The most famous legends of Russia. The most interesting legends and myths associated with famous sights of the world Myths, legends and traditions

Akhtamar (Armenian legend).
Long ago, in ancient times, King Artashez had a beautiful daughter named Tamar. Tamar's eyes shone like stars in the night, and her skin turned white like snow on the mountains. Her laughter gurgled and rang like water from a spring. The fame of her beauty went everywhere. And the king of Media sent matchmakers to the king Artashez, and the king of Syria, and many kings and princes. And King Artashez began to fear that someone would come for the beauty with the war, or the evil vishap would kidnap the girl before he decided who to give his daughter as a wife.
And then the king ordered to build a golden palace for his daughter on an island in the middle of Lake Van, which has long been called the "Nairi Sea", so great it is. And he gave her only women and girls as servants, so that no one would disturb the peace of the beauty. But the king did not know, just as other fathers before him did not know, and other fathers after him would not know, that Tamar's heart was no longer free. And she gave it not to the king and not to the prince, but to the poor Azat, who had nothing in the world except beauty, strength and courage. Who remembers now what his name was? And Tamar managed to exchange with the young man a look and a word, an oath and a kiss.
But now the waters of Van lie between the lovers.
Tamar knew that, by order of her father, guards were watching day and night to see if a boat was sailing from the shore to the forbidden island. Her lover knew this too. And one evening, wandering in anguish along the coast of Van, he saw a distant fire on the island. Small as a spark, he trembled in the darkness, as if trying to say something. And looking into the distance, the young man whispered:
Distant bonfire, do you send me your light?
Aren't you the beauties dear hello?
And the light, as if answering him, flared brighter.
Then the young man realized that his beloved was calling him. If you swim across the lake at nightfall, not a single guard will notice the swimmer. The fire on the shore will serve as a beacon so as not to stray in the dark.
And the lover threw himself into the water and swam into the distant light, to where the beautiful Tamar was waiting for him.
For a long time he swam in the cold dark waters, but the scarlet flower of fire inspired courage in his heart.
And only the bashful sister of the sun Lusin, looking out from behind the clouds from the dark sky, was a witness to the meeting of lovers.
They spent the night together, and in the morning the young man again set off on his return journey.
So they began to meet every night. In the evening, Tamar made a fire on the shore so that her lover could see where to swim. And the light of the flame served the young man as a talisman against the dark waters that open at night the gates to the underworlds inhabited by water spirits hostile to man.
Who remembers now how long or short the lovers managed to keep their secret?
But one day the royal servant saw the young man in the morning returning from the lake. His wet hair was matted and water dripped from it, and his happy face looked tired. And the servant suspected the truth.
And that same evening, shortly before dusk, the servant hid behind a rock on the shore and waited. And he saw how a distant fire was lit on the island, and he heard a slight splash with which a swimmer entered the water.
The servant looked out for everything and hurried to the king in the morning.
King Artashez was furiously angry. The king was angry that his daughter dared to fall in love, and even more angry that she fell in love not with one of the powerful kings who asked for her hand, but with a poor Azat!
And the king ordered his servants to be ready at the shore with a fast boat. And when the darkness began to fall, the king's people swam to the island. When they sailed more than half the way, a red fire flower bloomed on the island. And the servants of the king leaned on the oars, in a hurry.
Coming ashore, they saw the beautiful Tamar, dressed in clothes embroidered with gold, smeared with fragrant oils. From under her multi-colored cap-cap, curls as black as agate fell to her shoulders. The girl sat on a carpet spread on the shore, and fed the fire from her hands with sprigs of magic juniper. And in her smiling eyes, as in the dark waters of Van, small fires burned.
Seeing the uninvited guests, the girl jumped to her feet in fright and exclaimed:
You servants of the father! Kill me!
I pray for one thing - do not put out the fire!
And the royal servants were glad to take pity on the beauty, but they feared the wrath of Artashez. Roughly they seized the girl and dragged her away from the fire, into the golden palace. But first they let her see how the fire, trampled and scattered by coarse boots, perished.
Tamar wept bitterly, escaping from the hands of the guards, and the death of fire seemed to her the death of her beloved.
So it was. There was a young man in the middle of the path when the light that had beckoned him went out. And the dark waters pulled him into the depths, filling his soul with cold and fear. Before him lay darkness and he did not know where to swim in the darkness.
For a long time he struggled with the black will of the water spirits. Every time the head of an exhausted swimmer emerged from the water, his gaze pleadingly searched for a red firefly in the darkness. But he did not find it, and again he swam at random, and the water spirits circled him, leading him astray. And finally the young man was exhausted.
"Ah, Tamar!" he whispered, emerging from the water for the last time. Why didn't you save the fire of our love? Did it really happen to me to sink into the dark water, and not fall on the battlefield, as it should be for a warrior!? Ah, Tamar, what an unkind death! He wanted to say that, but he couldn't. Only one thing he had the strength to exclaim: "Ah, Tamar!"
"Ah, Tamar!" - echoed - the voice of the kaji, the spirits of the wind, and carried over the waters of Van. "Ah, Tamar!"
And the king ordered the beautiful Tamar to be imprisoned forever in her palace.
In grief and sorrow, until the end of her days, she mourned her beloved, without removing the black scarf from her loose hair.
Many years have passed since then - everyone remembers their bitter love.
And the island on Lake Van has been called Akhtamar ever since.

Oh, interesting legends and parables!

One day, little Rybka heard from someone a story that there is an Ocean - a beautiful, majestic, powerful, fantastic place, and so burned with a desire to go there, to see everything with her own eyes, that this actually became the goal, the meaning of her life. And only The fish grew up, immediately started to swim, to look for the same Ocean. For a long, long time, the Fish swam, until finally, to the question: “How far is it to the Ocean?” They answered her: “Darling, you are in it. Here it is around you! “
“Fu, nonsense,” Rybka grimaced, “there’s only water around me, and I’m looking for the Ocean ...
Moral: sometimes in pursuit of some "ideals" we do not notice the obvious things!!!

And do you believe?







Believer Baby: No, no! I don’t know exactly what our life will look like after giving birth, but in any case, we will see mom and she will take care of us.
Unbelieving baby: Mom? Do you believe in mom? And where is she?
Believing baby: She is everywhere around us, we abide in her and thanks to her we move and live, without her we simply cannot exist.
Unbelieving baby: Complete nonsense! I didn't see any mother, and therefore it is obvious that she simply does not exist.
Believer Child: I can't agree with you. After all, sometimes, when everything around is quiet, you can hear how she sings, and feel how she strokes our world. I firmly believe that our real life will begin only after childbirth. And do you believe?

And do you believe?
Two babies are talking in the belly of a pregnant woman. One of them is a believer, the other is a non-believer Unbelieving baby: Do you believe in life after childbirth?
Believer Baby: Yes, of course. Everyone understands that life after childbirth exists. We are here to become strong enough and ready for what comes next.
Unbelieving Baby: That's stupid! There can be no life after childbirth! Can you imagine what such a life could look like?
Believer Baby: I don't know all the details, but I believe that there will be more light and that we may be able to walk and eat with our own mouths.
Unbelieving baby: What nonsense! It is impossible to walk and eat with your mouth! It's totally funny! We have an umbilical cord that feeds us. You know, I want to tell you: it is impossible for there to be life after childbirth, because our life - the umbilical cord - is already too short.
Believing baby: I'm sure it's possible. Everything will just be a little different. It can be imagined.
Unbelieving baby: But no one has ever returned from there! Life just ends with childbirth. And in general, life is one big suffering in the dark.

THE PRICE OF TIME
The story is actually with subtext: instead of dad, there can be mom, and instead of work, the Internet, and the phone, and .... everyone has their own!
Let's not repeat the mistakes of others
Once a man came home late from work, tired and shaky as always, and saw that his five-year-old son was waiting for him at the door.
- Dad, can I ask you something?
- Of course, what happened?
- Dad, how much do you get?
- That is none of your business! - the father was indignant. - And then, why do you need it?
- I just want to know. Please, tell me, how much do you get per hour?
- Well, actually, 500. And what?
- Dad, - the son looked at him from the bottom up with very serious eyes. - Dad, can you borrow 300 for me?
"You only asked so I could give you money for some stupid toy?" he shouted. - Immediately march to your room and go to bed! .. You can’t be such an egoist! I work all day, I'm terribly tired, and you're acting so stupid.
The kid quietly went to his room and closed the door behind him. And his father continued to stand at the door and get angry at the requests of his son. How dare he ask me about my salary, then to ask for money?
But after some time, he calmed down and began to reason sensibly: Maybe he really needs to buy something very important. To hell with them, with three hundred, after all, he has never asked me for money at all. When he entered the nursery, his son was already in bed.
Are you awake, son? - he asked.
- No, dad. I'm just lying down, - the boy answered.
“I think I answered you too rudely,” said the father. - I had a hard day, and I just broke. I'm sorry. Here, keep the money you asked for.
The boy sat up in bed and smiled.
- Oh, daddy, thanks! he exclaimed happily.
Then he reached under the pillow and pulled out a few more crumpled banknotes. His father, seeing that the child already had money, got angry again. And the kid put all the money together and carefully counted the bills, and then looked at his father again.
Why did you ask for money if you already have it? he muttered.
Because I didn't have enough. But now I just have enough, - answered the child.
- Dad, there are exactly five hundred. Can I buy one hour of your time? Please come home from work early tomorrow, I want you to have dinner with us.

