Free eBook ~Short Inspirational Stories - The Benefits.pdf

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Introduction
The benefits of reading short inspirational stories and
reflecting on them ~ How this helps in our mind
development to grow in compassion and wisdom.
Response from an AI Chatbot
Reading short inspirational stories and reflecting on them
can offer numerous benefits for personal growth, fostering
compassion, and developing wisdom. Here are some key
advantages:
Emotional Resonance: Inspirational stories often evoke
emotions and connect with readers on a personal level. This
emotional resonance can enhance empathy and compassion
by allowing individuals to relate to the experiences of others.
Perspective Shift: These stories often present different
perspectives and ways of thinking. Exposure to diverse
viewpoints can broaden one's understanding of the world,
fostering tolerance and open-mindedness.
Moral and Ethical Reflection: Inspirational stories often
carry moral or ethical lessons. Reflecting on these lessons
encourages individuals to consider their own values and
moral compass, contributing to personal development and
growth.
Role Modeling: Stories often feature characters who exhibit
qualities such as resilience, courage, and kindness. These
role models can serve as inspiration and motivation for
readers to cultivate similar virtues in their own lives.

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Stress Reduction: Engaging with uplifting stories can
provide a temporary escape from stress and challenges. This
break can contribute to improved mental well-being,
allowing for a more positive mindset and better coping
mechanisms.
Enhanced Empathy: By immersing oneself in the
experiences of others through stories, individuals can
develop a deeper sense of empathy. This emotional
understanding is crucial for building meaningful connections
with others and fostering compassion.
Cognitive Stimulation: Reading and reflecting on stories
stimulate cognitive processes, promoting mental agility and
critical thinking. Analyzing the characters, plot, and moral
implications of a story can enhance cognitive abilities.
Inspiration for Personal Growth: Inspirational stories
often highlight personal growth and transformation.
Reflecting on these narratives can inspire individuals to
embark on their own journeys of self-improvement, fostering
a mindset of continuous learning and development.
Enhanced Communication Skills: Engaging with different
stories helps individuals understand and appreciate diverse
communication styles. This, in turn, can contribute to
improved interpersonal skills and effective communication.
Cultivation of Wisdom: Wisdom often involves a deep
understanding of human nature, empathy, and the ability to
make sound judgments. Reading and reflecting on
inspirational stories contribute to this by exposing

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individuals to a range of human experiences and moral
dilemmas.
In summary, incorporating short inspirational stories into
your reading routine and taking the time to reflect on them
can significantly contribute to personal development,
fostering compassion, and cultivating wisdom.
********************

1
Inspirational
Story
Title Page
1 The Former’s
Horse
1
2 Shouldering
Someone’s
Burden
2
3 A
Choice
3
4 8 Worldly
Winds
4
5 Pickup in
the Rain
5
6 Transient 6
CONTENTS

2
Inspirational
Story
Title Page
7 The Oak Tree
and the Reeds
7
8 Self-
Control
8
9 Heaven
and Hell
9
10 The
Ring
10
11 It’s In
Your Hands
11
12 The Obstacle in
Our Path
12

Inspirational Story 1 1
1
There is a story of a farmer whose horse ran away. That evening the
neighbors gathered to console him saying this was such bad luck. He
said, "Is it so?."
The next day the horse returned, but brought with it six wild horses,
and the neighbors came exclaiming at his good fortune. He said, "Is it
so?."
And then, the following day, his son tried to saddle and ride one of the
wild horses; he was thrown off, and he broke his leg. Again the
neighbors came to offer their sympathy telling him it was a big
misfortune. He said, "Is it so?”
The day after that, conscription officers came to the village to seize
young men for the army, but because of the broken leg, the farmer's
son was rejected. When the neighbors came to say how fortunately
everything had turned out, he said,
"Is it so? "
Reflections
* None is free from the eight worldly conditions of 'Pleasure and Pain',
'Gain and Loss', 'Praise and Blame' and 'Honor and Dishonor'.
Reflecting on this Truth of Samsaric existence, one learns to
1. be more calm and accepting of the things that befall him.
2. develop a mental state of equanimity or tranquility. The mental
state will become more peaceful in the face of changing fortunes.
3. see that the only certainty is uncertainty. 'Tragic' things may
become a blessing and vice versa.
4. see that the wisest thing to practice is 'present mindfulness' ... the
past is dead and gone and the future is unknown ...
* Our attitude towards happenings determines to a great extent our
mental happiness and peace.
* Often one's mental state can be more happy, peaceful and free if
one's mind does not attach and cling ... 'Letting it go' or 'letting it be'
are mental attitudes that often help one to be more peaceful.

