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There was once an old castle, that stood in the middle of a deep gloomy wood, and in the castle lived an old fairy. Now this fairy could take any shape she pleased. All the day long she flew about in the form of an owl, or crept about the country like a cat; but at night she always became an old woman again. When any young man came within a hundred paces of her castle, he became quite fixed, and could not move a step till she came and set him free; which she would not do till he had given her his word never to come there again: but when any pretty maiden came within that space she was changed into a bird, and the fairy put her into a cage, and hung her up in a chamber in the castle. There were seven hundred of these cages hanging in the castle, and all with beautiful birds in them. Now there was once a maiden whose name was Jorinda. She was prettier than all the pretty girls that ever were seen before, and a shepherd lad, whose name was Jorindel, was very fond of her, and they were soon to be married.One day they went to walk in the wood, that they might be alone; and Jorindel said, We must take care that we dont go too near to the fairys castle. It was a beautiful evening; the last rays of the setting sun shone bright through the long stems of the trees upon the green underwood beneath, and the turtle-doves sang from the tall birches. Jorinda sat down to gaze upon the sun; Jorindel sat by her side; and both felt sad, they knew not why; but it seemed as if they were to be parted from one another for ever. They had wandered a long way; and when they looked to see which way they should go home, they found themselves at a loss to know what path to take. The sun was setting fast, and already half of its circle had sunk behind the hill: Jorindel on a sudden looked behind him, and saw through the bushes that they had, without knowing it, sat down close under the old walls of the castle. Then he shrank for fear, turned pale, and trembled.
Jorinda was just singing, The ring-dove sang from the willow spray, Well-a-day! Well-a-day! He mournd for the fate of his darling mate, Well-a-day! when her song stopped suddenly. Jorindel turned to see the reason, and beheld his Jorinda changed into a nightingale, so that her song ended with a mournful jug, jug. An owl with fiery eyes flew three times round them, and three times screamed: Tu whu! Tu whu! Tu whu!Part 2
Jorindel could not move; he stood fixed as a stone, and could neither weep, nor speak, nor stir hand or foot. And now the sun went quite down; the gloomy night came; the owl flew into a bush; and a moment after the old fairy came forth pale and meager, with staring eyes, and a nose and chin that almost met one another. She mumbled something to herself, seized the nightingale, and went away with it in her hand. Poor Jorindel saw the nightingale was gone—but what could he do? He could not speak, he could not move from the spot where he stood.
At last the fairy came back and sang with a hoarse voice: Till the prisoner is fast, And her doom is cast, There stay! Oh, stay! When the charm is around her, And the spell has bound her, Hie away! away!
On a sudden Jorindel found himself free. Then he fell on his knees before the fairy, and prayed her to give him back his dear Jorinda: but she laughed at him, and said he should never see her again; then she went her way. He prayed, he wept, he sorrowed, but all in vain.
Alas! he said, what will become of me?
He could not go back to his own home, so he went to a strange village, and employed himself in keeping sheep. Many a time did he walk round and round as near to the hated castle as he dared go, but all in vain; he heard or saw nothing of Jorinda. At last he dreamt one night that he found a beautiful purple flower, and that in the middle of it lay a costly pearl; and he dreamt that he plucked the flower, and went with it in his hand into the castle, and that everything he touched with it was disenchanted, and that there he found his Jorinda again. In the morning when he awoke, he began to search over hill and dale for this pretty flower; and eight long days he sought for it in vain: but on the ninth day, early in the morning, he found the beautiful purple flower; and in the middle of it was a large dewdrop, as big as a costly pearl. Then he plucked the flower, and set out and traveled day and night, till he came again to the castle.
He walked nearer than a hundred paces to it, and yet he did not become fixed as before, but found that he could go quite close up to the door. Jorindel was very glad indeed to see this. Then he touched the door with the flower, and it sprang open; so that he went in through the court, and listened when he heard so many birds singing. At last he came to the chamber where the fairy sat, with the seven hundred birds singing in the seven hundred cages. When she saw Jorindel she was very angry, and screamed with rage; but she could not come within two yards of him, for the flower he held in his hand was his safeguard. He looked around at the birds, but alas! there were many, many nightingales, and how then should he find out which was his Jorinda? While he was thinking what to do, he saw the fairy had taken down one of the cages, and was making the best of her way off through the door. He ran or flew after her, touched the cage with the flower, and Jorinda stood before him, and threw her arms round his neck looking as beautiful as ever, as beautiful as when they walked together in the wood. Then he touched all the other birds with the flower, so that they all took their old forms again; and he took Jorinda home, where they were married, and lived happily together many years: and so did a good many other lads, whose maidens had been forced to sing in the old fairys cages by themselves, much longer than they liked.
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Part 1Some men are born to good luck: all they do or try to do comes rightall that falls to them is so much gainall their geese are swansall their cards are trumpstoss them which way you will, they will always, like poor puss, alight upon their legs, and only move on so much the faster. The world may very likely not always think of them as they think of themselves, but what care they for the world? what can it know about the matter?
One of these lucky beings was neighbor Hans. Seven long years he had worked hard for his master.
At last he said, Master, my time is up; I must go home and see my poor mother once more: so pray pay me my wages and let me go.
And the master said, You have been a faithful and good servant, Hans, so your pay shall be handsome.
Then he gave him a lump of silver as big as his head.
Hans took out his pocket-handkerchief, put the piece of silver into it, threw it over his shoulder, and jogged off on his road homewards. As he went lazily on, dragging one foot after another, a man came in sight, trotting gaily along on a capital horse.
Ah! said Hans aloud, what a fine thing it is to ride on horseback! There he sits as easy and happy as if he were at home, in the chair by his fireside; he trips against no stones, saves shoe leather, and gets on he hardly knows how.
Hans did not speak so softly but the horseman heard it all, and said, Well, friend, why do you go on foot then?
Ah! said he, I have this load to carry: to be sure it is silver, but it is so heavy that I cant hold up my head, and you must know it hurts my shoulder sadly.
What do you say of making an exchange? said the horseman. I will give you my horse, and you shall give me the silver; which will save you a great deal of trouble in carrying such a heavy load about with you.
With all my heart, said Hans: but as you are so kind to me, I must tell you one thingyou will have a weary task to draw that silver about with you.
However, the horseman got off, took the silver, helped Hans up, gave him the bridle into one hand and the whip into the other, and said, When you want to go very fast, smack your lips loudly together, and cry Jip!”
Part 2Hans was delighted as he sat on the horse, drew himself up, squared his elbows, turned out his toes, cracked his whip, and rode merrily off, one minute whistling a merry tune, and another singing,
No care and no sorrow,
A fig for the morrow!
Well laugh and be merry,
Sing neigh down derry!
After a time he thought he should like to go a little faster, so he smacked his lips and cried Jip!
Away went the horse full gallop; and before Hans knew what he was about, he was thrown off, and lay on his back by the road-side. His horse would have ran off, if a shepherd who was coming by, driving a cow, had not stopped it.
Hans soon came to himself, and got upon his legs again, sadly vexed, and said to the shepherd, This riding is no joke, when a man has the luck to get upon a beast like this that stumbles and flings him off as if it would break his neck. However, Im off now once for all: I like your cow now a great deal better than this smart beast that played me this trick, and has spoiled my best coat, you see, in this puddle; which, by the by, smells not very like a nosegay. One can walk along at ones leisure behind that cowkeep good company, and have milk, butter, and cheese, every day, into the bargain. What would I give to have such a prize!
Well, said the shepherd, if you are so fond of her, I will change my cow for your horse; I like to do good to my neighbors, even though I lose by it myself.
Done! said Hans, merrily. What a noble heart that good man has! thought he.
Then the shepherd jumped upon the horse, wished Hans and the cow good morning, and away he rode.
Hans brushed his coat, wiped his face and hands, rested a while, and then drove off his cow quietly, and thought his bargain a very lucky one.
If I have only a piece of bread (and I certainly shall always be able to get that), I can, whenever I like, eat my butter and cheese with it; and when I am thirsty I can milk my cow and drink the milk: and what can I wish for more?
When he came to an inn, he halted, ate up all his bread, and gave away his last penny for a glass of beer. When he had rested himself he set off again, driving his cow towards his mothers village. But the heat grew greater as soon as noon came on, till at last, as he found himself on a wide heath that would take him more than an hour to cross, he began to be so hot and parched that his tongue clave to the roof of his mouth.
I can find a cure for this, thought he; now I will milk my cow and quench my thirst: so he tied her to the stump of a tree, and held his leathern cap to milk into; but not a drop was to be had.
Who would have thought that this cow, which was to bring him milk and butter and cheese, was all that time utterly dry? Hans had not thought of looking to that.
While he was trying his luck in milking, and managing the matter very clumsily, the uneasy beast began to think him very troublesome; and at last gave him such a kick on the head as knocked him down; and there he lay a long while senseless. Luckily a butcher soon came by, driving a pig in a wheelbarrow.
What is the matter with you, my man? said the butcher, as he helped him up.
Hans told him what had happened, how he was dry, and wanted to milk his cow, but found the cow was dry too.
Then the butcher gave him a flask of ale, saying, There, drink and refresh yourself; your cow will give you no milk: dont you see she is an old beast, good for nothing but the slaughter-house?
Alas, alas! said Hans, who would have thought it? What a shame to take my horse, and give me only a dry cow! If I kill her, what will she be good for? I hate cow-beef; it is not tender enough for me. If it were a pig now—like that fat gentleman you are driving along at his easeone could do something with it; it would at any rate make sausages.
Well, said the butcher, I dont like to say no, when one is asked to do a kind, neighborly thing. To please you I will change, and give you my fine fat pig for the cow.
Heaven reward you for your kindness and self-denial! said Hans, as he gave the butcher the cow; and taking the pig off the wheel-barrow, drove it away, holding it by the string that was tied to its leg.
So on he jogged, and all seemed now to go right with him: he had met with some misfortunes, to be sure; but he was now well repaid for all. How could it be otherwise with such a traveling companion as he had at last got?
The next man he met was a countryman carrying a fine white goose. The countryman stopped to ask what was oclock; this led to further chat; and Hans told him all his luck, how he had so many good bargains, and how all the world went gay and smiling with him. The countryman then began to tell his tale, and said he was going to take the goose to a christening.
Feel, said he, how heavy it is, and yet it is only eight weeks old. Whoever roasts and eats it will find plenty of fat upon it, it has lived so well!
Youre right, said Hans, as he weighed it in his hand; but if you talk of fat, my pig is no trifle.
Meantime the countryman began to look grave, and shook his head. Hark ye! said he, my worthy friend, you seem a good sort of fellow, so I cant help doing you a kind turn. Your pig may get you into a scrape. In the village I just came from, the squire has had a pig stolen out of his sty. I was dreadfully afraid when I saw you that you had got the squires pig. If you have, and they catch you, it will be a bad job for you. The least they will do will be to throw you into the horse-pond. Can you swim?
Poor Hans was sadly frightened.
Good man, cried he, pray get me out of this scrape. I know nothing of where the pig was either bred or born; but he may have been the squires for aught I can tell: you know this country better than I do, take my pig and give me the goose.
I ought to have something into the bargain, said the countryman; give a fat goose for a pig, indeed! Tis not everyone would do so much for you as that. However, I will not be hard upon you, as you are in trouble.
Then he took the string in his hand, and drove off the pig by a side path; while Hans went on the way homewards free from care.
After all, thought he, that chap is pretty well taken in. I dont care whose pig it is, but wherever it came from it has been a very good friend to me. I have much the best of the bargain. First there will be a capital roast; then the fat will find me in goose-grease for six months; and then there are all the beautiful white feathers. I will put them into my pillow, and then I am sure I shall sleep soundly without rocking. How happy my mother will be! Talk of a pig, indeed! Give me a fine fat goose.
As he came to the next village, he saw a scissor-grinder with his wheel, working and singing, Oer hill and oer dale
So happy I roam,
Work light and live well,
All the world is my home;
Then who so blythe, so merry as I?
Hans stood looking on for a while, and at last said, You must be well off, master grinder! you seem so happy at your work.
Yes, said the other, mine is a golden trade; a good grinder never puts his hand into his pocket without finding money in itbut where did you get that beautiful goose? I did not buy it, I gave a pig for it.
And where did you get the pig?
I gave a cow for it.
And the cow?
Part 5I gave a horse for it.
And the horse?
I gave a lump of silver as big as my head for it.
And the silver?
Oh! I worked hard for that seven long years.
You have thriven well in the world hitherto, said the grinder, now if you could find money in your pocket whenever you put your hand in it, your fortune would be made.
Very true: but how is that to be managed?
How? Why, you must turn grinder like myself, said the other; you only want a grindstone; the rest will come of itself. Here is one that is but little the worse for wear: I would not ask more than the value of your goose for itwill you buy?
How can you ask? said Hans; I should be the happiest man in the world, if I could have money whenever I put my hand in my pocket: what could I want more? Theres the goose.
Now, said the grinder, as he gave him a common rough stone that lay by his side, this is a most capital stone; do but work it well enough, and you can make an old nail cut with it.
Hans took the stone, and went his way with a light heart: his eyes sparkled for joy, and he said to himself, Surely I must have been born in a lucky hour; everything I could want or wish for comes of itself. People are so kind; they seem really to think I do them a favor in letting them make me rich, and giving me good bargains.
Meantime he began to be tired, and hungry too, for he had given away his last penny in his joy at getting the cow.
At last he could go no farther, for the stone tired him sadly: and he dragged himself to the side of a river, that he might take a drink of water, and rest a while. So he laid the stone carefully by his side on the bank: but, as he stooped down to drink, he forgot it, pushed it a little, and down it rolled, plump into the stream.
For a while he watched it sinking in the deep clear water; then sprang up and danced for joy, and again fell upon his knees and thanked Heaven, with tears in his eyes, for its kindness in taking away his only plague, the ugly heavy stone.
How happy am I! cried he; nobody was ever so lucky as I.
Then up he got with a light heart, free from all his troubles, and walked on till he reached his mothers house, and told her how very easy the road to good luck was.
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Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
GRIMMS FAIRY TALES
Part 1
A certain king had a beautiful garden, and in the garden stood a tree which bore golden apples. These apples were always counted, and about the time when they began to grow ripe it was found that every night one of them was gone. The king became very angry at this, and ordered the gardener to keep watch all night under the tree.
The gardener set his eldest son to watch; but about twelve oclock he fell asleep, and in the morning another of the apples was missing. Then the second son was ordered to watch; and at midnight he too fell asleep, and in the morning another apple was gone.
Then the third son offered to keep watch; but the gardener at first would not let him, for fear some harm should come to him: however, at last he consented, and the young man laid himself under the tree to watch. As the clock struck twelve he heard a rustling noise in the air, and a bird came flying that was of pure gold; and as it was snapping at one of the apples with its beak, the gardeners son jumped up and shot an arrow at it. But the arrow did the bird no harm; only it dropped a golden feather from its tail, and then flew away.
The golden feather was brought to the king in the morning, and all the council was called together.
Everyone agreed that it was worth more than all the wealth of the kingdom: but the king said, One feather is of no use to me, I must have the whole bird.
Then the gardeners eldest son set out and thought to find the golden bird very easily; and when he had gone but a little way, he came to a wood, and by the side of the wood he saw a fox sitting; so he took his bow and made ready to shoot at it.
Then the fox said, Do not shoot me, for I will give you good counsel; I know what your business is, and that you want to find the golden bird. You will reach a village in the evening; and when you get there, you will see two inns opposite to each other, one of which is very pleasant and beautiful to look at: go not in there, but rest for the night in the other, though it may appear to you to be very poor and mean.
But the son thought to himself, What can such a beast as this know about the matter?
So he shot his arrow at the fox; but he missed it, and it set up its tail above its back and ran into the wood. Then he went his way, and in the evening came to the village where the two inns were; and in one of these were people singing, and dancing, and feasting; but the other looked very dirty, and poor.
I should be very silly, said he, if I went to that shabby house, and left this charming place; so he went into the smart house, and ate and drank at his ease, and forgot the bird, and his country too.
Part 2
Time passed on; and as the eldest son did not come back, and no tidings were heard of him, the second son set out, and the same thing happened to him. He met the fox, who gave him the good advice: but when he came to the two inns, his eldest brother was standing at the window where the merrymaking was, and called to him to come in; and he could not withstand the temptation, but went in, and forgot the golden bird and his country in the same manner.
Time passed on again, and the youngest son too wished to set out into the wide world to seek for the golden bird; but his father would not listen to it for a long while, for he was very fond of his son, and was afraid that some ill luck might happen to him also, and prevent his coming back. However, at last it was agreed he should go, for he would not rest at home; and as he came to the wood, he met the fox, and heard the same good counsel.