BE A MOM
We were having lunch when my daughter casually mentioned that she and her husband were thinking about "starting a full-fledged family."
"We're doing an opinion poll here," she said jokingly. - Do you think I should have a baby?
"This will change your life," I said, trying not to let my emotions show.
“I know,” she replied. - And you won’t sleep on weekends, and you won’t really go on vacation.
But that was not at all what I had in mind. I looked at my daughter, trying to formulate my words more clearly. I wanted her to understand something that no prenatal class would teach her.
I wanted to tell her that the physical wounds of childbirth would heal very quickly, but motherhood would give her such a bleeding emotional wound that would never heal. I wanted to warn her that from now on she would never be able to read a newspaper again without asking herself: “What if this happened to my child?” That every plane crash, every fire will haunt her. That when she looks at photographs of children dying of hunger, she will think that there is nothing worse in the world than the death of your child.
I looked at her manicured nails and stylish suit and thought that no matter how exquisite she was, motherhood would lower her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That the alarmed cry of "Mom!" will make her give up everything without regret - from a soufflé to the best crystal glass.
I felt like I should warn her that no matter how many years she spent on her job, her career would suffer significantly after the birth of a child. She can hire a nanny, but one day she will go to a business important meeting, but she will think about the sweet smell of a child's head. And it will take all her willpower not to run home just to find out that her baby is all right.
I wanted my daughter to know that the trivial everyday problems would never be trivial to her again. That a five-year-old boy's desire to go to the men's room at McDonald's would be a huge dilemma. That there, among rattling trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender will stand on one side of the scale, and the fear that there, in the toilet, there may be a rapist of minors, on the other.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I wanted to tell her that she can lose the weight she gained during pregnancy, but she will never be able to shed motherhood and become the same. That her life, so important to her now, will no longer be so important after the birth of a child. That she will forget about herself at the moment when her offspring must be saved, and that she will learn to hope for fulfillment - oh no! not your dream! - the dreams of their children.
I wanted her to know that a c-section scar or stretch marks would be her badge of honor. That her relationship with her husband would change and not at all in the way she thinks. I would like her to understand how much you can love a man who carefully sprinkles powder on your child and who never refuses to play with him. I think she will learn what it is like to fall in love again for a reason that now seems to her completely unromantic.
I wanted my daughter to be able to feel the connection between all the women on earth who have tried to stop wars, crime and drunk driving.
I wanted to describe to my daughter the excitement a mother gets when she sees her child learning to ride a bike. I wanted to capture for her the laughter of a baby touching the soft fur of a puppy or kitten for the first time. I wanted her to feel a joy so intense that it could hurt.
My daughter's surprised look let me know that tears welled up in my eyes.
"You will never regret this," I said at last. Then I reached across the table to her, squeezed her hand, and mentally prayed for her, for myself, and for all mortal women who dedicate themselves to this most wonderful of callings.

Dear reader! Here are collected short parables, fables and legends for children of elementary grades. They are rewritten, written in short sentences. Easy to read children. fit for children of any class. Parables are added. If you have your own good parable, fable or legend, please send it. Or post it in the comments. Thank you! 🙂

Parable. Why be afraid?

One day there was a severe thunderstorm. All the children ran home. And there was no little girl.

Mom went to look for her. It was raining in the yard. Lightning flashed brightly. Thunder rumbled loudly.

Mom was scared. She closed her eyes from every lightning. And from every thunder - she covered her head with her hands.

Mom found her daughter on the street. The girl was all wet. She jumped and danced in the rain. And when lightning flashed, the girl lifted her face up. And smiled at the sky.

Mom was very surprised. She asked:

- Daughter! Are not you afraid? Are you scared?

But in surprise, the daughter replied:

- No, mom! I'm not scared! I don't know what is there to be afraid of?

And then she said:

- Mother! Look! I dance, and the sky photographs me!

The same parable performed by Alexandra

Do not judge strictly, performance without rehearsal:

Two apples

A parable about not jumping to conclusions.

A little girl brought two apples from the street. Probably someone gave it.

- Mom, look how beautiful apples are!
- Yes, beautiful! Will you treat me? Mom asked.

The little girl looked at the apples. Then she took a bite out of one apple. I thought for a second and…” I took a bite of the second.

Mom was surprised. And thought:

- What a greedy girl I have. She began to eat both apples, but she never offered me a single one.

But to her surprise, the girl handed her mother one apple with the words:

- Mommy! Take this apple! It is sweeter! 🙂

Dear reader!

Fable for children

Fable Lion and Mouse

The lion was sleeping under a tree. And under this tree was the Mouse's mink. The mouse began to climb out of the hole and woke up the Lion. The lion woke up and caught the mouse. The mouse began to ask:

- Let go! I promise to help you when you ask me.

The Lion released the Mouse and laughed. He said:

– How can you help me? You are so small.

Time has passed. The hunters wounded the lion. They tied him with a rope and decided to sell him to the zoo.

The lion roared strongly, but none of the animals came to the rescue. All animals were also afraid of hunters.

But the Mouse came running. She gnawed through the rope at night. And Leo was free.

Then the Mouse said to the Lion:

“Remember, you laughed at me for being so small. You didn't believe that I could help you.

Leo said:

“Forgive me, Mouse, for laughing. I did not know that there is a benefit from small animals.

Fable for children

Fable Dog and reflection

The dog walked along the plank across the river. She carried a bone in her teeth.

Suddenly the Dog saw her reflection in the water. She thought that another dog was carrying prey there. And it seemed to the dog that the dog's bone was much larger than hers.

The dog abandoned his prey and rushed to take the bone from the reflection.

As a result, the Dog was left with nothing. And she lost her own, and she could not take away someone else's.

This fable is about a cowardly heart.
No matter how much you help the cowardly, he will still be afraid.

Mouse heart

Young speaker

Once upon a time there was a little Mouse, who was unhappy because he was afraid of everything. But most of all he was afraid of falling into the paws of a cat.

The little mouse came to the Wizard and began to ask him to make him a cat.

The wizard took pity on the mouse and turned it into a cat.

But then this cat became afraid of dogs.

The wizard turned the former mouse into a dog. But then he became afraid of wolves.

The wizard turned him into a wolf. But then he became very afraid of the hunters.

And then the Wizard gave up. He again turned him into a mouse and said:

“Nothing will help you. Because you have the heart of a cowardly mouse.

The Legend of King Solomon's Ring.

There is a legend about King Solomon.
This legend is about King Solomon and the magic ring. I think kids will understand it just as much as adults.

The wise man gave King Solomon a magic ring. He put this ring on the king's finger and said:

“Never take off the ring!”

This ring was inscribed:

"All will pass!"

When the king was sad, Solomon looked at the ring and read the inscription:

"All will pass!"

And the magic of the ring acted on the king. Solomon ceased to be sad.

The ring has always helped the king. Even when Solomon was angry, he also looked at the ring and read:

"All will pass!"

He smiled and calmed down.

But once there was a strong grief. Solomon looked at the ring and read the inscription. But he did not calm down, and even got angry. Then for the first time he took the ring off his finger and wanted to throw it away. But he saw that there was also an inscription inside the ring. He read:

“And this too shall pass!”

Solomon calmed down and smiled.

He never took off his magic ring again. And he made an expensive gift to the sage.

Parable for children

Where do zebra stripes come from? African legend.

Once upon a time, the zebra was one-colored. She was brown as an antelope. And Zebra didn't like it. But she didn't know what color to be. She liked black and white.

Zebra took two brushes and two cans of paint: white and black.

Each time she painted herself, now black paint, now white. And so the stripes appeared. I haven't decided which one to be, white or black.

Then Zebra decided to swim to wash off the paint. But the paint was already so ingrained that it was impossible to get rid of it. Since then, the Zebras have become black and white stripes.

Legend of Narcissus.

It was a long time ago. Back when people didn't have mirrors.

One young man was very handsome. And to see his beauty, he went to the stream to look at his reflection.

He looked at his reflection for a long time, and admired himself. Then a Fairy appeared from the forest and made a beautiful flower out of the young man. This beautiful flower stayed on the bank of the stream, admiring its reflection.

And people began to say to those who often look into their reflection:

- Do not admire yourself for a long time, so as not to turn into a flower, like Narcissus

Parables for children

The legend of how the kangaroo got its name.

The famous navigator James Cook sailed to Australia. There he saw amazing animals that jumped with huge jumps on two legs.

The surprised captain asked a local resident:

- What is the name of this animal?

The native shrugged his shoulders, because he did not understand anything.

Cook asked again:

- Who is this?- and pointed to the jumping animal.

The native replied:

- Kangaroo.

In the local language, this meant: "I do not understand you".

Cook asked:

- Kangaroo?

The native nodded his head.

– Kangaroo

Cook wrote in his journal that he saw amazing animals that run by jumping on two legs. And these animals are called: kangaroo.

Parables for children

Dispute of Sun and Wind. Who is stronger?

The wind boasted how strong it was. The Sun decided to teach the Wind a lesson. It said:

- You see, there is an old man in a raincoat. Can you take off his cape?
“Of course I can,” Wind replied.

