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Short Stories

The important things in life by Stephen on September 13, 2008

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When
the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to
fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar
lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up the
remaining open areas of the jar.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous Yes.
Now, said the professor, I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are
the important things your family, your partner, your health, your children things that if
everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the
other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else, the small
stuff.
If you put the sand into the jar first, he continued, there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks.
The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will
never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical
to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be
time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party, or fix the disposal.
Take care of the rocks first the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just
sand.
Author Unknown
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Live and Work by Stephen on September 14, 2008

Father was a hardworking man who delivered bread as a living to support his wife and three
children. He spent all his evenings after work attending classes, hoping to improve himself so that
he could one day find a better paying job. Except for Sundays, Father hardly ate a meal together
with his family. He worked and studied very hard because he wanted to provide his family with the
best money could buy.
Whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned
that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.
The day came when the examination results were announced. To his joy, Father passed, and with
distinctions too! Soon after, he was offered a good job as a senior supervisor which paid
handsomely.
Like a dream come true, Father could now afford to provide his family with lifes little luxuries
like nice clothing, fine food and vacation abroad.
However, the family still did not get to see father for most of the week. He continued to work very
hard, hoping to be promoted to the position of manager. In fact, to make himself a worthily
candidate for the promotion, he enrolled for another course in the open university.
Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he
reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his
family.
Fathers hard work paid off and he was promoted. Jubilantly, he decided to hire a maid to relieve
his wife from her domestic tasks. He also felt that their three-room flat was no longer big enough,
it would be nice for his family to be able to enjoy the facilities and comfort of a condominium.
Having experienced the rewards of his hard work many times before, Father resolved to further his
studies and work at being promoted again. The family still did not get to see much of him. In fact,
sometimes Father had to work on Sundays entertaining clients. Again, whenever the family
complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all
this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.
As expected, Fathers hard work paid off again and he bought a beautiful condominium
overlooking the coast of Singapore. On the first Sunday evening at their new home, Father
declared to his family that he decided not to take anymore courses or pursue any more promotions.
From then on he was going to devote more time to his family.
Father did not wake up the next day.
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I have learned by Stephen on January 22, 2009

Ive learned-that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be
loved. The rest is up to them.
Ive learned-that no matter how much I care, some people just dont care back.
Ive learned-that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
Ive learned-that no matter how good a friend is, theyre going to hurt you every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.
Ive learned-that its not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.
Ive learned-that you should never ruin an apology with an excuse.
Ive learned-that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, youd better know
something.
Ive learned-that you shouldnt compare yourself to the best others can do.
Ive learned-that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
Ive learned-that its taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
Ive learned-that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time
you see them.
Ive learned-that you can keep going long after you cant.
Ive learned-that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
Ive learned-that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
Ive learned-that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and
there had better be something else to take its place.
Ive learned-that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done,
regardless of the consequences.
Ive learned-that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
Ive learned-that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
Ive learned-that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when youre down will be the ones
to help you get back up.
Ive learned-that sometimes when Im angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesnt give me
the right to be cruel.
Ive learned-that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for
true love.
Ive learned-that just because someone doesnt love you the way you want them to doesnt mean
they dont love you with all they have.
Ive learned-that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences youve had and what
youve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays youve celebrated.
Ive learned-that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things
are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed it.
Ive learned-that your family wont always be there for you. It may seem funny, but people you
arent related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families
arent biological.
Ive learned-that it isnt always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you are to learn to
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forgive yourself.
Ive learned-that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesnt stop for your grief.
Ive learned-that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are
responsible for who we become.
Ive learned-that a rich person is not the one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.
Ive learned-that just because two people argue, it doesnt mean they dont love each other. And
just because they dont argue, it doesnt mean they do.
Ive learned-that we dont have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
Ive learned-that you shouldnt be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
Ive learned-that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
Ive learned-that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and
you will hurt in the process.
Ive learned-that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you,
you will find the strength to help.
Ive learned-that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
Ive learned-that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.
Ive learned-that its hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting
peoples feelings, and standing up for what you believe.
Ive learned-that people will forget what you said, and people will forget what you did, but people
will never forget how you made them feel.

