The Journey

There were two friends on a long journey.  While walking by the beach one of the friends offended the other.  The offended friend was both hurt and angry.  He responded by writing "Today my friend has offended me."   Soon the waves washed the words away and the two continued on their journey. While crossing  a dangerous mountain pass the offended friend slipped and almost fell to his death, but his friend caught him and saved him.  He took a stone and carved in the mountain "Today my Friend Saved My Life"  Confused his companion asked why he wrote his offence in the sand and this comment was etched in stone?  The friend replied, " Your offence was written in sand because it would soon be forgotten, you kindness was written in stone and on my heart so it will never be forgotten"  Moral: Choose wisely the things you plan remember.

The King's Magic Djembe

There once lived a great king in the region of Segou.  His kingdom never knew war, because of his magic djembe.  When he played the drum, food magically appeared. To avoid war he would invited delegations to his village for a feast.  His enemies became friends with full bellies. The drum's magic came with rules,  The drummer must always share the food that magically appeared, and never play the drum after midnight.  300 jinn would appear and beat the drummer and his guests with sticks until dawn if the rules were broken.  A blacksmith wanted the drum so bad that he tricked the King into giving it to him.  But the King never told him the drum's rules.  At first the blacksmith played the drum and shared with those who came to feast with him.  The more he played the more people came to eat.  Not wanting to share his food any longer the Blacksmith waited for many of his guest to leave before he played the drum. From the darkness appeared  300 jinn who beat the drummer and his guests until morning.  When the King awoke the next morning his drum sat in front of his hut.  On top of the drum was a bag of kola nuts as an offering to the King. Moral: To whom much is given much is required.

Wisdom's Well

There was a kingdom long ago which had a wise King and Queen.  They ruled the people with wisdom and love. Those who lived in the kingdom prospered.  One subject despised the King and Queen and vowed to destroy their kingdom. Because of the man's treachery, the King exiled him from the kingdom. During his travels he discovered a magic potion that caused insanity to those who ingested it. Wanting revenge against the King he poisoned the kingdom's well with plant.  So all the people became crazy. But the King and Queen drank from a private well and remained wise.  The people now all insane believed that the King and Queen had become mad.  The people no longer respected and obeyed the couple. The Couple soon learned that the water was making the people mad. They decided they had two choices, to drink the poisoned water and become like the others, or remain wise and continue to drink from their well.  Question? Is it better to be wise alone or mad with others?