the same tune:

“Death will reach you once,

Bear in mind, mortals.

Actions done by you

Come along with you.

Do good deeds and be ready

Do not be lazy.”

Man’s way leads to a hopeless end while God’s way leads to an endless hope. Let us plan ahead for the unavoidable departure from this world. Let us remember that it was not raining when Noah built the Ark.

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©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site:http://www.moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com

This is Story No. 190 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-09-20T02:06:00.000-07:00

FIGHT AT FIRST SIGHT

A mother was very fond of her only son. When he married, she felt that he was more attached to his wife than to her. Soon she developed an enormous enmity to her daughter-in-law. She used to shout foul words at the young lady frequently and furiously fight with all might at the first sight of her daughter-in-law, every day.

One day, filled with rage, the old lady started to shower abusive words at the young lady at the top of her voice. She started with the words, “You bastard…” But when she uttered forcefully, the syllable “Ba” of ‘Bastard’, she opened her mouth so widely that her jaws got locked, leaving a fully opened mouth which could not be shut. She struggled hard and panicked in pain but could not close her open mouth.

She was rushed to a hospital by her son and his wife. The old lady was immensely irritated but cried helplessly in agony. The doctors diagnosed her complaint as an acute anterior dislocation of the lower jaw bone (mandible) from the temperomandibular joint. The ball (condyle) of the joint had come out of its socket, moved forward and got stuck in front of a section of bone and could not go back into its proper place. The doctors carefully manipulated her lower jaw and released the lock. Suddenly, in a fit of rage, she burst out, “Bastard!” and showered on her daughter-in-law a torrential stream of vulgar words, trembling with a terrible temper.

The doctor was struck with wonder. After a few minutes, she recovered from the tantrums. Then the doctor advised her to give her jaws sufficient rest and limit their range of movement to avert another accident.

Let us remember that ‘ANGER’ is only one letter short of ‘DANGER’. Robert Green Ingersoll said, “Anger blows out the lamp of the mind.” Benjamin Franklin said, “Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame.”

Lord Buddha taught, “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burnt.”

The Bible advises, “There is no excuse for unjustified anger; it can bring about your downfall. Wait and be patient, and later you will be glad you did” {Sirach 1: 22, 23}. “If you cannot control your anger, you are as helpless as a city without walls, open to attack” {Proverbs 25: 28}.

St. Paul teaches, “Get rid of all bitterness, passion and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. Instead be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ” {Ephesians 4: 31, 32}.

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©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site: http://www.moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com

This is Story No. 189 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-09-07T03:55:00.000-07:00

THE VANISHED VICAR

A vicar, who was over six feet tall, was entrusted with the task of building a new church. He supervised the construction with great skill and the new church became popular as an architectural beauty. The articles in the church were fabricated following the special directions of the tall vicar. The pulpit was sufficiently tall to suit the height of the vicar. He served the church as the vicar for three years and was then deputed to another parish to renovate its old church.

The vicar who succeeded the tall Father was very small in stature. The pulpit was too tall for him. The secretary of the church solved the crisis by arranging an old stool close to the pulpit so that the short priest could easily stand on the stool and use the pulpit comfortably. The short vicar started his first Mass in the new church. At the time for Gospel reading, he stood on the stool and his jubilant face appeared above the pulpit. He started the reading for the day from Chapter 16 of the Gospel according to St. John. He started reading John 16:16 as follows:

“In a little while you will not see me any more and then a little while later you will see me.”

Suddenly there was a noise and the vicar vanished from the pulpit. The faithful watched as if it was a miracle since the words he read had been fulfilled before their eyes. The stool had a broken leg which collapsed and the vicar had fallen to the ground. The stool was reset soon and a little while later, the vicar appeared again, thus fulfilling the second part of the verse. Seeing him again, they were really happy that his words came true once again!

This is a fictitious story cited humorously to illustrate the fulfillment of prophecies. Certainly that is not how the Holy words of prophecy are fulfilled.

The Books of the Holy Bible, from Genesis to Revelation reveal a large number of prophecies. Several saints were blessed with the gift of prophecy. The following prophetic words of God were addressed to the snake (Satan) after the tragedy of paradise: “I will make you and the woman hate each other; her offspring and yours will always be enemies. Her offspring will crush your head, and you will bite his heel” {Genesis 3: 15}. These words portray the first promise of a Redeemer for the fallen mankind. ‘The Woman’ is St. Mary and the Woman’s offspring is Jesus who will crush the power of Satan and save us from sin.

The words in Chapter 53 of the prophetic Book of Isaiah depict vividly the sufferings to be endured by Christ on the Cross, centuries later. The Book of Revelation to John reveals a series of prophetic visions presented in a symbolic language. These revelations could offer hope and encouragement to the Faithful during periods of suffering and persecution. Its central theme is the complete defeat of Satan through Lord Jesus Christ and God’s reward to His Faithful with the blessings of a new heaven and a new earth.