By Omer B. Washington
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The story of a blind girl by Stephen on September 13, 2008

There was a blind girl who hated herself just because she was blind. She hated everyone, except
her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world,
she would marry her boyfriend.
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything, including her
boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?
The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind too, and refused to marry him.
Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her saying:
Just take care of my eyes dear.

This is how human brain changes when the status changed. Only few remember what life was
before, and whos always been there even in the most painful situations.
Life Is A Gift
Today before you think of saying an unkind wordthink of someone who cant speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your foodthink of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wifethink of someone who is crying out to God for a
companion.
Today before you complain about lifethink of someone who went too early to heaven.
Before you complain about your childrenthink of someone who desires children but theyre
barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house, someone didnt clean or sweepthink of the people who
are living in the streets.
Before whining about the distance you drivethink of someone who walks the same distance with
their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your jobthink of the unemployed, the disabled and
those who wished they had your job.
But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning anotherremember that not one of us
are without sin and we all answer to one maker.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you downput a smile on your face and thank God
youre alive and still around.

Life is a gift Live it, Enjoy it, Celebrate it, and Fulfill it.
Author Unknown
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The Little Boy by Stephen on September 13, 2008

Sally jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She said: How is
my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?
The surgeon said, Im sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didnt make it.
Sally said, Why do little children get cancer? Doesnt God care any more? Where were you, God,
when my son needed you?
The surgeon asked, Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out
in a few minutes, before hes transported to the university.
Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good-bye to son. She ran her fingers lovingly
through his thick red curly hair.
Would you like a lock of his hair? the nurse asked.
Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boys hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to
Sally. The mother said, It was Jimmys idea to donate his body to the university for study. He said
it might help somebody else. I said no at first, but Jimmy said, Mom, I wont be using it after I
die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom. She went on,
My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others
if he could.
Sally walked out of Childrens mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six
months there. She put the bag with Jimmys belongings on the seat beside her in the car. The drive
home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmys belongings,
and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her sons room. She started placing the model cars
and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down
across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.
It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter. The
letter said:
Dear Mom,
I know youre going to miss me; but dont think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just
cause Im not around to say I LOVE YOU. I will always love you, Mom, even more with each
day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you
wont be so lonely, thats okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if
you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldnt like the same things us boys do. Youll have
to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Dont be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat
place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will
take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know
what? Jesus doesnt look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus
himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on Gods knee and talk to Him,
like I was somebody important. Thats when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell
you good-bye and everything. But I already knew that wasnt allowed. Well, you know what
Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think
Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give
you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him Where was He when I needed him? God
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said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross. He was right
there, as He always is with all His children.
Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what Ive written except you. To everyone else this is
just a blank piece of paper. Isnt that cool? I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to
write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper.
Im, sure the food will be great.
Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I dont hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. Im glad because I
couldnt stand that pain anymore and God couldnt stand to see me hurt so much, either. Thats
when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How
about that?
Signed with Love from: God, Jesus & Me.
Author Unknown
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Funny Short Stories

by Stephen on April 27, 2012 692 comments
in Funny Jokes
The child and his mother:
A curious child asked his mother: Mommy, why are some of your hairs turning grey?
The mother tried to use this occasion to teach her child: It is because of you, dear. Every bad
action of yours will turn one of my hairs grey!
The child replied innocently: Now I know why grandmother has only grey hairs on her head.

Wrong email address:

A couple going on vacation but his wife was on a business trip so he went to the destination first
and his wife would meet him the next day.
When he reached his hotel, he decided to send his wife a quick email.
Unfortunately, when typing her address, he mistyped a letter and his note was directed instead to
an elderly preachers wife whose husband had passed away only the day before.
When the grieving widow checked her email, she took one look at the monitor, let out a piercing
scream, and fell to the floor in a dead faint.
At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen:
Dearest Wife,
Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow.
P.S. Sure is hot down here.

Wills experience at the airport:

After his return from Rome, Will couldnt find his luggage in the airport baggage area. He went to
the lost luggage office and told the woman there that his bags hadnt shown up on the carousel.
She smiled and told him not to worry because they were trained professionals and he was in good
hands.
Then she asked Will, Has your plane arrived yet?