But he was thankful to the fox, and did not attempt his life as his brothers had done; so the fox said, Sit upon my tail, and you will travel faster.
So he sat down, and the fox began to run, and away they went over stock and stone so quick that their hair whistled in the wind. When they came to the village, the son followed the foxs counsel, and without looking about him went to the shabby inn and rested there all night at his ease.
In the morning came the fox again and met him as he was beginning his journey, and said, Go straight forward, till you come to a castle, before which lie a whole troop of soldiers fast asleep and snoring: take no notice of them, but go into the castle and pass on and on till you come to a room, where the golden bird sits in a wooden cage; close by it stands a beautiful golden cage; but do not try to take the bird out of the shabby cage and put it into the handsome one, otherwise you will repent it.
Then the fox stretched out his tail again, and the young man sat himself down, and away they went over stock and stone till their hair whistled in the wind.
Before the castle gate all was as the fox had said: so the son went in and found the chamber where the golden bird hung in a wooden cage, and below stood the golden cage, and the three golden apples that had been lost were lying close by it.
Then thought he to himself, It will be a very droll thing to bring away such a fine bird in this shabby cage; so he opened the door and took hold of it and put it into the golden cage.
But the bird set up such a loud scream that all the soldiers awoke, and they took him prisoner and carried him before the king. The next morning the court sat to judge him; and when all was heard, it sentenced him to die, unless he should bring the king the golden horse which could run as swiftly as the wind; and if he did this, he was to have the golden bird given him for his own.
So he set out once more on his journey, sighing, and in great despair, when on a sudden his friend the fox met him, and said, You see now what has happened on account of your not listening to my counsel. I will still, however, tell you how to find the golden horse, if you will do as I bid you. You must go straight on till you come to the castle where the horse stands in his stall: by his side will lie the groom fast asleep and snoring: take away the horse quietly, but be sure to put the old leathern saddle upon him, and not the golden one that is close by it.
Part 3
Then the son sat down on the foxs tail, and away they went over stock and stone till their hair whistled in the wind.
All went right, and the groom lay snoring with his hand upon the golden saddle. But when the son looked at the horse, he thought it a great pity to put the leathern saddle upon it.
I will give him the good one, said he; I am sure he deserves it.
As he took up the golden saddle the groom awoke and cried out so loud, that all the guards ran in and took him prisoner, and in the morning he was again brought before the court to be judged, and was sentenced to die. But it was agreed, that, if he could bring thither the beautiful princess, he should live, and have the bird and the horse given him for his own.
Then he went his way very sorrowful; but the old fox came and said, Why did not you listen to me? If you had, you would have carried away both the bird and the horse; yet will I once more give you counsel. Go straight on, and in the evening you will arrive at a castle. At twelve oclock at night the princess goes to the bathing-house: go up to her and give her a kiss, and she will let you lead her away; but take care you do not suffer her to go and take leave of her father and mother.
Then the fox stretched out his tail, and so away they went over stock and stone till their hair whistled again.
As they came to the castle, all was as the fox had said, and at twelve oclock the young man met the princess going to the bath and gave her the kiss, and she agreed to run away with him, but begged with many tears that he would let her take leave of her father. At first he refused, but she wept still more and more, and fell at his feet, till at last he consented; but the moment she came to her fathers house the guards awoke and he was taken prisoner again.
Then he was brought before the king, and the king said, You shall never have my daughter unless in eight days you dig away the hill that stops the view from my window.
Now this hill was so big that the whole world could not take it away: and when he had worked for seven days, and had done very little, the fox came and said, Lie down and go to sleep; I will work for you.
And in the morning he awoke and the hill was gone; so he went merrily to the king, and told him that now that it was removed he must give him the princess.
Then the king was obliged to keep his word, and away went the young man and the princess; and the fox came and said to him, We will have all three, the princess, the horse, and the bird.
Ah! said the young man, that would be a great thing, but how can you contrive it?
If you will only listen, said the fox, it can be done. When you come to the king, and he asks for the beautiful princess, you must say, Here she is! Then he will be very joyful; and you will mount the golden horse that they are to give you, and put out your hand to take leave of them; but shake hands with the princess last. Then lift her quickly on to the horse behind you; clap your spurs to his side, and gallop away as fast as you can.
Part 4
All went right: then the fox said, When you come to the castle where the bird is, I will stay with the princess at the door, and you will ride in and speak to the king; and when he sees that it is the right horse, he will bring out the bird; but you must sit still, and say that you want to look at it, to see whether it is the true golden bird; and when you get it into your hand, ride away.
This, too, happened as the fox said; they carried off the bird, the princess mounted again, and they rode on to a great wood.
Then the fox came, and said, Pray kill me, and cut off my head and my feet.
But the young man refused to do it: so the fox said, I will at any rate give you good counsel: beware of two things; ransom no one from the gallows, and sit down by the side of no river.
Then away he went.
Well, thought the young man, it is no hard matter to keep that advice.
He rode on with the princess, till at last he came to the village where he had left his two brothers.
And there he heard a great noise and uproar; and when he asked what was the matter, the people said, Two men are going to be hanged.
As he came nearer, he saw that the two men were his brothers, who had turned robbers; so he said, Cannot they in any way be saved?
But the people said No, unless he would bestow all his money upon the rascals and buy their liberty.
Then he did not stay to think about the matter, but paid what was asked, and his brothers were given up, and went on with him towards their home.
And as they came to the wood where the fox first met them, it was so cool and pleasant that the two brothers said, Let us sit down by the side of the river, and rest a while, to eat and drink.
So he said, Yes, and forgot the foxs counsel, and sat down on the side of the river; and while he suspected nothing, they came behind, and threw him down the bank, and took the princess, the horse, and the bird, and went home to the king their master, and said. All this have we won by our labor.
Then there was great rejoicing made; but the horse would not eat, the bird would not sing, and the princess wept.
The youngest son fell to the bottom of the rivers bed: luckily it was nearly dry, but his bones were almost broken, and the bank was so steep that he could find no way to get out.
Then the old fox came once more, and scolded him for not following his advice; otherwise no evil would have befallen him.
Yet, said he, I cannot leave you here, so lay hold of my tail and hold fast.
Then he pulled him out of the river, and said to him, as he got upon the bank, Your brothers have set watch to kill you, if they find you in the kingdom.
Part 5
So he dressed himself as a poor man, and came secretly to the kings court, and was scarcely within the doors when the horse began to eat, and the bird to sing, and the princess left off weeping. Then he went to the king, and told him all his brothers roguery; and they were seized and punished, and he had the princess given to him again; and after the kings death he was heir to his kingdom.
A long while after, he went to walk one day in the wood, and the old fox met him, and besought him with tears in his eyes to kill him, and cut off his head and feet. And at last he did so, and in a moment the fox was changed into a man, and turned out to be the brother of the princess, who had been lost a great many many years.
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Examples:
1. “I was already angry with you, and when you forgot to pick me up, that really added fuel to the fire.
2. You only added fuel to the fire by not bringing your homework after you also arrived late for class.
3. Applying alcohol to the burn would be just adding fuel to the fire.
4. You told me I was ugly and then, to add fuel to the fire, you told me I was fat.
5. If you continue watching TV when I ask you to clean your room for the fiftieth time, you would be adding fuel to the fire.
Meaning: to make a bad situation worse; to do or say something that causes more trouble, makes someone angrier
Origin: Thousands of years ago the famous Roman historian Livy used this expression. If you pour water on a fire, it goes out. But if you put fuel (like coal or wood) on a fire, you make it burn hotter and brighter. If “fire” represents any kind of trouble, then anything you do to make that trouble worse is “fuel” A similar expression is “fan the flames.
Vocabulary Words/Phrases Meaning
1. expression _______________________________________________
2. situation ________________________________________________
3. fuel ____________________________________________________
4. alcohol ________________________________________________
5. historian ________________________________________________
Examples:
1. Im an A student in math and science, but English is my Achilles heel.
2. My Achilles heel has always been my love of food.
3. “Yao Ming, on the basketball court, what has been your Achilles heel?”
4. The lack of factories was an Achilles heel for the South in the Civil War.
5. Are you someone who has the desire for romance as your Achilles heel?
Meaning: the one weakness, fault, flaw, or vulnerable spot in ones otherwise strong character.
Origin: In the Iliad, the famous story about the Trojan War by the Greek poet Homer, Achilles was a great hero and warrior. However, he had one weak spot, the heel of one foot. When he was a baby, his mother wanted to be certain that her son could never be harmed, so she dipped little Achilles upside-down in the magical River Styx. Wherever the water touched his body, he became invulnerable. But since she was holding him by his heel, that part of him never got wet. Years later Achilles was killed in the Trojan War by an enemy who shot a poisoned arrow into his heel.
Vocabulary Word/Phrase Meaning
1. vulnerable ___________________________________________
2. magical ___________________________________________
3. invulnerable ___________________________________________
4. heel ___________________________________________
5. dipped ___________________________________________
Examples:
1. I dont know how Henry is going to get his mom to buy him a bike, but Im sure he has his ace up his sleeve.
2. My ace up my sleeve has always been my surprising strength.
3. What was your ace up your sleeve when negotiating for your raise?
4. In card games, card sharks cheat by having an ace up their sleeves.
5. Did you see the smirk on his face as he showed an ace up his sleeve to the car salesman?
Meaning: a surprise or secret advantage, especially something tricky that is kept hidden until needed
Origin: Back in the 1500s most people didnt have pockets in their clothes, so they kept things in their sleeves. Later on, magicians hid objects, even small live animals, up their sleeves and then pulled them out unexpectedly to surprise their audiences. In the 1800s dishonest card players secretly slipped a winning card, often an ace, up their sleeves and pulled it out when nobody was looking to win the game.
Vocabulary Word/Phrase Meaning
1. smirk ____________________________________________
2. card shark ____________________________________________
3. negotiate ____________________________________________
4. sleeve ____________________________________________
5. dishonest ____________________________________________
1. My upstairs neighbors fight a lot and air their dirty laundry in public.
2. “Mom, why did you have to mention that I used to wet my bed today? That seems like you are airing my dirty laundry in public.
3. Airing your dirty laundry in public is never a way to make a good first impression.
4. Saying to your mother that we had a fight last night is airing our dirty laundry in public.
5. Watching some daytime TV shows where they air their dirty laundry in public will encourage you to act like them.
Meaning: to talk about your private disagreements or embarrassing matters in public, usually while quarreling
Origin: Picture this: Instead of hanging your freshly washed laundry on a clothesline, you hang your dirty clothes out there in the air for all the world to see. Wouldnt that be embarrassing? Imagine that your dirty laundry represents secret personal matters and that to air them means to discuss them out loud for anyone to hear. Some people use air your dirty linen in public.
Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...This Muslim parable reminds us that the longer one waits to fight a wrongdoing,
the harder it is to defeat it. Ones faith can give strength to win that struggle.
A man once planted a bramblebush in the middle of the road. The passersby reproached him and repeatedly told him to dig it up, but he did not do so.
And every moment that bramblebush was getting larger. Its thorns tore the peoples clothes and wounded their feet.
The governor told the man to dig the bush up, and he answered, Yes, I will dig it up someday.
For a long while he promised to do it tomorrow and tomorrow, and meanwhile his bramblebush grew firm and robust.
The governor said to him one day, O promise-breaker, come do what you said you would do.
But the man replied, The bush is too large now, and I no longer have the strength.
The governor said, You who say Tomorrow, learn you this, that in every day which time brings, that evil tree grows younger, and he who should dig it up grows older. The bramblebush every moment grows green and fresh, while the proposed digger becomes more helpless and withered. Be quick, therefore, and do not waste your time.
Consider the bramblebush as any bad habit of yours. Its thorns at last will wound your feet.
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Part 1
A boy of fourteen or fifteen lived with his parents, brothers and sisters in a little lodge by the side of a wide river. The family, though happy, was very poor. The father was a hunter who was not lacking in courage and skill, but there were times when he could scarcely supply the needs of his family, and so they often suffered hardship.
The time came for the boy to observe the fast prescribed by tradition for all young men his age, and his mother made him a little fasting-lodge in a remote spot where he might not suffer interruption during his ordeal. There the boy retired, meditating on the goodness of the Great Spirit, who had made all things beautiful in the fields and forests for the enjoyment of everyone. The desire to help his family was strong upon him, and he prayed hard that some means might be revealed to him in a dream.
On the third day of his fast he was too weak to ramble through the forest, and as he lay in a state between sleeping and waking there came toward him a beautiful youth, richly dressed in green robes and wearing on his head wonderful green plumes.
The Great Spirit has heard your prayers, said the youth, and his voice was like the sound of the wind sighing through the grass. Listen to me, and you shall have your desire fulfilled. Rise and wrestle with me.
The boy obeyed. Though his limbs were weak, his mind was clear and active, and he felt he must heed the words of the soft-voiced stranger.
After a long, silent struggle the latter said,“That will do for today. Tomorrow I will come again.
The boy lay back exhausted, but the next day the green-clad stranger reappeared, and the conflict was renewed. As the struggle went on, the boy felt himself grow stronger and more confident, and before leaving him for the second time, the supernatural visitor offered him some words of praise and encouragement.
On the third day the youth, pale and feeble, was again summoned to the contest. As he grasped his opponent, the very contact seemed to give him new strength, and he fought more and more bravely, till his lithe companion was forced to cry out that he had had enough.
Before he took his departure, the visitor told the boy that the following day would bring an end to his trials.
Part 2
“Tomorrow evening I will come and wrestle with you one last time, he said. I know you are destined to win and obtain your hearts desire. When you have thrown me, strip off my garments and plumes, bury me where I fall, and keep the earth above me moist and clean. Once a month let my remains be covered with fresh earth, and you shall see me again, clothed in my green garments and plumes.
So saying, he vanished.
The next day the boys father brought him food. The youth, however, begged that it might be set aside until evening. Once again the stranger appeared. Though the boy had eaten nothing, his strength, as before, seemed to increase as he struggled, and at length he threw his opponent. Then he stripped off the strangers garments and plumes and buried him in the earth, not without sorrow in his heart for the slaying of such a beautiful youth.
His task done he returned to his parents, and soon recovered his full strength. But he never forgot the grave of his friend. Not a weed was allowed to grow on it, and finally he was rewarded by seeing the green plumes rise from the earth and broaden into graceful leaves.
When the autumn came, he asked his father to accompany him to the place. By this time the plant was at its full height, tall and beautiful, with waving leaves and golden tassels. The elder man was filled with surprise and admiration.
It is my friend, murmured the youth, the friend of my dreams.”
It is Mondamin, said his father, the spirits grain, the gift of the Great Spirit.
And in this manner was the maize given to the boys people.
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because his faith was in someone worth believing in JESUS
After a time Jesus came again to Capernaum, which was now his home. As soon as the people heard that he was there they came in great crowds to see him and to hear him. They filled the house, and the courtyard inside its walls, and even the streets around it, while Jesus sat in the open court of the house and taught them. It was the springtime and warm, and a roof had been placed over the court as a shelter from the sun.
While Jesus was teaching, the roof was suddenly taken away above their heads. They looked up and saw that a man was being let down in a bed by four men on the walls above.
This man was paralyzed, so that he could neither walk nor stand. He was so eager to come to Jesus that these men, finding that they could not carry him through the crowd, had lifted him up to the top of the house and had opened the roof and were now letting him down in his bed before Jesus.
This showed that they believed in Jesus, without any doubt whether he could cure this man.
Jesus said to the man, My son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven!
The enemies of Jesus who were sitting near heard these words, and they thought in their own minds, though they did not speak it aloud, What wicked things this man speaks! He claims to forgive sins! Who except God himself has power to say, Your sins are forgiven?
Jesus knew their thoughts, for he knew all things, and he said, Why do you think evil in your hearts? Which is the easier to say, Your sins are forgiven, or Rise up and walk? But I will show you that while I am on earth as the Son of Man, I have the power to forgive sins.
Then he spoke to the paralyzed man on his couch before them, Rise up, take up your bed, and go to your house!
At once a new life and power came to the man. He stood upon his feet, rolled up the bed on which he had been lying helpless, placed it on his shoulders and walked out through the crowd, which opened to make a way for him. The man went, strong and well, to his own house, praising God as he walked.
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Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were friends of Daniel in chapter three of the Old Testament book he wrote, and were all brought up in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. They were tested with a fiery death for not bowing to the king. It gives us an example of heroism because they were true to their faith in Jehovah, the God of Israel.
