There is nothing more valuable than health

 It was a wonderful day. He was walking along the road near the village, which was next to a lake. He spotted four men carrying a stretcher nearby. He hurried up to catch them. Max noticed that four robust men were carrying a wealthy but elderly man on a richly decorated stretcher. Max welcomed them and started walking with them. A few meters away from them, a poor cabin was occupied by a man who was talking loudly.

"Ah, I wonder when I will endure such suffering. The world is black for me. Should I kill myself?"

Obviously, the old man heard the sighs and complaints of the young man, and he ordered the servants to stop. The old man asked, "Why are you so desperate?"

"Ah, sir, how can't I be desperate?" answered the young man. "How not be sad when I am very poor? I am willing to sacrifice everything to achieve the same level of wealth as you. I will live a lavish lifestyle, and I will glorify the Lord’s generosity. Now, I am working all day for only one piece of bread and a handful of olives. Is that a life?

"Why are you complaining? "Answered the old man. You are richer than me.

"How can I be richer than you?" The young man stared, wondering. "Look, sir, my purse is always empty, my legs are too tired to hold me, my hands cannot hold anything, and my eyes are always watching like a hungry wolf," he said.

"Let me cut your tired legs, and I will pay you for them one thousand golden coins," said the old man.

"What?" Screamed the young man. Even if you give me ten times one thousand golden coins, I will not give them to you.

"Fine. Sell me your empty hands, and I will pay you in gold as much as they weigh."

"Even if you overwhelm me with money, I will not give them."

"Fine! Sell me your hungry eyes. I will reward you with one hundred purses filled with golden coins, and I will also gift you with my castle and garden."

"What are you saying, sir? To get blind? I refuse to give up my eyes, regardless of the wealth on Earth," the young man responded.

"Eh, boy!" said the old man. "Now can you see that you are richer than me? You are young, strong, and healthy; there is no greater wealth than that. I am old and ill. Even if I give all my treasures, I cannot buy even one day's health and youth. Do not complain, do not anger the Lord; he is generous to you! For instance, when I was younger, I aspired to wealth, gold, land, and power, and I worked diligently to achieve these goals. I held everyone in high regard, which led to a lack of time for my family, relatives, friends, and dependents. Being wealthy is not a negative thing, but we also need to make time for our mental well-being, our souls, and the small, priceless things in life. But I realized it too late. Before three days had passed, I was dreaming that death would be my fate. It gives me a few days before that to prepare, and then it will take me. It gives me that right because when I was working or willing wealth, land, and gold, I was feeding many; I did not hear other people, and I had put many efforts to do that. I offered all my wealth for more time to enjoy life, but it reduced me. I am now embarking on a journey to revisit my childhood favorite place. Before I go. What I've come to understand, young man, is that we must set aside time for our favorite activities. However, we often forget it when we are living our lives. One thing is certain: time is the most valuable asset we possess, and we should not allow it to be lost. That's why you need to stop complaining, take control of your life, and use the time you have for happiness, your favorite people, work, wealth, and beneficial things that can make other people happy. Remember, the most important thing is how other people will remember you." He placed a few coins on the ground before leaving.

"I may not require them, but they can instill courage in you. I wish you to be healthy."

The fourth servant goes away. Max also took his road.

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If there is hope, there will always be a future

Max had been walking for two days when he finally spotted someone. In the evening, in the middle of the field, he saw a young man who was sitting on the ground and was crying. In front of him there was a pile of coals. He went next to him and set down.

"Hello! What happened? Why do you look so sad?"

The young man erased his tears and answered, "My name is Tom. I will share my experience of sadness with you. Yesterday, during my travels, I came across a small tree amidst the untamed wilderness. I sat next to it, and I decided to rest, and I thought, "How small it is, even if that makes me shadow. I snuggled under its crown and slept peacefully. After an hour, I woke up and felt that my stomach was gurgling from hunger. Then, I noticed that there were fruits hanging from the branches. I plucked them and ate them. The evening came, and it got colder. I didn't have any warm clothes on and felt trapped, so I decided to start a fire to avoid freezing in the evening. I quickly built a small tree out of matchwood, burning it to a high temperature before going to sleep. I woke up the next morning. The sun was shining brightly, and my stomach was once again rumbling with hunger. However, the tree that had shielded me from the sun and provided me with food was no longer there. At that moment, I came to understand the consequences of my actions. I had to reflect on the ways in which the shadow had aided me and provided me with delicious fruits. I had to understand that every next person who found him would also help that person, so I destroyed it. How reckless I was. A person who lacks self-control and acts solely to satisfy their own needs harms others."

Max took a brad from its bag and two pieces of dried meat; he gave him the half of it. He also had an extra shirt, which he gifted to the young man as a present. After they finished their meal, he told the young man, "While you cannot change the past, you can focus on the future. When you realized the mistake, you took a huge step ahead. Therefore, you have the right to fight. Try to achieve something important for you that will be beneficial for others. Make a goal and work on achieving it. Once you reach your goal, you will plant numerous trees and be able to assist others who are similar to you. I will tell you one parable; you make your own conclusions.

They were quietly and calmly lighting three candles in a room.

All their conversations, even the cracking of their flames, were audible in the silence. "I am peace," said the first one. "Regrettably, individuals are unable to rescue me. They cannot save me. They are incapable of valuing me, nor do they strive for my well-being. I believe they have nothing left for me, and I must let go. It just motioned, and it lit out.