Clever kids:
A police officer found a perfect hiding place for watching for speeding motorists.
One day, the officer was amazed when everyone was under the speed limit, so he investigated and
found the problem.
A 10 years old boy was standing on the side of the road with a huge hand painted sign which said
Radar Trap Ahead.
A little more investigative work led the officer to the boys accomplice: another boy about 100
yards beyond the radar trap with a sign reading TIPS and a bucket at his feet full of change.

Mouthology:
A Professor was traveling by boat. On his way he asked the sailor:
Do you know Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Geography, physiology?
The sailor said no to all his questions.
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Professor: What the hell do you know on earth. You will die of illiteracy.
After a while the boat started sinking. The Sailor asked the Professor, do you know swiminology &
escapology from sharkology?
The professor said no.
Sailor: Well, sharkology & crocodilogy will eat your assology, headology & you will dieology
because of your mouthology.

Captain:
A navy captain is alerted by his First Mate that there is a pirate ship coming towards his position.
He asks a sailor to get him his red shirt.
The captain was asked, Why do you need a red shirt?
The Captain replies, So that when I bleed, you guys dont notice and arens discouraged. They
fight off the pirates eventually.
The very next day, the Captain is alerted that 50 pirate ships are coming towards their boat. He
yells, Get me my brown pants!

Elephant:
The class teacher asks students to name an animal that begins with an E. One boy says,
Elephant.
Then the teacher asks for an animal that begins with a T. The same boy says, Two elephants.
The teacher sends the boy out of the class for bad behavior. After that she asks for an animal
beginning with M.
The boy shouts from the other side of the wall: Maybe an elephant!
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Dont Hope, Decide! by Stephen on September 26, 2008

While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon, I had one of those life-
changing experiences that you hear other people talk about the kind that sneaks up on you
unexpectedly. This one occurred a mere two feet away from me.
Straining to locate my friend among the passengers deplaning through the jet way, I noticed a man
coming toward me carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to me to greet his family.
First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave
each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each others face, I heard the
father say, Its so good to see you, son. I missed you so much! His son smiled somewhat shyly,
averted his eyes and replied softly, Me, too, Dad!
Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping
his sons face in his hands said, Youre already quite the young man. I love you very much,
Zach! They too hugged a most loving, tender hug.
While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was squirming excitedly in
her mothers arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father.
The man said, Hi, baby girl! as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her
face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl
instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.
After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, Ive saved the best
for last! and proceeded to give his wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing.
He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed. I love you so much! They
stared at each others eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands.
For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids that they
couldnt possibly be. I puzzled about it for a moment then realized how totally engrossed I was in
the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arms length away from me. I
suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear my
own voice nervously ask, Wow! How long have you two been married?
Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those. he replied, without breaking his gaze
from his lovely wifes face. Well then, how long have you been away? I asked. The man finally
turned and looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile. Two whole days!
Two days? I was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed hed been gone for at
least several weeks if not months. I know my expression betrayed me.
I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace (and to get
back to searching for my friend), I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!
The man suddenly stopped smiling.
He looked me straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right into my soul, he told me
something that left me a different person. He told me, Dont hope, friend decide! Then he
flashed me his wonderful smile again, shook my hand and said, God bless!
- By Michael D. Hargrove and Bottom Line Underwriters, Inc.
Copyright 1997
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Keep Your Dream by Stephen on October 1, 2008