At one time King Nebuchadnezzar caused a great image to be made and to be covered with gold. This image he set up as an idol to be worshiped, on the plain of Dura, near the city of Babylon. When it was finished, it stood upon its base or foundation almost a hundred feet high, so that upon the plain it could be seen far away. Then the king sent out a command for all the princes, and rulers, and nobles in the land to come to a great gathering, when the image was to be set apart for worship.
The great men of the kingdom came from far and near, and stood around the image. Among them, by command of the king, were Daniels three friends, the young Jews named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. For some reason Daniel himself was not there. He may have been busy with the work of the kingdom in some other place.
At one moment in the service all the trumpets sounded, the drums were beaten, and music was made upon musical instruments of all kinds, as a signal for all the people to kneel down and worship the great golden image. But while the people were kneeling, there were three men who stood up and would not bow down. These were the three young Jews named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They knelt down before the Lord God only.
Many of the nobles had been jealous of these young men because they had been lifted to high places in the rule of the kingdom. These men who hated Daniel and his friends, were glad to find that these three men had not obeyed the command of King Nebuchadnezzar. The king had said that if anyone did not worship the golden image he should be thrown into a furnace of fire.
These men who hated the Jews came to the king and said, O king, may you live forever! You gave orders that when the music sounded everyone should bow down and worship the golden image; and that if any man did not worship he should be thrown into a furnace of fire. There are some Jews whom you have made rulers in the land, and they have not done as you commanded. Their names are Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They do not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image that you have set up.
Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage and fury at knowing that anyone should dare to disobey his words.
He sent for these three men and said to them, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, was it by purpose that you did not fall down and worship the image of gold? The music shall sound once more, and if you then will worship the image, it shall be well. But if you will not, then you shall be thrown into the furnace of fire to die.
These three young men were not afraid of the king.
They said, O King Nebuchadnezzar, we are ready to answer you at once. The God whom we serve is able to save us from the fiery furnace and we know that he will save us. But if it is Gods will that we should die, even then, you may understand, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image that you have set up.
This answer made the king more furious than before. He said to his servants, Make a fire in the furnace hotter than ever it has been before, as hot as fire can be made, and throw these three men into it.
Then the soldiers of the kings army seized the three young Jews as they stood in their loose robes, with their turbans or hats on their heads. They tied them with ropes, dragged them to the mouth of the furnace, and threw them into the fire. The flames rushed from the open door with such fury that they burned even to death the soldiers who were holding these men; and the men themselves fell down bound into the middle of the fiery furnace.
King Nebuchadnezzar stood in front of the furnace and looked into the open door. As he looked he was filled with wonder at what he saw; and he said to the nobles around him: Did we not throw three men bound into the fire? How is it then that I see four men loose, walking in the furnace, and the fourth man looks as though he were a son of the gods?
The king came near to the door of the furnace as the fire became lower, and he called out to the three men within it: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye who serve the Most High God, come out of the fire and come to me.
They came out and stood before the king, in the sight of all the princes and nobles, and rulers; and everyone could see that they were alive. Their garments had not been scorched nor their hair singed, nor was there even the smell of fire upon them.
The king, Nebuchadnezzar, said before all his rulers: Blessed be the God of these men, who has sent his angel and has saved their lives. I make a law that no man in all my kingdoms shall say a word against their God, for there is no other god who can save in this manner. And if any man speaks a word against their God, the Most High God, that man shall be cut in pieces, and his house shall be torn down.
And after this the king lifted up these three young men to still higher places in the land of Babylon.
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Sung by the Ray Conniff Singers
Psalm 23, a hymn of trust in God, is probably the most widely loved.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures:
he leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul:
he leads me in the paths of righteousness
for his names sake.
Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
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Faith leads us to employ our God-given talents in Gods service.
In the days of King Louis there was a poor juggler in France, a native of Compiegne, Barnaby by name, who went about from town to town performing feats of skill and strength.
On fair days he would unfold an old worn-out carpet in the public square, and when by means of a jovial address, which he had learned of a very ancient juggler, and which he never varied in the least, he had drawn together the children and loafers, he assumed extraordinary attitudes, and balanced a tin plate on the tip of his nose. At first the crowd would feign indifference.
But when, supporting himself on his hands face downward, he threw into the air six copper balls, which glittered in the sunshine, and caught them again with his feet; or when throwing himself backward until his heels and the nape of the neck met, giving his body the form of a perfect wheel, he would juggle in this posture with a dozen knives, a murmur of admiration would escape the spectators, and pieces of money rain down upon the carpet.
Nevertheless, like the majority of those who live by their wits, Barnaby of Cornpiegne had a great struggle to make a living.
Earning his bread in the sweat of his brow, he bore rather more than his share of the penalties consequent upon the misdoings of our father Adam.
Again, he was unable to work as constantly as he would have been willing to do. The warmth of the sun and the broad daylight were as necessary to enable him to display his brilliant parts as to the trees if flower and fruit should be expected of them. In wintertime he was nothing more than a tree stripped of its leaves, and as it were dead. The frozen ground was hard to the juggler, and, like the grasshopper of which Marie de France tells us, the inclement season caused him to suffer both cold and hunger. But as he was simple-natured he bore his ills patiently.
He had never meditated on the origin of wealth, nor upon the inequality of human conditions. He believed firmly that if this life should prove hard, the life to come could not fail to redress the balance, and this hope upheld him. He did not resemble those thievish and miscreant Merry Andrews who sell their souls to the devil. He never blasphemed Gods name; he lived uprightly, and although he had no wife of his own, he did not covet his neighbors, since woman is ever the enemy of the strong man, as it appears by the history of Samson recorded in the Scriptures.
In truth, his was not a nature much disposed to carnal delights, and it was a greater deprivation to him to forsake the tankard than the Hebe [goddess of youth who bore it.] For whilst not wanting in sobriety, he was fond of a drink when the weather waxed hot. He was a worthy man who feared God, and was very devoted to the Blessed Virgin.
Part 2
Never did he fail on entering a church to fall upon his knees before the image of the Mother of God, and offer up this prayer to her: Blessed Lady, keep watch over my life until it shall please God that I die, and when I am dead, ensure to me the possession of the joys of paradise.
Now on a certain evening after a dreary wet day, as Barnaby pursued his road, sad and bent, carrying under his arm his balls and knives wrapped up in his old carpet, on the watch for some barn where, though he might not sup, he might sleep, he perceived on the road, going in the same direction as himself, a monk, whom he saluted courteously.
And as they walked at the same rate they fell into conversation with one another.
Fellow traveler, said the monk, how comes it about that you are clothed all in green? Is it perhaps in order to take the part of a jester in some mystery play?
Not at all, good father, replied Barnaby. Such as you see me, I am called Barnaby, and for my calling I am a juggler. There would be no pleasanter calling in the world if it would always provide one with daily bread.
Friend Barnaby, returned the monk, be careful what you say. There is no calling more pleasant than the monastic life. Those who lead it are occupied with the praises of God, the Blessed Virgin, and the saints; and, indeed, the religious life is one ceaseless hymn to the Lord.
Barnaby replied, Good father, I own that I spoke like an ignorant man. Your calling cannot be in any respect compared to mine, and although there may be some merit in dancing with a penny balanced on a stick on the tip of ones nose, it is not a merit which comes within hail of your own. Gladly would I, like you, good father, sing my office day by day, and especially the office of the most Holy Virgin, to whom I have vowed a singular devotion. In order to embrace the monastic life I would willingly abandon the art by which from Soissons to Beauvais I am well known in upward of six hundred towns and villages.
The monk was touched by the jugglers simplicity, and as he was not lacking in discernment, he at once recognized in Barnaby one of those men of whom it is said in the Scriptures: Peace on earth to men of good will.
And for this reason he replied,Friend Barnaby, come with me, and I will have you admitted into the monastery of which I am prior. He who guided St. Mary of Egypt in the desert set me upon your path to lead you into the way of salvation.
Part 3It was in this manner, then, that Barnaby became a monk. In the monastery into which he was received the religious vied with one another in the praise of the Blessed Virgin, and in her honor each employed all the knowledge and all the skill which God had given him.
The prior on his part wrote books dealing according to the rules of scholarship with the virtues of the Mother of God.
Brother Maurice, with a deft hand, copied out these treatises upon sheets of vellum.
Brother Alexander adorned the leaves with delicate miniature paintings. Here were displayed the Queen of Heaven seated upon Solomons throne, and while four lions were on guard at her feet, around the nimbus which encircled her head hovered seven doves, which are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the gifts, namely, of Fear, Piety, Knowledge, Strength, Counsel, Understanding, and Wisdom. For her companions she had six virgins with hair of gold, namely, Humility, Prudence, Seclusion, Submission, Virginity, and Obedience.
At her feet were two little naked figures, perfectly white, in an attitude of supplication. These were souls imploring her all-powerful intercession for their souls health, and we may be sure not imploring in vain.
Upon another page facing this, Brother Alexander represented Eve, so that the Fall and the Redemption could be perceived at one and the same time Eve the Wife abased, and Mary the Virgin exalted.
Furthermore, to the marvel of the beholder, this book contained presentments of the Well of Living Waters, the Fountain, the Lily, the Moon, the Sun, and the Garden Enclosed of which the Song of Songs tells us, the Gate of Heaven and the City of God, and all these things were symbols of the Blessed Virgin.
Brother Marbode was likewise one of the most loving children of Mary.
He spent all his days carving images in stone, so that his beard, his eyebrows, and his hair were white with dust, and his eyes continually swollen and weeping; but his strength and cheerfulness were not diminished, although he was now well gone in years, and it was clear that the Queen of Paradise still cherished her servant in his old age. Marbode represented her seated upon a throne, her brow encircled with an orb-shaped nimbus set with pearls. And he took care that the folds of her dress should cover the feet of her, concerning whom the prophet declared: My beloved is as a garden enclosed.
Sometimes, too, he depicted her in the semblance of a child full of grace, and appearing to say, Thou art my God, even from my mothers womb.
In the priory, moreover, were poets who composed hymns in Latin, both in prose and verse, in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and amongst the company was even a brother from Picardy who sang the miracles of Our Lady in rhymed verse and in the vulgar tongue.
Being a witness of this emulation in praise and the glorious harvest of their labors, Barnaby mourned his own ignorance and simplicity.
Alas! he sighed, as he took his solitary walk in the little shelterless garden of the monastery, wretched wight that I am, to be unable, like my brothers, worthily to praise the Holy Mother of God, to whom I have vowed my whole hearts affection. Alas! alas! I am but a rough man and unskilled in the arts, and I can render you in service, blessed Lady, neither edifying sermons, nor treatises set out in order according to rule, nor ingenious paintings, nor statues truthfully sculptured, nor verses whose march is measured to the beat of feet. No gift have I, alas!
After this fashion he groaned and gave himself up to sorrow. But one evening, when the monks were spending their hour of liberty in conversation, he heard one of them tell the tale of a religious man who could repeat nothing other than the Ave Maria. This poor man was despised for his ignorance; but after his death there issued forth from his mouth five roses in honor of the five letters of the name Maria, and thus his sanctity was made manifest.
Whilst he listened to this narrative Barnaby marveled yet once again at the loving kindness of the Virgin; but the lesson of that blessed death did not avail to console him, for his heart overflowed with zeal, and he longed to advance the glory of his Lady, who is in heaven.
How to compass this he sought but could find no way, and day by day he became the more cast down, when one morning he awakened filled full with joy, hastened to the chapel, and remained there alone for more than an hour. After dinner he returned to the chapel once more.
And, starting from that moment, he repaired daily to the chapel at such hours as it was deserted, and spent within it a good part of the time which the other monks devoted to the liberal and mechanical arts. His sadness vanished, nor did he any longer groan.
A demeanor so strange awakened the curiosity of the monks.
These began to ask one another for what purpose Brother Barnaby could be indulging so persistently in retreat.
The prior, whose duty it is to let nothing escape him in the behavior of his children in religion, resolved to keep a watch over Barnaby during his withdrawals to the chapel. One day, then, when he was shut up there after his custom, the prior, accompanied by two of the older monks, went to discover through the chinks in the door what was going on within the chapel.
They saw Barnaby before the altar of the Blessed Virgin, head downward, with his feet in the air, and he was juggling with six balls of copper and a dozen knives. In honor of the Holy Mother of God he was performing those feats, which aforetime had won him most renown. Not recognizing that the simple fellow was thus placing at the service of the Blessed Virgin his knowledge and skill, the two old monks exclaimed against the sacrilege.
The prior was aware how stainless was Barnabys soul, but he concluded that he had been seized with madness. They were all three preparing to lead him swiftly from the chapel, when they saw the Blessed Virgin descend the steps of the altar and advance to wipe away with a fold of her azure robe the sweat which was dropping from her jugglers forehead.
Then the prior, falling upon his face upon the pavement, uttered these words,Blessed are the simple-hearted, for they shall see God.
Amen! responded the old brethren, and kissed the ground.
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Part 1Job was a perfect and upright man who feared God, and turned away from evil.
He had a large household with seven sons, three daughters and many servants.
Job was the richest man in the whole land, and he owned much livestock:
Seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred oxen, and five hundred donkeys.
Thinking his children may have sinned and cursed God,
Job rose early and made an offering to the Lord for each family member.
One day the angels and Satan presented themselves before the Lord and the Lord said to Satan;
“Where have you come from?”
Satan replied;“From roaming around on the earth.”
Then the Lord said to Satan; “Job is a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil.”
Satan answered; “Does Job fear God for nothing? You have protected him, and blessed the work of his hands.
Stretch out your hand against everything that he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
The Lord replied; “Everything Job has you can have, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.”
So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
A messenger came to Job saying; “Attackers have killed your servants and stolen your donkeys and oxen and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Then a second messenger came to Job saying; “The fire of God fell from heaven, and burned the sheep and servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you.
Then a third messenger came to Job saying; Attackers stole your camels, killed your servants and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Then a fourth messenger came to Job saying: “A tornado struck the four corners of the house, and it killed all of your sons and daughters, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Then Job worshiped God saying;“Naked I came from my mothers womb, and naked I shall return. The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Satan said to God; “Skin for skin, a man will give all that he has to save his own life. Stretch out your hand, and strike his flesh and bone, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
God replied; “Very well, he is in your hands, but you must spare his life.”
So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord
and afflicted Job with painful sores, from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
Job cut his hair, and took some broken pottery to scratch himself.
Then his wife said to him, “Curse God and die.”
Job replied;“You speak as one of the foolish women speak. Shall we accept good from God, but not trouble?”
Job’s friends came to comfort him and all three cried when they saw his distress.
They sat down with him for seven days and nights, and no one said a word, because they saw how great his suffering was.
After seven days Job spoke saying; “Why did I not die at birth? Then I would have slept with kings who built palaces that now lie in ruins. The small and the great are there, and the servant is free from his master.”
“The thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me.”
Part 2Then Job’s friend Eliphaz answered;
“Think how you have instructed many, your words have supported those who stumbled, but now trouble comes to you and you stumble.”
“But as for me I would seek God. Happy is the man that Almighty God corrects.”
Job replied; “A despairing man should have the kindness of his friends, but my friends are undependable. Show me where I have been wrong! What does your arguing prove? Is there any wickedness on my lips?”
“What is man that you examine him every morning, and test him every moment? If I have sinned, what have I done to you? Why have you made me your target?”
Then Bildad answered; “How long will you speak these things? Your words are like wind. Does God pervert justice? Does God pervert judgement?”
“Such is the destiny of all who forget God; the hope of the godless perishes. God will not reject a blameless man, or strengthen the hands of the evil man.”
Job replied;“How can a mortal man be righteous before God? God is profound in heart, and mighty in strength. When He passes me I cannot see Him, when He passes me I cannot perceive Him.”
“Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain? There is no umpire between us, who may lay his hand upon us both. Someone to remove God’s rod from me.”
“I hate my life, so I will complain freely; I will speak of the bitterness in my soul. I wish that I had perished.”
Then Zophar answered;“Will your empty talk reduce men to silence, will no one rebuke you for what you have said? I wish that God would speak up against you.”
“If you would prepare your heart and lean towards him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand, and let no evil dwell in your house, then surely you could lift up your face without shame.”
Job answered;“Truly, you are the only wise people, and wisdom will die with you! I have become a laughingstock to my friends, the one who called on God and God answered.”
“Though He slay me, yet I will trust Him, I will surely maintain my ways before His face. He shall also be my salvation, for no godless man could stand before Him.”
“I have heard too much, miserable comforters you all are. Surely even now my witness is in heaven.”
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will take His stand on the earth. After my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, I myself will see Him with my own eyes.”
