Two Wolves

An elderly Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life.

“There’s a battle happening inside me,” he said to the boy, “a battle between two wolves.”

“One wolf is evil, filled with anger, greed, jealousy, and arrogance. The other wolf is good, embodying peace, love, joy, kindness, and humility.”

“This same battle is going on inside you and everyone else in the world.”

The grandson thought for a moment and then asked, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?”

The old man smiled and said, “The one you choose to feed.”

Moral of the story:

Everyone has both good and evil within them. It’s our duty to recognize this and focus on nurturing the good.

The unworthy king

Once upon a time, there was an arrogant King known for his intelligence and wealth. He considered no one a worthy chess opponent and offered a tenth of his fortune to anyone who could prove otherwise, with the threat of execution for those deemed unworthy.

Many tried and failed, leading to their deaths. The King felt unmatched in skill and pride.

Years later, a beggar arrived, determined to challenge the King. Dismissed by others as doomed, he stood before the King, who scorned him and called for his execution.

The beggar replied calmly, "I forgive you for what you're about to do. Can you do the same?"

The King was taken aback. Realizing the truth in the beggar's words, he saw that he had already lost. If he executed the beggar, he proved the beggar's superiority in forgiveness. If he spared him, the beggar would gain reputation.

The King, understanding his dishonor, admitted defeat without a move. He recognized his unjust ways and handed his crown to the beggar. Donning the beggar’s rags, the King ordered himself imprisoned as penance.

The new King ruled with wisdom and justice. Years later, he freed the repentant former King, who went on to help create the best laws for the kingdom.

Moral

Everyone has the same worth and dignity, regardless of their power, riches, or talents. 

Only deeds are unworthy, not people

Monkey and Fish

Once, there lived a monkey and a fish. The monkey believed in the golden rule and always tried to treat others as he wished to be treated. However, he sometimes misunderstood how to apply this principle. One day, a great flood occurred, and as the waters rose, the monkey climbed a tree to stay safe. From his perch, he saw a fish struggling in the water. The monkey thought, “I would want to be rescued from the water.” So, he reached down, picked up the fish, and placed it on a high branch. Unfortunately, this well-intentioned act caused the fish to die.

Moral of the story 

The story highlights a common reality in both nature and everyday life: people often try to help or make decisions for others in ways that may not fit their needs or circumstances. These well-meaning "monkeys" could be friends, colleagues, parents, partners, or managers. At times, you might have been the "monkey" yourself

The Fox & the Crab - The Æsop for Children

A Crab got tired of living in the sandy beach and decided to explore a nearby meadow for better food. However, as soon as he reached the meadow, a hungry Fox spotted him and quickly ate him, shell and all.

Moral

Be content with your lot

Be satisfied with what you have 

The peacock

Once in a distant land, there lived a Peacock, once an ordinary bird among his peers. Yearning to stand out, he beseeched Juno, his beloved goddess, for a distinctive adornment. With Juno's blessing, he was bedecked in resplendent hues of emerald, gold, purple, and azure.

The Peacock reveled in his newfound beauty, drawing envy from even the most stunning of pheasants. However, his joy turned to dismay when he realized the price of his magnificence. As he gazed upon an Eagle soaring above, he longed to take flight once more. Yet, the weight of his elaborate plumage grounded him, thwarting his desire to soar among the clouds and bask in the sun's warmth.

Moral of the story

Do not sacrifice your freedom for the sake of pomp and show

Explanation

The tale of the Peacock serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of mindful consideration before pursuing our desires. In his quest to stand out, he sought dazzling feathers from Juno, only to find himself grounded by their weight. His pursuit of beauty came at the expense of his freedom, serving as a cautionary tale to weigh the costs of our desires before chasing them.