The authentic interpretation of prophetic words in the Bible has been done by the Church with the gift of the Holy Spirit and the official teachings of the Church should be consulted and faithfully followed by students of the Scriptures.

“And Jesus explained to them what was said about Himself in all the Scriptures, beginning with the books of Moses and the writings of all the prophets” {Luke 24:27}.

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©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site:http://www.moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com

This is Story No. 188 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-09-07T01:22:00.000-07:00

THE BLIND BARBER

Benjamin was a popular barber. He was skilled and had many regular customers. During his work, he used to talk eloquently to entertain and enlighten his customers. One day an evangelist visited his saloon. While cutting the hair, the barber declared that he did not believe that God existed. The evangelist enquired about the reason for his argument. The barber described the pain, poverty and suffering that people had to endure, everywhere. He argued that if there was a God, who was loving and mighty, he should have removed such misery from society.

After his hair was cut, the evangelist came out of the barber-shop. In the street, he saw a mad man with long and dirty hair and an untrimmed, ugly beard. He returned to the saloon and told the barber, “Now I am sure that there are no barbers in this street.” “Why, why do you say that?” he enquired emphatically. Pointing to the mad man, the evangelist explained, “If there was a barber here, how could that man have such long and dirty hair and untrimmed ugly beard?”

The barber defended his position, “I am the best barber in this city. There are several barbers in the other streets. That man is mad and does not come to any one of us to have a hair-cut. It is not our fault.”

The preacher replied, “That is quite true. Just like the barbers, God also exists. The problem is that people like you never search for Him and refuse to meet Him and seek His blessings. That is why you find so many in sorrow and suffering.” The atheist could not argue further.

“Fools say to themselves, “There is no God” {Psalms 14: 1}.

“Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” {Matthew 7: 7}.

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©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site:http://www.moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com

This is Story No. 187 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-09-06T23:10:00.000-07:00

PRAYER FOR BROTHER

Two brothers lived in constant poverty. The elder brother was satisfied with his humble assets and led a life of peace and contentment. But the younger brother was always unhappy, ambitious and greedy. He wanted to enjoy all the pleasures of life and was envious of his wealthy neighbours. He rejected his elder brother’s views with contempt. One day they met a saintly preacher on the way. The younger brother complained about his constant poverty and God’s apparent cruelty. The preacher consoled him and advised them to pray for receiving richer resources if it is the will of God. They returned to their homes and resumed their prayers with greater zeal. The younger brother soon started receiving several blessings. His land gave a rich harvest and he obtained a loan to start a new business. His financial status soared steadily. But his elder brother remained poor as before. The younger brother considered his brother to be unworthy to receive the blessings of God as his prayers were not answered so far.

The saintly preacher later returned to their village and met both the brothers. He was surprised to find that the younger brother had become a successful and wealthy businessman in a short period. The preacher asked him why he did not share a part of his blessings with his elder brother who was still very poor. The rich man replied that the blessings he received were the results of his own fervent prayers and his brother did not deserve any gift because even God had disregarded his prayers and deserted him.

Then the preacher told him, “You are thoroughly mistaken, my son. God has answered all the prayers of your brother.”

“But I don’t find that he received any blessing from God. He is unworthy to get the grace of God and I don’t care for him”, the rich man replied.

The preacher corrected him, “I know what he had prayed for. He was praying to God for you. He was praying that all your prayers shall be answered and your wishes be fulfilled. He did not pray for his own prosperity. Whatever you enjoy now is the result of his intercession. You should be thankful to him for ever.” These words transformed the rich man.

He learned that the blessings we receive need not be the fruits of our own prayers or efforts alone, but can be the results of the prayers of others for us.

St. Paul advises, “Don’t do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble towards one another, always considering others better than yourselves. And look out for one another’s interests, not just for your own” {Philippians 2: 3, 4}.

©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site:http://www.moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com

This is Story No. 186 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-07-30T04:20:00.000-07:00

BELOVED BROTHER

This incident was narrated by Dr. D. John, gifted evangelist from Kollam, South India. There were two twins, identical in appearance who grew up in the same house but developed contrasting characters. One of them was very pious, honest and loving. He was kind and considerate to his brother. But his brother became a cruel and cunning criminal. Their parents gave them equal share of their ancestral assets. They stayed together even after their parents died.

One day, the criminal and his gang attacked a group of people, killing four of them and wounding many. The police and a huge crowd chased the criminals. They ran in different directions. The brother of the kind man ran to his house and fell at the feet of his loving brother and prayed to save his life. The police men were fast following him. The loving brother gave his clothes to his cruel brother and put on the blood-stained clothes of his brother. The police arrested the innocent brother and he was produced before the court of law. He did not try to prove his innocence. He was moved to the jail and later sentenced to death. The death of his innocent brother for saving his life touched the hard-hearted brother. He was transformed.