So these three men stopped answering Job because he was righteous in his own eyes.
Another young man that had joined them spoke out saying.”I am young in years and you are old, so I was fearful to give you my opinion, I thought age should speak, and the multitude of years should teach wisdom, but it is the spirit within a man, and the breath of the Almighty that gives him understanding.”
“Old men are not always wise, nor do the old always understand justice. Suffer me a little while, and I will show you that there is more to be said on God’s behalf.”
“Touching the Almighty we cannot find him out, He is excellent in power and in judgement, He will not afflict.”
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said;“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the world? Who determined its measurements? On what were its foundations laid? Or who laid the cornerstone? Surely you know!”
“When the morning stars sang together, and the angels shouted for joy? Have the gates of death been made known to you? Have you understood the vast expanses of the earth?”
“Who gives food to the raven, when its young cry out to God?”
“Have you given the horse its strength? Do you clothe its neck with a flowing mane?”
“Does the hawk fly by your wisdom, and spread his wings towards the south in winter? Does the eagle soar at your command, and make its nest in an unreachable place?”
“The wings of an ostrich flap joyfully, she cares not that a stranger might trample on her eggs, for God did not give her wisdom, or a share of understanding.”
“Look now at the great dinosaur, which I made along with you, he eats grass like an ox. His tail swings like a cedar tree. His bones are tubes of bronze; his limbs are like bars of iron.”
Then Job answered the Lord saying;“I know you can do everything, and no plan of yours can be withheld, you asked who is this that gives counsel without wisdom. I have spoken of things that I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”
Then the Lord spoke to Job’s friends;“My anger is against you, for you have not spoken of me what is right as my servant Job has. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your foolishness.”
After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his prosperity, giving him twice as much as he had before.
So the Lord blessed the later days of Job more than his early days. He was the wealthiest man in the land. Job lived for one hundred and forty years, and then died.
Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...Job is a book in the Old Testament of the Bible and is widely understood to be one of the worlds great dramatic poems. Its main subject is: Why do righteous people suffer? The suffering of this perfect and upright” man, his torment, his patience, and his final humility, have become a definition of faith. Here is an every-day language version of Jobs story.
Part 1
At some time in those early days-we do not know just at what time, whether in the days of Moses or later there was living a good man named Job. His home was in the land of Uz, which may have been on the edge of the desert, east of the land of Israel. Job was a very rich man. He had sheep, and camels, and oxen, and asses, counted by the thousand. In all the east there was no other man so rich as Job.
And Job was a good man. He served the Lord God, and prayed to God every day, with an offering upon Gods altar, as men worshiped in those times. He tried to live as God wished him to live, and was always kind and gentle. Every day, when his sons were out in the field, or were having a feast together in the house of any of them, Job went out to his altar, and offered a burnt offering for each one of his sons and his daughters, and prayed to God for them; for he said: It may be that my sons have sinned or have turned away from God in their hearts; and I will pray God to forgive them.
At one time, when the angels of God stood before the Lord, Satan the Evil One came also, and stood among them, as though he were one of Gods angels.
The Lord God saw Satan, and said to him, Satan, from what place have you come?
I have come, answered Satan, from going up and down in the earth and looking at the people upon it.
Then the Lord said to Satan, Have you looked at my servant Job? And have you seen that there is not another man like him in the earth, a good and a perfect man, one who fears God and does nothing evil?
Part 2
Then Satan said to the Lord: Does Job fear God for nothing? Hast thou not made a wall around him, and around his house, and around everything that he has? Thou hast given a blessing upon his work, and hast made him rich. But if thou wilt stretch forth thy hand, and take away from him all that he has, then he will turn away from thee and will curse thee to thy face.
Then the Lord said to the Evil One, Satan, all that Job has is in your power; you can do to his sons, and his flocks, and his cattle, whatever you wish; only lay not your hand upon the man himself.
Then Satan went forth from before the Lord; and soon trouble began to come upon Job.
One day, when all his sons and daughters were eating and drinking together in their oldest brothers house, a man came running to Job, and said: The oxen were plowing, and the asses were feeding beside them, when the wild men from the desert came upon them, and drove them all away; and the men who were working with the oxen and caring for the asses have all been killed; and I am the only one who has fled away alive!
While this man was speaking, another man came rushing in; and he said: The lightning from the clouds has fallen on all the sheep, and on the men who were tending them; and I am the only one who has come away alive!
Before this man had ended, another came in; and he said: The enemies from Chaldea have come in three bands, and have taken away all the camels. They have killed the men who were with them; and I am the only one left alive!
Then at the same time, one more man came in, and said to Job: Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking together in their oldest brothers house, when a sudden and terrible wind from the desert struck the house, and it fell upon them. All your sons and your daughters are dead, and I alone have lived to tell you of it.
Thus in one day, all that Job had his flocks, and his cattle, and his sons and his daughters all were taken away; and Job, from being rich, was suddenly made poor.
Then Job fell down upon his face before the Lord, and he said: With nothing I came into the world, and with nothing I shall leave it. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
So even when all was taken from him Job did not turn away from God, nor did he find fault with Gods doings.
And again the angels of God were before the Lord, and Satan, who had done all this harm to Job, was among them.
The Lord said to Satan, Have you looked at my servant Job? There is no other man in the world as good as he; a perfect man, one that fears God and does no wrong act. Do you see how he holds fast to his goodness, even after I have let you do him so great harm?
Part 3
Then Satan answered the Lord, All that a man has he will give for his life. But if thou wilt put thy hand upon him and touch his bone and his flesh, he will turn from thee, and will curse thee to thy face.
And the Lord said to Satan, I will give Job into your hand; do to him whatever you please; only spare his life.
Then Satan went out and struck Job, and caused dreadful boils to come upon him, over all his body, from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. And Job sat down in the ashes in great pain; but he would not speak one word against God.
His wife said to him, What is the use of trying to serve God? You may as well curse God, and die!
But Job said to her, You speak as one of the foolish. What? Shall we take good things from the Lord? and shall we not take evil things also?
So Job would not speak against God. Then three friends of Job came to see him, and to try to comfort him in his sorrow and pain. Their names were Eliphaz, and Bildad, and Zophar. They sat down with Job, and wept, and spoke to him. But their words were not words of comfort. They believed that all these great troubles had come upon Job to punish him for some great sin, and they tried to persuade Job to tell what evil things he had done to make God so angry with him.
For in those times most people believed that trouble, and sickness, and the loss of friends, and the loss of what they had owned, came to men because God was angry with them on account of their sins. These men thought that Job must have been very wicked because they saw such evils coming upon him. They made long speeches to Job, urging him to confess his wickedness.
Job said that he had done no wrong, that he had tried to do right; and he did not know why these troubles had come; but he would not say that God had dealt unjustly in letting him suffer. Job did not understand Gods ways, but he believed that God was good; and he left himself in Gods hands. And at last God himself spoke to Job and to his friends, telling them that it is not for man to judge God, and that God will do right by every man.
And the Lord said to the three friends of Job: You have not spoken of me what is right, as Job has. Now bring an offering to me; and Job shall pray for you, and for his sake I will forgive you.
So Job prayed for his friends, and God forgave them.
And because in all his troubles Job had been faithful to God, the Lord blessed Job once more, and took away his boils from him, and made him well. Then the Lord gave to Job more than he had ever owned in the past, twice as many sheep, and oxen, and camels, and asses. And God gave again to Job seven sons and three daughters; and in all the land there were no women found so lovely as the daughters of Job. After his trouble, Job lived a long time, in riches, and honor, and goodness, under Gods care.
Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...I never saw a moor,
I never saw the sea;
Yet know I how the heather looks,
And what a wave must be.
I never spoke with God,
Nor visited in heaven;
Yet certain am I of the spot
As if the chart were given.
Heather and Moor
by Felicia Hemans (1793-1835)
The breaking waves dashed high,
On a stern and rock-bound coast,
And the woods against a stormy sky,
Their giant branches tossed;
And the heavy night hung dark,
The hills and waters oer,
When a band of exiles moored their bark
On the wild New England shore.
Not as the conqueror comes,
They, the true-hearted came;
Not with the roll of the stirring drums,
And the trumpet that sings of fame;
Not as the flying come,
In silence and in fear
They shook the depths of the desert gloom
With their hymns of lofty cheer.
Amidst the storm they sang,
And the stars heard, and the sea;
And the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang
To the anthem of the free.
The ocean eagle soared
From his nest by the white waves foam;
And the rocking pines of the forest roared
This was their welcome home.
There were men with hoary hair
Amidst that pilgrim band:
Why had they come to wither there,
Away from their childhoods land?
There was a womans fearless eye,
Lit by her deep loves truth;
There was manhoods brow serenely high,
And the fiery heart of youth.
What sought they thus afar?
Bright jewels of the mine?
The wealth of seas, the spoils of war?
They sought a faiths pure shrine!
Aye, call it holy ground,
The soil where first they trod;
They have left unstained what there they found
Freedom to worship God.
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
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Steve Green Singing
To Buy The Album Click Here
Introduction Audio
A Mighty Fortress is our God, written by Martin Luther in 1529, is based on Psalm 91:2. It reminds us that many people rely on Gods strength to persevere, and not on their own.
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper he, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and powr are great,
And armd with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of Gods own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
From age to age the same,
And he must win the battle.
And though this world, with demons filld
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powrs,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill;
Gods truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...Yudisthira at Heavens Gate is one of the two greatest epic Hindu poems of India.
Here loyalty was the test to win a place in heaven.
Good King Yudisthira had ruled over the Pandava people for many years and had led them in a successful, but very long war against giant forces of evil. At the end of his labors, Yudisthira felt that he had had enough years on earth and it was time to go on to the kingdom of the Immortals. When all his plans were made, he set out for the high Mount Meru to go from there to the Celestial City. His beautiful wife, Drapaudi, went with him and also his four brothers. Very soon, they were joined by a dog which followed quietly behind him.
But the journey to the mountain was a long and sorrowful one. Yudisthiras four brothers died one by one along the way, and after that his wife, the beautiful Drapaudi. The King was all alone then, except for the dog, which continued to follow him faithfully up and up the steep, long road to the Celestial City.
At last the two, weak and exhausted, stopped before the gates of Heaven. Yudisthira bowed humbly there as he asked to be admitted.
Sky and earth were filled with a loud noise as the God Indra, God of a Thousand Eyes, arrived to meet and welcome the King to Paradise. But Yudisthira was not quite ready.
Without my brothers and my beloved wife, my innocent Drapaudi, I do not wish to enter Heaven, O Lord of all the deities, he said.
Have no fear, Indra answered. You shall meet them all in Heaven. They came before you and are already there!
But Yudisthira had yet another request to make. This dog has come all the way with me. He is devoted to me. Surely for his faithfulness I cannot leave him outside! And besides, my heart is full of love for him!
Indra shook his great head and the earth quaked.
You yourself may have immortality, he said, and riches and success and all the joys of Heaven. You have won these by making this hard journey. But you cannot bring a dog into Heaven. Cast off the dog, Yudisthira! It is no sin!
But where would he go? demanded the king. And who would go with him? He has given up all the pleasures of earth to be my companion. I cannot desert him now.
The God was irritated at this.
You must be pure to enter Paradise, he said firmly. Just to touch a dog will take away all the merits of prayer. Consider what you are doing, Yudisthira. Let the dog go!
But Yudisthira insisted. O God of a Thousand Eyes, it is difficult for a person who has always tried to be righteous to do something that he knows is unrighteous, even in order to get into Heaven. I do not wish immortality if it means casting off one that is devoted to me.
Indra urged him once more.
You left on the road behind you your four brothers and your wife. Why cant you also leave the dog?
But Yudisthira said, I abandoned those only because they had died already and I could no longer help them nor bring them back to life. As long as they lived I did not leave them.”
You are willing to abandon Heaven, then, for this dogs sake? the God asked him.
Great God of all Gods, Yudisthira replied, I have steadily kept this vow-that I will never desert one that is frightened and seeks my protection, one that is afflicted and destitute, or one that is too weak to protect himself and desires to live. Now I add a fourth. I have promised never to forsake one that is devoted to me. I will not abandon my friend.
Yudisthira reached down to touch the dog and was about to turn sadly away from Heaven when suddenly before his very eyes a wonder happened. The faithful dog was changed into Dharma, the God of Righteousness and Justice.
Indra said, You are a good man, King Yudisthira. You have shown faithfulness to the faithful, and compassion for all creatures. You have done this by renouncing the very Gods themselves instead of renouncing this humble dog that was your companion. You shall be honored in heaven, 0 King, for there is no act which is valued more highly and rewarded more richly than compassion for the humble.
So Yudisthira entered the Celestial City with the God of Righteousness beside him. He was reunited there with his brothers and his beloved wife to enjoy eternal happiness.
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...Kickapoo Indian Maiden
Retold by Allan MacFarlan
More Indian stories collected by this author
The blanket of night had wrapped the Kickapoo village in darkness. The people were gathered around the story-fire, awaiting the tale which the storyteller would tell. The listeners knew that the tale would not be of braves on the war trail or warriors who risked their lives on raids into the country of their enemies. And yet the story which they were about to hear was one of high courage. It was of two brave women who were still honored in song and dance because of their great courage and their noble sacrifice made for their tribe. This is the story that the people heard.
A band of our men were hunting, when the green earth had come from beneath the snow and rivers were fat and fast. Women were with the men, to help skin the animals taken in the chase, and to strip and dry the meat. For three suns the party had hunted, and deer had fallen to their hunting arrows.
As they traveled in country distant from our territory, there was always danger of attack by enemies. Braves kept watch always, but they did not watch well enough. One day the chief said it would be a good thing to return to the tribe, and the party made ready to go back when the sun came. Some of the braves and women did not see the sun again. A big war party of Shawnee surrounded and attacked the camp when night was leaving to let morning come.
The Kickapoo who were not killed or badly wounded escaped down into the gorges. They had hunted there and found a great cave, beneath the thundering falls of a mighty river. The chief had decided that they would hide there if they saw a large war party of the enemy, so all of the Kickapoo knew the hiding place.
The savage Shawnee killed the wounded and took two of our women back to their camp, as prisoners. The women were young and would be made to work. The camp of the Shawnee was far above the place where they had attacked our party. Their lodges were on the banks of the wide, fast flowing river.
For six suns after the attack, the Shawnee warriors searched for our people who had escaped the raid. Sentries were placed at distant points so that the Kickapoo could not escape without being seen. The big war party of the Shawnee would be told of their movements. The enemy searched well, but our people hid better and were not discovered. Our chief did not let his party leave the great cavern, nor did they need to, for they had dried meat and water in plenty.
After some suns had passed, the people begged the chief to let them leave the shelter of the big cave beneath the falls. They felt safe there, but the terrible noise of the falls hurt their ears, as it roared like a curtain of thunder before the cavern. Their minds were afraid too, for they feared that spirits of evil dwelt in the dark, rocky gorges which surrounded them.
The chief was brave, but he knew how his band felt. He too would be happy to leave the great roaring and rumbling far behind him, even if, in escaping, more of his band would fall to the arrows of the Shawnee.
Tomorrow, the day of the seventh sun since the attack, will be the last that we remain here, he told his band. When darkness comes, we will try to escape from the enemy into our own territory. Be ready!
Our chief knew that the chances of reaching safety were few, as the Shawnee were many and must be angry that any of our people had escaped the raid.
Their anger must be very great, the Kickapoo chief thought, because though they could follow the trails in the forest, their best trailers could not see footprints on the rocky ground which formed the river gorges.”
The medicine man of the Shawnee went to their chief on the morning of the seventh sun and told him of a dream which he had had. His totem bird, the red-tailed hawk, had come to him in a dream and flown around and around him in circles, giving shrill cries and tempting him to follow it. The medicine man could not refuse to follow his totem bird, so his spirit followed it as it flew swiftly before him, until the hawk reached a clearing in the forest. Here, in the dream, the medicine man saw a circle of Shadow People.
Can I follow the Shadow People to where our enemies are hidden? the medicine man asked the hawk. Who among them knows where the band is hiding?
The hawk flew straight to the two women who were the prisoners of the Shawnee and circled the head of each.
“These women must know, declared the medicine man, as he told his chief of the dream. My hawk totem never leads me on a false trail.
The Shawnee chief had great faith in the medicine man and his totem bird; so he called a council of his warriors. He told them of the dream and had the two captive women brought before him. When questioned, they declared that they did not know where the band to which they belonged was hidden.
They speak with a forked tongue, shouted the medicine man, but torture will make it straight.