The sun hid behind a cloud, and the wind began to blow. Stronger and stronger, until finally it turned into a hurricane. But, the stronger the wind blew, the stronger the traveler wrapped himself in his cloak.

The sun said:

- Enough! Now it's my turn!

The wind died down and stopped.

And the Sun smiled at the traveler and warmed him with its rays. The old man cheered up, he felt warm - and he took off his raincoat.

And the Sun said to the Wind:

- You see! There is another power as well.

Since then, the Wind has ceased to brag about its power in front of the Sun.

Parables for children

Parable. How to split equally?

Two brothers lived in the same village. Father will give them a field. And the brothers decided to divide the field in half.

We started to share. Either it seemed to one that the other got most of it ... then vice versa ... No way they could draw a border. We thought and guessed ... we almost got to the fight ...

And they decided to turn to the Sage.

- Tell me, Sage ... How can we equally and peacefully divide the field among ourselves?

And the wise man says:

- Do it. Let one brother divide the field in half as he decides to do it. And the second - let him choose from two halves: which part will be his, and which will go to his brother.

So they did. One brother divided the field in half. He tried very hard to make the halves the same. The second brother chose one half of the field. And he was also pleased. After this incident, the brothers began to share everything in this way.

Parables for children

How to treat your work.

Three workers carried bricks. A boy came up to them and asked:

- What are you doing?

The worker wiped sweat from his forehead and replied:

- Don't you see that we carry bricks?
- But why?
“Baby, we have a job to do.

The boy did not understand why people carry bricks. He approached another worker and asked:

- What are you doing?

He rolled up his sleeves and said matter-of-factly:

- Can't you see? - We earn money.
- What for?
- What do you mean why? I need money, otherwise I didn't go to this job.

Then the boy went up to the third worker.

- What are you doing?

The man smiled and said:

- Like what? We are doing a good job. We are building a house for good people. People will live happily in it. I am glad that I have already built many beautiful houses.

The boy thought. People do the same job for different reasons. And with different moods.

Children's parables

Fight with a lion

The lion was resting in the shade of a large tree after a hearty meal. It was noon. Heat.

The Jackal approached the Lion. He looked at the resting Lion and timidly said:

- A lion! And let's fight!

But there was only silence in response.

The jackal began to speak louder:

- A lion! Let's fight! Let's arrange a battle in this clearing. You are against me!

The lion paid no attention to him.

Then the Jackal threatened:

- Let's fight! Otherwise, I’ll go and tell everyone that you, Lev, were terribly afraid of me.

The lion yawned, stretched lazily, and said:

- And who will believe you? Think! Even if someone condemns me for cowardice, it is still much more pleasant than the fact that they will despise me. To despise for a fight with some kind of Jackal ...

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Parables for children

Fly and bee

The mosquito asked Mukha:

– Are there any beautiful flowers nearby?

But the Fly answered Komaru:

- There are no flowers here. But there are many good garbage heaps. You definitely need to fly to them. There are so many interesting things.

The mosquito flew. And met a bee. He asked:

- Bee! Where are the trash cans? I can't find them anywhere.

And the bee replies:

- I do not know. I saw only beautiful flowers nearby. Let's fly together and I'll show you.

Parables for children

Ghost tree.

Not far from the road stood a large withered tree.

One night a thief passed by on the road. He saw a tree in the dark. But this silhouette seemed to him in the form of a policeman. The thief got scared and ran away.

In the evening, a lover passed by. He noticed a graceful silhouette from a distance and thought that his beloved had been waiting for him for a long time. His heart beat with joy. He smiled and quickened his pace.

One day a mother with a child passed by a tree. The kid, frightened by terrible tales, thought that there was a ghost near the road and burst into loud tears.

But the tree has always remained only a tree!

The world around us is a reflection of ourselves.

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Parables for children

Who else could I be?

There lived two brothers. One brother was a successful man who achieved fame for his good deeds. The other brother was a criminal.

Once the police caught the criminal, and the case was taken to court. Before the trial, a group of journalists surrounded him, and one asked a question:

- How did it happen that you became a criminal?
- I had a difficult childhood. My father drank, beat my mother and me and my brother. Who else could I be?

After a while, several journalists approached the first brother, and one asked:

- You are known for your achievements and good deeds. How did it happen that you achieved all this?

The man thought for a moment and then replied:

- I had a difficult childhood. My father drank, beat my mother, my brother and me. Who else could I be?

Parables for children

ALL IN YOUR HANDS
Parable

Once upon a time, in one city, there lived a great sage. The fame of his wisdom spread far around his hometown, people from afar came to him for advice.

But there was a man in the city who envied its fame. Once he came to a meadow, caught a butterfly, planted it between his closed palms, and thought:

- I'll go to the sage and ask him: tell me, oh wisest, what kind of butterfly is in my hands - alive or dead? - If he says dead, I will open my palms, the butterfly will fly away. If he says alive, I will close my hands and the butterfly will die. Then everyone will understand which of us is smarter.

That's how it all happened. An envious person came to the city and asked the wise man: “Tell me, oh wisest one, which butterfly is in my hands - alive or dead?”

Gazing into his eyes, the sage said:

"All in your hands".

Parables for children

Parable. TOY MASTER

In a distant country, there lived an old man who was very fond of children. He constantly made toys for them.

But these toys turned out to be so fragile that they broke faster than the child had time to play with them. Having broken another toy, the children were very upset and came to the master to ask for new ones. He gladly gave them others, even more fragile ...

Finally, the parents intervened. They came to the old man with a question:

- Tell us, O Wise One, why do you always give our children such fragile toys that the children cry inconsolably when they break them?

And then the wise man said:

- It will take quite a few years, and someone will give these former children their heart. Maybe, having learned not to break fragile toys, they will be more careful about someone else's heart? ..

The parents thought for a long time. And they left, thanking the Teacher.

Parables for children

Paper

The teacher called his students and showed them a sheet of white paper.

– What do you see here? the Sage asked.

"Point," answered one.

All the other students nodded their heads to indicate that they also saw the dot.

“Look closer,” the Master said.

But no matter how much the students peered, they saw nothing but a black dot.

And then the teacher said:

- You all saw a small black dot, and no one noticed a blank white sheet ...

So I have more to teach you.

Parables for children

About trading methods

Once an ancient old man appeared in the bazaar in a skullcap and an oriental robe embroidered with an unusual ornament. The old man was selling watermelons.

Above his product was a sign:

“One watermelon - 3 rubles. Three watermelons - 10 rubles.

A bearded man comes up and buys a watermelon for three rubles...

Then another watermelon for three rubles ...

And in parting, he happily says to the seller:

- Look, I bought three watermelons, but paid only 9 rubles, not 10. You don't know how to trade!

The old man looks after him:

- Yes! They buy three watermelons from me instead of one, and then they teach me how to trade ...

Children's parables

The Parable of the Two Wolves

Once upon a time, an old Indian revealed to his grandson one vital truth.

- You see, in every person there is a struggle. This fight is very similar to the fight between two wolves. One wolf represents evil: envy, jealousy, regret, selfishness, greed, lies... And the other wolf represents goodness: peace, love, hope, care, kindness, fidelity... And other good qualities of a person.

The little Indian thought for a long time. And then he asked:

- Grandfather! Which wolf wins at the end? Bad wolf or good wolf?

The old Indian smiled almost imperceptibly, and answered:

- Remember: the wolf you feed always wins.

Parables for children

Foolish boy

A little boy walks into a barbershop. The hairdresser immediately recognizes him and tells his clients:

- Look, this is the most stupid boy among all in the world! Now I will prove to you.

The barber takes $1 in one hand and 25 cents in the other. Calls the boy and invites him to choose:

– Do you choose 1 or 25?
- Twenty five!

Everyone laughs. The boy receives 25 cents and leaves.

Soon, one client catches up with the boy and asks:

- Boy! Tell me why did you choose 25 cents and not 1 dollar? Are you really that stupid that you don't understand that $1 is more than 25 cents?
- Good! And what will I get for it?
You'll get another 25 cents.

The boy receives the coins and says:

- Because the day I choose $1, I think the hairdresser will stop being happy. Visitors will have nothing to laugh at. I will become "smart", I will no longer be "stupid". And I can't get 25 cents every time.

Children's parables

The Legend of the Temple with a Thousand Mirrors

Many hundreds of years ago, high in the mountains, there was a Temple with a thousand mirrors. Many people went to him.

One day, a dog entered the temple. Looking around, the dog saw a thousand dogs in the mirrors and, frightened, bared his teeth.

At that moment she saw a thousand grinning dogs. The dog growled. And the echo answered with a growl..

With its tail between its legs, the dog ran out of the temple, confident that evil dogs live in this temple.

A month later, another dog came to the temple with a thousand mirrors.

She entered it and, looking in the mirrors, saw a thousand friendly and peaceful dogs. She wagged her tail. And I saw a thousand friendly dogs.

Barking joyfully, she left the temple with full confidence that this Temple is full of friendly dogs.

• The world is often only a reflection of ourselves: if we look at the world brightly and joyfully, then it answers us the same!

Parables for children

Bucket with apples

A man bought himself a new house - big, beautiful - and a garden with fruit trees near the house. And nearby in an old house lived an envious neighbor.

Once a man woke up in a good mood, went out onto the porch, and there was a pile of garbage.

