From Chickens to Monks: Stories That Teach Us to See Things Differently

Mukhtar
6 min readMar 28, 2023

Cultivating Value: Lessons from a Hen and Her Chick

In a small farm, a curious chick asked the hardworking hen if she could take a break from laying eggs and go out to play. But the hen, committed to her daily work, replied with a resounding “no.” The chick was puzzled, pointing out the many eggs the hen had already laid. The hen then shared a meaningful lesson with the other chicks: “One egg a day, and we’ll have more time to enjoy life. Stop laying eggs, and we’ll end up in the pressure cooker.”

This tale reminds us that existence is rooted in the creation and maintenance of value. The past may be filled with accomplishments, but it’s our daily actions that determine our future. Just like the hen, we should strive to work hard every day and create value in all aspects of our lives.

The Danger of Misinterpreting Others’ Intentions

A driver was cruising on a scenic mountain road, taking in the breathtaking views. But his blissful moment was short-lived when an angry truck driver pulled up alongside him and screamed: “Pig! All of you are pigs!” The driver was taken aback by the sudden outburst, but before he could react, fate had its way. The truck driver plowed into a group of pigs crossing the road, sending a chorus of oinks and squeals into the air.

Lesson learned? Don’t jump to conclusions when faced with negativity. It could lead to a whole lot of embarrassment and hurt. Take a deep breath, count to ten, and observe before reacting. You never know what life has in store for you. So, take a deep breath, suppress those fiery emotions, and observe patiently. Your pride and the pigs will thank you later.

The Beggar’s Demand and God’s Blessings

Picture this: a beggar on the street asks a passerby for a hundred taka. The passerby replies, ‘Sorry, I only have 5 yuan coin and a 20 taka note that’s for rickshaw cost.’ To which the beggar retorts, ‘Well, then you owe me twenty taka and that coin!’

Some people always seem to have an entitlement mentality, even towards the higher powers. They feel like God owes them more, and that what they have received isn’t good enough. It’s like expecting a free buffet at a fancy restaurant just because you showed up in your pajamas — pure greed has taken over their gratitude!

The Science of Tolerance and Humility

Imagine dropping a drop of ink into your morning cup of coffee. The once clear and delicious drink is now tainted and unappetizing. But if you were to drop that same drop of ink into the ocean, it would hardly make a difference. Why? Well, because the ocean is like the heavyweight champion, and your coffee cup is like a featherweight.

And have you ever noticed how young people seem to stand tall and proud, while older folks often hunch over a bit? It’s not just because of age, but because they’ve had more life experience, and it weighs on them.

So, what can we learn from these examples? Tolerance and humility are like the qualities that give a person weight and value. Together, they create a well-rounded, quality individual who can weather any storm.

In other words, be like the ocean — take on challenges with ease and grace, and be a heavyweight in your own right. And don’t forget to stay humble, because even the smallest drop of ink can make a big impact.

The Secret to Happiness: Less is More

Imagine a team of gold panners trudging through the hot desert. Everyone is weighed down by their gear, suffering from the heat and exhaustion, except for one person who’s skipping along happily. When asked how he’s so comfortable, he just grinned and replied, “I have the least stuff to carry, of course!”

It’s a simple example, but it proves a powerful point: happiness often comes from having less, not more. This is backed up by scientific studies that have shown that material possessions and wealth do not necessarily lead to long-term happiness.

So why do we constantly strive for more, accumulating more stuff and more debt, when it’s not making us any happier? Perhaps it’s time to simplify our lives and focus on what truly brings us joy, whether that’s spending time with loved ones, pursuing our passions, or simply enjoying the little things in life.

Remember, less is often more when it comes to happiness!

The Heart of the Matter: Why Empathy is Key to Building Stronger Relationships

A huge solid lock hanging on a gate, making it impossible to open with an iron rod, no matter how much force you apply. But when a skinny little key arrived, it slid into the keyhole effortlessly, and with a simple turn, the lock clicked open!

The iron rod couldn’t believe it and asked, “Why couldn’t I open it with all my might, but you did it so easily?”

The key just chuckled and replied, “Well, my friend, it’s because I know this lock’s heart better than you do!”

You see, just like this lock, every person has a locked door guarding their heart, and no matter how strong or determined you are, you can’t force it open. Only through empathy and genuine care can you become the delicate key that unlocks someone’s heart and truly understand them.

So, let’s put down the iron rod and pick up the key of kindness and understanding to unlock the hearts of those around us.

Finding a Way Out: The Wise Monk and the Sidestep Solution

Once upon a time, an old monk asked a young monk a tricky question: “What if you take one step forward and die, and then one step back and die again? What would you do?”

Without skipping a beat, the young monk answered, “I’d just go to the side.”

Wait, what? Is that even an option?

But, as it turns out, the young monk’s answer was pure wisdom.

Sometimes life can feel like an impossible puzzle with no solutions, and we find ourselves trapped in a maze with no exit. That’s when we need to take a step back and look at things from a different angle. Maybe there’s a side road that we haven’t noticed yet, and it could lead us to unexpected paths and adventures.

So, my dear reader, when you find yourself lost and confused, remember the wise words of the young monk. Don’t be afraid to take a step to the side and explore new avenues. Life is an adventure, and the journey is the destination. Embrace the unknown, keep an open mind, and you never know what incredible things await you on the road less traveled.

Conclusion

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I hope it was able to provide you with some valuable insights and a new perspective on navigating life’s challenges.

If you enjoyed this blog and found it helpful, please consider hitting the clap button. Not only will it motivate me to create more content like this, but it will also help the blog reach more readers who may benefit from it. Remember, all of my blogs are free, and writing has become one of my passions.

Once again, thank you for your support, and I look forward to sharing more with you in the future!

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Mukhtar

Words are my paintbrush, and blogging is my canvas. Join me on a journey of creativity and self-expression, as I share my thoughts and musings with the world.