I have a friend named Monty Roberts who owns a horse ranch in San Ysidro. He has let me use his
house to put on fund-raising events to raise money for youth at risk programs.
The last time I was there he introduced me by saying:
I want to tell you why I let Jack use my horse. It all goes back to a story about a young man who
was the son of an itinerant horse trainer who would go from stable to stable, race track to race
track, farm to farm and ranch to ranch, training horses. As a result, the boys high school career
was continually interrupted. When he was a senior, he was asked to write a paper about what he
wanted to be and do when he grew up.
That night he wrote a seven-page paper describing his goal of someday owning a horse ranch. He
wrote about his dream in great detail and he even drew a diagram of a 200-acre ranch, showing the
location of all the buildings, the stables and the track. Then he drew a detailed floor plan for a
4,000-square-foot house that would sit on a 200-acre dream ranch.
He put a great deal of his heart into the project and the next day he handed it in to his teacher.
Two days later he received his paper back. On the front page was a large red F with a note that
read, `See me after class.
The boy with the dream went to see the teacher after class and asked, `Why did I receive an F?
The teacher said, `This is an unrealistic dream for a young boy like you. You have no money. You
come from an itinerant family. You have no resources. Owning a horse ranch requires a lot of
money. You have to buy the land. You have to pay for the original breeding stock and later youll
have to pay large stud fees. Theres no way you could ever do it. Then the teacher added, `If you
will rewrite this paper with a more realistic goal, I will reconsider your grade.
The boy went home and thought about it long and hard. He asked his father what he should do.
His father said, `Look, son, you have to make up your own mind on this. However, I think it is a
very important decision for you. Finally, after sitting with it for a week, the boy turned in the same
paper, making no changes at all.
He stated, You can keep the F and Ill keep my dream.
Monty then turned to the assembled group and said, I tell you this story because you are sitting in
my 4,000-square-foot house in the middle of my 200-acre horse ranch. I still have that school
paper framed over the fireplace.
He added, The best part of the story is that two summers ago that same schoolteacher brought 30
kids to camp out on my ranch for a week. When the teacher was leaving, the teacher said, Look,
Monty, I can tell you this now. When I was your teacher, I was something of a dream stealer.
During those years I stole a lot of kids dreams. Fortunately you had enough gumption not to give
up on yours.
Dont let anyone steal your dreams. Follow your heart, no matter what.
- Author Unknown
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Face Difficulties Positively by Stephen on October 14, 2008

This parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmers well. The
farmer heard the mule praying or whatever mules do when they fall into wells.
After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that
neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors
together, told them what had happened, and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in
the well and put him out of his misery.
Initially the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and
the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load
of dirt landed on his back, HE WOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!
This he did, blow after blow. Shake it off and step up shake it off and step up shake it off and
step up! He repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing
the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND
STEPPING UP!
It wasnt long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of
that well! What seemed like it would bury him actually helped him all because of the manner in
which he handled his adversity.
THATS LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to
panic, bitterness, or self-pity.
Author Unknown
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Believe in Yourself by Stephen on September 14, 2008

There may be days when you get up in the morning and things arent the way you had hoped they
would be.
Thats when you have to tell yourself that things will get better. There are times when people
disappoint you and let you down.
But those are the times when you must remind yourself to trust your own judgments and opinions,
to keep your life focused on believing in yourself.
There will be challenges to face and changes to make in your life, and it is up to you to accept
them.
Constantly keep yourself headed in the right direction for you. It may not be easy at times, but in
those times of struggle you will find a stronger sense of who you are.
So when the days come that are filled with frustration and unexpected responsibilities, remember
to believe in yourself and all you want your life to be.
Because the challenges and changes will only help you to find the goals that you know are meant
to come true for you.
Keep Believing in Yourself!

Learn from Mistakes by Stephen on September 13, 2008

Thomas Edison tried two thousand different materials in search of a filament for the light bulb.
When none worked satisfactorily, his assistant complained, All our work is in vain. We have
learned nothing.
Edison replied very confidently, Oh, we have come a long way and we have learned a lot. We
know that there are two thousand elements which we cannot use to make a good light bulb.
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A glass of Milk, paid in Full by Stephen on September 15, 2008

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school,
found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at
the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.
Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a
large glass of milk.
He drank it slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?
You dont owe me anything, she replied. Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a
kindness.
He said, Then I thank you from my heart.
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man
was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally
sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.
Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she
came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the
hospital to her room.
Dressed in his doctors gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the
consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special
attention to the case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final
bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to
her room.
She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she
looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She began to read the following
words:
Paid in full with one glass of milk.
Signed, Dr. Howard Kelly.
Author Unknown
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My mom only had one eye by Stephen on November 23, 2008