Shouldering
Someone’s Burden
Anonymous
Dr. Albert Schweitzer was one of the most famous
missionaries of the modern era. Leaving behind both
an academic career (he had a Ph.D. in both theology
and physics) and a concert career (he was also a
renowned concert organist), he set up a medical
clinic in French Equatorial Africa.
When he was 85 years old, Schweitzer and some
others were once walking up a hill. It was extremely
hot. Suddenly Schweitzer walked away from the
group and made his way toward an African woman
struggling up the hill with a large load of wood from
the woman and carried it up the hill for her.
When he rejoined the group, one of them asked
why, in view of his age, he did things like that.
Schweitzer looked at the group, then pointed to the
woman and said, "No one should ever have to carry
a burden like that alone."
Reflections
Reaching out to a person in need is a great spiritual
practice. Truly great people have a high degree of
wisdom and compassion.
“The practice of Love and Compassion
will lead to Peace and Liberation.”
With Metta, Bro. Oh Teik Bin

A beggar asked Ibrahim ibn Al Adham for charity.
Ibrahim told him: "I'll give you better than that; come with me."
Ibrahim accompanied the beggar to see a merchant and asked
him to find a job for the beggar. As Ibrahim was well trusted,
the merchant didn't hesitate to give some merchandises to the
beggar and asked him to travel and sell them in another city.
A few days later, Ibrahim found the beggar still in a miserable
condition; surprised, he asked him about the matter.
The beggar informed him: "While traveling, I found a blind
eagle in the desert, and I was very curious how it got food though
it was blind; I observed it for some time, and, to my big surprise,
another eagle came by and fed it. Thus, I said to myself: Ah,
WHOEVER took care of that blind eagle in this desert will also
take care of me! I returned to the city and gave the merchant
back his goods."
Ibrahim, after reflection, asked him:
"But tell me, why did you choose to be the blind eagle, not the
other one, who could fly, chase, and take care of others?"
Reflections:
* How often have we been conquered by the Mara forces
of laziness, mental sloth and torpor and foolish
delusions?
* Let us learn to be more self-reliant, industrious,
determined and persevering ...these are hallmarks of a
dignified and worthy human being.
* May we choose to live a meaningful and worthy life of
developing our wisdom and reaching out to the more
unfortunate ones.
* Effort, energy, patience and mindful striving on are
essential in walking the spiritual path.
A Choice
A Spiritual Story
by Unknown Author

There was once a famous scholar who practiced meditation for some
years. He had earlier befriended a Zen Master. The scholar, thinking that
he had made great spiritual progress, wrote a poem and asked his
attendant to deliver it to the Master who lived across the river. The
Master opened the letter and read the short poem aloud:
"Unmoved by the eight worldly winds,
Serenely I sit on the purplish gold terrace."
The lips of the Master broke into a smile. Picking up an ink brush, he
scribbled the word "FART" across the poem and asked that it be
delivered back to the scholar.
The scholar was upset and angry and he went across the river right away
to tell the Master off for being so rude. The Master laughed as he said,
"You said you are no longer moved by the eight worldly winds and yet
with just one 'fart', you charged across the river like a rat!"
Reflections
* We all react to the 8 worldly winds of happiness and sorrow, gain
and loss, praise and blame, honor and dishonor. It is not easy to
embrace them with wisdom, equanimity and thereby have unshakable
mental peace come what may.
* “Intellectual or Academic Dhamma” is one thing, the SEEing or
realization of the true Dhamma is another. Until the Dhamma is
actualized or realized, our strong mental defilements of greed,
attachment, ill-will, anger, hatred, delusion, conceit and ego will
make us suffer.
* The ego and self-pride in us is very strong. It takes great spiritual
cultivation to remove it.
* When pleasant things happen, we attach to them … this will lead
to Dukkha.
When unpleasant things happen, we react and are overwhelmed by
Dukkha.
* It’s only by practicing ardently and diligently The Noble
8-Fold Path that our Dukkha will begin to lessen and
eventually cease when the defilements are conquered.

