Once upon a time a Town Mouse went to visit an old friend who lived in the country. The Country Mouse was a plain, sensible sort of fellow and he welcomed the Town Mouse into his little home. Beans and bacon and cheese and bread were all that the Country Mouse had to offer, but he offered them freely. The Town Mouse turned up his nose at the simple country food and said, “I cannot understand how you can bear the dullness of country life. You can’t prefer the woods and fields to streets teeming with carriages and people. Come with me and I’ll show you what my life is like.” The Country Mouse agreed and they set out together that evening.

It was late in the night when the two mice crept into the great house where the Town Mouse lived. “You will want some refreshments after our long journey,” said the Town Mouse as he led his friend into a grand dining room. On a huge table in the middle of the room were the remains of a splendid banquet. Soon the two mice were eating rare meats, fine cheese, and delicious cakes. In the middle of their feast the door flew open and the party of men and women entered. The frightened mice jumped from the table and scampered to the nearest hiding place. The mice clung to each other in terror until the party left. But as soon as they crept out again, the barking of a large dog drove them back in greater terror than before.

When the house was finally quiet, the Country Mouse scurried out from his hiding place. Bidding the Town Mouse good-bye, he said, “This life may be fine for you, but I would prefer beans and bacon in peace to cakes and ale in fear.”

Moral: A simple life of peace and quiet is better than a luxurious life tortured by fear.

A young kid was returning from the pasture on day when he was seen by a wolf. The wolf began to chase the helpless kid, who soon realized that he could not escape. The kid stopped running and when the wolf came near he said, ” I know , dear wolf, that I am now your prey. But if my life must be short I want to be merry. Will you play me a tune so that I may dance before I die?”

The wolf took out his little pipe and played a merry tune while the kid danced on his two hind legs. Across the field the dogs heard the music and ran up to see what was going on. Seeing the dogs, the foolish wolf ran away as fast as his legs could carry him, leaving the kid behind.

Moral: He who plays the fool should not be surprised if he misses the prize.

King Solomon was a kind hearted, wealthy and famous king. He was famous for his wisdom and presence of mind. Queen of Sheba was highly impressed by his wealth and grandeur. She heard of his fame but could not believe it. She wanted to test his power of solving puzzles. She visited him and challenged him on his wisdom. King Solomon accepted her challenge. He asked his courtiers to provide her what ever she wanted.

She ordered for two garlands, one of real flowers and the other of artificial flowers. The garlands looked exactly the same. She held the real garland on her right hand and the artificial garland on the left hand. She then asked the king that which was the garland of real flowers. Solomon was silent for some time, as both the garlands looked the same. The Queen felt triumphant. After thinking for a while, he ordered the windows to be opened. The windows were opened. Within few minutes the bees flew in the court from the garden and buzzed around the Queen. After buzzing, the bees settled on the garland in her right hand, which were of real flowers. Queen was impressed with his wisdom so much that she married him.

One day a wonderful plate made of gold fell from Heaven into the court of a temple at Benares. On the plate were inscribed these words “ A gift from Heaven to him who loves the best.” The priests at once made the proclamation that every day at twelve o’ clock, all who would like to claim the plate should assemble at the temple, to have their kind deeds judged.

Every day for the whole year all kinds of holy men, hermits, scholars and nobles came, and related to the priests there deeds of charity, and the priests heard their claims. At last they decided that the one who seemed to be the greatest lover of mankind was a rich man who had that very year had given all his wealth to the poor. So they gave him the plate of gold. But when he took it his hand, it turned into lead. On seeing this he dropped it on the floor and to every ones surprise it turned into gold again.

Many more people came, who were awarded the plate by the priest on their claiming that they were the lover of mankind but the same thing happened. This meant that the Heaven didn’t consider them worthy of the gift. Meanwhile many beggars came to the temple hoping that the people coming to the temple to claim the plate would give them alms to prove that they are worthy of the golden plate.

At last one day a peasant, who had heard nothing about the plate of gold came there. He was so touched by the miserable sight of the beggars that he wept for them. He saw a poor, blind person at the temple gate, he knelt and helped him. He comforted him with his kind words. When he reached the temple, he was shocked to see men boasting of their deeds and quarrelling with the priest. One priest, who was holding the plate, seeing the peasant standing there, beckoned to him. The peasant came and knowing nothing about the plate took it in his hand. At once it shone out with three times its former splendor, and the priest said: “ Son, the gift is yours: for you love the best.”