Jesus died on the Cross to save each of us. He washed away the sins of man by the innocent blood He shed on the Cross.

St. Peter teaches, “You know what was paid to set you free from the worthless manner of life handed down by your ancestors. It was not something that can be destroyed, such as silver or gold; it was the costly sacrifice of Christ, who was like a lamb without defect or flaw” {1 Peter 1:18, 19}.

St. Paul teaches, “Everyone has sinned and is far away from God’s saving presence. But by the free gift of God’s grace all are put right with Him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free. God offered Him, so that by His sacrificial death He should become the means by which people’s sins are forgiven through their faith in Him” {Romans 3: 23-25}.

“Let us praise God for His glorious grace, for the free gift He gave us in His dear Son! For by the sacrificial death of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God, which He gave to us in such large measure!” {Ephesians 1: 6-8}.

“Christ Himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone” {1 John 2: 2}.

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This is Story No. 185 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-07-29T01:57:00.000-07:00

A TREACHEROUS TRAP

There is a tale about an old trick used by some Africans to trap and capture wild monkeys. They take a large nut with hard shell. A hole is made in the shell, just sufficient in size to let a monkey put its hand through it, but not big enough to let it withdraw its folded fist from the nut, when it is full of grabbed food. They put into the nut foods with fine smell such as orange peels, peanuts or small fruits. The nut is fastened firmly to a heavy rock or large tree and the trap is left in a place where monkeys visit regularly. Attracted by the smell of the food, an approaching monkey may eagerly introduce its hand inside the nut and grab a fistful of the food.

As the hunters approach, the monkey tries its best to leave the nut but by instinct the monkey does not relax its grip on the food and so cannot escape from the trap. The frightened monkey may scream and try hard to pull out its hand but it tightens its grip as it lacks the sense to release its grasp. The monkey is then easily captured.

Like the monkey in this story, we hold on to several silly pleasures and sinful situations. We have to be ready to leave our attachment to worthless worldly pleasures and affinity to material objects to gain true freedom and gather greater goals. Our desires impede our freedom. We should detach ourselves from these tempting desires. Otherwise we become slaves of Satan and sin. When we clasp worldly interests we fail to open our hands to receive the bliss of heavenly happiness.

St. Ignatius Loyola used to repeat the following verse to St. Francis Xavier whenever they met in the campus of the University of Paris: “Will a person gain anything if he wins the whole world but loses his life?” {Matthew 16:26}. These words transformed St. Francis Xavier completely, gave him a new vision and mission and made him a great saint and missionary.

St. Paul teaches, “If you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live” {Romans 8: 13}.

St. Paul declares, “But all those things that I might count as profit I now reckon as loss for Christ’s sake. Not only those things; I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord. For His sake I have thrown everything away; I consider it all as mere refuse, so that I may gain Christ and be completely united with Him”{Philippians 3: 7-9}.

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©By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site: http://www.moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com

This is Story No. 184 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-04-29T01:48:00.000-07:00

A BOAT IN BONDS

A gang of drunkards was rowing a country-boat along a lake. On the way they saw a shop where liquor (toddy) was being served. It was getting dark and all of them were tired. They decided to have a halt and resume the row after relishing a drink. They got out of the boat and tied the boat safely with a rope to a tree on the bank of the lake. Then they entered the liquor shop and ordered drinks. They filled their bellies to the full with the liquor and returned to the boat with unsteady steps. They got into the boat and rowed hard, happily singing a fond melody in the ecstasy of intoxication. Hours rolled on. At sunrise, when they came back to their senses, they were surprised to find that they were still stationed near the liquor shop. They examined the boat and found that it was still bound to the tree. In the intoxicated state, they forgot to untie the boat. It could not move though they rowed hard for a full night!

A prayer group had a senior leader. He used to repeat this request in every prayer, “Lord, clean all the cobwebs entangling my life.” One day, tired of hearing this repeated request, one smart member who was to pray next, prayed aloud, “Lord, our leader has been praying every day to get his cobwebs removed. Kindly grant him the strength to kill the spider that is causing this constant trouble!” The members greeted the prayer with great applause.

Man has an inherent inclination to sin. Satan skilfully exploits this tendency to draw us towards sin again and again. Bondage to certain people, places, ideas, attitudes or articles may be the driving force that leads us to a sin repeatedly. The courage and determination to remove the root cause of the sin is the best way to escape from a temptation. Killing of the spider is the surest way to avoid cobwebs. Rowing can move a boat only if the bond to the tree is broken.

A gifted preacher finished his sermon on sin. He had narrated his own sinful past and the story of his successful transformation. There was a question from the audience, “What were you before repentance? He answered, “A sinner.” The next question was, “Then, what are you now?” The preacher repeated, “A sinner.” “Then what is the difference?” the person inquired. The preacher replied, “Earlier, I was a sinner, running after sin. But now I am a sinner running away from sin!”

Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870) who discovered the use of chloroform as an anaesthetic, was asked to list his greatest discoveries. He said that his greatest discovery was that he was a sinner in the sight of God and that his second greatest discovery was that Jesus died for a sinner like him.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. But if we confess our sins to God, He will keep His promise and do what is right: He will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing” {1 John 1: 8, 9}.

Prophet Isaiah foretold the severe sufferings of our Saviour who saved us from our sins: “Because of our sins He was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment He suffered, made whole by the blows He received” {Isaiah 53:5}.

St. Paul consoles us, “But now you have been set free from sin and are the slaves of God. Your gain is a life fully dedicated to Him, and the result is eternal life. {Romans 6: 22}.

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This is Story No. 183 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-04-22T03:29:00.000-07:00

A LIGHT FOR THE NIGHT

A blind man went to visit his friend in the next village. It was night when he could return. His friend gave the blind man a lighted lamp as he said goodbye to him. Refusing to receive the lamp, the blind man said, “I don’t need this lamp, dear; I will use my stick to find my way. Nights and days are similar to me.” His friend said, “Keep it with you. It is not for you, but for others. If you carry this lighted lamp with you, others can see it. Then they will not collide with you.”

The blind man started his journey carrying the lighted lamp with him. On the way, there was a storm. He waited under a tree and resumed his journey after the storm. Suddenly a stranger coming in the opposite direction collided with him and both of them fell down on the ground. The blind man shouted angrily, “Couldn’t you see the lighted lamp in my hand, man? Are you blind?” The stranger replied, “I am not blind but your lamp was not burning.” “I am sorry, dear”, said the blind man. “I am blind and did not know that the flame was put off by the storm.”

We boast that we are the chosen children of God and that His grace will protect us from all evil. But the divine light shining in us gets extinguished by our sinful actions and then we may fall. Let us consciously guard the lamp of God shining in our hearts. It will illuminate us and enlighten everyone around us.

“O Lord, you give me light; you dispel my darkness” {Psalms 18: 28}.

“Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path” {Psalms 119: 105}.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world…whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness” {John 8: 12}.

“Your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven” {Matthew 5: 16}.

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This is Story No. 182 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom o page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-04-21T23:47:00.000-07:00

THE FIRST STONE

A group of talented students presented skits to display how Biblical events would get modified if they happened today. One skit was about the pardoning of the sinful woman caught committing adultery and brought before Jesus {John 8: 1-11}.
A violent crowd was shown to chase the woman. She fell at the feet of Jesus. The angry men shouted that as she was caught in the sinful act, the law demands that she should be stoned to death. The leaders sought the view of Jesus in the matter. As depicted in the Gospel, Jesus calmly replied, “Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her” {John 8: 7}. Immediately all the men screamed violently and threw stones at the woman. Some of the stones missed her and hit Jesus and wounded him. Then the curtain came down. It was a vivid depiction of a deadly defect of modern man- No one will admit that he is a sinner.

Mark Twain once remarked, “We are all like the moon. We all have a dark side we want no one else to see!”

Jesus advised, “Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you” {Luke 6: 37}. Jesus asked, “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but pay no attention to the log in your own eye?” {Luke 6: 41}.

Jesus rebuked the hypocrite teachers of the Law and the Pharisees, “You hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look fine on the outside but are full of bones and decaying corpses on the inside. In the same way, on the outside you appear good to everybody, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and sins” {Matthew 23: 27, 28}.

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This is Story No. 181 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-01-19T00:45:00.000-08:00

MURDER OF A MOTHER-IN-LAW

The only daughter of a distinguished doctor got married and went to live with her husband and her mother-in-law. She could not tolerate the words, habits and opinions of the old lady. They started to argue with each other and to fight at first sight every day. When the situation became unbearable, her husband sought the intervention of her father. The doctor called his daughter and had a detailed discussion about her domestic life. She complained about the mother-in-law and sought his help to eliminate her for ever. “Give me a poison which would kill her instantly”, she requested.

The doctor was very wise and diplomatic. He told his daughter, “I agree with you that she should be killed. But if you use a poison that kills her instantly, others may suspect your involvement and if you are caught, you may be sentenced to imprisonment or even to death by the court of law. We will do it more intelligently. I will supply a special drug which, though poisonous, acts only very slowly. You must mix the contents of one capsule in her food everyday and serve it to her, pretending to be very friendly to avoid any suspicion in any one. We will celebrate her death within six months”.

The girl gladly grabbed the bottle of capsules offered by her father and regularly fed it to her mother-in-law as directed by him. She took great pains to pretend love to the old lady whom she hated like hell. She offered all assistance and tender care to her and stopped her impulsive reactions to her arrogant actions. She prepared special delicious dishes to serve the poison without arousing suspicion. As days rolled on, both the ladies learned to control their temper. The old lady started to shower love, care and affection on the girl as she appeared to her to be very loving, gentle, simple and humble. The conflicts in their personalities came to an end and the girl started to love the old lady like her own mother. She stopped giving the drug and rushed to her father with an earnest and honest request. She told him, “Daddy, please prescribe an antidote to the poison which I had been giving to my mother-in-law. I am genuinely sorry that I misunderstood her and tried to kill her. Now she is dearer to me than my own mother.”

