ancient fables, cultural tales, discernment, eastern wisdom, ethical choices, folklore, golden basin, honesty versus greed, human nature, indian mythology, integrity, life lessons, moral stories, moral values, traditional narratives, wisdom

The Golden Basin: A Tale of Honesty Vs. Greed

Deep in the annals of ancient Indian folklore lies a story that resonates through time, encapsulating the eternal struggle of honesty versus greed. This fable speaks to the core of human values and the consequences of our choices. It revolves around a young merchant, his uncle, and a seemingly ordinary object that holds extraordinary value ...

Max Lu

Illustrated map of India.

Wisdom From Historical Figures

In various epochs of human history, we find leaders and thinkers who stand out for their wisdom, wit, and a keen understanding of human nature. From the corridors of American politics to the enlightening teachings of ancient China, the following anecdotes unveil glimpses of wisdom from some of history’s most esteemed figures, such as Abraham ...

Mikel Davis

Two turtles representing wisdom.

God’s Highest Reward for Good People: A Tale of Perception and Justice

Upon hearing people lament: “Good people don’t seem to get rewarded, while bad people seem to be living the good life. It’s unfair!” one might wonder what God’s thoughts are. Though God remains silent, the question continues to echo in the hearts of innocent children. In 1963, a girl named Mary Barney wrote a letter ...

Mikel Davis

Sunlight shining down on wildflowers.

An Ancient Tale of How Actions Control Fate

Fate brings you opportunities, and free will determines whether or not you take them. Fate is the destiny pre-planned for you, but it’s up to you to do something with it. Put another way, fate is the potential possibilities of your life. Here is an ancient tale about the fate of two brothers. During the ...

Max Lu

Bronze statues depicting ancient Chinese officials grading the Imperial Exam.

What Does It Mean to Be Human?

It’s an interesting question, what does it mean to be human? What sets us apart from all other creatures on this earth? Is it our ability to reason and think? Our capacity for empathy and love? Or is it something else entirely? To answer this question, we need first to understand what it means to ...

Jack Roberts

Large family sitting at a table eating.

Boy Runs Into Car, Gets New Bike

This is an inspiring story about how a young boy got a new bike. It is not uncommon to come across mishaps or experience untoward developments in life. From time to time, everyone experiences things that he or she did not expect or want. However, very few people can keep calm and act in a ...

Emma Lu

Man presenting a new bicycle to a boy.

My Top 5 Essential Agnès Varda Films

Agnès Varda films are like some kind of magic to me. Right before I was about to give birth for the first time, I went and saw one last film at the cinema knowing I wouldn’t be back for a while. It left me feeling warmed and my heart uplifted. It was Agnès Varda’s road ...

Jessica Kneipp

Belgian-born French film director, screenwriter, photographer, and artist Agnès Varda.

What Are Life’s Greatest Hardships?

The book Journey to the West is about a Tang monk and his disciples who underwent 9,981 hardships before they obtained the true scriptures and righteousness. Actually, life is full of hardships. Work, life, family, love, friendship — all of them are difficult. But what are life’s greatest hardships? Life’s greatest hardships and how to ...

Helen London

Monkey King in Edo Period Japanese woodblock painting.

The Missing Tile Syndrome and the Art of Happiness

The tendency of humans to focus on slight imperfections is called the “Missing Tile Syndrome,” which is a term coined by Dennis Prager in his thought-provoking book Happiness is a Serious Problem: A Human Nature Repair Manual. Of all the barriers blocking us from leading happy lives, our own human nature stands the tallest. Even though ...

Sofia Roma

Hand-painted tiles.

Take Notice of This Wisdom Whether You Have Money or Not

If you have money, you had better not go to certain places. The proverb “If rich, you must stay away from three places. If poor, you must keep your distance from two kinds of people,” is our ancestors’ way of letting us know what to do if our life fits one of these two extreme ...

Helen London

Gold coins and bills.