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an elderly African American woman
was standing on the side of a Alabama highway trying to endure
a lashing rain storm. Her car had broken down and she
desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down
the next car.
A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in
the conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her
get assistance and put her into a taxi. She seemed to be in a big
hurry! However, she remembered to write down the young
man’s name, his address, thanked him and drove away.
Seven days went by, and a knock came on the man's door. To his
surprise, a giant combination console color TV and stereo record
player was delivered to his home. A special note was attached.
The note read:
Dear Mr. James:
Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other
night. The rain drenched not only my clothes but my spirits. Then
you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying
husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for
helping me and unselfishly serving others.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nat King Cole
Reflections
* Charity, help, generosity and service… is our materialistic and self-
centered world lacking in this?
* Living meaningfully would entail touching another’s life and making our
world a better place to live in.
* The selfless act of giving or helping brings inner spiritual joy and
happiness. An act of charity is most praiseworthy.
* The Giver should give selflessly with no expectation in return.
The Receiver should remember others’ kindness with gratitude.

1
Transient
A Story
To Reflect Upon
There once lived a famous spiritual teacher. One day he
came to the front door of the King’s huge palace. He
asked the guards to let him in as he wanted to see the
King. The guards brought him to the King who was
sitting on his majestic throne. The King recognized him
as the well-known spiritual teacher. He asked the spiritual
teacher, “And what do you want?”
The teacher said, “I would like to have a room to sleep in
this hotel.”
“But this is not a hotel! This IS my palace!” The king was
surprised at the teacher’s words.
“Can you tell me who owned this place before you?”
“My father was the owner. He is dead.”
“And who owned this big place before your father?”
“My grandfather. He too is now dead!”
“So,” the teacher spoke in a calm voice, “this place where
people live for a short time and then move on…did I not
hear you say that it is NOT a hotel?”
The King reflected on the words of the wise teacher. He
learnt an important LIFE Lessons – the transiency of all
things.
1

2
Reflections
* We are ALL here for just a short time, and then move
on. Reflecting on this, shouldn’t we realize a sense of
urgency to lead a righteous and wise life before it is too
late? Doesn’t it make sense to develop our virtues and
cut our defilements of greed, hatred and delusion in this
very short life of ours?
* Our true wealth does not lie in our material
possessions or in the people we love or attach to. We live
and die and never really own anything. How many
people today think about this deeply? Too many people
entrench themselves in their possessions, positions and
worldly delights. For something as certain as death,
they don’t give a thought or reflect let alone make any
wise preparation for it.
With Metta,
Bro. Oh Teik Bin
2