The doctor was very glad to see the transformation. He replied, “I was sure you would approach me, reproaching yourself for being harsh to her. Don’t worry about the drug any more. What I gave you were actually capsules of vitamins. They should have made her healthier now. You may make her happier now.” The affection she showed to her enemy was only pretence with the intention of appearing innocent after the murder. But her acts of love could transform the old lady and sweeten their relationship.

Jesus gave us a golden rule of life, “Do for others what you want them to do to you” {Matthew 7: 12}. The famous phrase, “As you sow, so shall you reap” is based on the words of St. Paul, “A person will reap exactly what he sows. If he sows in the field of his natural desires, from it he will gather the harvest of death; if he sows in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit he will gather the harvest of eternal life” {Galatians 6: 7, 8}.

Our actions have their reactions and repercussions. We will receive the consequences of our actions. Jesus taught, “Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you. Give to others, and God will give to you” {Luke 7: 37, 38}.

The Lord says, “When they sow the wind, they will reap a storm” {Hosea 8: 7}. “Plough new ground for yourselves, plant righteousness, and reap the blessings your devotion to me will produce” {Hosea 10: 12}.

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This is Story No. 180 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-01-14T03:26:00.000-08:00

DETERMINATION TO AVOID TEMPTATIONS

A boy in ancient

India

(4^th century B.C.) was eager to study under a reputed teacher (Guru). He approached the Guru with a humble request to admit him as a student. The Guru examined the boy’s palm and declared that he had no line of education on his palm and hence he could not be expected to excel in education. The Guru rejected his request as the boy lacked the sign that he believed was the birth-mark of a successful student.

The boy was very determined to learn under the Guru. So he took a sharp knife and made a deep cut on his palm between his middle finger (Saturn) and ring finger (Apollo) where the ‘line of education’ (Vidya rekha) is found in some people. He went to the master and showed the scar on his palm. He requested the Guru to reconsider his decision as he has now made a line of education on his palm. The wise master was impressed by the determination of the boy. He embraced the boy and enrolled him as a student immediately. The boy learned with exceptional brilliance and dedication and became a great scholar. The boy was Panini, who later systematized grammar in the Sanskrit language. His masterpiece is a major treatise entitled, ‘Ashtadhyayi’. His logical rules and techniques have influenced modern linguistics considerably. Thus Panini could challenge and change his fate by etching the mark on his palm by a painful cut.

Determination is essential for the successful execution of any decision. Saints had the determination to avoid even minor sins even if their action would cause pain or loss to them. Our confession becomes fruitful only if we have the determination to avoid the people, places, scenes, situations and circumstances that may tempt us to repeat the sinful actions. As the first step we may take bold decisions such as absolute determination not to tell even a minor lie, not to make a derogatory remark about any one and not to watch a sinful scene, picture or video. With the powerful grace of God we can march towards the higher levels of sanctity if we are determined to avoid all tempting situations. After praying to ‘Our Father’ to lead us not into temptations, we should not lead ourselves into temptations.

St. Paul advises, “Build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of His mighty power. Put on all the armour that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil’s evil tricks” {Ephesians 6: 10, 11}.

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This is Story No. 179 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-01-12T20:53:00.000-08:00

A CLOAK FOR CHRIST

St. Martin of Tours (A.D. 316-397) was born as the son of a senior military officer of the Roman army. Attracted by the Christian doctrines, he went to the church as a candidate for baptism (catechumen) at the age of ten, even against the wishes of his pagan parents. At the age of fifteen he had to join the military.

On a bitterly cold winter day, he was passing through the city gates of Amiens. He saw a scantily dressed poor beggar, shivering in the snow storm. No one cared for him. Out of compassion, Martin cut his fine military cloak into two pieces with his sword. He gave one piece to the poor man who thankfully wrapped himself with it as a shawl. Martin covered himself with the other half.

That night, Martin had a dream. Jesus appeared before him, dressed in the half-cloak which he had gifted to the beggar. Jesus showed the mantle and said to the surrounding saints and angels “Martin, as yet only a catechumen, has covered me with this cloak.”

Martin remembered the words of Jesus: “I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these brothers of mine, you did this for me” {Matthew 25: 40}. He got baptized soon. He renounced the army and announced that he would be a soldier of Christ. He spent the rest of his life as a zealous missionary, preaching the word of God and suffering humiliation and punishment to uphold his faith. He lived as a monk and formed the first monastery in France. Later he was ordained as the Bishop of Tours. He led the fight against heresy. He is a patron saint of soldiers and of France. The piece of the cloak kept by him became a holy relic, known as ‘St. Martin’s cloak’.