The women were tortured and, under the bite of blazing twigs held to their wrists, they cried out that they would reveal the hiding place of their band. For a moment, they spoke softly together in their own dialect and then, by signs, showed that they were ready to lead the Shawnee war party to the hiding place.
When the Shawnee were armed and about to follow them, the two women pointed to the river, instead of leading the way into the forest. By signs they showed that our people were far away and could be reached quicker by the Shawnees if they went by canoe. When the chief pointed toward the forest and his braves pushed the women in that direction, they showed by sign talk that they could not lead the Shawnees by land. Only by water did they know the way to the hidden Kickapoo band.
The chief believed the women, and they were taken to the big canoes that lay on the riverbank. With hands and sounds, the women told that close to the falls there was a little branch of the main river which they must follow to reach the Kickapoo. The chief ordered the women into the leading canoe. He too sat in it, with his medicine man and six of his best warriors. The rest of the party followed close behind, in many canoes. Paddles flashed and the canoes went swift as a fish downstream.
After paddling far, the chief asked the women if they were not yet near the hiding place of his enemies. The women sign-talked that the place was near, and again the paddles rose and fell. The braves did not have to paddle so hard now because the current was becoming swifter and stronger, as the canoes sped along. Quicker and quicker the canoes traveled. From the distance came the thunder of the falls. Closer and closer came the earth-shaking roar.
The chief was brave, but even he feared the mighty force of the swift-rushing waters. He was directly behind the two captive women, who sat in the bow. He touched them on the shoulders, and they turned to him at once. The chief ceased to fear when he saw that both women were smiling. The elder of the two, with a wave of her arm toward the south bank, showed that in a moment they would reach the fork of the river, where the paddlers could swing the canoes from the rushing current into the calm water of the smaller stream.
Faster, ever faster, the canoes now dashed through the foaming torrent. Narrower grew the rushing river as it roared between solid walls of rock. No time to try to turn the canoes!
Too late, the chief and warriors knew that they had been tricked. The bravest had but time to sing a few notes of their death songs before the raging torrent swept the shattered canoes over the crest of the mighty waterfall. Proudly leading the band of enemy warriors to death on the jagged rocks below were the two brave women of the Kickapoo.
My story is done, but. that of the two who saved our band of warriors from death will go on as long as grass grows and water runs.
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...The story of Cincinnatus takes place in 458 B.C., after Rome was attacked by the Aequi tribe. Loyal citizens do their duty and expect no special favors for serving their country.
There was a man named Cincinnatus who lived on a little farm not far from the city of Rome. He had once been rich, and had held the highest office in the land, but in one way or another he had lost all his wealth. He was now so poor that he had to do all the work on his farm with his own hands. But in those days it was thought to be a noble thing to till the soil.
Cincinnatus was so wise and just that everybody trusted him, and asked his advice.
When anyone was in trouble, and did not know what to do, his neighbors would say, Go and tell Cincinnatus. He will help you.
Now there lived among the mountains, not far away, a tribe of fierce, half-wild men, who were at war with the Roman people. They persuaded another tribe of bold warriors to help them, and then marched toward the city, plundering and robbing as they came. They boasted that they would tear down the walls of Rome, and burn the houses, and kill all the men and make slaves of the women and children.
At first the Romans, who were very proud and brave, did not think there was much danger. Every man in Rome was a soldier, and the army which went out to fight the robbers was the finest in the world. No one stayed at home but the white-haired Fathers, as they were called, who made the laws for the city, and a small company of men who guarded the walls.
Everybody thought that it would be an easy thing to drive the men of the mountains back to the place where they belonged.
But one morning five horsemen came riding down the road from the mountains. They rode with great speed, and both men and horses were covered with dust and blood.
The watchman at the gate knew them and shouted to them as they galloped in. “Why did they ride thus? And what had happened to the Roman army?”
They did not answer him, but rode into the city and along the quiet streets. Everybody ran after them, eager to find out what was the matter. Rome was not a large city at that time, and soon they reached the marketplace where the white-haired Fathers were sitting. Then they leaped from their horses, and told their story.
Only yesterday, they said, our army was marching through a narrow valley between two steep mountains. All at once a thousand savage men sprang out from among the rocks before us and above us. They had blocked up the way, and the pass was so narrow that we could not fight. We tried to come back, but they had blocked up the way on this side of us, too. The fierce men of the mountains were before us and behind us, and they were throwing rocks down upon us from above. We had been caught in a trap. Then ten of us set spurs to our horses, and five of us forced our way through, but the other five fell before the spears of the mountain men. And now, O Roman Fathers! Send help to our army at once, or every man will be slain, and our city will be taken.
What shall we do? said the white-haired Fathers. Whom can we send but the guards and the boys? And who is wise enough to lead them and thus save Rome?
All shook their heads and were very grave, for it seemed as if there was no hope.
Part 2Then one said, Send for Cincinnatus. He will help us.
Cincinnatus was in the field plowing when the men who had been sent to him came in great haste. He stopped and greeted them kindly, and waited for them to speak.
Put on your cloak, Cincinnatus, they said, and hear the words of the Roman people.
Then Cincinnatus wondered what they could mean.
Is all well with Rome? he asked.
And he called to his wife to bring him his cloak.
She brought the cloak, and Cincinnatus wiped the dust from his hands and arms, and threw it over his shoulders. Then the men told their errand.
They told him how the army with all the noblest men of Rome had been entrapped in the mountain pass. They told him about the great danger the city was in.
Then they said, The people of Rome make you their ruler and the ruler of their city, to do with everything as you choose. And the Fathers bid you come at once and go out against our enemies, the fierce men of the mountains.
So Cincinnatus left his plow standing where it was, and hurried to the city. When he passed through the streets, and gave orders as to what should be done, some of the people were afraid, for they knew that he had all power in Rome to do what he pleased. But he armed the guards and the boys, and went out at their head to fight the fierce mountain men, and free the Roman army from the trap into which it had fallen.
A few days afterward there was great joy in Rome. There was good news from Cincinnatus. The men of the mountains had been beaten with great loss. They had been driven back into their own place.
And now the Roman army, with the boys and the guards, was coming home with banners flying, and shouts of victory. And at their head rode Cincinnatus. He had saved Rome. Cincinnatus might then have made himself king, for his word was law, and no man dared lift a finger against him. But, before the people could thank him enough for what he had done, he gave back the power to the white-haired Roman Fathers, and went again to his little farm and his plow.
He had been the ruler of Rome for sixteen days.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
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Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...Adapted by James Baldwin
Part 1 of 3
Penelopes Web is a story of undying love. This Greek myth tells of her loyalty. She waited years for her husbands return from the Trojan War. You will find this included in Homers Odyssey. Odysseus here is called by his Latin name, Ulysses.Of all the heroes who fought against Troy, the wisest and shrewdest was Ulysses, king of Ithaca. Yet, he went unwillingly to war. He longed to stay at home with his wife, Penelope, and their baby boy, Telemachus. But the princes of Greece demanded that he help them, and at last he consented.
Go, Ulysses, said Penelope, and I will keep your home and kingdom safe until you return.
Do your duty, Ulysses, said his old father, Laertes. Go, and may wise Athena speed your coming back.
And so, bidding farewell to Ithaca and all he held dear, he sailed away to the Trojan War.
Ten long years passed, and then news reached Ithaca that the weary siege of Troy was ended, the city lay in ashes, and the Greek kings were returning to their native lands. One by one, all the heroes reached their homes, but of Ulysses and his companions there came no word. Every day, Penelope and young Telemachus and feeble old Laertes stood by the shore and gazed with aching eyes far over the waves. But no sign of sail or glinting oars could they discern. Months passed by, and then years, and still no word.
His ships are wrecked, and he lies at the bottom of the sea, sighed old Laertes, and after that he shut himself up in his narrow room and went no more to the shore.
But Penelope still hoped and hoped.
He is not dead, she said. And until he comes home, I will hold this fair kingdom for him.
Every day his seat was placed for him at the table. His coat was hung by his chair, his chamber was dusted, and his great bow that hung in the hall was polished.
Ten more years passed with constant watching.
Telemachus became a tall, gentle-mannered young man. And throughout all Greece, men began to talk of nothing but Penelopes great nobility and beauty.
How foolish of her, the Greek princes and chiefs said, to be forever looking for Ulysses. Everyone knows he is dead. She ought to marry one of us now.
So one after another, the chiefs and princes who were looking for wives sailed to Ithaca, hoping to win Penelopes love. They were haughty and overbearing fellows, glorying in their own importance and wealth. Straight to the palace they went, not waiting for an invitation, for they knew they would be treated as honored guests; whether they were welcome or not.
Come now, Penelope, they said, we all know Ulysses is dead. We have come as suitors for your hand, and you dare not turn us away. Choose one of us, and the rest will depart.
But Penelope answered sadly, Princes and heroes, this cannot be. I am quite sure Ulysses lives, and I must hold his kingdom for him till he returns.
Return he never will, said the suitors. Make your choice now.
Give me a month longer to wait for him, she pleaded.
In my loom I have a half-finished web of soft linen. I am weaving it for the shroud of our father, Laertes, who is very old and cannot live much longer. If Ulysses fails to return by the time this web is finished, then I will choose, though unwillingly.
The suitors agreed and made themselves at home in the palace. They seized the best of everything.
Part 2 of 3
They feasted daily in the great dining hall, wasting much, and helped themselves to all the wine in the cellar. They were rude and uproarious in the once quiet chambers of the palace, and insulting to the people of Ithaca.
Every day Penelope sat at her loom and wove.
See how much I have added to the length of the web? she would say when evening came.
But at night, when the suitors were asleep, she raveled out all the threads she had woven during the day. Thus although she was always at work, the web was never finished.
As the weeks passed, however, the suitors began to grow weary of waiting.
When will that web be finished? they impatiently asked.
I am busy with it every day, Penelope answered, but it grows very slowly. Such a delicate piece of work cannot be completed so quickly.
But one of the suitors, a man named Agelaus, was not satisfied. That night he crept quietly through the palace and peeped into the weaving room. There he saw Penelope busily unraveling the web by the light of a little lamp, while she whispered to herself the name of Ulysses.
The next morning the secret was known to every one of the unwelcome guests.
Fair queen, they said, you are very cunning, but we have found you out. That web must be finished before the sun rises again, and then tomorrow you must make your choice. We shall wait no longer.
The following afternoon the unwelcome guests assembled in the great hall. The feast was set, and they ate and drank and sang and shouted as never before. They made such an uproar that the very timbers of the palace shook.
While the turmoil was at its height, Telemachus came in, followed by Eumaeus, his fathers oldest and most faithful servant. Together they began to remove all the shields and swords that hung on the walls and rattled from so much commotion.
What are you doing with those weapons? shouted the suitors, who finally noticed the old man and the youth.
They are becoming tarnished with smoke and dust, said Eumaeus, and will keep much better in the treasure room.
But we will leave my fathers great bow that hangs at the head of the hall, added Telemachus. My mother polishes it every day, and she would sadly miss it if it were removed.
She wont be polishing it much longer, the suitors laughed. Before this day is over, Ithaca will have a new king.
At that moment a strange beggar entered the courtyard.
His feet were bare, his head was uncovered, his clothes were in rags. He approached the kitchen door, where an old greyhound, Argos, was lying on a heap of ashes. Twenty years before, Argos had been Ulysses favorite and most loyal hunting dog. But now, grown toothless and almost blind, he was only abused by the suitors.
When he saw the beggar slowly moving through the yard, he raised his head to look. Then a strange look came suddenly into his old eyes. His tail wagged feebly, and he tried with all his failing strength to rise. He looked up lovingly into the beggars face, and uttered a long but joyful howl like that which he once uttered in his youth when greeting his master.
The beggar stooped and patted his head. Argos, old friend, he whispered.
The dog staggered to his feet, then fell, and was dead with the look of joy still in his eyes.
A moment later the beggar stood in the doorway of the great hall, where he was seen whispering a few words to Telemachus and faithful Eumaeus.
What do you want here, Old Rags? the suitors called, hurling crusts of bread at his head. Get out! Be gone!
But at that moment, down the stairs came Penelope, stately and beautiful, with her servants and maids around her.
The queen! The queen! cried the suitors. She has come to choose one of us!
Part 3 of 3
Telemachus, my son, said Penelope, what poor man is this whom our guests treat so roughly?
Mother, he is a wandering beggar whom the waves cast upon our shores last night, answered the prince. He says that he brings news of my father.
Then he shall tell me of it, said the queen. But first he must rest.
At this she caused the beggar to be led to a seat at the farther side of the room, and gave orders that he be fed and refreshed.
An old woman, who had been Ulysses nurse when he was a child, brought a great bowl of water and towels. Kneeling on the stones before the stranger, she began to wash his feet. Suddenly she sprang back, overturning the bowl in her confusion.
0, master! The scar! she muttered quietly.
Dear nurse, whispered the beggar, you were ever discreet and wise. You know me by the old scar I have carried on my knee since boyhood. Keep well the secret, for I bide my time, and the hour of vengeance is nigh.
This man in rags was indeed Ulysses, the king. Alone in a little boat he had been cast, that very morning, upon the shore of his own island. He had made himself known to Telemachus and old Eumaeus alone, and by his orders they had removed the weapons that hung on the wall of the great hall.
Meanwhile, the suitors had gathered again around the feast table and were more boisterous than before.
Come, fair Penelope! they shouted. This beggar can tell his tale tomorrow. It is time for you to choose a new husband! Choose now!
Chiefs and princes, said Penelope, in trembling tones, let us leave this decision to the gods. Behold, there hangs the great bow of Ulysses, which he alone was able to string. Let each of you try his strength in bending it, and I will choose the one who can shoot an arrow from it the most skillfully.
Well said! cried all the suitors, and they lined up to try their strength.
The first took the bow in his hands, and struggled long to bend it. Then, losing patience, he threw it on the ground and strode away.
None but a giant can string a bow like that, he said.
Then, one by one, the other suitors tried their strength, but all in vain.
Perhaps the old beggar would like to take part in this contest, one said with a sneer.
Then Ulysses in his beggars rags rose from his seat and went with halting steps to the head of the hall. He fumbled with the great bow, gazing at its polished back and its long, well-shaped arms, stout as bars of iron.
Methinks, he said, that in my younger days I once saw a bow like this.
Enough! Enough! shouted the suitors. Get out, you old fool!
Suddenly, a great change came over the stranger. Almost without effort, he bent the great bow and strung it. Then he rose to his full height, and even in his beggars rags appeared every inch a king.
Ulysses! Ulysses! Penelope cried.
The suitors were speechless. Then, in the wildest alarm, they turned and tried to escape from the hall. But the arrows of Ulysses were swift and sure, and not one missed its mark.
Now I avenge myself upon those who have tried to destroy my home! he cried.
And thus, one after another, the lawless suitors perished.
The next day Ulysses sat in the great hall with Penelope and Telemachus and all the joyful members of the household, and he told the story of his long wanderings over the sea. And Penelope, in turn, related how she had faithfully kept the kingdom, as she had promised, though beset by insolent and wicked suitors.
Then she brought from her chamber a roll of soft, white cloth of wonderful delicacy and beauty, and said, This is the web, Ulysses. I promised that on the day of its completion I would choose a husband, and I choose you.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...by the Brothers Grimm (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm)
In a village dwelt a poor old woman, who had gathered together a dish of beans and wanted to cook them. So she made a fire on her hearth, and that it might burn the quicker, she lighted it with a handful of straw. When she was emptying the beans into the pan, one dropped without her observing it, and lay on the ground beside a straw, and soon afterwards a burning coal from the fire leapt down to the two.
Then the straw began and said: Dear friends, from whence do you come here?
The coal replied: I fortunately sprang out of the fire, and if I had not escaped by sheer force, my death would have been certain. I should have been burnt to ashes.
The bean said: I too have escaped with a whole skin, but if the old woman had got me into the pan, I should have been made into broth without any mercy, like my comrades.
And would a better fate have fallen to my lot? said the straw.
The old woman has destroyed all my brethren in fire and smoke; she seized sixty of them at once, and took their lives. I luckily slipped through her fingers.
But what are we to do now? said the coal.
I think, answered the bean, that as we have so fortunately escaped death, we should keep together like good companions, and lest a new mischance should overtake us here, we should go away together, and repair to a foreign country.
The proposition pleased the two others, and they set out on their way together. Soon, however, they came to a little brook, and as there was no bridge or foot-plank, they did not know how they were to get over it.
The straw hit on a good idea, and said: I will lay myself straight across, and then you can walk over on me as on a bridge.
The straw therefore stretched itself from one bank to the other, and the coal, who was of an impetuous disposition, tripped quite boldly on to the newly-built bridge.