There was a mighty oak tree which stood for over 100 years. Its trunk
was large, woody and strong. Its branches spread out majestically
exuding an air of strength and toughness. However, one day a great storm
came. The wind was relentless, and the rains pounded down mercilessly.
The oak tree was blown over by the storm and it fell into a river. It floated
downstream and eventually it came to rest among the reeds growing
along the river - bank. The fallen giant oak tree, in great amazement,
asked the reeds, “Can you tell me how is it that you were able to weather
the storm that was just too powerful for me. You know, an oak tree is
noted for its mighty strength and yet I could not withstand the storm.”
The reeds, swaying to-and-fro as if smiling in peace and contentment,
told the oak tree, “All these years you have been very proud of your
strength and might. You have all along stubbornly resisted the winds that
swept your way. You took such pride in your strength that you refused
to yield, even a little bit. We reeds on the other hand, have never resisted
the winds. We acknowledge their strength and power. We have always
bent with them. Ah...you should realize the superior power of the winds.
The harder the winds blow, the more we all should humble ourselves.”
Reflections
* The Proverb "Pride Goes Before a Fall" teaches us a good Life Lesson.
Humility and gentleness are strengths. Due to our EGO, sometimes we
foolishly resist or fight against things that are inevitable or cannot be
changed.
* When wisdom (which needs to be cultivated) tells us that certain
happenings are unavoidable, we need to accept them with patience, calmness
and understanding. Suffering will follow the person who foolishly and
forcefully interferes with certain happenings of Nature that are inevitable.
* Oftentimes one has to learn to 'flow smoothly with the happenings of life'
with a mind of patience, equanimity and understanding. Only then can
he wisely reach a degree of mental peace and freedom.
* A wise person knows that he has to practice flexibility and adaptability
according to the changing circumstances of things. The foolish one clings on
to a rigid set of rules, traditional beliefs, false pride and stubbornness.

SELF-CONTROL 1
One day there was an earthquake that shook the
entire Zen temple. Parts of it even collapsed. Many
of the monks were terrified. When the earthquake
stopped the teacher said, "Now you have had the
opportunity to see how a Zen man behaves in a crisis
situation. You may have noticed that I did not panic.
I was quite aware of what was happening and what
to do. I led you all to the kitchen, the strongest part
of the temple. It was a good decision, because you
see we have all survived without any injuries.
However, despite my self-control and composure, I
did feel a little bit tense - which you may have
deduced from the fact that I drank a large glass of
water, something I never do under ordinary
circumstances."
One of the monks smiled, but he didn't say anything.
"What are you laughing at?" asked the teacher.
"That wasn't water," the monk replied, "it was a large
glass of soy sauce."
Next Page for Reflections

Points For Reflection 2
• We see this sort of behavior often among people. They
feel they have to put on a front to appear to be something
that they are not. What about us? Do we sincerely watch
and recognize our mental weaknesses and take steps to
improve? Too often, we are clouded in egoism and
delusion. Sometimes, when in certain trying situations,
we are not aware of our silly actions until someone else
points it out.
• To have a cool and composed mind … one with
calmness and equanimity needs a lot of mental training.
Constant Dhamma contemplation and meditation is
essential to make us grow and be strong. Many of us give
up because we lack patience, effort, determination and
perseverance.
• Conquering oneself is indeed the greatest challenge in
our life. We need to take the step now if we still have not
- we can ill-afford to wait until we grow old or until we
face with great problems. Even Zen Teachers struggle …
what more about us with our conditioned negative habits
and reactions. The wise man looks within and develops
or cultivates his mind. He constantly does battle with the
Mara forces within us: greed & craving, anger & ill-will,
conceit & ego.

The old monk sat by the side of the road. With his eyes closed, his legs
crossed, and his hands folded in his lap, he sat. In deep meditation, he
sat. Suddenly his meditation was interrupted by the harsh and
demanding voice of a samurai warrior.
"Old man! Teach me about heaven and hell!"
At first, as though he had not heard, there was no perceptible response
from the monk. But gradually he began to open his eyes, the faintest
hint of a smile playing around the corners of his mouth as the samurai
stood there, waiting impatiently, growing more and more agitated with
each passing second.
"You wish to know the secrets of heaven and hell?" replied the monk at
last. "You who are so unkempt…You whose hands and feet are covered
with dirt…You whose hair is uncombed… whose breath is foul, whose
sword is all rusty and neglected…You who are ugly and whose mother
dresses you funny… You would ask me of heaven and hell?" The
samurai uttered a vile curse. He drew his sword and raised it high
above his head. His face turned to crimson and the veins on his neck
stood out in bold relief as he prepared to sever the monk's head from
its shoulders.
"That is hell," said the old monk gently, just as the sword began its
descent.
In that fraction of a second, the samurai was overcome with
amazement, awe, compassion and love for this gentle being who had
dared to risk his very life to give him such a teaching. He stopped his
sword in mid-flight and his eyes filled with grateful tears.
"And that," said the monk, "is heaven."
Reflections
* The untrained and uncultivated mind experiences hellish mental
states right here on Earth.
* One creates one’s own heaven and hell in one’s living …through
one’s mind states.
* A mind filled with unwholesome states like terrible craving, great
anger, hatred, worry, fear, sorrow, grief, lamentation with their roots
in ignorance and delusion are experiences of “Hell”.
* A mind suffused with loving-kindness, compassion, non-attachment
and letting go, calm and peace are experiences of “Heaven”.
* A mind of Wisdom, seeing things as they really are, attains serenity,
happiness, peace and bliss.