The early Christians cared for everyone, especially the sick and needy and shared their assets equitably to benefit everyone {Acts 4: 32-37}.

“Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don’t have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!”- if you don’t give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead” {James 2: 15-17}.

St. John advises, “My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action” {1 John 3:18}. "If someone says he loves God, but hates his brother, he is a liar. For he cannot love God, whom he has not seen, if he does not love his brother, whom he has seen"{1 John 4: 20, 21}.

“Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbour to wait until tomorrow if you can help him now” {Proverbs 3: 27}.

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For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-site:

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This is Story No. 178 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-01-05T02:17:00.000-08:00

FLOWER FROM FILTH

A little girl was enjoying the beauty of the garden in her home. Her father had a good collection of rare and exotic plants. He grew them with tender care. The girl was fascinated by a plant full of fine and fragrant flowers. She went near the plant and enjoyed its beauty and the fragrance of its fine flowers. Suddenly she noted that the plant was growing in a heap of filth. She could not tolerate the presence of dirt at the bottom of the plant with such fantastic flowers. She conceived a plan to clean the plant. She pulled the plant with all her might and uprooted it. She then carried it to the tap and washed the shoot and roots in running tap-water till all traces of dirt were washed away. She then placed the plant on a clean stone and went away, thinking that she had done a great deed indeed. Later her father came to the garden and saw the uprooted plant. Its flowers and leaves had wilted and the plant had almost died in the scorching sun. His little daughter ran to him to exhibit her achievement. “I have cleaned it, Daddy”, she reported innocently. “It was placed in dirty soil. Now it is clean.”

The father showed her how her treatment had almost killed the plant. He told her that he had collected the filthy soil and placed it to cover the plant’s roots as it was the best medium to grow that plant. It could grow up healthily and produce fine flowers only if grown in filthy soil. She was sad that the plant had suffered and withered by her cleaning.

Pain, poverty and illness may cause agony in our life. Sight of successful persons may make us depressed and envious. A great gardener mixes the right soil for each plant. In the same way God provides each of us with the best environment required for optimum spiritual growth. But it may appear to be unpleasant to us and we may even complain to God about our plight. The famous hymn of Sadhu Kochukunju Upadeshi (Evangelist M. I. Varghese) in Malayalam, “Dukhathinte paanapaathram- Karthavente kayyil thannaal…” in the Malayalam language may be translated thus and sung in the traditional tune:

“If my Lord offers a chalice

Full of worries into my hands,

I will accept it with pleasure

And sing ‘Hallelujah’ with thanks.

My father will never offer

Anything that is harmful I’m sure.

He may give me moments of pain

Still He loves me beyond measure!”

These spontaneous words of the great evangelist, when he witnessed the unexpected demise of his beloved son (Samuel kutty) continue to instil faith and consolation into millions of believers during moments of pain and grief.

St. Paul remarks, “I consider that what we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us” {Romans 8: 18}.

The Lord says, “I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for” {Jeremiah 29: 11}.

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This is Story No. 177 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-01-05T00:31:00.000-08:00

LIMITS OF LIBERTY

During a Sunday-school, the teacher asked the students, “What is the first commandment mentioned in the Bible?” One smart boy answered, “Eat it.” The confused teacher asked him, “Where do you find it?” The boy replied, “In the Book of Genesis. It was Eve’s order to Adam after she found the forbidden fruit!”

A rich snob planned a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands. He met the Vicar and discussed his plans. He said, “My greatest ambition is to reach the top of Mount Sinai. Standing there, I will proclaim aloud the ‘Ten Commandments of God’ to the whole world with all my energy.” The Vicar advised him, “In my opinion it would be much more rewarding if you could practice the commandments at home and your office instead of shouting from the mount.”

An admirer of the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge once told the poet that if children are given absolute freedom to take decisions, their personality would grow to full potential. The poet showed the visitor his garden. “Is it a garden? I would call it a forest”, remarked the guest on seeing the weeds covering the garden. Coleridge replied, “It was my beautiful rose garden. I thought I should give the plants full freedom to grow up naturally. What you see is the result of that freedom!

Tom and Jerry were close friends studying in an Indian school. They learned in their class about the history of the struggle for Indian independence. They were talking about freedom and walking along a busy road to the school. Jerry said, “Ours is a free nation and we have the freedom to walk along the centre of the road. But Tom was more cautious. He told Jerry about the rule of the road taught in their earlier class. Pedestrians were advised to walk along the right side of the road and the vehicles had to keep the left side while driving. That would let a pedestrian clearly see the vehicles coming towards him. The vehicles coming from behind him would go by the other side of the road, at a safe distance.

