Men and Women
An elder was asked: "Who are more numerous - men or women?"
- Of course, there are more women.
- How could you count that?
- If you add all the men who do not leave the house and all the cowardly men to the women, then the real men will remain in the minority.
Mother and Old Age
A woman was asked to share the secret of her beauty and youth.
- You look young, even though you have adult children. How have you managed to keep yourself so well?
- The age and health of a mother depend not only on her own age but also on the attitude of her children. A mother ages in two cases - when her children let her down and when her son starts to have gray hair. My children do not upset me, and my eldest does not have gray hair yet. So why should I age?
A Man Came to the Sage for Advice
Elder, I often scold my son, but he still does not listen to me. Please advise me on how to raise my son, what should I do?
It's good that you are asking how to treat your son. Your attitude towards him is the most important thing in his upbringing. From birth to seven years, treat your son like your king. From eight to fourteen, treat him like a servant. And after fourteen, treat him like your best friend.
The Old Man and the Pasture
In spring, the old man sent his grandson to the mountains. "Find a good pasture for our livestock and come back home," he instructed the young man. Upon returning home a week later, the grandson told the elder what he had seen.
- Grandpa, I found a pasture with wonderful grass and an excellent water source. But there are wolves in that area. What should we do?
- Remember my words, grandson. There are always wolves and eagles on good pastures. They are only absent where there is nothing to do and for livestock - in the desert. But where there is water and grass, herds of horses and sheep come every year.
What is Happiness?
One day, two young men approached the sage.
- Elder, judge us. Tell us, what is happiness?
- If you are looking for the scent of happiness, know that it is the scent of spring meadows, the scent of renewed nature, reborn after the winter cold.
If you need the voice of happiness, it is the voice of the nightingale singing about love.
In winter, happiness is the touch of the first fluffy snow.
Right now, your happiness is to gain knowledge and good advice from the elders.
And when you grow up, the highest happiness will be to protect your homeland and serve the people.
Silence is Golden
One day, a respected elder approached a parrot seller.
- How much does this parrot cost?
- Five hundred soms.
- What can it do?
- It repeats people's words and can even swear.
- And how much for this one?
- It costs three hundred soms.
- Why?
- Because it knows fewer words and cannot swear.
- Then I will buy it, but not for three hundred, but for five hundred soms.
- Why?
- Better to remain silent than to say unnecessary things. There are more feelings in silence than in conversation. It is not for nothing that it is said by the wise: "Silence is golden."
What is Most Important for a Kyrgyz?
Once, young people argued about what is most important for Kyrgyz people. Each stood by their own opinion. Then they asked the elder to judge them. He listened to their question and said:
- The most sacred for Kyrgyz people is Tengri or the holy heavens.
Above all, Kyrgyz people value dignity.
Our main wealth is our native language.
The beginning of the homeland is our village.
The sacred food is bread.
The call of the Kyrgyz is Manas.
Our support is honor.
When addressing God, a Kyrgyz first asks not to deprive him of reason.
The main judge for a person is his people, society.
The highest joy is the birth of a son.
Favorite activities are falconry and playing the komuz.
Sart-Ake
The sage Sart-Ake was asked: "What is the most precious thing for a person?"
— The most precious thing is what you have lost.
- And what is the most irreplaceable?
The affection of a mother.
To Speak or to Listen?
The elder was asked which skill is more important - to speak or to listen?
- The ability to listen is more important. The ability to listen is a sign of respect for the opinion of the interlocutor. The ability to listen shows a person's inner culture. The ability to listen is a sign of patience and wisdom. A person who cannot speak beautifully may succeed, but one who cannot listen will never achieve success. No one is punished for silence, while a person who speaks beautifully may make mistakes. Before saying something once, you must hear it a thousand times.
How to Recognize a Smart Person?
The sage was asked how to know if a person is smart or not?
- Intelligence or its absence cannot always be determined at first glance. But there are several signs that distinguish a smart person.
He believes in himself and his goal.
He remembers the past of his people, understands its present, and foresees its future.
He is able to justify trust.
He befriends smart people.
He realizes his mistakes and shortcomings in time.
A smart person does not drink excessively.
He strives for order everywhere and in everything.