What to do? Your porch needs to be cleaned. Also, find out who it was. And I found out - an envious neighbor.

I wanted to go and quarrel, but, after thinking, I decided to do it differently.

I went to the garden, picked up the most ripe apples and went to a neighbor.

The neighbor, hearing a knock on the door, thought maliciously: “Finally, my neighbor is angry!” Opens the door.

To his surprise, there was no one there, only apples. And on the apples a note:

Whoever is rich, he shares it!

Children's parables

Bad words.

Two friends quarreled. And one began to say bad words about his friend to all his acquaintances.

But then he calmed down and realized that he was wrong. He came to a friend and began to ask him for forgiveness.

Then the second friend said:

- Good! I will forgive you. Only under one condition.
- What?
“Take a pillow and release all the feathers into the wind.

The first friend did just that. He tore the pillow. And the wind carried the feathers all over the village.

A contented friend came to another and said:

- Completed your task. Am I forgiven?
Yes, if you put all the feathers back into the pillow.

But you yourself understand that it is impossible to collect all the feathers back. So the bad words that have already scattered throughout the village cannot be taken back.

Sincerely, Oleg Bolsunov, trainer of rhetoric.

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• Other legends and parables

Short legends, parables, fables for elementary school students

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/ Legends and parables for schoolchildren / The best legends and parables / Short legends and parables for elementary school children / Parables and legends for grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 /

Do you know why a Chow Chow dog has a blue tongue? If such a question had been asked to a resident of ancient China, he would not have hesitated to answer. There is an interesting Chinese legend that says: “In very ancient times, when God had already created the Earth and populated it with animals, birds, insects, fish, he was engaged in the distribution of stars in the sky. During this work, quite by accident, a piece of the sky fell off from him and fell to the Earth. All the animals and birds, in horror, fled to the sides and hid in secluded places. And only the most courageous Chow-Chow dog was not afraid to approach the fragment of the sky, sniff it and lightly lick it with its tongue. Since then, the Chow Chow dog, and all of its descendants, has had a blue tongue." Thanks to this beautiful legend, Chow Chow, and today, is called "the dog that licked the sky."

The Austrian city of Salzburg is known not only for its picturesque surroundings, famous resorts, but also for many historical sights. And, perhaps, the main one is the Mirabell Palace with a complex of fabulous gardens. The pink stone from which the palace is built gives it lightness and airiness. Of course, this is a wonderful creation of architecture, but it is not considered the main highlight, but, namely, the Mirabell Gardens. Fountains, a garden of dwarfs, stone lions, trees and flower beds - very bizarre forms, elegant balustrades, a theater with hedges - it's impossible to describe everything. This must be seen. The real pride of Austria.

Venice - a city shrouded in a light haze, seems almost ephemeral and exists only in our imagination. But still, you can see it not only in pictures and in the movies, it actually exists with all its squares, canals, bridges, cathedrals. I think that everyone who has not been there dreams of making a romantic trip to Venice to capture the mysterious and mysterious essence of this unusual and magnificent city. One of the main symbols of the city is considered to be a gondola. Perhaps someone noticed that they are all the same color and, like black swans, cut through the waters of the canals of Venice. There is a legend that answers the question: Why are all the Venetian gondolas in the "city of love" black?

Salzburg is one of the most beautiful and unusual cities in Austria. Located at the very foot of the Alps, literally 5 kilometers from the border with Germany. The very name of the city is associated with a nearby salt deposit. It has been mined since time immemorial. According to legend, the fortress was built here to control the export of salt. So the name Salzburg, which means Salt Fortress, appeared.

If someone has ever been to Krakow, they will never forget the charming atmosphere of this city. Complex history, unique culture, unique architecture make Krakow a real paradise for poets, musicians, artists and just for any person. The city covered with legends gladly reveals its secrets to everyone who visits it. If you were not lucky enough to visit there, then I strongly advise you to read the book by N.G. Frolova "Old Krakow". One of the parts of this book is called "Characters of the City Spectacle". Whoever does not participate in this eternal Krakow performance: musicians, poets, warriors, kings, artists, adventurers...

For the first time this monument appeared in St. Petersburg in 1999 on Malaya Sadovaya Street 3. The work of the sculptor V.A. Sivakov. The exact name is "Monument to the Stray Dog Gavryusha". But as soon as he was not called a monument to a good dog, and Gavryusha, and even just Nyusha. After sitting there for 8 years, the dog gave birth to either a rumor or a legend. Teenagers really liked the dog. And so they came up with the idea that if you write a wish to a dog, then it will definitely come true. Since then, the courtyard on Malaya Sadovaya, where the dog stood, has become a place of pilgrimage for tourists and residents of the city.

Saint John of Nepomuk is one of the most revered Czech saints in Prague. Considered the patron saint of Prague and the entire Czech Republic. He lived in the XIV century, during the reign of King Wenceslas IV and was a priest. What Jan of Nepomuk did wrong to the king is not exactly known, but one of the most plausible assumptions is as follows. Being the queen's confessor, he refused to reveal the secret of his wife's confession to Wenceslas IV. For what, after long tortures and torments. the king ordered his execution. The priest was put in a sack and thrown from the Charles Bridge into the Vltava.

Charles Bridge is one of the main attractions of Prague. It was built by order of King Charles IV in 1357. For five centuries it was the only bridge across the Vltava. Later, in the 17th century, they began to decorate it with sculptures, the number of which reached 30. So the bridge turned into a real open-air art gallery. Nowadays, the bridge is pedestrian and has been chosen by artists, souvenir sellers, street musicians and, of course, tourists. Many legends of Old Prague are connected with the Charles Bridge. Here is one of them.

Here are collected the best parables, legends and stories. These parables will be useful for various speeches. We use them to teach public speaking.

Speaking with a parable

I wrote down some of the parables from memory, some were told by the students in the classroom ... I rewrote some of the parables in my own way ... Therefore, I did not cite authorship.

The best parables and legends are collected here, and not everything, I like short parables, with a good meaning.
Read, enjoy. I would be glad if you send parables that you personally liked! 🙂
Big request: leave comments!

This short parable is one of the oldest
As the saying goes: "As old as the world." That's why I love her.
There is a legend that it belongs to the ancient Greek sage Aesop.
But I have an assumption that it is much older.
Suitable for any age, for children of any class.

sun and wind

Speaking with a parable

The sun and the wind argued which of them is stronger?

And the Wind said: “I will prove that I am stronger. Do you see the old man in the raincoat? I bet I can get him to take off his cape faster than you can."

The sun hid behind a cloud, and the wind began to blow harder and harder until it almost turned into a hurricane. But the harder he blew, the tighter the old man wrapped himself in his cloak.

Finally the wind died down and stopped. And the Sun peeked out from behind the clouds and smiled affectionately at the traveler. The traveler cheered up and took off his cloak.

And the Sun told the Wind that kindness and friendliness are always stronger than rage and strength.

Dear reader! If you need short legends and parables for children of primary and secondary grades, I have combined them into one collection, read:

Parable. Two oars.

The boatman carried the traveler to the other side.

The traveler noticed that there were inscriptions on the oars of the boat. On one oar was written: "Think", and on the second: "Do"

- You have interesting oars, the traveler said. - Why these inscriptions?

–Look, the boatman said smiling. And he began to row with only one oar, with the inscription "Think".

The boat began to circle in one place.

- Sometimes I thought about something, thought, made plans ... But it did not bring anything useful. I was just circling in place, like this boat.

The boatman stopped rowing with one oar and started rowing with another, marked "Do". The boat began to circle, but in the other direction.

“I used to go to the other extreme. He did something thoughtlessly, without plans, without drawings. Spent a lot of time and effort. But, in the end, he also circled in place.

- So I made an inscription on the oars, continued the boatman, to remember that for every stroke of the left oar there must be a stroke of the right oar.

And then he pointed to a beautiful house that towered on the banks of the river:

- I built this house after I made inscriptions on the oars.

Here is another short parable, which is "As old as the world." Suitable for both adults and children of any class.

Fight with a lion

The lion was resting in the shade of a large tree after a hearty meal. It was noon. Heat. The Jackal approached the Lion. He looked at the resting Lion and timidly said:

- A lion! And let's fight!

But there was only silence in response.

The jackal began to speak louder:

- A lion! Let's fight! Let's arrange a battle in this clearing. You are against me!

The lion paid no attention to him.

Then the Jackal threatened:

- Let's fight! Otherwise, I’ll go and tell everyone that you, Lev, were terribly afraid of me.

The lion yawned, stretched lazily, and said:

- And who will believe you? Think! Even if someone condemns me for cowardice, it is still much more pleasant than the fact that they will despise me. To despise for a fight with some kind of Jackal ...

This story is in video format.

The Parable of King Solomon's Ring

According to the legend, King Solomon owned a ring on which was engraved the saying: "Everything passes."

This ring was given to him by a wise man with the words: “Never take it off!”.

In moments of grief and hard feelings, Solomon looked at the inscription and calmed down ...

But, one day, such a misfortune happened that wise words, instead of comforting, caused him a fit of rage. Tore off Solomon ring off your finger and threw it on the floor.

When it rolled, the king suddenly saw that there was also some kind of inscription on the inside of the ring. He was surprised, because he did not know about this inscription. Intrigued, he lifted the ring and read the following:

"This too shall pass".

