Hari OM
Story-day is for cultural exploration, puraanas and parables and finding out about leading lights in spiritual philosophy.
Sometimes when we hear 'life lessons' from priests and teachers we are inclined to only listen with half an ear; there can be a tendency also to mumble in our hearts "that doesn't apply to me but I know someone it does...!" Next week is Dattatreya-jaayanti (more on that next time) in which we are reminded that 'gurus' and examples are found round every corner and in unlikely places. The lessons to be learned are for no one but ourselves.
One of the greatest tellers of lessons through story is, of course, Aesop. A slave who lived some 600 years BC, gained his freedom but then was charged with theft (even this may be a fable!) and condemned to death.
Whilst many fables attributed to Aesop may not actually be of his authorship, the point is that he had a clear vision of the nature of Man and others were able to pick up on this, perpetuating the tradition and adding much of value to the collection known as Aesop's Fables.
Most of us have heard at least one or two in our time. They bear re-visiting.
Sometimes when we hear 'life lessons' from priests and teachers we are inclined to only listen with half an ear; there can be a tendency also to mumble in our hearts "that doesn't apply to me but I know someone it does...!" Next week is Dattatreya-jaayanti (more on that next time) in which we are reminded that 'gurus' and examples are found round every corner and in unlikely places. The lessons to be learned are for no one but ourselves.
One of the greatest tellers of lessons through story is, of course, Aesop. A slave who lived some 600 years BC, gained his freedom but then was charged with theft (even this may be a fable!) and condemned to death.
Whilst many fables attributed to Aesop may not actually be of his authorship, the point is that he had a clear vision of the nature of Man and others were able to pick up on this, perpetuating the tradition and adding much of value to the collection known as Aesop's Fables.
Most of us have heard at least one or two in our time. They bear re-visiting.
The Ass and his PurchaserA man who wanted to buy an Ass went to market, and, coming acrossa likely-looking beast, arranged with the owner that he should beallowed to take him home on trial to see what he was like. When hereached home, he put him into his stable along with the other asses.The newcomer took a look round, and immediately went and chose a placenext to the laziest and greediest beast in the stable. When the mastersaw this he put a halter on him at once, and led him off and handedhim over to his owner again. The latter was a good deal surprised toseem him back so soon, and said, "Why, do you mean to say you havetested him already?" "I don't want to put him through any more tests,"replied the other. "I could see what sort of beast he is from thecompanion he chose for himself.""A man is known by the company he keeps."