Some times life can feel pretty overwhelming and you may feel like giving up. Here’s a story to help you keep going and not give up.

Once upon a time, on a farm way out in the coutry, a farmer’s wife milked the cows, poured all the milk into a tall pail, and went to find her oldest son to carry it into the house.

But in the house the farmer’s wife found all kinds of trouble. The fire had gone out in the oven, the bread was ruined, the baby was crying, and her oldest son was nowhere to be found. So the pail full of milk stood unattended and unremembered.

Not far from the barn in the cow pasture there was a pond, And in that pond lived two speckled frogs. On this particular day, these two frogs decided it would be a wonderful day for an adventure. They wanted to see what was in the barn. So they hopped and they hopped and they hopped until they reached the barn door. Then they hopped right through the door.

Inside the bar the frogs saw all sorts of amazing things. The huge cows were chewing on their hay. Spiders were spinning webs in the corners of the barn. A mouse scurried across the barn floor. A cat tip-toed across a rafter.

The frogs hopped around to do a little exploring. they hopped up on some bails of hay. Then they hopped onto a shelf. Then…plop! They hopped right into the pail of milk.

The sides of the tall pail were straight and slippery. The frogs could not touch the bottom. They could not jump out.

“We’re doomed,” cried the older frog.

“Keep swimming,” cried the younger frog. “If we keep swimming sooner or later something will happen. The two frogs swam and swam. But the farmer’s wife did not come back.

Finally, the older frog said, “I can’t take it any more. It’s just too hard. It’s just too tiring. I’m giving up! We’ll just die trying. So saying, he flopped onto his belly and sank into the deep creamy milk, never to be seen again.

One frog down. One to go. Will he make it? Don’t give up. Come back next time and see!

The wife of the soldier who returned from war cold and uncaring has obtained the tiger’s whisker for a love potion to be made by the village wise man.

“Here it is! I have the tiger’s whisker! Now, make me the love potion that will win me back my husband’s love.”

The old man took the whisker and examined it carefully. “It is truly what you say it is. Tell me, how did you obtain it?” inquired the old man.

The woman said, “I was very patient. I approached the beast carefully and gently, leaving offerings at a great distance. Each day, I came just a bit closer. After a long time, when I was certain the creature trusted me, I moved still closer, Finally, I was able to reach out and touch him, for at last, he was not afraid.”

The old man nodded as the woman unfolded her tale.

“That is very interesting,” he said, tossing the whisker into the fire,

“NOOOOOOO!” cried the woman. “After all my effort you have thrown away the special ingredient you need to make the love potion!”

“You do not need a love potion. Any woman who can tame a ferocious tigger can certainly win the love of her husband. Go home, dear woman, and be patient with your husband. Trust that the magic to win his heart is already within you.”

The woman returned home with new understanding. She stopped scolding. She stopped demanding love. With great patience and gentle warmth that had tamed a tiger, she melted the icy heart of her warrior husband.

“Our patience will achieve more than our force.” Edmund Burke

“The Tiger’s Whisker” is found in Wisdom Tales from Around the World, by Heather Forest.

Acting on the advice of the village wise man, the veteran’s wife has gone looking for a tiger’s whisker. Will she come back alive?

Carrying the meat, she traveled into the jungle until she saw the cave of a tiger. Hiding at a distance, she saw that the huge beast was peacefully asleep in the sun.

The woman could not help but notice his sharp claws. She sat as still as a stone and watched the tiger’s belly move as he breathed. At last, she left the meat on the spot where she had been sitting and went home.

Each day, the woman returned to the tiger’s cave with the meat. Each day, she left the meat a few inched closer and patiently watched the animal.

After several weeks, the tiger allowed her to approach and place the meat in front of him. More time passed, and the tiger allowed her to sit beside him as he ate. He would then stretch himself and sleep with his head near her lap.

The first time she reached out and touched his sleek fur, a tremble ran through her body. The tiger just purred like a giant cat and slept on.

Many days later, as she sat beside the huge, napping creature, she tool tiny scissors from her pocket and carefully snipped a whisker.

She slipped away with the hard-won treasure in her pocket. When she was out of the jungle she burst into a run that took her all the way to the old man’s house.

“Here it is! I have the whisker!” she shouted. “Now make me the love potion that will win back my husband’s love.”

Will the wise man’s potion work? We’ll see next time!

“The Tiger’s Whisker” is found in Wisdom Tales from around the World, by Heather Forest.

Last time the returning soldier’s wife could not connect emotionally with her husband just returned from war. What will she do?

Distraught over her husband’s coldness the wife dashed out the door and ran until she came to the house of a wise old man who was known to make potions and magical charms.

“Please, give me a love potion that will make my husband love me again. He has returned form war with no love left in his heart.”

The old man listened carefull to her complaint.