Laughing bitterly, Solomon put the ring on his finger and never took it off again.

Here is a funny story.
When I tell it, I always remember the house of my grandparents in the village,
where I used to spend all summer. A barn, an axe, a fence, a large wooden gate…
And neighbors, as heroes of this story.

Quickly conclusions

One grandmother told the peasant that his neighbor was not clean-handed, that, they say, he could steal an ax.

The man came home. And - immediately look for an ax.

No ax!

I searched the whole barn - there is no ax anywhere!

Goes out into the street. He sees - a neighbor is coming. But he doesn’t just walk: he walks like someone who has stolen an axe, and looks, with a squint, like someone who has stolen an axe, and he smiles like someone who has stolen an axe. Even the neighbor said hello, like a man who stole an axe.

“What a dishonest neighbor I have!” the man decided.

He held his grudge and returned home. Look, there is an ax under the barn. His ax! Looks like one of the children took an ax, but did not put it in its place. The man rejoiced. Satisfied, he leaves the gate. And he sees that the neighbor is walking not like someone who has stolen an axe, and looks with a squint, not like someone who has stolen an axe, and smiles not like someone who has stolen an axe.

“What an honest neighbor I have!”

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A short parable is a fable of the great sage Aesop.
Suitable for anyone. Even for 3rd graders.

The shortest parable is a fable.
Aesop the sage.

Fable Dog and reflection

The dog walked along the plank across the river, and carried a bone in its teeth. She saw her reflection in the water. And I thought that there was another dog carrying prey. And it seemed to the dog that that other bone was much larger.

He threw his bone and rushed to take away the bone from the reflection.

And so it was left with nothing. And she lost her own, and she could not take away someone else's.

• Read other short legends and parables for children in grades 3-4

There are people who love to teach others. About this parable.
I love short stories like this.

half life

One philosopher sailed on a ship. He asked the sailor:

What do you know about philosophy?
“Nothing,” said the sailor.
“You have lost half your life,” said the philosopher, smiling.

A storm has begun. The ship creaked and threatened to break into pieces.

- What happened to you? the sailor asked the philosopher. “Don’t worry, the shore is already quite close. Even if something happens to the ship, we can swim to the shore.
It's easy for you to talk about it. You know how to swim, but I can't at all! he answered.
– Is that how? You told me recently that I lost half my life without knowing philosophy. At the same time, you risk losing everything, not knowing how to swim - the sailor said smiling.

Here is another parable. Similar.
I always remember this parable when someone gives me some advice.

gardener and writer

Once the gardener turned to the writer:

- I read your story. I liked. And you know what I thought? .. Do you want me to give you a couple of ideas for new stories? They are of no use to me. I'm not a writer. And you will write good stories, publish a book, earn money.

To which the writer replied:

- Now I'm finishing the apple, and I'll give you the core. There are many good seeds out there. I don't need them, I'm not a gardener. And you will plant them, grow good apple trees, harvest, earn a lot of money.

- Listen! I don't need your bits! I myself have apples, more than enough!

“Why do you think I don’t have enough ideas of my own?”

I have heard many versions of this parable.
I think it has many authors.

Help

One day they decided to hold a competition to find the most loving and caring child. The winner was a four-year-old boy whose neighbor, an elderly man, had recently lost his wife.

When the boy saw the old man crying, he went up to him in the yard, got on his knees, and just sat there. When his mother later asked him what he said to his uncle, the boy replied:
- Nothing. I just helped him cry.

Video is a parable. Dad and son.

This parable is without text. Just watch the video.

Sometimes I tell this parable when I want to show
that knowledge has a price.Special price.

hammer blow cost

One farmer's tractor stopped working.

All attempts by the farmer and his neighbors to fix the car were in vain. Finally, he called a specialist.

He examined the tractor, tried the starter, raised the hood and checked everything carefully. Then he took a hammer, hit the motor once and set it in motion. The motor rumbled like it hadn't been damaged.

When the master gave the bill to the farmer, he, looking at him in surprise, was indignant:

“What, you want a hundred dollars just for one blow with a hammer!”

“Dear friend,” said the master, “for a blow with a hammer, I counted only one dollar, and I take ninety-nine dollars for my knowledge, thanks to which I could make this blow to the right place.”

“Besides, I saved you time. You can already use your tractor now.

This parable is my favorite.
When I read it for the first time, I thought deeply.
Now I try to make it in my family as in the parable.

Parable. Happy family

Two families live next door in a small town. Some spouses constantly quarrel, blaming each other for all troubles and finding out which of them is right. And others live together, they have no quarrels, no scandals.
The obstinate hostess marvels at the neighbor's happiness. Jealous.
Says to her husband:

- Go and see how they do it so that everything is smooth and quiet.

He came to a neighbor's house, hid under an open window. Watching. Listens.

And the hostess just puts things in order in the house. He wipes an expensive vase from dust. Suddenly the phone rang, the woman was distracted, and put the vase on the edge of the table, so much so that it was about to fall. But then her husband needed something in the room. He caught a vase, it fell and broke.

- Oh, what will happen now! the neighbor thinks. He immediately imagined what a scandal would be in his family.

The wife came up, sighed with regret, and said to her husband:

- Sorry honey.
- What are you, honey? This is my fault. I was in a hurry and did not notice the vase.
- That's my fault. So inaccurately put the vase.
- No, it's my fault.Anyway. We would not have had greater misfortune.

The neighbor's heart hurt. He came home upset. Wife to him:

- Something you quickly. Well, what did you see?
- Yes!
- Well, how are they?
- It's all their fault. That's why they don't fight. But we are always right...

The same parable, told “live”, in our classes.

After all, we use all these parables to teach oratory.

This parable at first seemed amusing, but nothing more.
It was not clear where this parable could be applied. After all, we are not monks.
I see that this parable is about rules,
and exceptions to these rules.
And that above each rule there are others ...

A terrible sin, or a parable about two monks and a woman

The old and young monks were traveling. Their path was crossed by a river, which, due to the rains, greatly overflowed.

A young beautiful girl was standing on the shore, who also needed to cross to the opposite shore. But she could not cross the river herself. The girl asked the monks for help. However, the monks took a vow not to communicate with women and not to touch them.

The young monk defiantly turned away. And the old one went up to the girl, asked something, put her on her back, and carried her across the river. For a long time the monks walked in silence. Suddenly, the young man could not resist:

“How could you touch a girl!?” You made a vow not to touch women! This is a terrible sin!

To which the old man calmly replied:

- Strange, I carried it and left it on the river bank, and you are still carrying it. In your head.

This is the same story. Video

One of my favorite parables. It's so wise
"Listen to other people's words like music."
Or don't listen.
But how difficult it is sometimes!
In this parable, the last remark of the Lama was added by me. She wasn't there.
I still don't know if she's needed here. You can do without it.

Silence

Rested, once an old Lama in the shade of a tree. Several people gathered - his ideological opponents - and they began to tease and even insult Lama.

But the old man listened to them very calmly.

Because of this calmness, they somehow felt uneasy. An awkward feeling arose: they insult a person, and he listens to their words like music. There's something wrong here.
One of them turned to the Lama:

- What's the matter? Don't you understand that we are talking about you?

- How? Understand! But precisely with understanding, such a deep silence is possible, Lama replied.

“It's your choice to decide whether to insult me ​​or not. But to accept your nonsense or not - that is my freedom. I just refuse them; they are not worth it. You can take them for yourself. I don't accept them.

“At the same time, I can't stop you from insulting me. This is your freedom and your right.

And then, smiling, he continued, looking at the silenced opponents:

“You didn’t hurt me or cause me any trouble. Otherwise, they would have received from me with this stick a long time ago.

Parable. Pay for work.

Pay for work

The worker went to the owner and said:

- Master! Why are you paying Ivan three times more than me. I, it seems, am not a quitter, and I work no worse than Ivan. It's not fair! And not fair.

The owner looked out the window and said:

- I see someone coming. It seems to be like hay being driven past us. Come out and find out!

The worker left. Came back and says:

“True, master. Hay is brought.
- Do you know where? Maybe from Semyonovskie meadows?
- I do not know.
- Go and find out.

The worker went. Enters again.

- Master! Exactly, from the Semyonovskie meadows.
“Do you know if it was hay from the first or second cut?”
- I do not know.
So go and find out!

The worker left. Returns again.

- Master! First bite!
- Do you know at what price?
- I do not know.
So go and find out.

Went down. Came back and says:

- Master! Five rubles.
- Don't they give it cheaper?
- I do not know.

At this moment, Ivan enters and says:

- Master! Hay was brought past from the Semyonovskie meadows of the first hay. They asked for 5 rubles. Bargained for 4 rubles per cart. Buy?
- Buy!

Then the owner turns to the first worker and says:

- And now you understand why I pay Ivan three times more than you?

People often ask: “And advise some useful parable!”
I recommend this one.
This parable can have two meanings: about a man who never got drunk, and about a man who lived 100 years because he never argued with anyone.

Parable. How to live 100 years

The correspondent was given the task to learn the secret of a long life from the hero of the day, who turned 100 years old. The journalist arrived in a mountain village, found a long-liver and began to ask how he managed to live a hundred years.

The old man said that his secret was that he never argued with anyone. The reporter was surprised:

And this is a beautiful legend. Legend of love.