My mom only had one eye. I hated her She was such an embarrassment. She cooked for students
and teachers to support the family.
There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came to say hello to me. I was so
embarrassed.
How could she do this to me? I ignored her, threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day at
school one of my classmates said, EEEE, your mom only has one eye!
I wanted to bury myself. I also wanted my mom to just disappear. I confronted her that day and
said, If youre only gonna make me a laughing stock, why dont you just die?
My mom did not respond I didnt even stop to think for a second about what I had said, because
I was full of anger. I was oblivious to her feelings.
I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with her. So I studied real hard, got a chance to
go abroad to study.
Then, I got married. I bought a house of my own. I had kids of my own. I was happy with my life,
my kids and the comforts. Then one day, my Mother came to visit me. She hadnt seen me in years
and she didnt even meet her grandchildren.
When she stood by the door, my children laughed at her, and I yelled at her for coming over
uninvited. I screamed at her, How dare you come to my house and scare my children! GET OUT
OF HERE! NOW!!!
And to this, my mother quietly answered, Oh, Im so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong
address. and she disappeared out of sight.
One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house. So I lied to my wife that I was
going on a business trip. After the reunion, I went to the old shack just out of curiosity.
My neighbors said that she died. I did not shed a single tear. They handed me a letter that she had
wanted me to have.
My dearest son,
I think of you all the time. Im sorry that I came to your house and scared your children.
I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion. But I may not be able to even get out
of bed to see you. Im sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you were growing
up.
You see..when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye. As a mother, I
couldnt stand watching you having to grow up with one eye. So I gave you mine.
I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye.
With all my love to you,
Your mother.
Author Unknown
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What goes around comes around by Stephen on October 18, 2008

One day a man saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day,
he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac
was still sputtering when he approached her.
Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or
so. Was he going to hurt her? He didnt look safe; he looked poor and hungry. He could see that
she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was those chills which
only fear can put in you. He said, Im here to help you, maam. Why dont you wait in the car
where its warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson.
Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the
car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to
change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.
As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She
told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldnt thank him
enough for coming to her aid.
Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount
would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have
happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to
him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a
hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other
way.
He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed
help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, And think of me.
He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt
good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.
A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the
chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside
were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and
brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet
for the whole day couldnt erase. The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant,
but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone
who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan.
After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to
get change for her hundred dollar bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone
by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she
noticed something written on the napkin.
There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: You dont owe me anything. I
have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way Im helping you. If you really want to
pay me back, here is what you do, do not let this chain of love end with you. Under the napkin
were four more $100 bills.
Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it
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through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was
thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how
much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard She
knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss
and whispered soft and low, Everythings going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson.
There is an old saying What goes around comes around.
Author: Unknown
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Let go of your Stresses! by Stephen on February 27, 2013

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she
raised a glass of water, everyone expected theyd be asked the half empty or half full question.
Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: How heavy is this glass of water?
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied, The absolute weight doesnt matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a
minute, its not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, Ill have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day,
my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesnt change, but the
longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.
She continued, The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a
while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think
about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed incapable of doing anything.
Its important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all
your burdens down. Dont carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the
glass down!
Author Unknown
Submitted by Tina
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The Mango Tree by Stephen on June 11, 2014