“There is a special charm in a situation like this. I can help you win back your husband’s love, but to make the potion I will need the whisker of a fierce tiger. If you can bring me suck a whisker, I can help yu win back your husband’s love.”

“A tiger’s whisker!” That will be impossible to obtain!”

“If you truly want to win back the love of your husband, then you will bring me what I ask.”

The woman walked away from the old man’s house, deep in thought. Her heart ached. She could not bear the situation as it was, so she went to the market to buy a chunk of meat.

Will she find a tiger? Will she get a whisker? Be patient! Come back next time to find out.

The Tiger’s Whisker can be found in Wisdom Tales from Around the World, by Heather Forest.

Here’s the first part of a four part story that illustrates why it’s smart to be patient.

After many years in battle, a fierce warrior4 returned home so somber that it seemed to his wife as if his spirit had been killed in battle and that nly his flesh and bones walked through the door.

She welcomed him with great hugs and tears of joy, he did not respond to her touch. His icy eyes did not meet her gaze. He seated himself at the table and stared out the window.

The wife tried to engae him in conversation, but he did not reply. She prepared a huge, tasty meal, which he barely ate. She hovered over him like a mother bird over a new brood and chatted on, telling him jokes and the news of events he had missed in his absence.

At night she affectionately curled her arms over his shoulders and smothered his head with kisses. But he turned away and slept with his back to he, pulling the covers tightly around his body.

The wife became distraught at his coldness. She scolded him for being so cruel and hardhearted.

“How can you treat me this way?! I have waited for so long for your return. I suffered in my loneliness!”

“The Tiger’s Whisker” can be found in Wisdom Tales from Around the World, by Heather Forest.

How will she win her husband’s affection back? More next time!

Kindness is always smart. Just ask the ant and the dove.

An ant went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and being carried away by the rush of the stream, was on the point of drowning.

A dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water plucked a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to her. The ant climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank.

Shortly afterwards a bird catcher came and stood under the tree and laid his lime twigs for the dove, which sat in the branches. The ant, perceiving his design, stung him in the foot. In pain the bird catcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the Dove take wing.

One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in the debt to those who are kind. ~Malayan Proverb

Next time: Why It’s Smart to be Patient

In our increasingly uncivil society it’s smart to be kind.

A slave named Androcles escaped from his master and fled to the forest.

As he was wandering about there he came upon a lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him.

As he came near, the lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had gotten into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog.

Then the lion took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live. But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days.

The Emperor and all his court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the Lion was let loose from his den and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim. But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognized his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog.

The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the lion let loose to his native forest.

“Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns.”

Next time: Another story about kindness.

The days passed and the morning of Pythias’ execution dawned–still, Pythias did not appear, and the people of Syracuse said that Damon would surely be killed.

Everyone agreed Damon’s behavior was rash and foolhardy; but Damon himself was the happiest man in the prison. He was filled with hope that his friend would not return on time so he could die in his place. Damon was led out to execution with a cheerful face.

Dionysius had come to see him meet his death, and called out to him in mocking words.

“So, Damon, where is your friend, of whom you were so confident? I fear you have allowed him to take advantage of your simplicity.”

“It is impossible for me to doubt my friend’s faithfulness,” replied Damon. “Perhaps he has met with some accident along the way.”

At that moment a horse broke through the crowd, and Pythias, travel-stained and weary, half fell out of his saddle, and ran to embrace his friend.

“I am come–in time,” he gasped. “My horse - was killed, and I could not find another. Thank heaven I am in time to save you!”

But Damon did not want Pythias to die. He pleaded with him to allow the execution to continue, and Dionysius watched in disbelief as each friend eagerly sought to giver up his life for the other.

“Cease, cease these debates,” he exclaimed, stepping forward and taking their hands. “I hereby set both of you free. Never in my life have I seen such loyalty; nor did I dream such a thing could exist. I beg you will accept my pardon and allow me to share in your friendship.”

Who’s depending on you to be smart and keep your word?

Next time: Why It’s Smart to be Kind

In a world of oft broke personal and political promises, Damon and Pythias from Greek mythology, teach is why it’s smart to keep our word.

There once lived two men, called Damon and Pythias. They were both lovers of truth and integrity and in all the city of Syracuse they could find no one who upheld these principles so well as each other.

Dionysius was at that time ruler of Syracuse; he wielded complete authority and very often abused his power, for he was hot-tempered and imperious and anyone who angered him was put to death.

On the day he was informed that a young man named Pythias had been heard complaining against the cruelty of Dionysius; no one was allowed to criticize the ruler, and Dionysius condemned the young man to die.

When Pythias learned of his fate, he begged to be allowed ot return home to set his affairs in order.

“How far way is your home?” inquired Dionysius suspiciously, “and how may I be certain you will return?”