Red Rose

One sailor received letters from a woman he had never seen. Her name was Rose. They corresponded for 3 years. Reading her letters and answering her, he realized that he could no longer live without her letters. They fell in love with each other without realizing it.

When his service ended, they made an appointment at the Central Station, at five o'clock in the evening. She wrote that she would have a red rose in her buttonhole.
The sailor thought: he had never seen a photograph of Rose. He doesn't know how old she is, doesn't know if she's ugly or pretty, plump or slim.

He came to the station, and when the clock struck five, she appeared. A woman with a red rose in her buttonhole. She was in her forties...

The sailor wanted to turn around and leave. He felt embarrassed that he had been corresponding with a woman much older than himself all this time.
But... but he didn't. He thought that this woman wrote to him all the time while he was at sea, answered his questions, pleased him with her answers.

She didn't deserve this. And he approached her, held out his hand and introduced himself.

And the woman told the sailor that he That Rosa is standing behind him.

He turned around and saw her. It was a young and beautiful girl.

The old lady explained to him that Rose had asked her to put the flower in her buttonhole. If the sailor had turned and walked away, it would have been all over. But if he approached this old lady, she would show him the real Rose and tell the whole truth.

The same parable, in a “living form”, told in our classes.

I heard this parable from Nikolai Ivanovich Kozlov.
Since then, if I hear the phrase: “Lucky,” I smile, and I say to myself:
"Who knows if you're lucky or unlucky."

Lucky or unlucky?

That was a long time ago. There lived an old man. He had an only son. The farm was small. But there was a horse on which he plowed the land, and went to the city to the market.

One day the horse ran away.

- What a horror - the neighbors sympathized, - How unlucky!
“Who knows whether it was lucky or not,” answered the old man. - You don’t need to argue, but look for a horse.

A few days later, the old man found the horse and brought it home. Yes, not one, but with a beautiful horse.

- What a luck! the neighbors said. - That's lucky!
- Luck? Failure? the old man said. Who knows if you're lucky? One thing is clear - you need to build another barn.

This new horse had a tough temper. The next day the old man's son fell off his horse and broke his leg.

- Horrible. How unlucky! the neighbors said to the old man.
Who knows if you're lucky or unlucky? answered the old man. - One thing is clear - the leg needs to be treated.

In the hospital, the young man met a beautiful girl. And after recovery, he brought the bride to his home.
Again the neighbors started talking:

- What a luck! Your son found such a written beauty! That's lucky!

The old man still replied with a smile:

- Who knows? Lucky... or unlucky...

This is a never ending story. Success or failure, who knows?

There is mathematics in this parable.
Sometimes I am told that the numbers in the parable do not add up.
Count yourself...

Shared Reward

The speech of the speaker with a parable

A wandering monk came with important news to a strange city. He wanted to give it only to the ruler himself. No matter how the court ministers insisted that the monk handed them this message, he remained firm and adamant.

A lot of time passed before the monk was finally introduced to the vizier, and only then, to the prince himself.

The ruler was very happy with the news that the monk brought, and presented him to choose any reward he wanted. To everyone's surprise, the wanderer asked for 100 stick blows personally from the hands of the prince.

After receiving the first five blows, the monk shouted:

The prince fully “rewarded” everyone.

Video parable. Dress price.

legend

They say that it happened in London, and this is a real legend. I will not claim. In any case, this legend is very similar to the truth.
Suitable for performance or storytelling.
Both for adults and schoolchildren of any grade.

Difficult lot

There was a merchant in London who had the misfortune to owe a moneylender a large sum of money. And he - old and ugly - said that he would forgive the debt if the merchant gave him his daughter as a wife.

The father and daughter were horrified.

Then the usurer offered to draw lots. In an empty purse, he put two pebbles - black and white. The girl had to pull out one of them. If she comes across a white stone, she will stay with her father, if it is black, she will become the wife of a usurer. The merchant and daughter were forced to accept this offer.

But when the pawnbroker put the pebbles into his purse, the girl noticed that they were both black. What should a girl do now?

The girl put her hand into her purse, pulled out a pebble, and without looking at it, as if accidentally dropped it on the path, where the pebble was instantly lost among the others.

“Oh, what a shame,” exclaimed the girl. - Well, yes, this is fixable. We will see what color the pebble was left in the wallet, and then we will find out which pebble I pulled out.

Since the remaining pebble was black, then, consequently, she pulled out a white one: after all, the usurer could not confess to fraud.

A very ancient legend.

There are many variants of this legend. I like this version, slightly tweaked by me.

pearl woman

Gestures of the speaker during a speech with a parable.

Mark Antony arrived in Egypt. In his honor, Cleopatra arranged a feast.
The Roman was amazed at the luxury of the feast. And, to flatter the queen, he enthusiastically delivered a eulogy, ending with the words:
“Never again, nothing like this will ever happen!”

But the queen did not accept his compliment. She objected:
- I do not agree with you!
“Is there ever going to be something like this again?”

And then with passion she added:
“I'm willing to bet you, my friend, that tomorrow I'll give a feast more luxurious than this. And it will cost at least a million sesterces! Do you want to argue with me?
How could such a dispute be abandoned?

The next day the feast was, indeed, more luxurious than the previous one.

From gourmet food there was no place on the tables. The best musicians played and the best dancers danced. The radiance of thousands of candles illuminated the majestic hall.
The Roman admired this time as well.

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But, because of a dispute with the queen, he decided to pretend that he did not see anything new. - I swear by Bacchus, there is not even the smell of a million sesterces here! he exclaimed.
“Good,” Cleopatra agreed calmly. “But this is just the beginning. I alone drink a million sesterces!

She pulled out an earring from her left ear - a huge pearl, truly the Eighth Wonder of the World. And she turned to the judge of the bet, Consul Planck:
How much is this pearl worth?
I doubt that anyone can answer this question. She is priceless!
Cleopatra glowed a pearl on a candle fire, and then threw the jewel into a golden goblet with sour wine. The pearl instantly crumbled. Its fragments began to melt, dissolving in the acid of wine vinegar.

Having already understood where everything was going, Mark Antony was waiting for the denouement.
When the pearl was completely dissolved, Cleopatra offered to share the drink with her:
This is the most expensive wine you have ever tasted. Will you drink with me?

Anthony refused.

And Cleopatra poured more wine into the goblet and drank it slowly.
After that, the queen reached for the earring from her right ear, apparently in order to make another drink. But then Planck intervened, declaring that Cleopatra had already won the bet.
Mark Antony agreed.

parable

Double benefit

One artist received an order from a village headman to paint a house. For three days he painted the central room, decorated it with images of people and birds, a pattern of flowers and leaves.

On the fourth day, the headman, waking up in a bad mood, went to check the work of the artist. He called the drawing "a miserable daub" and drove the master away.

Frustrated to the extreme, the artist wandered through the village when an old monk came across him.
- What happened to you? the monk asked the artist. - You look so unhappy!

The artist told him what the village chief had done to him.

- Do not be sad! The monk answered him. - Our headman is a rude and tyrant, but this is his concern. And he not only gave you the opportunity to enjoy creativity for three days, but also helps you realize that you are touchy and cannot always accept life as it is if it does not meet your expectations. Rejoice! You got a double benefit!

The artist thought and smiled.

• A big request: write in the comments which parables you liked the most. Moreover, many of these parables were altered by me ...

Also, a very old story.

Travel time

On a hot day, a wanderer walked along a dusty road. On his shoulder was an old, battered bag. Away, the traveler saw a well. He turned towards him. He greedily drank cold water. And then he called out to the old man sitting next to him:

The perplexed traveler walked along the road. He began to reflect on the ignorance and rudeness of the locals.

After walking a good hundred paces, he heard a shout behind him. Turning around, I saw the same old man.

The old man called out to him:

“You still have two hours to go to the city.
"Why didn't you tell me about it right away?" the stranger exclaimed in astonishment.
- How! I first had to see how fast you go with your heavy burden,” the old man explained.

modern parable

Cricket

One American was walking with his Indian friend along a crowded New York street.

The Indian suddenly exclaimed:
- I hear a cricket.
“You're crazy,” the American replied, looking around the crowded central street of the city.

Cars were scurrying everywhere, builders were working, people were making noise.
“But I do hear a cricket,” insisted the Indian, moving towards a flower bed set up in front of a fancy office building.
Then he bent down, parted the leaves of the plants, and showed his friend a cricket, chirping nonchalantly and rejoicing in life.

“Amazing,” said a friend. You must have fantastic hearing.
- Not. It all depends on what you're up to,” he explained. And now you can hear it.
Friends moved away from the flower bed.
- Marvelous! Now I can hear the cricket well too,” said the American.

parable

great secret

One old man was asked:

- They say you are the most cheerful person in the village?
Yes, they say. But I have no more happiness than one of my fellow villagers.
- Dear! But you do not see that you have ever been sad. There are no traces of sadness on your face! Share the secret!

- Is there anything to worry about? Even if there is, will it help?
What great wisdom! Indeed, sadness does not bring anything useful. Why don't you tell your fellow villagers about this secret?

Why not? He told me, - the old man smiled. - That's what I told you. Can you use this secret?

