Some light stuff!

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The Peacock and the Tortoise

 

Once upon a time a peacock and a tortoise became great friends. The peacock

lived on a tree on the banks of the stream in which the tortoise had his home;

and daily the peacock after he had a drink of water danced near the stream and

displayed his gay plumage for the amusement of his friend. One unfortunate day,

a bird-catcher who was on the prowl caught the peacock and was about taking him

away to the market. The unhappy bird begged of his captor to allow him to bid

his friend the tortoise good-bye, as it would be the last time he would see him.

The bird-catcher allowed him his prayer and took him to the tortoise, who was

greatly moved to see his friend a captive. The tortoise asked the bird-catcher

to let the peacock go; but he laughed at the request, saying that was his means

of livelihood. The tortoise then said, "If I make you a handsome present, will

you let my friend go?Certainly," answered the bird-catcher, that is all I

want." Whereupon the tortoise dived into the water and in a few seconds came up

with a handsome pearl, which, to the great astonishment of the bird-catcher, he

handed to him. This was beyond his expectations, and he let the peacock go

immediately. A short time after, the avaricious man came back and told the

tortoise that he thought he had not paid enough for the release of his friend,

and threatened that, unless a match to that pearl was obtained for him, he would

again catch the peacock. The tortoise, who had already advised his friend to

betake himself to a distant jungle on being set free, was greatly enraged at the

greed of this man. "Well," said the tortoise, "if you insist on having another

pearl like it, give it to me and I will fish you out an exact match for it." The

cupidity of the bird-catcher prevented his reasoning that "one in the hand was

equal to two in the bed of the stream," and he speedily gave the pearl to the

wily tortoise, who swam out with it saying, "I am no fool to take one and give

two!" and forthwith disappeared, leaving the bird-catcher to be sorry ever after

for his covetousness.

 

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Know the Lord to be the only real thing in the midst of things unreal. Remember

God.Take His name always. Meditate upon Him. Feel His presence everywhere.

Surrender yourself to Him. He will bless you with peace, bliss, plenty,

prosperity and immortality. ----Swami Sivananda

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