But when she had reached the middle, and heard the water rushing beneath her, she was after all, afraid, and stood still, and ventured no farther. The straw, however, began to burn, broke in two pieces, and fell into the stream. The coal slipped after her, hissed when she got into the water, and breathed her last. The bean, who had prudently stayed behind on the shore, could not but laugh at the event, was unable to stop, and laughed so heartily that she burst.
It would have been all over with her, likewise, if, by good fortune, a tailor who was traveling in search of work, had not sat down to rest by the brook. As he had a compassionate heart he pulled out his needle and thread, and sewed her together. The bean thanked him most prettily, but as the tailor used black thread, all beans since then have a black seam.
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Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
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Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...by Edgar Guest 1861-1959
Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice.
Only a dad with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.
Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.
Only a dad but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad, but the best of men.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...Vince Crawley ©Stars and Stripes Iraq, February, 1991
LOYALTY TO A BROTHER by Walter MacPeekThis story from an old Boy Scout book shows family loyalties involve certain obligations. They are duties we perform out of love.
One of two brothers fighting in the same company in France fell by a German bullet. The one who escaped asked permission of his officer to go and bring his brother in.
He is probably dead, said the officer, and there is no use in your risking your life to bring in his body.
But after further pleading the officer consented. Just as the soldier reached the lines with his brother on his shoulders, the wounded man died.
There, you see, said the officer, you risked your life for nothing.
No, replied Tom. I did what he expected of me, and I have my reward. When I crept up to him and took him in my arms, he said, Tom, I knew you would come-I just felt you would come.”
There you have the gist of it all; somebody expects something fine and noble and unselfish of us; someone expects us to be faithful.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...by Brothers Grimm (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm)
Introduction
The Fox and the Horse shows loyalty by the farmer is forgotten when the horse gets old and lame. He needed to be tricked into doing the right thing for his horse.A farmer had a horse that had been an excellent faithful servant to him, but he was now grown too old to work, so the farmer would give him nothing more to eat, and said, I want you no longer, so take yourself off out of my stable. I shall not take you back again until you are stronger than a lion.
Then he opened the door and turned him adrift.
The poor horse was very melancholy, and wandered up and down in the wood, seeking a little shelter from the cold wind and rain.
Presently a fox met him: Whats the matter, my friend? said he, why do you hang your head and look so lonely and woe-begone?
Ah! replied the horse, justice and avarice never dwell in one house; my master has forgotten all that I have done for him so many years, and because I can no longer work he has turned me adrift, and says unless I become stronger than a lion he will not take me back again; what chance have I of that? he knows I have none, or he would not talk so.
However, the fox bid him be of good cheer, and said, I will help you. Lie down there, stretch yourself out quite stiff, and pretend to be dead.
The horse did as he was told, and the fox went straight to the lion who lived in a cave close by, and said to him, A little way off lies a dead horse; come with me and you may make an excellent meal of his carcass.
The lion was greatly pleased, and set off immediately; and when they came to the horse, the fox said, You will not be able to eat him comfortably here; Ill tell you whatI will tie you fast to his tail, and then you can draw him to your den, and eat him at your leisure.
This advice pleased the lion, so he laid himself down quietly for the fox to make him fast to the horse. But the fox managed to tie his legs together and bound all so hard and fast that with all his strength he could not set himself free.
When the work was done, the fox clapped the horse on the shoulder, and said, Jip! Dobbin! Jip!
Then up he sprang, and moved off, dragging the lion behind him. The beast began to roar and bellow, till all the birds of the wood flew away for fright; but the horse let him sing on, and made his way quietly over the fields to his masters house.
Here he is, master, said he, I have got the better of him.
When the farmer saw his old servant, his heart relented, and he said, Thou shalt stay in the stable and be well taken care of.
And so the poor old horse had plenty to eat, and livedtill he died.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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INTRODUCTION
All pictures and text come from http://www.TheGloryStory.com I have slightly modified the text to be more Americanized.
King Ahasuerus was an immensely wealthy and powerful king.
He ruled over one hundred and twenty lands, stretching from India to Ethiopia.
In the third year of the king’s reign, he decided to hold a seven-day banquet.
As the men got drunk, the king summoned his wife to appear in her royal dress so that he could show off her beauty, but the queen refused to come. He was furious.
“The queen must go!” demanded the king.
Living in the land was a Jewish man named Mordecai, who was looking after his young cousin Esther.
Everybody thought that Mordecai had adopted Esther; they didn’t know she was a Jewess.
When the king was choosing a new wife, Esther was included, and it was love at first sight for the king, but still no one knew that Esther was a Jewess, not even the king.
Esther was chosen to be queen and went to live in the Kings palace.
Mordecai would visit the queen daily.
One day Mordecai overheard two of the king’s servants, plotting to assassinate the king.
Mordecai went to Queen Esther, and told her to warn the king.
The plot was discovered, the two men were arrested and Mordecai’s action was recorded in the palace records.
Sometime later the king appointed a new prime minister, a man called Haman.
Haman ordered everybody to bow before him, which they did, except Mordecai.
“I’ll speak to the king about this.” said Haman. “Your majesty, there are people in the land that do not recognize or obey your laws. You must issue a royal decree to destroy them all, men, women and children.”
The king said to Haman, “The people are given to you, do with them whatever seems fit.”
And later the King and Haman sat down to drink.
The whole city was weeping and wearing clothes of sack.
Queen Esther was deeply distressed and sent Mordecai some clothes. She also sent a servant to see Mordecai.
Mordecai explained, “Haman is going to kill all of the Jews, please beg Queen Esther to plead our case before the king.”
So Esther put on her royal robes, to enter the kings presence.
“What do you want Queen Esther? I have said that I will give you up to half of my kingdom.”
So Esther asked, “Could the king and Haman have dinner with me tonight?
In the meantime, Haman was building gallows for Mordecai’s execution.
At dinner Esther’s only request, was that the king and Haman, would have dinner with her the following evening.
That night the king couldn’t sleep, so he ordered his servant, “Send someone in to read me the palace records.”
They read to the king the account of how Mordecai saved the king’s life.
The next morning the king sent for Haman and asked, “What should I do to the man whom I want to honor and exalt?”
Haman thought that the king was referring to him, so he replied, The man should wear your royal robes and crown, and as he rides the kings horse through the city square, the highest man in the kings palace, should proclaim him as honored before the people.”
The king replied, “Go and do so for Mordecai the Jew, and leave nothing undone that you have spoken.”
So Haman had to dress Mordecai in the king’s clothes, and proclaim him specially honored by the king.
At dinner Esther told the king that she was a Jewess, and begged him to save her people.
Then she explained in detail the plan to kill the Jews so the king asked, “Who would dare to do such a thing to the queen?”
Esther replied, “Him! This is the enemy sitting at the table with us.
The king was furious, “For this, Haman, you will hang.”
And so it was, that Haman was hung from the gallows that he prepared for Mordecai.
Then the king wrote a new royal order, to favor and protect the Jews, and signed it with his own royal seal.
Mordecai went out dressed in the royal robes, and the whole city came alive with rejoicing and celebration.
There is no copyright on this script. Download FREE Bible pictures for this story at: http://www.TheGloryStory.comWhy am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...As told by Walter Russell Bowie 1882-1969
Picture used with permission from http://www.theglorystory.com
The story of the book of Esther begins with one of the kings of Persia, who is called Ahasuerus. According to the story, Ahasuerus decided one day to have a great feast in the garden of his palace. He invited all the chief men of the kingdom to come. The garden court was a beautiful place within the palace walls. It had marble pillars and a pavement of red, blue, white, and black marble. There were hangings of white and green and blue, fastened on silver rings. The goblets in which the wine was served were gold.
The feasting went on for seven days. By that time everyone, including the king, had eaten and drunk a great deal too much. The queen, whose name was Vashti, was very beautiful. Suddenly the king had a notion that he would show her off to his guests. She was in her rooms with her maids. The king sent seven of his servants to tell the queen to come to the feast.
Vashti was ashamed and indignant that the king had sent her such a message. She had no intention of appearing before a large company of half-drunken men. She told the servants to tell the king that she would not come.
When the king heard that, he was furious. He had boasted of the queens beauty. Now he would seem foolish in the sight of his guests. He asked some of them what they thought he ought to do. These men did not have much respect for women. They began to think that if their wives heard that the queen had disobeyed the king, they would disobey their husbands. The men told the king that he ought to get rid of Vashti and find a new queen.
That was exactly what Ahasuerus decided to do. He sent Vashti away. Then came the question of choosing a new queen. The kings servants looked everywhere in the kingdom, and brought to the palace the most beautiful maidens they could find. Among them was a maiden from a Jewish family, whose name was Esther. She was young and innocent and lovely, and could never have dreamed that she might become the queen of Persia. When the king saw Esther, he preferred her to everyone else, and he made her his wife. But he did not know that she had come from among the Jews.
Now Esther had a cousin named Mordecai. Mordecai, who was older than Esther, had brought her up like a daughter because her own father was dead. Esther trusted him in everything, and whatever he advised her to do, she did. Mordecai told her not to tell the king that she was a Jew.
Mordecai came often to the palace, to speak with Esther. Often he would sit in the gate where people went in and out and where they stood together talking. One day he saw two men who were plainly very angry. They talked excitedly, and Mordecai overheard what they were saying. They were plotting together to kill the king. Mordecai sent word of that to Esther, and Esther warned the king. The king had the two men arrested and put to death. By his warning, Mordecai had saved the kings life. The king should have been very grateful, but he was more interested in himself than in anyone else. Although he had been told that it was Mordecai who had brought the warning, he soon forgot it.
Meanwhile there was another man who was becoming the kings favorite. His name was Haman. The kings servants had to bow to Haman whenever he passed by. But Mordecai would not bow to Haman or give any sign that he noticed him at all. Every day Mordecai was warned that he would find himself in trouble if he did not do as the kings servants did, but Mordecai paid no attention. After a while someone asked Haman if he had noticed that Mordecai, the Jew, never bowed to him when he went by. The very idea made Haman angry, for he was proud and jealous. To hear that anybody had dared not show respect to him was more than he would stand. He began to consider what would be the worst thing he would do to Mordecai. He thought about it for some time. Finally he decided that there was something worse than having Mordecai punished alone. Since Mordecai was a Jew, Haman would make all the Jewish people suffer.
So one day Haman went to the king and poured into his ears all the ugly tales he could think of about the Jews. He reminded Ahasuerus that the Jews were scattered all through the kingdom. He said there were entirely too many of them for the kingdoms good. Had the king stopped to remember that the Jews were different from the people of Persia, and had different laws? He suggested getting rid of these Jewish people who might turn out to be enemies of Persia. And Haman said that he would put ten thousand talents of silver, a huge amount of money, into the kings treasury if the king would sign an order that all the Jews should be destroyed.
Ahasuerus not only had a quick temper but he was stupid, too. He believed everything that Haman told him. He flew into a rage against the Jews and told Haman to have them killed.
Haman heard that with wicked pleasure. He lost no time in making sure that what he had planned should happen. He sent out orders, in the kings name and with the kings seal, to the governors of all the parts of the kingdom. These orders commanded that on a certain day every Jewish person-man, woman, and child-should be put to death. Then Haman went in and sat down to drink wine with the king, and to rejoice.
Out in the city the people who had begun to hear the news were shocked and troubled. Before long the news reached Mordecai. He dressed himself in rough sackcloth and poured ashes on his head as a sign of distress. Then he went to the gate of the palace to weep and mourn.
One of the palace maids told Esther of this. Esther was greatly troubled. She sent to Mordecai to beg him to take off his sackcloth, and to let her know quickly what was wrong. Mordecai told the messenger the terrible truth-that all the Jews in the kingdom were in danger of death. Only she might save them by going to the king and begging him to change the order.
Esther seemed to be faced with more than a woman could bear. She was the queen, but she knew only too well the cruel laws of the Persian court. She knew that no one, least of all a woman, might dare to cross the king. Esther sent the messenger back to Mordecai. Did he not know that if anyone went to the king uninvited, he might be put to death? This would certainly happen unless the king was in good humor and held out his golden scepter as a sign of permission to come near. Esther had no reason to think that the king would treat her so kindly. It had been many days since he had sent for her and since she had seen him.
Mordecai sent back word that there was only one hope for the Jews in Persia; only one person could do anything, and that person was Esther. She must not think, Mordecai added, that if the kings order for the killing of Jews was carried out she would escape. It would be found out that she too was a Jew, and she would be treated like the rest. But she alone might be able to do what everyone else put together could not do. Perhaps this was her chance to show a kind of courage that few would dare to show.
Who knows, said Mordecai, but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
When Esther received Mordecais message, all her heart rose bravely to answer. So much depended on her that she could not be timid anymore. She sent word back to Mordecai that he should gather the Jews together to fast and pray. She and her maids in the palace would do the same. Then she would go to the king and try to persuade him.
And if I perish, she said, I perish.
The moment came when she must take the great and final risk. Ahasuerus, in all his pomp and power, was sitting on his royal throne. Esther dressed herself in her queenliest robes. She went to the door of the throne room. The door was opened, and she stood there, beautiful and silent, waiting, looking at the king. If he were angry, that would be the end.
But the king stretched out the golden scepter toward her.
Queen Esther! he said. What will you have? What is your request? It shall be given you, even if it be half of the kingdom!
So the king was not angry! He was fond of her, and perhaps he would listen to her more than he had listened to the wicked Haman. But she would not tell him her real wish now.
Instead, she said, If it seems good to the king, will he, and Haman also, come to a banquet which I have made ready today?
The king said that he would come, and that Haman should come, too.
When they were seated at the table, the king told Esther again that he would give her anything she wanted, no matter what it might be.
But she begged him not to have her tell him then what she wanted.
“Would he wait until tomorrow? And would he and Haman come to another banquet the next day?”
“Yes, “the king said, “they would come.”
Haman went out, proud and pleased. He had been invited to a banquet alone with the king and queen, and he was invited again tomorrow! But as he left the palace, there, sitting at the gate, was Mordecai. Mordecai did not stand up or bow, or even notice him. That spoiled everything. Haman snapped his lips shut and walked by Mordecai without a word. When he reached home he called his wife and some of his friends, and broke into a storm of complaining. He told them all of the honors the king had given him, and that anybody could see how great a man he was, but that this Mordecai still despised him.
Hamans wife and friends were as bad-tempered as Haman. Why did he not go at once and ask the kings permission to hang Mordecai?
Ask the king to make a gallows fifty cubits high, they said.
That seemed to Haman a good idea. Without asking the king, he had the gallows built to hang Mordecai on.
Then things began to happen in a way Haman had not expected. That night the king could not sleep. He tossed about impatiently. Finally he decided he would read awhile, and he told one of his servants to bring him a book. The book the servant happened to bring was a history of the events of the kings court during the last few years. The king commanded that the book be read aloud to him. As he listened, he heard about the two men who had plotted to kill him, and how Mordecai had overheard them and had given warning.
Suddenly the king remembered that he had never rewarded Mordecai for this. It annoyed him to think that he had forgotten about it all this time.
He asked his servants, What about this Mordecai? What has been done for him?
They told him, Nothing.
Who is in the court right now? the king asked.
It happened that at just that moment Haman had come to the palace to tell the king about the gallows he had had built for Mordecai. The servants told the king that Haman was outside.
Let him come in, said the king.
So Haman came in. The kings mind was full of what he had been hearing.
Haman, he asked, what ought to be done to a man whom the king wants very much to honor?
He means me! thought Haman. He tried not to look excited.
What ought to be done for a man whom the king wants very much to honor? Haman repeated.
Let royal robes be brought like those which the king wears, and the kings horse, too, and the kings own crown. Let these be put in charge of one of the noblest of the princes. Let the prince put the royal robes on the man the king has chosen to honor. Then the prince shall lead this man, on horseback, through the city and proclaim to the people that he is the man whom the king delights to honor.
Good! said the king. Now hurry and do exactly as you have said. Take one of my royal robes and have the kings horse brought. Find Mordecai the Jew and lead him through the city.
If the king had struck Haman with a hammer between the eyes, Haman could not have been more stunned. But there was no escape from what the king had commanded, and Haman did not dare even to look surprised. In a black and bitter fury he had to go out and give Mordecai the honors he had supposed were meant for him. He held the bridle of the kings horse, with Mordecai riding on it, dressed in a royal robe.
And he had to cry to the people who crowded the streets, This is the man whom the king delights to honor!
But that was not all. The banquet with the king and queen was still to come.