Once upon a time, there lived a big mango tree. A little boy loved to come and play around it
everyday.
He climbed to the tree top, ate the mangoes, took a nap under the shadow He loved the tree and
the tree loved to play with him.
Time went by The little boy grew, and he no longer played around the tree.
One day, the boy came back to the tree with a sad look on his face.
Come and play with me, the tree asked the boy.
I am no longer a kid, I dont play around trees anymore. The boy replied, I want toys. I need
money to buy them.
Sorry, I dont have money but you can pick all my mangoes and sell them so you will have
money.
The boy was so excited. He picked all the mangoes on the tree and left happily. The boy didnt
come back. The tree was sad.
One day, the boy grown into a man returned. The tree was so excited.
Come and play with me, the tree said.
I dont have time to play. I have to work for my family. We need a house for shelter. Can you help
me?
Sorry, I dont have a house, but you can chop off my branches to build your house.
So the man cut all the branches off the tree and left happily. The tree was glad to see him happy but
the boy didnt come back afterward. The tree was again lonely and sad.
One hot summer day, the man returned and the tree was delighted.
Come and play with me! The tree said.
I am sad and getting old. I want to go sailing to relax myself. Can you give me a boat?
Use my trunk to build your boat. You can sail far away and be happy.
So the man cut the tree trunk to make a boat. He went sailing and didnt come back for a long time.
Finally, the man returned after he had been gone for so many years.
Sorry, my boy, but I dont have anything for you anymore. No more mangoes to give you. The
tree said.
I dont have teeth to bite, the man replied.
No more trunk for you to climb on.
I am too old for that now, the man said.
I really cant give you anything the only thing left is my dying roots, the tree said with
sadness.
I dont need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after all these years, the man replied.
Good! Old tree roots are the best place to lean on and rest. Come sit down with me and rest.
The boy sat down and the tree was glad and smiled.
By Shel Silverstein
Original version here
The tree in the story represents our parents. When we are young, we love to play with them. When
we grow up, we leave them and only come back when we need help. Parents sacrifice their lives
for us.
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Black or White By Stephen on May 14, 2014

When I was in elementary school, I got into a major argument with a boy in my class. I have
forgotten what the argument was about, but I have never forgotten the lesson I learned that day.
I was convinced that I was right and he was wrong and he was just as convinced that I was
wrong and he was right. The teacher decided to teach us a very important lesson.
She brought us up to the front of the class and placed him on one side of her desk and me on the
other. In the middle of her desk was a large, round object. I could clearly see that it was black. She
asked the boy what color the object was. White, he answered.
I couldnt believe he said the object was white, when it was obviously black! Another argument
started between my classmate and me, this time about the color of the object.
The teacher told me to go stand where the boy was standing and told him to come stand where I
had been. We changed places, and now she asked me what the color of the object was. I had to
answer, White.
It was an object with two differently colored sides, and from his viewpoint it was white. Only from
my side it was black.
Sometimes we need to look at the problem from the other persons view in order to truly
understand his/her perspective.
Author Unknown
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13 rules you did not learn in school by Stephen on November 13, 2012
Here are some basic rules that children should be learning in school, but unfortunately dont. Not
all of these have to do with academics.
Rule #1: Life is not fair. Get used to it. The average teen-ager uses the phrase, Its not fair 8.6
times a day.
Rule #2: The real world wont care as much about your self-esteem as much as your school does.
Itll expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself. This may come as a
shock. Usually, when inflated self-esteem meets reality, kids complain its not fair.
Rule #3: Sorry, you wont make $40,000 a year right out of high school. And you wont be a vice
president or have a car phone either. You may even have to wear a uniform that doesnt have a
label.
Rule #4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait until you get a boss. He doesnt have tenure, so he
tends to be a bit edgier. When you screw up, hes not going to ask you how you feel about it.
Rule #5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grand-parents had a different word of
burger flipping. They called it opportunity. They werent embarrassed making minimum wage
either. They would have been embarrassed to sit around talking about Kurt Cobain all weekend.
Rule #6: Its not your parents fault. If you screw up, you are responsible. This is the flip side of
Its my life, and Youre not the boss of me, and other eloquent proclamations of your
generation. When you turn 18, its on your dime. Dont whine about it, or youll sound like a baby
boomer.
Rule #7: Your school may have done away with winners and losers. Life hasnt. In some schools,
theyll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. Failing grades have been
abolished and class valedictorians scrapped, lest anyones feelings be hurt. Effort is as important as
results. This, of course, bears not the slightest resemblance to anything in real life.
Rule #8: Life is not divided into semesters, and you dont get summers off. Not even Easter break.
They expect you to show up every day. For eight hours. And you dont get a new life every 10
weeks. It just goes on and on. While were at it, very few jobs are interesting in fostering your self-
expression or helping you find yourself. Fewer still lead to self-realization.
Rule #9: Television is not real life. Your life is not a sitcom. Your problems will not all be solved in
30 minutes, minus time for commercials. In real life, people actually have to leave the coffee shop
to go to jobs. Your friends will not be as perky or pliable as Jennifer Aniston.
Rule #10: Be nice to nerds. You may end up working for them. We all could.
Rule #11: Smoking does not make you look cool. It makes you look moronic. Next time youre out
cruising, watch an 11-year-old with a butt in his mouth. Thats what you look like to anyone over
20. Ditto for expressing yourself with purple hair and/or pierced body parts.
Rule #12: You are not immortal. If you are under the impression that living fast, dying young and
leaving a beautiful corpse is romantic, you obviously havent seen one of your peers at room
temperature lately.
Rule #13: Enjoy your youth time while you can. Sure parents are a pain, school is a bother and life
is depressing but someday youll realize how wonderful it was to be a kid. Maybe you should start
now.
By Charles J. Sykes
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Printed in San Diego Union Tribune

