Moral-Tale

Frequently, resentment occurs between a brother and his brother because of the differentiation in treatment between them from before their fathers. Thus the younger son sees injustice, even though it may be that the older son is the most deserving of what might be, and what the father does is not injustice as much as it is good use of his children’s resources and cultivation of their potentialities. In one of the distant villages, there were two brothers working on a farm of vegetables under their father’s supervision. After several years from the beginning of work, the older brother noticed that his father gave his younger brother many tasks and great responsibilities and rewarded him generously. ...

The famous Arab proverb says that greed diminishes what is gathered. God, glory be to Him and exalted, has warned us from that despicable trait, commanding us to love for our brother what we love for ourselves, for in greed there is wretchedness of souls and constriction of hearts, making the individual selfish, thinking only of himself. There were three friends living in a poor village. They had not been able to earn abundant wealth there. One day the three decided to go to the city together to earn money, where much work was available there and the doors of livelihood were many. ...

In a large city in the lands of India, it is recounted that a man named Sanjam worked in washing, cleaning, and dyeing clothes. The front of his shop was always filled with clean, colorful clothes that he would hang beautifully. He was energetic in his work and never failed a single appointment with his customers. The Potter Hilāl: Working near him was the potter Hilāl, who made jars of clay. But he was lazy and greedy in his selling, so he did not have many customers like his neighbor Sanjam. The potter Hilāl envied his neighbor Sanjam for his work and said to himself: “I will do an evil turn to my neighbor!” ...

In ancient times lived two brothers, Mansūr and Yāsir, and they worked as fishermen. Each had his own boat on which he worked in fishing. Mansūr’s share was the small boat, while Yāsir was fortunate with the larger boat in size. Mansūr was the younger brother, and among his traits was that he was kind-hearted and extremely gentle. He helped the poor, the needy, the elderly, and those in need, presenting them with fish without compensation. As for Yāsir, he was characterized by harshness of heart and wickedness of nature. He was always mocking his brother because he presented fish to the poor and needy without receiving any compensation from them. He often described his brother as foolish for this reason. The affectionate Mansūr would feel pain in his heart after hearing this speech. He would say with compassion toward the poor: “They have no money, so from where can they bring it to eat?” Yāsir heard nothing from his brother except that he was not responsible for them. Mansūr would admonish him that people are brothers by nature and that the poor have rights upon those around them, and this is what our pure religion has commanded us. Yāsir persisted in his position more than before. ...

We would gather around him one evening on the stone platform. He sat at the head of the place while tranquility encompassed the house. We would listen to him and enjoy immensely with his tale that was never forgotten—Mansūr the young merchant in his shop at the beginning of the market would face you with his handsome face, his calm smile, and his clear eyes, displaying his wares before you: “This fabric from India, that from Syria, and this natural silk from China.” The intelligent merchant was known for truthfulness, honesty, and excellent goods. The name Mansūr in the market was on all tongues. ...

Each of us has flaws of a unique kind, but in this world nothing goes to waste. You may think you are useless, but somehow the flaws you possess can turn into a blessing you never imagined, as happened in the story of the cracked pot. In one of the Indian villages there was a water carrier named Mahindar. He had two large pots that he carried hanging on his shoulders along the road. One of them was cracked at the top, and water would drip from it along the way. When he reached home, he would find the cracked pot with only half the water. ...

In a clean, quiet burrow among the oak trees in the forest lived two rabbits, one large and the other small. An old friendship, affection, and love united them. These two rabbits would play a race together, eat carrots and vegetables together, and sleep together side by side in gentleness and peace. One day a small crack appeared in a corner of the burrow. The small rabbit said: “No doubt my friend the large rabbit will repair this crack soon.” When the large rabbit saw it, he said: “My friend the small rabbit will repair this small crack today.” The days passed, and the crack grew wider and deeper. Each of the two friend rabbits would say: “Perhaps my friend forgot to repair this crack. I don’t think he will neglect it; he will repair it this time.” More days passed, and the crack widened and widened further. The large rabbit would say: “My friend the small rabbit does not like cracks in the burrow; no doubt he will repair this crack. I know he will do that.” ...

Rohan was a greedy and selfish man, never satisfied with the money he had and always coveting more. He never hesitated to deceive others to obtain money. Above all this, he was stingy and gave nothing to the poor and needy. His selfishness was so great that he wanted to own everything for himself, regardless of what others possessed. He counted every cent, large and small. Because of his stinginess toward others, he had abundant money with which he bought many lands and employed many workers. Despite his great wealth, he paid them very small amounts and was ready to lie at any time and at all times in order to increase his money. ...

On a bench in the garden sat an old woman with white hair, a soft face, and smiling eyes. She leaned on a thin, long staff, and at its end was a golden ball. Suddenly, Amīr, a student in first grade, came running. Great Anger and Agitation: Amīr sat on the bench like a bull and said to her: “Move away! There’s no place for you!” The old woman moved aside and saw on his red face the marks of anger. She saw his eyes flashing and tearing. The woman asked him: “What happened to you? Are you angry?” Amīr answered vehemently: “What business is it of yours?” The old woman was not affected by Amīr’s words. She said to him calmly: “I bet you got into an argument a few minutes ago, got angry, cried, and shouted at whom?” ...

Barba Melon was the strongest and fiercest pirate in the seven seas. He had collected a legendary treasure during his storming of ships in all parts of the world. It was the largest treasure that made him the best pirate. Barba Melon didn’t trust anyone because he was a strong pirate, so he always carried his private treasure under his feet in a part of his ship that he had securely allocated to place the treasure in. ...