But Jerry was adamant. He told Tom, “Don’t forget that we are free citizens of independent India. We can walk as we please.” Disregarding Tom’s warning, he walked through the centre of the road. As he reached a sharp curve, a speeding car coming from behind him turned at great speed and hit Jerry before it could stop. He fell down and his books were scattered along the road. His left hand was injured. He was rushed to the hospital. Tom stayed with him in the hospital, helping Jerry. Jerry told Tom, “Now I realize the truth of your words. Freedom has its limits.”

Freedom is not the right to do as we please, but the liberty to do what we ought to do. Rules are framed to make our freedom full and fair. Voluntary sacrifice of personal rights is the basis of peaceful social life. There is no liberty without limitations; no freedom without responsibility. Commandments of God and the laws of our Nation do not curtail our freedom; they make our liberty a reality. Cicero said, “We are in bondage to the law in order that we may be free.”

St. Peter advises, “Live as free people; do not, however, use your freedom to cover up any evil, but live as God’s slaves” {1 Peter 2: 16}.

St. Paul warns us, “Be careful, however, not to let your freedom of action make those who are weak in the faith fall into sin” {1 Corinthians 8: 9}. “As for you, my brothers, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. Instead, let love make you serve one another” {Galatians 5: 13].

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This is Story No. 176 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2010-01-01T01:32:00.000-08:00

TRICKY THIEVES

A man received a lamb as a gift from a friend. He was happily carrying it home. Three thieves watched his journey. They planned a plot to play a trick on the man and steal his lamb. They moved to different positions on his way.

The first thief, pretending to be a traveller, came near the man and asked, “Where are you going, pulling this dog along with you?”

The man replied innocently, “You are mistaken. This is not a dog. It is a lamb. I got it as a gift. I am taking it home.” He lifted the lamb affectionately and continued the journey, carrying the lamb on his shoulders.

A little later, the second thief came along the road. He asked the man, “Hello, why are you carrying this dog on your shoulders?”

The man asserted that it was a lamb and not a dog. But the repeated question raised a little doubt in his mind. He examined the lamb carefully and continued to carry it.

After a while, the third thief appeared as another traveller. He asked the man, “Hey, why do you carry a worthless dog on your shoulders?”

The man was now in deep confusion. He thought that the unanimous opinion of three different persons cannot be wrong. He was convinced that he had been carrying a dog so long. He cursed the friend who gifted the animal and left the lamb on the road. He walked home happily, relieved of the burden.

The two thieves who met him earlier were silently following him. They joined the third thief and caught the lamb. They were happy that they could easily deceive the simple traveller. They killed the lamb, cooked it and enjoyed a lavish dinner with their friends.

We believe in the principles and practices of our parent Church. We believe that they are based on the Sacred Scriptures and holy traditions gifted to us by God. Like the three thieves in the story, persons disguised as scholars and advisers may meet us and try to confuse us with their eloquent words. They may try their best to misinterpret the Scriptures and argue that our faith and rituals are wrong and against the words of God. We should be aware of their tricks. We must love our Church and learn the Scriptures and the doctrines of the Church systematically. Then false prophets cannot mislead us from the path of truth.

Jesus warned us, “Be on your guard against false prophets; they come to you looking like sheep on the outside, but on the inside they are really like wild wolves. You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briars do not bear figs” {Matthew 7: 15, 16}.

Jesus advised us, “Be on your guard, and do not let anyone deceive you. Many men, claiming to speak for me, will come and say, “I am the Messiah!” and they will deceive many people” {Matthew 24: 4,5}. “For false Messiahs and false prophets will appear; they will perform great miracles and wonders in order to deceive even God’s chosen people, if possible” {Matthew 24: 24}.

St. Paul preaches, “There are some people who are upsetting you and trying to change the Gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel that is different from the one we preached to you, may he be condemned to hell!” {Galatians 1: 7-9}.

St. Peter predicts, “False teachers will appear among you. They will bring in destructive, untrue doctrines, and will deny the Master who redeemed them, and so will bring upon themselves sudden destruction” {2 Peter 2:1}.

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This is Story No. 175 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2009-12-10T21:21:00.000-08:00

HARD TIMES

A student complained to his learned teacher about the difficulties he has to endure in his life. He came from a very poor family and had to look after his home and support his aged and sick parents and his younger siblings by working hard every day after the classes in school while his wealthy class-mates could play and rest without any stress or strain. He was almost exhausted and had even thought about committing suicide.

The wise teacher gave him a carrot and an egg to examine. He was asked to comment on their hardness. He said that the carrot was sufficiently hard that it cannot be crushed by hands. The egg could be easily cracked and the liquid contents would leak out with ease.

Then the teacher put the carrot and egg together in a pan, added some water to cover the articles and then boiled the water over the flame. After some time, the teacher took out the articles from the pan and asked for the comments of the student. The boy observed that the carrot, which was hard earlier, had become very soft after boiling. The egg, on the other hand, became very hard during the boiling. Its contents had solidified and now would not flow out even when the shell is shattered.

