Leopard and Cat
The cat asked God to increase her size and strength.
- “I want to be as mighty as a leopard,” she prayed. The Creator heard her prayer - the cat became big and strong.
But after some time, she turned to God again. “Why didn’t I become like a leopard?” the cat asked.
“You got what you wanted,” the Creator replied, “you became big and resembling a leopard. But your inner essence remained the same. You are still a cat. For you live like a cat, think like a cat, and fear like a cat. The truth is that you have a cat's heart and a cat's fate.”
Domestic Geese, Wild Geese
One autumn day, while strolling through the bird yard, a domestic goose saw a wild goose flying overhead. In a surge of kinship feelings, he addressed his brother.
- Brother, why are you flying to distant lands? Why do you burden yourself with the search for food and warmth? Join me. Look how happy I am here! I live in a barn, sheltered from rain and snow, feeding on the food my owner brings. The hardships of life are unknown to me, and searching for sustenance is not my lot.
- Yes, my life is not so carefree. But I do not regret it and do not envy you. Your whole life will pass on a small wasteland in front of the barn. You are not destined to soar among the clouds and look down on the earth from the heights of heaven.
Racehorse and Time
A famous racehorse was asked how many years he had lived on earth.
- How long I’ve lived, I no longer remember. But I remember very well the days when, as a little foal, I grew up on a mountain pasture. And I also remember the moments when, leaving all my competitors far behind, I won races in my prime. It is not the number of years lived that matters, but how they were lived. A minute of happiness is worth more than a year without joy.
Bee and Statistics
A bee was asked:
- They say that to collect one kilogram of honey, you fly from the hive to the flower and back 68 thousand times. Is that true?
- I don’t count. Sorry, but I don’t have time to deal with such trifles, - replied the bee and flew off to the flowers.
White Crow
A common black crow was asked what she thinks about the white crow.
“She needs to be blackened,” was the brief reply.