My home is many distant miles,” replied Pythias, “but, I have a friend, Damon, who is willing to take my place while I am away.”

There was a stir amongst the bystanders and a man stepped forward to Pythias’ side.

“I am Damon, my lord,” he said. “I will give myself up as a pledge of my friend’s return, and if any accident befalls him I will die in his place.”

The tyrant was amazed by this generosity, and gave Pythias permission to depart, fixing the day and hour of his return, and warning that he would not fail to exercise justice on his friend, if he did not arrive back in time.

Will Pythias keep his word? Come back and find out!

In part one of “The Empty Pot” Jun enters the Emperor’s contest to find a new heir to the throne. To win he must grow the best plant in the kingdom from a single seed. All the other boys’ plants are growing, but Jun’s is not. What will he do?

Six months passed. The day approached  when boys were supposed to bring their plants to the palace for judging.

“What will I do?” wailed Jun to his parents as he gazed out the window at the other boys joyfully preparing their triumphant return to the palace. “My seed wouldn’t grow! My pot is empty!”

“You did the best you could,” said his father, shaking his head. Added his mother, Jun, just bring the emperor your pot,” “it was the best you could do.”

Shame-faced, Jun carried his empty pot on the road to the palace, while gleeful boys carrying pots tottering with huge plants strode to his right and left.

At the palace, all the boys lined up in rows with their blossoming plants and awaited judgment. The Emperor, wrapped in his richly embroidered silk robe, strode down the line of hopeful entrants, viewing each plant with a frown. When he cam to Jun, he scowled even more and said, “What is this? You brought me an empty pot?”

It was all Jun could do to keep from crying. “If you please, Your Majesty,” said Jun, “I tired my best. I planted your seed with the best soil I could find, I kept it moist and watched it every day. When the seed didn’t grow I re-potted it in new soil, and I even re-potted it again. But it just didn’t grow. I’m sorry.” Jun hung his head.

“Hmm,” said the Emperor. Turning so everyone could hear he thundered, “I don’t know where all these other boys got their seeds. There is no way anything could grow from the seeds we passed out for the contest, because those seeds had all been cooked!

And he smiled at Jun.

“With lies you may get ahead in the world-but you can never go back.”- Russian proverb.

Next time: Why It’s Smart to Keep Your Word.

This post begins a series called  “Why It’s Smart.” Each post will contain a story about a behavior that it’s smart to engage in.

When we are on the hot seat, it’s often tempting to lie to save face. The choice between truth, embarrassment and possibly anger, and protecting our own hide can be difficult. The boy in this story had such a choice to make. Maybe you can relate to his predicament.

By royal proclamation, the Emperor of China announced a contest to decide the next heir to his throne. He was old and had no son, and because he had been a plant-lover for years, he declared that any boy who wanted to be king should come to the palace to receive one royal seed. Whichever boy could show the best results within six months would win the contest and become the next to wear the crown.

You ca imagine the excitement! Every boy in china fancied himself likely to win. Parents of boys who were talented at growing plants imagined living in splendor at the palace. On the day the seeds were to be handed out, thick crowds of hopeful boys thronged the palace. Each boy returned home with one precious possibility in his palm.

And so it was with the boy Jun. He was already considered the best gardener in the village. Jun carefully carried the Emperor’s seed home, sealing it securely in his hands so it wouldn’t fall, but not so tightly that it might crush.

At home, he spread the bottom of a flowerpot with large stones, covered the stones with pebbles, then filled the pot with rich black moist soil. He pressed the seed about an inch below the surface and covered it with light soil.

Over the next few days Jun, along with every boy he knew and hundreds he did not know, watered his pot every day and watched for the telltale unfurling of the first leaf as it burst through the surface.

Soon sprouts emerged from pots all over the village. Boys moved their plants outside so the baby leaves could bask in the warmth of the sun. they built stone fences around their pots and zealously guarded them form mischievous children who might accidentally–or not so accidentally–topple them over. Soon dozens of sprouts in pots throughout the village were stretching out their first leaves. But Jun’s seed did not grow.

He was confused–what was wrong? Jun carefully re-potted his seed into a new pot with the very best  and richest black loam from his garden. He crumbled every ball of soil into tiny particles. He gently pressed in the seed, and kept the top moist and watched the pot every day. Still Jun’s seed did not grow.

Strong, powerful stalks soon emerged form the pots cared for by other boys in Jun’s village. Jun was thrown into despair. The other boys laughed at him and started to mockingly say “as empty as Jun’s pot” if there were no treats in their pockets, or if they had just finished their bowls of rice. Jun re-potted his plant yet again, this time sprinkling dried fish throughout the soil as fertilizer. Even so, his seed did not grow.

The final day of the contest was coming. What would Jun do? Come back to find out!