Buddha Stories for All

  MORAL Learning attitude, Clear comprehension, Guard the sense-doors READABILITY Beginner INTRODUCTION A tortoise being carried through the air by geese! Why did it fall down?

  MORAL Effortfulness, Determination, Brave READABILITY Intermediate II INTRODUCTION A young man, whose family had traditionally performed a ritual during the Elephant Festival for generations, had yet to learn the skill when his father passed away. With the ritual set to take place in four days, how would he deal with the situation?

MORAL  Unwillingness to learn essential things; Unteachable READABILITY  Beginner INTRODUCTION A deer which would not come to be taught the tricks of deer, is caught in a trap. REFLECTION The wise sincerely works on the causes, but the fools regret and fear upon the bad results. When sufferings have not arisen, many beings indulge in sensual pleasures and are easily misled by perceptions. Even if the best and most experienced teacher (the deer king) is right in front of us, we do not take the initiative nor are we keen to learn. When we are ready to learn, the opportunity to learn from the teacher is missed (the deer has lost its life). It is often said, "prepare for rainy days"... If there is no rain, would we want to prepare an umbrella in advance?

[MORAL  Dangerous stubbornness] [READABILITY  Intermediate II] Though a fool, through all his life, associates with a wise man, he no more understands the Dhamma than a spoon (tastes) the flavour of soup. —— Dhammapada verse 64

MORAL Learning attitude; stubbornness & loss property READABILITY  Beginner INTRODUCTION Why a small drummer is plundered by robbers in a forest? REFLECTION In this story, the Buddha talks about the disadvantages of being self-willed or stubborn. The self-willed drummer would not listen to the advice of his wise father. As a result, the drummer's stubbornness caused them to be robbed of their riches.