I heard this legend from Pavel Sergeevich Taranov.
He knew how and loved to insert numerous legends and parables into his speech.

legend

For every strong enough weakness

French bacteriologist Louis Pasteur studied in his laboratory the culture of the smallpox virus.

Suddenly, a stranger appeared to him and introduced himself as the second of a nobleman, who thought that the scientist insulted him. The nobleman demanded a duel. Pasteur calmly listened to the messenger and said:

“Since I am challenged to a duel, I have the right to choose a weapon. Here are two flasks: one contains the smallpox virus, the other contains pure water. If the person who sent you agrees to drink one of them, I will drink the other one.

The duel did not take place.

The next parable is about persuasiveness. And about honesty.
I like the principle behind the parable,
which is useful for teachers, parents, coaches to remember...
to all those who work with people, teaching or explaining.

One woman brought her son to the elder and began to state her problem:

- My boy, probably, was attacked by damage, - she said. - Imagine, he only eats sweets. Any sweets: sweets, jam, cookies ... And nothing else. No persuasion or punishment helps. What should I do?

The old man only looked at the boy and said:

“Good woman, come home. Come with your son tomorrow, I will try to help.

- Maybe today? Our house is very far from here.

No, I can't today.

The next day, the elder took the boy to his room and talked to him for a long time.

The child ran up to his mother and exclaimed:

- Mother! I won't eat so many sweets anymore!

The overjoyed mother began to thank the elder. But then she asked him:

Was yesterday a special day? Why didn't you talk to the child yesterday?

- Kind woman,- answered the old man. - Yesterday was the most ordinary day. But, believe me, I could not convincingly tell your son yesterday what I said today. Because yesterday I myself ate sweet dates with pleasure. How could I convince your son not to eat sweets if I myself had a sweet tooth that day?

This story was sent to me. And I immediately liked her.
Send parables, too, but only the shortest and best ones.

I want you to be happy!..

In a distant city there lived a beautiful girl.

One morning, waking up, the girl remembered a dream. An angel flew to her:
“I want you to be happy,” said the Angel. What can I do for you?
- Make sure that my boyfriend finally falls in love with me, so that we buy a big house and we have two girls and a boy.

Time passed, her boyfriend asked her to marry. Soon they got married and bought a big house. Everything, as requested by the girl.
And then more time passed, and they broke up with her husband, without giving birth to children, and sold the house.

In one of her dreams, the girl saw the Angel again. And she exclaimed:
“Why didn’t you fulfill my desires!” You are not an angel - you are a demon!!!
- Why? Yes, because you did not fulfill my only desire. You are not happy!

parable

The secret of a smile

- Master! All your life you have smiled and never been sad. And I did not dare to ask, how do you do it?

The old master replied:

– Many years ago I came to my Master as a young man, seventeen years old, but already deeply suffering. The master was seventy, and he smiled just like that, for no apparent reason. And there was no trace of grief or sadness on his face.

I asked him: “How do you manage it?” And he just smiled. And he replied that he saw no reason for sadness.

And then I thought:

“It's just my choice. Every morning when I open my eyes, I ask myself what to choose today - to be sad or smile? And I always choose to smile.

legend

Rose petal

The great composer Ludwig van Beethoven was to be accepted as a full member of the Academy of Arts in Paris. The chairman announced:

– We have gathered today to accept the great Beethoven as a member of our academy.

Silence reigned in the hall.

“But…,” the chairman continued… and poured a full glass of water from the decanter standing on the table so that not a single drop could be added. Then he tore off one rose petal from the bouquet standing right there and carefully lowered it onto the water surface.

The petal did not overflow the glass, and the water did not spill.
Then the chairman, without saying a word, turned his gaze to the audience.
An explosion of applause followed.

This ended the meeting, which unanimously elected Beethoven a full member of the Academy of Arts.

Parable. jar of life

Presentation with a parable.

The professor of philosophy, standing on the pulpit, took a three-liter glass jar and filled it with stones, each at least 3 cm in diameter. At the end, he asked the students if the jar was full?
Answered: yes, full.
Then he opened a jar of peas and, pouring it into a large jar, shook it a little. Naturally, peas took the free space between the stones. Once again, the professor asked the students, is the jar full?

Answered: yes, full.

Then he took a box filled with sand and poured it into a jar. Naturally, the sand occupied a completely existing free space and closed everything. Once again, the professor asked the students, is the jar full?

They answered: yes, and this time definitely, it is full.
Then, from under the table, he also pulled out 2 cans of beer and poured them into the can to the last drop, soaking the sand. The students laughed.

“And now,” the professor said instructively, “I want you to understand that the jar is your life.
Stones are the most important things in your life: family, health, friends, your children - everything that is necessary for your life to still remain complete even if everything else is lost.
Polka dots are things that have become important for you personally: work, home, car ...
Sand is everything else, little things. If you first fill the jar with sand, there will be no place left for peas and stones. And also in your life, if you spend all your time and all your energy on the little things, there is no room for the most important things.
Do what brings you happiness: play with your children, spend time with your spouse, meet with family, friends. There will always be time to work, clean the house, fix and wash the car. Engage, first of all, with stones, that is, the most important things in life. Determine your priorities.

The rest is just sand

That's all for me, the lecture is over.

“Professor,” one of the students asked, “what do beer bottles mean???!!!

The professor smiled slyly again.
- They mean that, despite any problems, there is always a little time and space for idle idleness 🙂

Parable about happiness

An interesting parable. You can chase after happiness... and never catch up with it. And we can make sure that happiness is always with us. As in this parable 🙂

lucky tail

Once an old cat met a young kitten. Running in circles, the kitten was obviously trying to catch up with its own tail. The old cat stood silently, watching the actions of the kitten, which, without ceasing for a minute, ran after its tail.

- You're chasing your tail! - why? asked the old cat.
“Once a cat told me that my tail is my happiness,” the kitten replied, “that's why I catch it.”

The seasoned cat, rolling his eyes, smiled in a way that only an old cat could do, and said:

- I was younger and, just like you, I tried to “catch happiness by the tail”, because I firmly believed in the veracity of what was said to me. You have no idea how many days I ran after my tail. I forgot what food, drink, all running and chasing my tail. I also fell, exhausted myself, but got up again and again pursued an illusory happiness. But there came a moment in my life when I had already lost hope, and leaving this occupation, I went away. And do you know what happened?

What? The kitten asked, opening his eyes wide.
- My tail is always with me, which means happiness too ...

Video parable. Gorgeous.

Parable. Miracle - Clay

This parable was sent by Igor Sepetov.

Long ago, Water and Fire decided to become friends. Only their friendship somehow quickly ended - then the Water evaporated, then the Fire died out ...

They asked the Man to reconcile them.

The man took a lump of dry clay, asked the Water to moisten and soften it. Then mixed and kneaded as it should. Clay became pliable and plastic.

The man fashioned from it a capacious steep-sided pot, an elegant lamp-lamp and a funny toy whistle. Then he turned to Fire for help.

Fire, all this was thoroughly burned, giving strength to the products ...

The man poured Water into the pot, oil for the Fire into the lamp. Clay connected both Fire and Water. And for his son he taught to whistle a song about the friendship of Fire and Water on a whistle.

The events of this legend took place quite recently.
You can even find this information in the recent news. Similar stories are often told by our students in public speaking classes.

Legend of the richest man.

Modern legend

Henry Ford raincoat

Once, already a millionaire, Henry Ford came to England on business. At the airport information desk, he inquired about any cheap hotel in the city, as long as it was close.

The clerk looked at him - his face was famous. Newspapers often wrote about Ford. And here he is, wearing a raincoat that looks older than he is, asking about a cheap hotel. The clerk asked uncertainly:

- If I'm not mistaken, you are Mr. Henry Ford?

- Yes, he answered.

The employee was surprised.

- Recently I saw your son at this counter. He ordered the most expensive room, and was very worried that the hotel was the best. And you ask a cheap hotel and wear a raincoat that doesn't seem to be younger than you. Are you saving money?

Henry Ford, after a moment's thought, replied:

“I don’t need to stay in an expensive hotel, because I don’t see the point in overpaying for excesses that I don’t need. Wherever I stop, I'm Henry Ford. And I don’t see much difference in hotels, because even in a cheap hotel you can relax no worse than in the most expensive one. And this coat - yes, you are right, my father also wore it, but it does not matter, because in this coat I am still Henry Ford.

And my son is still young and inexperienced, so he is afraid of what people will think if he stays in a cheap hotel. I do not worry about the opinion of others about me, because I know my true worth. And I became a millionaire because I can count money and distinguish real values ​​from fake ones.

The legend of love

It so happened that different feelings lived on the same island: Happiness, Sadness, Skill… AND Love was among them. One day Premonition informed everyone that the island would soon disappear under water. Rush and Haste were the first to leave the island in boats. Soon everyone left Love remained. She wanted to stay until the last second. When the island should have already gone under water, Love I decided to call for help.

Wealth sailed on a magnificent ship. Love tells him: " Wealth can you take me away?” “No, I have a lot of money and gold on the ship. I have no place for you!”

Happiness sailed past the island, but it was so happy that it did not even hear how Love calls him.

When Love rescued, she asked Knowledge, who was that.

– Time. Because only time can understand how Love important!