When the three of them were sitting there together, Ahasuerus asked Esther again what she wanted him to do for her. This time she really told him. She reminded him of the order that had gone out in his name that all the Jews in the kingdom should be killed. Then she told him that she herself belonged to the Jewish people.
She pleaded that he would take back that dreadful order and spare them.
If I have found favor in your sight, she said, grant me this petition!
When the king looked at Esther, so lovely and so distressed, he was angry to think that he had been tricked by someone, he had almost forgotten who, into giving that order.
Who has done this? he demanded. Where is he?
Then Esther the queen looked straight at Haman. It is this wicked Haman, she said.
The king was so full of rage that he got up and strode out into the garden. Haman was terrified, and he fell down on the couch where the queen was sitting. In came the king again at that moment, and he thought Haman was trying to hurt the queen.
What! he cried. Will he attack the queen here in my own palace?
He called his servants, and they took Haman out.
One of the kings officers came and asked the king if he knew that Haman had built a gallows near his own house, a gallows nearly a hundred feet high. No, the king had not known it, but now that he knew, he knew also what should be done with it.
Take Haman and hang him on it, he commanded.
So on the very gallows which he had intended for Mordecai, Haman himself was hanged.
That is the story of the book of Esther. And from that day the Jewish people, who had suffered a great deal, were glad to remember the truthful Mordecai and the young queen who, all alone, carried through a dangerous duty.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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VOA for China
Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...In olden days there was a king who liked to keep his court filled with ladies from all over the land. His favorite was a beautiful young maiden named Hua.
Ah, Hua, he used to say, you are the most wondrous creature under the blue heavens. Someday you shall be my queen.”
This king kept a stern law that anyone who rode his horse without his permission would be punished by death. One day, when Hua suddenly learned her mother was ill, she jumped on the horse and rode off to the old womans bedside.
What devotion! the king sighed. To think she risked her own life to tend to her poor mother!
Another time, Hua and the king were strolling in the royal garden. Hua picked a plum and took a bite; its flavor was so splendid, she handed it to the king to taste.
What loyalty, he thought. She discovers this perfect fruit and would rather give it to me to enjoy than finish it herself.
But eventually Huas beauty began to fade, and with it the kings affections.
Didnt she once take my horse, even though she knew it was a crime? he remembered. And another time she handed me the remains of a plum after chewing on it herself.
He decided to choose a younger woman as his queen.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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VOA for China
Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...On winter nights the constellation Gemini lies high overhead, and its two principal stars, Castor and Pollux, are among the brightest in the heavens. We know them as the Twins, but old myths from the days of Greek heroes say they were really half brothers. Leda was the mother of both, while Castors father was Tyndareus, the king of Sparta, and Polluxs father was Zeus, king of the gods. So the span of Castors life was fixed, but Pollux was immortal.
By all accounts, the brothers were never apart, so great was their devotion to each other, and they shared many adventures. They sailed with Jason and the Argonauts on the quest for the Golden Fleece, and they rescued their sister Helen when she was kidnapped by Theseus, the same beautiful Helen whose face later launched a thousand ships and brought about the Trojan War. They also took part in the famous Calydonian hunt, in which many of Greeces bravest heroes gathered to rid the land of a monstrous boar.
The most famous legend about Castor and Pollux is about how they ended their earthly lives. The Greek poet Pindar tells us that Castor was wounded in battle. His brother rushed to his side, only to find him almost dead, gasping out his life with short-drawn breath. Pollux did everything he could to save him, but there was no hope.
Oh father Zeus, Pollux cried, take my life instead of my brothers! Or if not that, let me die also! Without him, I will know nothing but grief for the rest of my days.
As he spoke, Zeus approached and answered: You are my son, Pollux, and therefore enjoy eternal life. Your brother was born of mortal seed, and destined like all humans to taste death. But I will give you a choice. You may come to Olympus, as is your right, and dwell with Athena and Ares and the rest of the gods. Or, if you wish to share your immortality with your brother, then half the time you must spend beneath the earth: and the other half in the golden home of heaven.”
Pollux did not for an instant waver, but gave up his life in Olympus, and chose to share light and darkness forever with his brother. So Zeus unclosed Castors eyes and restored his breath. And even now we see them as the constellation Gemini. They spend half their time fixed in the starry heavens, and the other half sunk beneath the horizon.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...John Greenleaf Whittier 1807-1892
Up from the meadows rich with corn,
Clear in the cool September morn,
The clustered spires of Frederick stand
Green-walled by the hills of Maryland.
Round about them orchards sweep,
Apple and peach tree fruited deep,
Fair as the garden of the Lord
To the eyes of the famished rebel horde,
On that pleasant morn of the early fall
When Lee marched over the mountain wall;
Over the mountains winding down,
Horse and foot, into Frederick town.
Forty flags with their silver stars,
Forty flags with their crimson bars,
Flapped in the morning wind: the sun
Of noon looked down, and saw not one.
Up rose old Barbara Frietchie then,
Bowed with her fourscore years and ten;
Bravest of all in Frederick town,
She took up the flag the men hauled down;
In her attic window the staff she set,
To show that one heart was loyal yet.
Up the street came the rebel tread,
Stonewall Jackson riding ahead.
Under his slouched hat left and right
He glanced; the old flag met his sight.
Halt-the dust-brown ranks stood fast.
Fire-out blazed the rifle blast.
It shivered the window, pane and sash;
It rent the banner with seam and gash.
Quick, as it fell, from the broken staff
Dame Barbara snatched the silken scarf.
She leaned far out on the windowsill,
And shook it forth with a royal will.
Shoot, if you must, this old gray head,
But spare your countrys flag, she said.
A shade of sadness, a blush of shame,
Over the face of the leader came;
The nobler nature within him stirred
To life at that womans deed and word;
Who touches a hair on yon gray head
Dies like a dog! March on! he said.
All day long through Frederick street
Sounded the tread of marching feet:
All day long that free flag tost
Over the heads of the rebel host.
Ever its torn folds rose and fell
On the loyal winds that loved it well;
And through the hill gaps sunset light
Shone over it with a warm good night.
Barbara Frietchies work is oer,
And the Rebel rides on his raids no more.
Honor to her! and let a tear
Fall, for her sake, on Stonewalls bier.
Over Barbara Frietchies grave
Flag of Freedom and Union, wave!
Peace and order and beauty draw
Round thy symbol of light and law;
And ever the stars above look down
On thy stars below in Frederick town!
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...Music Video of America The Beautiful
by Katherine Lee Bates
America the Beautiful was written by Mrs. Bates in 1893 after being inspired by the view from Pikes Peak in Colorado. She later edited the lyrics to what we sing now in 1911. They use the music of Samuel A. Wards with the melody Materna.O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for Pilgrim feet,
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
Flag of the Union during the War Between The States
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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VOA for China
Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...Anonymous
There were once two brothers, Gan and Duc, whose father died suddenly, without leaving a will. Gan, the older brother, took all the land and property for himself except for one small shack and one miserable patch of acreage, which he allowed Duc to have. Ducs field was so tiny it could produce barely enough for him to eat, and year after year he grew poorer and thinner despite his hard work. Gans green fields, meanwhile, flourished every year until he was the wealthiest man in the province.
The richer Gan grew, the more friends he discovered. They came to see him night and day, and he never hesitated to serve lavish meals, pour his best wines, and give away expensive tokens of affection.
Ill do anything for a friend in need, Gan was fond of saying.
Now, Gan had a kind-hearted wife named Hanh who could not understand why her husband treated his own brother so cruelly.
You say theres nothing you wouldnt do for your friends, she pointed out, and yet look at the way you let your brother live.
I have nothing to do with the way he lives, Gan snapped. He can fend for himself, just as I have. Besides, my friends rank among the finest people in the province. Its only fitting that I treat them according to what they deserved.
Nevertheless, he is your brother. And Im sure if you treated him as your friend, youd find more devotion in him than in these friends you treat as brothers.
But this conversation took place many times, and Gan never listened.
One evening Gan came home to find his wife in tears.
Whats happened? he asked.
Something horrible, she sobbed. “This afternoon a beggar came to the door and asked for something to eat. He looked so weak and pale, I couldnt say no. So I told him to step inside while I got something from the kitchen. But no sooner did the poor man cross our threshold than he fainted from hunger. He struck his head on the table and fell dead on the floor. I was so frightened, I wrapped his body in a blanket and dragged it into the garden.
But theres nothing to worry about, Gan assured her. You did nothing wrong. Well explain the situation to the mandarin (government official). You were just trying to help.
Youre wrong, Hanh cried. The mandarin has never liked you. Hes jealous of your riches and popularity. Hell use this chance to ruin us, if he can.
At this Gan turned pale himself. He remembered how stern and cold the mandarin had always been, and how he never accepted Gans invitations to come dine.
What will we do then? he asked, wringing his hands.
Ive thought of a plan, Hanh whispered. “Tonight you must bury the beggar deep in the forest, where no one will find him. Choose your most devoted friend to help you and swear him to secrecy.
So Gan hurried to the home of the man who had dined most at his table. His friend greeted him with a warm embrace and an eager smile. But when Gan explained in low tones how he needed help, his friend shook his head and backed away. He was sorry, hed love more than anything to help, but his back was giving him problems, and he couldnt possibly carry the load of a dead man through the forest.
Gan hurried to another friends house, where once again he was warmly received.
Its been too long! the friend gushed. Tell me now, how can I help you?
I knew I could count on you, Gan sighed. You were always the best of friends. Something horrible has happened.
But as he told his story, his friends expression changed.
I wish I could help, Gan, you know I do, he lamented. But the fact is, my poor old grandmother is ill tonight and may even be on her deathbed. I cant possibly leave her. I knew youd understand.
And so it went, from door to door, from friend to friend.
Some had sick relatives, some were ill themselves, others had pressing engagements. None were able to help, and Gan trudged home alone, trembling with fear and disappointment.
His wife listened to what happened and said, “Theres no time to lose. You dont have a choice. You must go ask your brother for help.
Gan knew she was right-there was no one else now. He hurried into the night again and found his brothers humble house. Duc could not conceal his surprise when he opened his door. Then he saw the anguish on this brothers face.
Whats wrong? he asked at once. You look half-dead. Are you sick? Is Hanh all right?
In faltering words, Gan told why he had come. Before he had finished, Duc was putting on his jacket. The two brothers rushed back to Gans house, found the shrouded body in the garden, and hauled it into the woods. The sun was rising by the time theyd buried the secret burden and staggered home again.
They were stunned to find one of the mandarins men waiting for them.
You are to come with me, he ordered Gan, along with your wife and brother.
They were taken to the mandarins house, and there they found gathered all the friends whose help Gan had begged. One by one the informers stepped forward and told how they had refused to take part in the brothers foul crime.
Not only are you murderers, the mandarin said, you tried to talk your friends into concealing your misdeed. Thankfully, your friends are better men than you. They are honest, and they are loyal to me. They followed you into the forest and then came to report your crime. So theres no use in denying it. Well go retrieve the body, and then youll get what is due.
The entire crowd trooped into the forest, and the hastily dug grave was uncovered. There was a gasp when the blanket was unwrapped and the corpse of an old ram, not a beggar, fell out.
What is the meaning of this? the mandarin demanded.
Gan and Duc stood as confused as the rest. Their accusers glanced at each other nervously.
Then Hanh stepped forward.
This is my doing, she confessed. For a long time Ive watched my husband treat his brother like a stranger while he spared nothing on his friends. I could see how those friends hung on to him only because of the food and wine they could have at his expense. I wanted to prove to him that there can be no loyalty greater than a brothers. So yesterday, when this old ram of ours died, I invented a plan to open my husbands eyes. And here we are.”
Gans accusers looked at their feet, while the mandarin stood silent for a moment.
You are a wise woman, he said at last. This lesson is worth a nights inconvenience.
From then on, Gan and Duc lived as brothers should.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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VOA for China
Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...Long ago Truth, Falsehood, Fire, and Water were journeying together and came upon a herd of cattle. They talked it over and decided it would be fairest to divide the herd into four parts, so each could take home an equal share. But Falsehood was greedy and schemed to get more for himself.
Listen to my warning, he whispered, pulling Water to one side. Fire plans to burn all the grass and trees along your banks and drive your cattle away across the plains so he can have them for himself. If I were you, Id extinguish him now, and then we can have his share of the cattle for ourselves.
Water was foolish enough to listen to Falsehood, and he dashed himself upon Fire and put him out.
Next Falsehood crept toward Truth.
Look what Water has done, he whispered. He has murdered Fire and taken his cattle. We should not consort with the likes of him. We should take all the cattle and go to the mountains.
Truth believed Falsehood and agreed to his plan. Together they drove the cattle into the mountains.
Wait for me! Water called, and he hurried after them, but of course he could not run uphill. So he was left all alone in the valley below.
When they reached the top of the highest mountain, Falsehood turned to Truth and laughed.
Ive tricked you, stupid fool, he shrieked. Now you must give me all the cattle and be my servant, or Ill destroy you.
Yes, you have tricked me, Truth admitted, but I will never be your servant.
And so they fought, and when they clashed the thunder rolled back and forth across the mountain tops. Again and again they threw themselves together, but neither could destroy the other.
Finally they decided to call upon the Wind to declare a winner of the contest. So Wind came rushing up the mountain slopes, and he listened to what they had to say.
It is not for me to declare a winner in this fight, he told them. Truth and Falsehood are destined to struggle. Sometimes Truth will win, but other times Falsehood will prevail, and then Truth must rise up and fight again. Until the end of the world, Truth must battle Falsehood, and must never rest or let down his guard, or he will be finished once and for all.
And so Truth and Falsehood are fighting to this day.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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VOA for China
Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...Once upon a time Truth and Falsehood met each other on the road.
Good afternoon, said Truth.
Good afternoon, returned Falsehood. And how are you doing these days?
Not very well at all, Im afraid, sighed Truth. The times are tough for a fellow like me, you know.
Yes, I can see that, said Falsehood, glancing up and down at Truths ragged clothes. You look like you havent had a bite to eat in quite some time.
To be honest, I havent, admitted Truth. No one seems to want to employ me nowadays. Wherever I go, most people ignore me or mock me. Its getting discouraging, I can tell you. Im beginning to ask myself why I put up with it.
And why the devil do you? Come with me, and Ill show you how to get along. Theres no reason in the world why you cant stuff yourself with as much as you want to eat, like me, and dress in the finest clothes, like me. But you must promise not to say a word against me while were together.
So Truth promised and agreed to go along with Falsehood for a while, not because he liked his company so much, but because he was so hungry he thought hed faint soon if he didnt get something into his stomach. They walked down the road until they came to a city, and Falsehood at once led the way to the very best table at the very best restaurant.
Waiter, bring us your choicest meats, your sweetest sweets, your finest wine! he called, and they ate and drank all afternoon.
At last, when they could hold no more, Falsehood began banging his fist on the table and calling for the manager, who came running at once.
What the devil kind of place is this? Falsehood snapped. I gave that waiter a gold piece nearly an hour ago, and he still hasnt brought our change.
The manager summoned the waiter, who said hed never even seen a penny out of the gentleman.
What? Falsehood shouted, so that everyone in the place turned and looked. I cant believe this place! Innocent, law-abiding citizens come in to eat, and you rob them of their hard-earned money! Youre a pack of thieves and liars! You may have fooled me once, but youll never see me again! Here!
He threw a gold piece at the manager.
Now this time bring me my change!
But the manager, fearing his restaurants reputation would suffer, refused to take the gold piece, and instead brought Falsehood change for the first gold piece he claimed to have spent. Then he took the waiter aside and called him a scoundrel, and said he had a mind to fire him. And as much as the waiter protested that hed never collected a cent from the man, the manager refused to believe him.
Oh Truth, where have you hidden yourself? the waiter sighed. Have you now deserted even us hard-working souls?
No, Im here, Truth groaned to himself, but my judgment gave way to my hunger, and now I cant speak up without breaking my promise to Falsehood.
As soon as they were on the street, Falsehood gave a hearty laugh and slapped Truth on the back.
“You see how the world works? he cried. I managed it all quite well, dont you think?
But Truth slipped from his side.
Id rather starve than live as you do, he said.
And so Truth and Falsehood went their separate ways, and never traveled together again.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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VOA for China
Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...Retold by James Baldwin 1841-1945
On the other side of the sea from Rome there was once a great city named Carthage. The Roman people were never very friendly to the people of Carthage, and at last a war began between them. For a long time it was hard to tell which would prove the stronger. First the Romans would gain a battle, and then the men of Carthage would gain a battle; and so the war went on for many years.