September 19, 1996

The Blind Men and The Elephant by Stephen on July 28, 2013
Long time ago in the valley of the Brahmaputra River in India there lived six men who were much
inclined to boast of their wit and lore. Though they were no longer young and had all been blind
since birth, they would compete with each other to see who could tell the tallest story.
One day, however, they fell to arguing. The object of their dispute was the elephant. Now, since
each was blind, none had ever seen that mighty beast of whom so many tales are told. So, to satisfy
their minds and settle the dispute, they decided to go and seek out an elephant.
Having hired a young guide, Dookiram by name, they set out early one morning in single file
along the forest track, each placing his hands on the back of the man in front. It was not long
before they came to a forest clearing where a huge bull elephant, quite tame, was standing
contemplating his menu for the day.
The six blind men became quite excited; at last they would satisfy their minds. Thus it was that the
men took turns to investigate the elephants shape and form.
As all six men were blind, neither of them could see the whole elephant and approached the
elephant from different directions. After encountering the elephant, each man proclaimed in turn:
O my brothers, the first man at once cried out, it is as sure as I am wise that this elephant is like
a great mud wall baked hard in the sun.
Now, my brothers, the second man exclaimed with a cry of dawning recognition, I can tell you
what shape this elephant is he is exactly like a spear.
The others smiled in disbelief.
Why, dear brothers, do you not see, said the third man, this elephant is very much like a rope,
he shouted.
Ha, I thought as much, the fourth man declared excitedly, this elephant much resembles a
serpent.
The others snorted their contempt.
Good gracious, brothers, the fifth man called out, even a blind man can see what shape the
elephant resembles most. Why hes mightily like a fan.
At last, it was the turn of the sixth old fellow and he proclaimed, This sturdy pillar, brothers,
mine, feels exactly like the trunk of a great areca palm tree.
Of course, no one believed him.
Their curiosity satisfied, they all linked hands and followed the guide, Dookiram, back to the
village. Once there, seated beneath a waving palm, the six blind men began disputing loud and
long. Each now had his own opinion, firmly based on his own experience, of what an elephant is
really like. For after all, each had felt the elephant for himself and knew that he was right!
And so indeed he was. For depending on how the elephant is seen, each blind man was partly right,
though all were in the wrong.
Submitted by Camilia
Riordan, 1986, pp. 30-33
An ancient and well known fable from India.
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What do the blind men have to teach us?

Poem version by John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887):

It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.
The First approached the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a WALL!
The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, Ho, what have we here,
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a SPEAR!
The Third approached the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
I see, quoth he, the Elephant
Is very like a SNAKE!
The Fourth reached out an eager hand,
And felt about the knee
What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain, quoth he:
Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a TREE!
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: Een the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a FAN!
The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Than seizing on the swinging tail
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That fell within his scope,

I see, quoth he, the Elephant
Is very like a ROPE!
And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!
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If you want to learn fast, to improve fast, go out and study on your own. Wait for no one. Take
your education into your own hands. Read everything you can, learn from every moment you can,
and grow exponentially.

Now If you want to create something that lasts with all this education that now fills your head
youre going to have to change pace; youre going to have find someone walking at your speed and
walk together. Create a path together, and help each other in times of stress. Be the yin to their
yang. Be the right to their left. For the synergy that comes from working well with someone else
creates something greater than both of you individually.

If you want to walk fast, walk alone. If you want to walk far, walk together. Africa Proverb

But remember, keep on walking. That is the basic lesson above all.