The teacher told the boy, “Earlier, you were like the carrot. Your courage and strength of mind were lost when you were exposed to the hard realities of life. You became weak and could be smashed easily.”

Next, he displayed the egg and told, “Be like the egg. You are soft and tender by nature, but the adversities of life should make you bolder and stronger. Then you can gain the courage to face any harsh moments with confidence.” He then narrated the biography of successful persons who could overcome the hard times of early life with confidence and earnest efforts.

The teacher could arrange some financial support for the boy. The boy was earnest, honest and hard working. By the constant support and guidance of his loving and dedicated teacher, he could mould a successful career in life.

The round, smooth beautiful pebbles found in rivers are the results of years of grinding in the flowing river, enduring water falls and floods. A flute is made by harsh treatments of natural bamboos. The steps involve cutting, shaping, drying and perforation. It is said that adversity is the best university to perfect our personality.

We must accept the sufferings and pain of life with the spirit of sacrifice which Jesus displayed in his life and death. Jesus declared, “If anyone wants to come with me, he must forget self, take up his cross every day, and follow me” {Luke 9: 23}. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” {Luke 14: 27}.

Jesus said, “I am telling you the truth: a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. If it does die, then it produces many grains” {John 12: 24}.

Jesus proclaimed, “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest” {Matthew 11: 28}.

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This is Story No. 174 in this site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

2009-12-02T23:19:00.000-08:00

THE APOSTLE OF INDIA

The Christians of India strongly believe that Christianity was introduced into

India

by St. Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. It is believed that after the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus, the Apostles met in Jerusalem and prayerfully cast lots to ascertain to which part of the world each of them should go to preach the Gospel.

India

was allotted to St. Thomas. Jesus appeared to him in a vision and strengthened him to undertake the challenging mission.

Several legends are popular regarding the missionary journeys of St. Thomas. It is said that GUNDAPHER (GONDOPHARES), the king of India and Parthia wanted to build a dream palace near his capital, Taxila. He sent his envoy, a Jewish merchant named HABBAN to Jerusalem, to bring a descendant of the great architects who built the beautiful temple of Solomon at Jerusalem. Jesus appeared to Habban as a master architect and promised to send his disciple, Thomas, a skilled architect and builder along with him to India to construct the king’s palace. Jesus met Thomas, enlightened him and sent him with Habban.

St. Thomas and Habban sailed to India and reached the palace of King Gundapher in Taxila. The king was impressed by the wisdom and skill of St. Thomas and gladly entrusted him with the task of building the palace. The king paid him a huge sum of money to meet the expenses of the construction but St. Thomas spent the money among the poor. Later the courtiers informed the king that Thomas has not built anything but has spent the money among the poor. They reported that he was preaching and performing miracles and converting a large number of people to a new religion. The king became furious and summoned Thomas to the court and imprisoned him. He was planning to kill Thomas for wasting the king’s money and neglecting the construction.

Unexpectedly, the beloved younger brother of the king, GAD, fell ill and died. The king was filled with grief and cried aloud. He was informed that St. Thomas had miraculously raised many from the dead during his missionary travels. The king sought the intercession of St. Thomas, who prayed fervently and laid his hands on the dead body of Gad. Miraculously, Gad came back to life and testified that he had seen in heaven the beautiful palace that Thomas had built for the king by spending the king’s money for the poor and needy. The king and his brother prostrated themselves before the saint and begged his pardon. They embraced Christianity along with many members of the royal family. St. Thomas was now free to preach and he could build a strong Christian community around Taxila in the Parthian empire. But in a few years, the Parthian empire was defeated and destroyed by the Kushans. St. Thomas left Taxila and sailed to the west to reach the island of Socotra (now part of Yemen) and converted the islanders to Christianity. Later, he sailed back to India and in 52 AD, landed at the famous south-Indian port of Muziris (Maliankara near Kodungalloor), the capital of the Chera kingdom in the present state of Kerala. He travelled wide and organized seven strong Christian communities which are centres of pilgrimage even today. They are: 1.Palayoor near Guruvayoor, 2. Kodungalloor (Cranganore), 3.Kottakavu (Paravur), 4.Kokkamangalam, 5.Niranam, 6.Kollam (Quilon) and 7. Nilakkal (Chayal).

From Kerala he moved to the eastern coast of India to preach the Gospel and died as a martyr in Mylapore (Calamina) near Madras in the present state of Tamil Nadu. He was pierced with a spear by fanatics. The place of his martyrdom is now known as St. Thomas Mount. The Basilica of St. Thomas at Mylapore is a lasting memorial to his missionary zeal, martyrdom and sanctity.

St. Thomas had told his fellow disciples, “Let us all go with the Teacher so that we may die with Him” {John 11: 16}. It was said when Jesus started His journey to Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead, at a time when the Jews were planning to kill Jesus.

The Church commemorates the martyrdom of St. Thomas, ‘The Apostle of India', on the 3rd of July.

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By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.

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