And this is a new story.
A girl on online training told her to me.
I think you will like this story too! 🙂

Parable about how you need to choose a wife

Once the men asked their grandfather:

- Tell me, grandfather, you and your wife have been living for probably half a hundred years. You do everything together and never fight. How do you do it?

Grandfather thought about it, and said:

- You see, young people go to a party. And when they return, the guys will escort the girls home, under the arm.

So I, when I was young, went to see off one beauty. I was going to tell her something, and she suddenly began to slowly pull her hand out from under mine. I did not understand, it turns out I was walking straight into a puddle on the road. It was dark, it was late. But I didn't turn around. She ran around the puddle and again under my arm. I walked purposefully to the next puddle. She also removed her hand. And so he brought her to the gate.

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The next evening I went with another girl. The route is the same. The girl, as she saw that I was walking straight, did not turn off, began to pull her hand out of my hand. I don't. She pulled out her hand, but how she will run!

The next evening I went with a third girl. And again, exactly along the same route, with puddles.

I come up, so I'm to the puddle - she holds on tight to me, listens to me and ... walks through the puddle with me.

Well, I think maybe I didn’t see the puddle, you never know.

Then I to the next - deeper. Girlfriend - zero attention to the puddle.
I'm on the third...

Since then, we've been walking side by side. And we do not swear, we live in harmony.

All the men opened their mouths, and those who are older say:

- That you grandfather did not tell you how to choose wives before. Maybe we would be happier.
“Yes, you just now asked me.

A wonderful story. One of the best.

Parable. save a star

A man walked along the seashore immediately after a storm. His eye was caught by a boy who was picking up something from the sand and throwing it into the sea.

The man came closer and saw that the boy was picking up starfish from the sand. They surrounded him from all sides. It seemed that there were millions of starfish on the sand, the shore was literally dotted with them for many kilometers.

Why are you throwing those starfish into the water? the man asked, coming closer.
- The tide is coming soon. If they stay here, on the shore, until tomorrow morning, they will die, - the boy answered, without stopping his occupation.

But that's just stupid! the man shouted. - Look around! There are thousands of starfish here. Your attempts won't change anything!
The boy picked up the next starfish, thought for a moment, and threw it into the sea, saying softly:

No, my attempts will change a lot... For this star.

New neighbor

The hostess looked out the window. He sees a new neighbor hanging clothes to dry. But it is clear that there are a lot of dirty spots on the white linen.

Shouts to her husband:

– Go look! What a messy neighbor we have. Can't wash clothes!

In the meantime, she told her girlfriends, they say, what a new neighbor I had. Yes, she can't wash clothes.

Time has passed. The hostess sees again how her neighbor is hanging clothes. And again with spots.

Again she went to gossip with her friends.

That's what we wanted to see.

They came to the yard. Look at linens. But it is snow-white, no spots.

Then one woman says:

- Before discussing someone else's underwear, you should go and wash your windows. Look how dirty they are.

Dear reader! I hope you enjoyed the parables.

• A big request: write in the comments which parables you liked the most. I am very interested to know this. parables

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Modern man is unlikely to believe in myths and legends. However, despite the many reliable facts available, legends still do not lose their popularity. Each guide uses the most vivid stories to attract the attention of listeners. After all, legends evoke a feeling of surprise and admiration, especially when the topic concerns unique and unlike places.

Giants Road, Northern Ireland

Giants Road, Northern Ireland. Despite the fact that scientists claim that the Giant's Road was formed as a result of an ancient volcanic eruption, there is a legend about the Celtic hero Finn MacCool, who decided to fight the one-eyed giant Goll. To do this, he drove a lot of columns into the bottom of the Irish Sea, from which a kind of bridge turned out. Having worked hard, the hero lay down to rest, and in the meantime, Goll himself crossed the bridge to Ireland. Finn's wife, sensing danger, ran out to meet the giant and assured the monsters that the sleeping Finn was a baby. Then she treated the uninvited guest with cakes, in which pans were hidden, and her husband with ordinary ones. The first broke his teeth, and the second ate his portion without even grimacing. Frightened Goll, seeing the power of such a child, imagined his father and fled the country, breaking the bridge behind him.

Forbidden City palace complex in Beijing

This palace complex is considered the most extensive of its kind - 720 thousand m². Going back to the past, you would not be able to get inside without losing your head for it. To date, everyone has the opportunity to visit here and learn the legends that envelop this place. One of the most popular is that Emperor Zhu Di dreamed of four watchtowers never seen before. When he woke up, he ordered that the buildings taken away in a dream be erected at the corners of the walls of the Forbidden City within three months. In case of failure to comply with the order, the builders were threatened with the death penalty. After a month, the chief architect could not develop a construction plan. Out of desperation, he went for a walk around the city, during which he came across a seller of cages with grasshoppers. For fun, he bought one of the cages and was amazed. It was her design that was the ideal model for towers. The emperor was as pleased as ever with the result; The old man who sold the grasshoppers turned out to be the god of carpenters, Lu Ban.

Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar

Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar. The island is famous not only for lemurs, but also for giant trees. The alley of baobabs is located in its western part. According to one of the legends, one day the god was in a bad mood and a baobab came under his arm. Throwing out his anger, he uprooted the tree and put it back into the ground with its crown down.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls. The facility is located on the border between the US and Canada. The guides' favorite legend is that of the Maid of the Mist; According to one version, the daughter of the leader of the Seneca tribe named Lelavala was chosen as a sacrifice to the god who lived in the abyss of the waterfall. Thus, the inhabitants of the tribe wanted to appease the angry god who poisoned the water. The selfless girl voluntarily set off in a canoe to meet death, but she was saved by the god Khan, who told about a terrible snake that settled in the river and was the cause of all troubles. Lelavala returned to the village and told her father about the monster. Gathering the warriors, the leader entered into a fight with the serpent and defeated him.

Great Sphinx, Egypt

The sculpture, towering over the Giza plateau, is considered one of the oldest surviving to this day. It is a figure lying on the sand with the body of a lion and the head of a man. The history of the Great Sphinx is shrouded in many legends and speculations. One of the most spread is the legend of Crown Prince Thutmose, the son of Pharaoh Amenhotep III and Queen Tiye. Once, while hunting in the desert, Thutmose recalled his guards to pray alone at the pyramids. Tired of the midday sun, he lay down to rest in the shade of the Sphinx, which in those days was covered with sand up to his shoulders. However, the statue came to life and spoke to the man. She told Thutmose about the future reign and ordered to clear her paws of sand. Then she looked at the prince with huge bright eyes and he lost consciousness. Waking up, the heir swore an oath to fulfill the request. Having become pharaoh Thutmose IV, he ordered the statue to be dug up and a granite stele to be installed.

the great Wall of China

One of the most romantic and heartbreaking legends about the construction of the Great Wall of China is the legend of Meng Jiang Nu. There lived in the neighborhood two married couples named Meng and Jiang, who did not have children. One day, Consort Jiang planted a lagenaria, which sent its vine over the wall to the neighbors. Over time, the plant gave a harvest in the form of a huge pumpkin. Friendly neighbors decided to divide it in half. When they cut open the fetus, they found a baby inside. The girl was named Meng Jiang Nu and began to be brought up together. She grew up a real beauty, which the world has not seen; she married Fan Xiliang, who was on the run from a government that forced all young people to build the Great Wall of China. The happiness of the young did not last long; Fan Silyan was found and forcibly sent to the construction site. The girl waited for her beloved for a whole year, without receiving any news. Then she went in search of him, but they were in vain. No one knew where her husband was, and later it turned out that he died from exhaustion and was buried in the wall. Meng Jiang Nu, unable to stop her pain, cried for three days and three nights. The part of the wall she was standing against collapsed. For the damage, the emperor intended to punish the widow, but when he saw her beautiful face, he offered to marry. Meng Jiang Nu agreed, but on the condition that her ex-husband be buried properly. The emperor complied with the demand, but after that Meng Jiang Nu committed suicide by drowning herself in the sea.

Mount Etna, Sicily

Mount Etna, Sicily. The volcano is one of the highest and most active in Europe. It has erupted more than 200 times throughout its history. In 1669, Etna erupted for four months, destroying 12 villages. According to legend, this eruption was caused by none other than the hundred-headed monster Typhon (son of Gaia), who was imprisoned by Zeus inside Etna. Every time Typhon got angry, there was an earthquake and an eruption.

Mount Fuji on the island of Honshu, Japan

The mountain is considered one of the country's most recognizable natural landmarks. The object is a popular theme in Japanese art; it can be found in songs, movies, and, of course, legends and myths. One of the legends tells of a married couple who lived near Mount Fuji. The husband was a bamboo collector. One day, while slicing raw materials, he found a girl the size of a thumb in bamboo. Rejoiced, the couple took the child to their upbringing, since they had no children of their own. Then, continuing to work, the man found an ingot of gold in the bamboo. The suddenly wealthy family lived happily ever after. The girl, who was named Kaguya-hime, grew up to be a beautiful girl. Many tried to get her hand, even the emperor himself, but the beauty refused everyone, wanting to return to where she came from - to the moon. One day on a full moon, the subjects of the moon finally came to Kaguya-hime to take her home. The girl left the emperor a gift in the form of an elixir of life and a letter. He, in turn, ordered the gifts to be taken to the mountain and burned, as he did not want to live forever without love. So the flame of the elixir and the letter made Mount Fuji a volcano.

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