CATS AND RATS

Cats and rats are natural born enemies. Fight at first sight is the policy of most of the cats when they encounter rats. In stories, rats have tried to bell the cats but failed miserably. The rats have always failed in the fight against cats.

A group of rats held a serious discussion about their futile fights against cats. Lack of real leaders was suggested as the major reason for their constant failure. So the rats decided to form a strong army. The strongest warriors were selected and conferred the title of Generals. As a mark of distinction and identification, the Generals were crowned ceremoniously. Cracked shells of large nuts were stuck to the heads of the Generals using strong glue- the sticky gum of the jack fruit tree.

The crowned Generals were proud and glad. They gave commands to the ordinary warrior-rats and after several training sessions, organized their first major assault against the cats.

Filled with confidence in their new professional leadership, they marched forward to attack a group of cats resting nearby under the shade of a tree. The arrogant Generals adorned with the majestic crowns led the army. The cats instantly sprang upon the approaching rats and attacked them violently. The rats were scattered and ran in all directions. The frightened rats fled with full speed and quickly entered their narrow burrows to escape from the attacking cats. But the Generals who ran for their lives could not enter the narrow burrows. Their decorative crowns got stuck at the entrance and they were immobilized. All the Generals were killed and eaten by the rapidly advancing cats. The bulky crowns betrayed the boastful leaders and prevented their escape.

Jesus warned against the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees who wore royal robes but were full of hypocrisy and sins. Do not imitate their actions, because they dont practice what they preachLook at the straps with scripture verses on them which they tie on their foreheads and arms, and notice how large they are! Notice also how long are the tassels on their cloaks!...The greatest one among you must be your servant. Whosoever makes himself great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be made great {Matthew 23: 1-12}.

Watch out for the teachers of the Law, who like to walk around in their long robes and be greeted with respect in the market-place, who choose the reserved seats in the synagogues and the best places at feastsTheir punishment will be all the worse! {Mark 12: 38-40, Luke 20: 46, 47}.

Arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected {Proverbs 29: 23}. Happy are those who are humble; they will receive what God has promised!{Matthew 5: 5}.

By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.
For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site: http://www.moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com

Read more...

FEAST AND FAST

Gilbert Keith Chesterton and George Bernard Shaw were two contemporary British writers. Chesterton was a very fat man who loved eating. Shaw, on the other hand, was a strict vegetarian and was very thin and lean. The story goes that Chesterton once said to Shaw, "Looking at you, people would think there's a famine in England," to which Shaw responded, "Looking at you, they'd think you caused it!"


At the end of a monotonous meeting, the Chairman announced that the next item is the best part of any meeting - that is, 'eating'! Immediately the members rushed to the dining hall happily.


Food is a basic requirement of every living thing. God has provided enough resources on earth for every man's need but not for his greed. While several underprivileged people are exposed to constant poverty and frequent starvation, many rich people suffer from disorders associated with overeating such as obesity. Overeating and lack of activity are the major causes of obesity which may lead to very serious diseases such as heart-attack, diabetes and stroke.


There is a story about a person who complained to his doctor that he was not feeling hungry for about an hour after a meal. To reduce the weight of the extra obese person, the doctor prescribed two slices of bread in the morning and one at night. The patient sought a clarification- whether the bread should be eaten before the usual meal or after it!


The Holy Bible teaches us that over-eating or gluttony can be a sin. We must control our appetites but should not allow appetites to control us. If we fail to control our overeating habits, we may fail to control other bad habits such as addictions, anger, arrogance, envy, greed, lust and laziness. God has given us delicious and nutritious food. We may enjoy them- but only in moderation, using only appropriate quantities. Let us make sacrifices to feed the poor and hungry around us.


"Don't associate with people who drink too much wine or stuff themselves with food. Drunkards and gluttons will be reduced to poverty. If all you do is eat and sleep, you will soon be wearing rags {Proverbs 23:20-21}.


Jesus concludes the parable of the rich fool who planned to build bigger barns to store his corn, with the words: But God said to him, "You fool! This very night you will have to give up your life; then who will get all these things you have kept for yourself?"{Luke 12:16-21}. Practice of temperance and occasional fasting improves our physical, mental, moral, emotional and spiritual health.

By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.
For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site: http://www.moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com

Read more...

THE LAST LESSON

Alexander the Great, of Macedonia, was one of the greatest conquerors in human history. He established a vast empire spread over Asia and Africa and reached even the borders of India during his final conquest. At his deathbed, he instructed his close associates to leave his hands hanging free on either side of the coffin during his royal funeral procession. That was to teach the world that he could carry nothing with him on his final journey.

We fail to realize this truth till we reach the last moments in life. We waste a major share of our time, health and energy to amass fame, wealth and glory.

Money may fetch us a bed, but not sleep; a car, but not safety; food, but not appetite; education, but not wisdom; medicines, but not health ; a violin, but not music.

"Provide for yourselves purses that don't wear out, and save your riches in heaven, where they will never decrease, because no thief can get to them and no moth can destroy them. {Luke 12:33}

By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.
For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site: http://www.moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com

Read more...

INNOCENCE OF INFANCY

Tony was a simpleton. He was not very intelligent and could be deceived easily. His neighbour Johny was a crook. Tony used to consult Johny in all matters. Once he asked Johny to suggest a way to gain more intelligence. Johny used this opportunity to fool Tony. He advised Tony to eat the heads (with the brains) of four sardines (the common fish in Kerala, called mathi or chaala) every day to improve his intelligence. He agreed to pay Johny for the heads. The treatment continued for four months. Everyday Johny used to get money from Tony to buy four sardines, supply the heads to Tony and eat the rest himself. Then, one day Tony told Johny, "You were deceiving me. For the price of four sardines you were giving me only the heads and you were eating the better portions free." Johny consoled Tony, "See, my friend, your intellect has improved a lot. My medicine has worked wonderfully. You don't need the treatment from tomorrow."

There are several intellectually impaired persons in our society. They are like innocent infants. They need our assistance, affection, care, concern, encouragement, help and support. It is a crime to neglect them or tease them.

"Whoever calls his brother a worthless fool will be in danger of going to the fire of hell" {Matthew 5:22}. "See that you don't despise any of these little ones. Their angels in heaven, I tell you, are always in the presence of my Father in heaven" {Matthew 18:10}.

By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.
For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site: http://www.moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com

Read more...