 (Re-crafted by Mark Novak)
Long ago in a village in northern China, there lived a man who owned a magnificent horse. So beautiful was this horse that people came from miles around just to admire it. They told him he was blessed to own such a horse. "Perhaps," he said. "But what seems like a blessing may be a curse." One day, the horse ran off. It was gone. People came to say how sorry they were for his bad luck. "Perhaps," he said. "But what seems like a curse may be a blessing." A few weeks later, the horse returned, and it was not alone. It was followed by 21 wild horses. By the law of the land, they became his property. He was rich with horses. His neighbors came to congratulate him on his good fortune. "Truly," they said, "you have been blessed." "Perhaps. But what seems like a blessing may be a curse." Shortly after that his son-his only son- tried to ride one of the wild horses. He was thrown from it and broke his leg. The man's neighbors came to say how sorry they were. Surely, he had been cursed. "Perhaps," he said. "But what seems like a curse may be a blessing." A week later, the king came through that village, drafting every able-bodied young man for a war against the people of the north. It was horrible war. Everyone who went from the village was killed. Only that man's son survived, because of his broken leg. To this day, in that village, they say, "what seems like a blessing may be a curse. What seems like a curse may be a blessing." ******* To receive notifications of future story posts, subscribe to the blog in the box to the right
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 (Re-crafted by Renée Brachfeld) A little girl wanted to meet God. She knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so she packed her suitcase with chocolate chip cookies and a six-pack of root beer and she started her journey. When she had gone about three blocks, she saw an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The girl sat down next to her and opened her suitcase. She was about to take a drink from her root beer when she noticed that the old woman looked hungry, so she offered her a chocolate chip cookie. The old woman gratefully accepted it and smiled at her. Her smile was so pleasant that the girl wanted to see it again, so she offered her a root beer. Again, she smiled at her. The girl was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the girl realized how tired she was and she got up to leave, but before she had gone more than a few steps, she turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug. The old woman gave her biggest smile ever. When the girl opened the door to her own house a short time later, her mother was surprised by the look of joy on her face. She asked her, "What did you do today that made you so happy? She replied, "I had lunch with God." But before her mother could respond, she added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!" Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mom, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied, "I ate cookies in the park with God." However, before her startled son responded, she added, "You know, she's much younger than I expected." ***** To receive notifications of future story posts, subscribe to the blog in the box to the right
Once a samurai came to the Zen master Hakuin and asked, “Master, tell me, what's the difference between heaven and hell?” The master, found meditating on his matted floor, was quiet for some time. At last he slowly turned and gazed at the man. He asked, "Who are you?" “I am a samurai swordsman and a member of the emperor’s personal guard.” “You call yourself a samurai warrior?” said Hakuin doubtfully. “Look at you, what kind of emperor would have you for a guard? You look more like a beggar!” “What?” the samurai shot back, growing red in the face. He reached for his sword. “Oho!” said Hakuin. “So you have a sword, do you! I bet you couldn't cut off the head of a fly with that." The samurai could not contain himself. He drew his sword from its sheath and lifted it above the head of the old monk. Hakuin responded quickly, “That sir, is the gate to hell.” The samurai slowly lowered his sword, put it back in its sheath, and bowed. “And that,” said the master, "is the gate to heaven.” **** To receive notifications of future story posts, subscribe to the blog in the box to the right |
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