The Ring
One morning, the boy Solomon saw the goldsmith who
worked for King David's Palace walk out of the palace very
worried, perturbed and sad.
Out of curiosity, Solomon asked the goldsmith why he
looked so worried and sad. The goldsmith replied, “I have
to come out with a solution to a problem the king asked me
to solve within seven days. If I fail, I will be punished and
lose my job. I am really at wits’ end because there is no
solution to the problem the king posed.”
“What is the problem the king gave to you?” Solomon asked
for he was very curious to know.
The goldsmith told Solomon, “I have to make a gold ring for
the king with an inscription on it. The inscription should
help the king not to be very happy and forget the divine
Truth at his happy moments. At the same time, the
inscription on the ring should help him not to lose his heart
when he is facing moments of sorrow and suffering.”
The wise Solomon thought for a while, and he then told
the goldsmith that he should inscribe the following on the
ring:
“This too shall pass”
Reflections
* “Impermanence” and “Uncertainties” are facts of life.
Realizing this, one can cope better with the tribulations
and ‘ups and downs’ of life. Training one’s mind to be
more and more with the NOW, one attains an inner
spiritual peace.
* Every mortal cannot be free from the experiences of
pleasure and pain, gain and loss, praise and blame, honor
and loss of fame. However, all these states come and go.

It's In Your Hands
Once there was a wise old man who could answer any
question anyone asked him. Two young men decided to
trick him. "We're going to fool that old man. We'll catch
a bird and go to the old man and say, "This that we hold
in our hands today, is it alive or is it dead?"
"If he says 'Dead', we'll turn it loose and let it fly, and if
he says 'Alive', we'll crush it."
So, they caught a bird and carried it to the old man.
"This that we hold in our hands today, is it alive or is it
dead?" they asked
The old man looked at the men, smiled and replied: "It's
in your hands.”
Reflections
* We chart our own destiny. Things are not just fated or
pre-destined. Kamma is not fatalism. We create and
can change our Kamma through what we think, speak
and act. Good Kamma is free from greed, attachment,
anger, enmity, ill-will, hatred and delusion.
* Wisdom needs a calm, clear mind ... a mind that is
alert, mindful of all phenomena and data around.
* Wise thinking requires the ability to think 'out of the
box', to be free from habitual and conditioned thinking
based on untested assumptions.
* Training the mind in "Right Mindfulness" can develop
clear comprehension and wisdom.

The Obstacle in Our Path
In ancient times, a king had a boulder
placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself
and watched to see if anyone would remove
the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest people
came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed
the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything
about getting the big stone out of the way.
Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. On
approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and
tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much
pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant
picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the
road at the spot the boulder had been. The purse contained many
gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was
for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
The peasant learned what many others never understand. Every
obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one's condition.
Reflections
• Many self-centered or selfish people would not help to make
life easier for others. The DANA spirit is very lacking today.
• Many just complain about trying situations or problems but
how many take steps to do anything positive about them?
• Our world will be a better place if more practice mindfulness
and compassion for others.
• Good begets good. A positive selfless action taken to help
relieve the problem or hardship of others will have good kammic
effects.

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