Among the Romans there was a brave general named Regulus-a man of whom it was said that he never broke his word. It so happened after a while that Regulus was taken prisoner and carried to Carthage. Ill and very lonely, he dreamed of his wife and little children so far away beyond the sea; and he had but little hope of ever seeing them again. He loved his home dearly, but he believed that his first duty was to his country; and so he had left all to fight in this cruel war.
He had lost a battle, it is true, and had been taken prisoner. Yet he knew that the Romans were gaining ground, and the people of Carthage were afraid of being beaten in the end. They had sent into other countries to hire soldiers to help them. But even with these they would not be able to fight much longer against Rome.
One day some of the rulers of Carthage came to the prison to talk with Regulus.
We should like to make peace with the Roman people, they said, and we are sure that, if your rulers at home knew how the war is going, they would be glad to make peace with us. We will set you free and let you go home, if you will agree to do as we say.”
What is that? asked Regulus.
In the first place, they said, you must tell the Romans about the battles which you have lost, and you must make it plain to them that they have not gained anything by the war. In the second place, you must promise us that, if they will not make peace, you will come back to your prison.
Very well, said Regulus. I promise you that if they will not make peace, I will come back to prison.
And so they let him go, for they knew that a great Roman would keep his word.
When he came to Rome, all the people greeted him gladly. His wife and children were very happy, for they thought that now they would not be parted again. The white-haired Fathers who made the laws for the city came to see him. They asked him about the war.
I was sent from Carthage to ask you to make peace, he said. But it will not be wise to make peace. True, we have been beaten in a few battles, but our army is gaining ground every day. The people of Carthage are afraid, and well they may be. Keep on with the war a little while longer, and Carthage shall be yours. As for me, I have come to bid my wife and children and Rome farewell. Tomorrow I will start back to Carthage and to prison, for I have promised.
Then the Fathers tried to persuade him to stay.
Let us send another man in your place, they said.
Shall a Roman not keep his word? answered Regulus.
I am ill, and at the best have not long to live. I will go back as I promised.
His wife and little children wept, and his sons begged him not to leave them again.
I have given my word, said Regulus. “The rest will be taken care of.
Then he bade them goodbye, and went bravely back to the prison and the cruel death which he expected.
This was the kind of courage that made Rome the greatest city in the world.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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VOA for China
Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...A man returned home after traveling abroad, eager to brag about his adventures.
Ive seen things youve never imagined, not even in your dreams, he told his friends. Once I saw the longest ship afloat. The captain was standing at the stern, and he gave the cabin boy a message to take to the first mate, who stood at the bow. The lad was only ten when he started; his white beard swabbed the deck by the time hed reached the mast. I didnt wait to see if he lived long enough to make it the rest of the way.
His friends looked at each other.
One said:Thats nothing. You didnt need to leave home to find sights like that. Why, in the forest just over that ridge, Ive seen a tree so tall that it poked a hole in the sky. Once a bird tried to fly to the top, but by the time it reached just the third branch from the bottom, it was too old to go any further. So it stopped and laid an egg, and told its chick to continue the journey. Seven generations of birds have been flying toward the top, and theyre not halfway yet.
Thats ridiculous, the traveler scoffed. Ive never heard such a lie in my life.
If thats the case, asked his friend, where did you get the tree to make the mast for your ship?
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...Retold by Cyrus MacMillan 1882-1953 from Canada
Strong Wind
On the shores of a wide bay on the Atlantic coast there dwelt in old times a great Indian warrior. It was said that he had been one of Glooskaps best helpers and friends, and that he had done for him many wonderful deeds. But that, no man knows. He had, however, a very wonderful and strange power: he could make himself invisible. He could thus mingle unseen with his enemies and listen to their plots. He was known among the people as Strong Wind, the Invisible. He dwelt with his sister in a tent near the sea, and his sister helped him greatly in his work. Many maidens would have been glad to marry him, and he was much sought after because of his mighty deeds; and it was known that Strong Wind would marry the first maiden who could see him as he came home at night. Many made the trial, but it was a long time before one succeeded.
Strong Wind used a clever trick to test the truthfulness of all who sought to win him. Each evening as the day went down, his sister walked on the beach with any girl who wished to make the trial. His sister could always see him, but no one else could see him.
And as he came home from work in the twilight, his sister as she saw him drawing near would ask the girl who sought him, Do you see him?
And each girl would falsely answer “Yes.
And his sister would ask, With what does he draw his sled?
And each girl would answer, With the hide of a moose, or With a pole, or With a great cord.
And then his sister would know that they all had lied, for their answers were mere guesses. And many tried and lied and failed, for Strong Wind would not marry any who were untruthful.
There lived in the village a great chief who had three daughters. Their mother had long been dead. One of these was much younger than the others. She was very beautiful and gentle and well beloved by all, and for that reason her older sisters were very jealous of her charms and treated her very cruelly. They clothed her in rags that she might be ugly, and they cut off her long black hair, and they burned her face with coals from the fire that she might be scarred and disfigured. And they lied to their father, telling him that she had done these things herself. But the girl was patient and kept her gentle heart and went gladly about her work.
Like other girls, the chiefs two eldest daughters tried to win Strong Wind. One evening, as the day went down, they walked on the shore with Strong Winds sister and waited for his coming. Soon he came home from his days work, drawing his sled.
And his sister asked as usual, Do you see him?
And each one, lying, answered Yes.
And she asked, Of what is his shoulder strap made?
And each, guessing, said Of rawhide.
Then they entered the tent where they hoped to see Strong Wind eating his supper; and when he took off his coat and his moccasins they could see them, but more than these they saw nothing. And Strong Wind knew that they had lied, and he kept himself from their sight, and they went home dismayed.
One day the chiefs youngest daughter with her rags and her burned face resolved to seek Strong Wind. She patched her clothes with bits of birch bark from the trees, and put on the few little ornaments she possessed, and went forth to try to see the Invisible One as all the other girls of the village had done before.
And her sisters laughed at her and called her fool.
And as she passed along the road all the people laughed at her because of her tattered frock and her burned face, but silently she went her way.
Strong Winds sister received the little girl kindly, and at twilight she took her to the beach. Soon Strong Wind came home drawing his sled.
And his sister asked, Do you see him?
And the girl answered No, and his sister wondered greatly because she spoke the truth.
And again she asked, Do you see him now?
And the girl answered, Yes, and he is very wonderful.
And she asked, With what does he draw his sled?
And the girl answered, With the rainbow, and she was much afraid.
And she asked further, Of what is his bowstring?
And the girl answered, His bowstring is the Milky Way.
Then Strong Winds sister knew that because the girl had spoken the truth at first her brother had made himself visible to her.
And she said, Truly, you have seen him.
And she took her home and bathed her, and all the scars disappeared from her face and body; and her hair grew long and black again like the ravens wing; and she gave her fine clothes to wear and many rich ornaments. Then she bade her take the wifes seat in the tent. Soon Strong Wind entered and sat beside her, and called her his bride. The very next day she became his wife, and ever afterward she helped him to do great deeds. The girls two elder sisters were very cross and they wondered greatly at what had taken place. But Strong Wind, who knew of their cruelty, resolved to punish them. Using his great power, he changed them both into aspen trees and rooted them in the earth. And since that day the leaves of the aspen have always trembled, and they shiver in fear at the approach of Strong Wind, it matters not how softly he comes, for they are still mindful of his great power and anger because of their lies and their cruelty to their sister long ago.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...Long ago, during the days of the Aztec empire in what we now call Mexico, there ruled an emperor who sometimes liked to disguise himself and walk the city streets and country footpaths alone. He knew his subjects would speak far more openly and fearlessly to a common stranger than to their own emperor, and he was able to learn much about his people he would not have known had he always stayed on his throne.
One day the disguised emperor was wandering the countryside when he came upon a little peasant boy gathering a few sticks of firewood so his family might cook their dinner.
You are working hard, my little friend, the emperor said, but theres barely enough wood here to start a fire. Why dont you go into that thick forest on the hillside? There are plenty of sticks to be picked up there.
The boy shook his head.
That hillside is part of the emperors forest. He has set it aside for his hunting parties. No one may enter without his permission, and to pick up sticks there would mean instant death.
Only if you were caught, the emperor smiled. The forest is deserted now, and you could slip in and out easily. No one will see you, and I promise I will keep quiet.
Thanks for the advice, the boy replied coldly, but I think Ill just gather what I find here.
But think of all that wood going to waste on the forest floor! Surely your emperor must be a selfish, unkind ruler not to share it with you.
Its true this law is harsh and unfair, the boy said angrily. The emperor has no use for the sticks in the forest, and yet he denies them to many in need. But should I do wrong because the law is unjust? No, I will not enter the forest, not as long as there is a better way.
The boy picked up his meager bundle of sticks and turned for home with tears in his eyes.
The next day a royal messenger appeared at the peasant boys home and commanded his whole family to come to the palace at once. They set out in fear and trembling, unable to imagine why they were being summoned.
They were led before the emperor himself, sitting on his throne in all his royal garb. The peasant boy recognized his face at once, and he paled with terror.
You were the one who urged me to enter the royal forest! he cried.
Dont be afraid, the emperor said. Youve done no wrong. You refused to steal when you had the chance, and you insisted on obeying your emperors law. I want to meet your parents. They have raised you well, and will be rewarded.
He pointed to a chest of gold, enough to keep want from their humble door for the rest of their lives.
But there is something more important, the emperor went on. You were right about my law. It is unjust. From now on, the royal forest is open to all.
He took the peasant boy by the arm.
You wondered if there were not a better way, he said. There was. Your virtue has reached the heart of your emperor.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...Honesty in others cannot be expected when you are not always honest yourself.
Were the whole world good as you-not an atom better?
Were it just as pure and true,
Just as pure and true as you;
Just as strong in faith and works;
Just as free from crafty quirks;
All extortion, all deceit;
Schemes its neighbors to defeat;
Schemes its neighbors to defraud;
Schemes some culprit to applaud
Would this world be better?
If the whole world followed you-followed to the letter?
Would it be a nobler world,
All deceit and falsehood hurled
From it altogether;
Malice, selfishness, and lust,
Banished from beneath the crust,
Covering human hearts from view?
Tell me, if it followed you,
Would the world be better?
The CHARACTER OF A HAPPY LIFEby Henry Wotton 1568 to 1639Honesty is the way to have nothing and yet to have everything.
How happy is he born and taught,
That serveth not anothers will;
Whose armor is his honest thought,
And simple truth his utmost skill!
Whose passions not his masters are,
Whose soul is still prepared for death,
Untied unto the worldly care
Of public fame, or private breath;
Who envies none that chance doth raise,
Or vice; who never understood
How deepest wounds are given by praise;
Nor rules of state, but rules of good:
Who hath his life from rumors freed,
Whose conscience is his strong retreat;
Whose state can neither flatterers feed,
Nor ruin make oppressors great;
Who God doth late and early pray,
More of his grace than gifts to lend;
And entertains the harmless day
With a religious book or friend.
This man is freed from servile bands,
Of hope to rise, or fear to fall;
Lord of himself, though not of lands;
And having nothing, yet hath all.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
Click for more English practice
VOA for China
Share this:FacebookLinkedInMoreTwitterPinterestTumblrPrintRedditSkypePocketLike this: Loading...Retold by Horatio Alger Jr. 1832-1899
Part One The Young Storekeeper
As a clerk he proved honest and efficient, and my readers will be interested in some illustrations of the former trait which I find in Dr. Hollands interesting volume.
One day a woman came into the store and purchased sundry articles. They footed up two dollars and six and a quarter cents, or the young clerk thought they did. We do not hear nowadays of six and a quarter cents, but this was a coin borrowed from the Spanish currency, and was well known in my own boyhood.
The bill was paid, and the woman was entirely satisfied.
But the young storekeeper, not feeling quite sure as to the accuracy of his calculation, added up the items once more. To his dismay he found that the sum total should have been but two dollars.
Ive made her pay six and a quarter cents too much, said Abe, disturbed.
It was a trifle, and many clerks would have dismissed it as such. But Abe was too conscientious for that.
The money must be paid back, he decided.
This would have been easy enough had the woman lived just round the corner, but, as the young man knew, she lived between two and three miles away. This, however, did not alter the matter. It was night, but he closed and locked the store, and walked to the residence of his customer. Arrived there, he explained the matter, paid over the six and a quarter cents, and returned satisfied. If I were a capitalist, I would be willing to lend money to such a young man without security.
Here is another illustration of young Lincolns strict honesty:
A woman entered the store and asked for half a pound of tea.
The young clerk weighed it out and handed it to her in a parcel. This was the last sale of the day. The next morning, when commencing his duties, Abe discovered a four-ounce weight on the scales. It flashed upon him at once that he had used this in the sale of the night previous, and so, of course, given his customer short weight. I am afraid that there are many country merchants who would not have been much worried by this discovery. Not so the young clerk in whom we are interested. He weighed out the balance of the half pound, shut up the store, and carried it to the defrauded customer. I think my young readers will begin to see that the name so often given, in later times to President Lincoln, of Honest Old Abe, was well deserved. A man who begins by strict honesty in his youth is not likely to change as he grows older, and mercantile honesty is some guarantee of political honesty.
Part Two Working Out a Book
All the information we can obtain about this early time is interesting for it was then that Abe was laying the foundation of his future eminence. His mind and character were slowly developing, and shaping themselves for the future.
From Mr. Lamons Life I quote a paragraph which will throw light upon his habits and tastes at the age of seventeen:
Abe loved to lie under a shade tree, or up in the loft of the cabin, and read, cipher, and scribble. At night he sat by the chimney jamb, and ciphered by the light of the fire, on the wooden fire shovel. When the shovel was fairly covered, he would shave it off with Tom Lincolns drawing knife, and begin again. In the daytime he used boards for the same purpose, out of doors, and went through the shaving process everlastingly. His stepmother repeats often that he read every book he could lay his hands on. She says, Abe read diligently. He read every book he could lay his hands on, and when he came across a passage that struck him, he would write it down on boards if he had no paper, and keep it there until he did get paper. Then he would rewrite it, look at it, repeat it. He had a copybook, a kind of scrapbook, in which he put down all things, and thus preserved them.
I am tempted also to quote a reminiscence of John Hanks, who lived with the Lincolns from the time Abe was fourteen to the time he became eighteen years of age:
When Abe Lincoln and I returned to the house from work, he would go to the cupboard, snatch a piece of cornbread, take down a book, sit down on a chair, cock his legs up as high as his head, and read. He and I worked barefooted, grubbed it, plowed, mowed, and cradled together; plowed corn, gathered it, and shucked corn. Abraham read constantly when he had opportunity.
It may well be supposed, however, that the books upon which Abe could lay hands were few in number. There were no libraries, either public or private, in the neighborhood, and he was obliged to read what he could get rather than those which he would have chosen, had he been able to select from a large collection. Still, it is a matter of interest to know what books he actually did read at this formative period. Some of them certainly were worth reading, such as Aesops Fables, Robinson Crusoe, Pilgrims Progress, A History of the United States, and Weemss Life of Washington. The last book Abe borrowed from a neighbor, old Josiah Crawford (I follow the statement of Mr. Lamon, rather than of Dr. Holland, who says it was Master Crawford, his teacher). When not reading it, he laid it away in a part of the cabin where he thought it would be free from harm, but it so happened that just behind the shelf on which he placed it was a great crack between the logs of the wall. One night a storm came up suddenly, the rain beat in through the crevice, and soaked the borrowed book through and through. The book was almost utterly spoiled. Abe felt very uneasy, for a book was valuable in his eyes, as well as in the eyes of its owner. He took the damaged volume and trudged over to Mr. Crawfords in some perplexity and mortification.
Well, Abe, what brings you over so early? said Mr. Crawford.
Ive got some bad news for you, answered Abe, with lengthened face.
Bad news! What is it?
You know the book you lent me-The Life of Washington?
Yes.
Well, the rain last night spoiled it. And Abe showed the book, wet to a pulp inside, at the same time explaining how it had been injured.
Its too bad, I vum! Youd ought to pay for it, Abe. You must have been dreadful careless!
Id pay for it if I had any money, Mr. Crawford.
If youve got no money, you can work it out, said Crawford.
Ill do whatever you think right.
So it was arranged that Abe should work three days for Crawford, pulling fodder, the value of his labor being rated at twenty-five cents a day. As the book had cost seventy-five cents this would be regarded as satisfactory. So Abe worked his three days, and discharged the debt. Mr. Lamon is disposed to find fault with Crawford for exacting this penalty, but it appears to me only equitable, and I am glad to think that Abe was willing to act honorably in the matter.
Why am I PJRCOFFEE?
Audio and Introduction ©2015 Paul J Rustine All Rights Reserved
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