The second candle says, "My name is Faith. However, it appears that my presence is also unnecessary. People seem disinterested in my presence. That is why there is no point to burn, and it also lighted out.

The third one said sadly, "I am Love, but I do not have strength to burn more. People avoid me, and they tend to forget me. They lack the ability to both give and receive love." The third candle also lighted out.

At this moment, a child entered the room. Upon noticing that three candles remained unlit, the child began to yell. "But what are you doing? Why are you not lighting up? I'm afraid of the dark."

The fourth candle, whose flame glowed in the darkness, began to speak in a nervous tone, "Do not be afraid. Do not cry. Until I ignite, you have the opportunity to illuminate other candles. I am hope. Until hope exists, there will always be a future. Now, go to sleep knowing that tomorrow we will continue with the hope for your future.

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Strive to work on what brings you pleasure

 Max was walking along the road in the forest when a man approached him. He was moving so quickly that it appeared as though he was in a hurry to reach his destination.

"Hello, traveler, where are you going so fast?" asked Max.

"Hello, young boy! I am going to the next kingdom. There is one very wise man from whom I am planning to get advice. If you agree, we can begin our journey together, during which I will share my personal story with you. My name is Nobel."

Max has nothing against hearing his story, and he was delighted to hear it. As they walked slowly, Nobel began to share his story with Max.

"When I was a small boy, we never had much money in my family. My mother would often remark that she had never married a man who, through his craft, earned a substantial income to support his family's daily needs. Every time I wanted her to buy me something, she always told me that she did not have money, and that is why when I grow up, I want to learn a craft that is profitable so my kids will not suffer like me. At the age of eighteen, I heard a story about a man in a distant kingdom who possessed extensive knowledge about large predators. I believed that if he was well-versed in large predators, he could impart his knowledge to me, enabling me to become a proficient predator. Only a select few can master this skill and not fear these creatures. Those who fear these creatures will generously donate large sums of money to ensure their safety from these predators. That's why I took all the money from my parents, began my search for him, and eventually found him. When I found him, I asked him, "Please, teacher, teach me how to kill giant predators!"

"It is not so easy. You need many years to learn the skills necessary to defeat them. Are you prepared to spend the next few years with me in that forest? Are you prepared to listen and learn continuously from morning to evening? We will solely focus on theoretical knowledge, as there aren't any large creatures present here," responded the teacher.

"I am prepared to undertake all necessary tasks!" I answered him without getting deeper into his words.

"Do you have enough money to pay me for the education? I need to have a source of income to support myself while I'm teaching you."

"I'll pay you everything to learn how to defeat those predators." I spoke confidently, envisioning the greatness I would achieve. He accepted and allowed me to live with him. Two years have passed. I was following the instructions of my skilled teacher with outstanding care and attention. I was listening to him very carefully and gave all my energy to learn everything he wanted me to. He instructed me on how to construct traps and various other strategies for capturing a large creature. At the end, the teacher told me, "Now you know everything that I know. Now you can defeat every predator that you see."

I left satisfied, even if I had no money. I was thrilled that I could now kill large creatures; I was well-versed in dinosaurs, mammoths, and other mythical creatures. I was among the few who possessed this knowledge. I was proudly walking to the cities and villages, offering my services to people.

"What are you capable of doing, young boy?" they inquired.

"I am capable of eliminating large predators to protect you from them!" I was bragging.

"Oh, alright! When those creatures appear, we will certainly call you, but for now, we do not need your services."

“That was how the days, months, and years of my life unfolded. People did not hire me, but I also did not hear that those creatures appeared. Most likely, their disappearance occurred many years ago. I am unable to work and am currently living a life filled with misery and poverty. Therefore, I am turning to the wise man for guidance. I hope that he will help me. “

We arrived on the hill where the wise man's house stood in the evening. The wise man welcomed us, provided us with food, and provided us with a shelter for the night. He assured us that he would answer our questions when we woke up in the morning. However, he reminded us that the day is wiser than the night because it allows our body and mind to rest, which allows him to provide more accurate answers. We woke up, and we saw that on the table there was food. The wise man instructed us to wash our heads and hands in the river, eat breakfast, and then return to him. We followed the old man's instructions and sat down next to him.

"I am listening to you," the old man said, and Nobel began to narrate his story once more, this time to the old man.

The wise man remained silent for a moment before launching into his speech: "Education ignites a fire; it does not imply filling the vessel. Your environment forces you to seek something that will help you progress. Many people follow this path, but in your situation, you confront large predators that have disappeared over time, requiring a slight shift in your perspective and mindset. You can take on the role of a shepherd and occasionally engage in combat with small predators or even a bear. Once upon a time, there was a mighty man whose name was Buddha. When asked how to find his calling in front of them, he replied, "Imagine waking up with all the wealth in the world and still wanting to do something else to make you happy and loved." This is what you should strive for, as engaging in activities filled with love prevents boredom. When you enjoy something, it's likely that others will find it enjoyable as well. You must understand that people value excellent skills that are beneficial to them, and they are willing to pay for them. If the desire for money didn't blind you, you wouldn't seek out that teacher; instead, you would seek out a different teacher who could impart knowledge from your heart. A person learns while they are still alive. When you were a young boy, it's likely that you had a dream, or perhaps while you were walking around your village, you saw a craftsman at work, and you wished to emulate him. Life continues, and you must strive to achieve your goals. Remember, you will leave behind whatever you build or do, but the choice is yours. I cannot dictate what you should work on; you must consider your options and make your own decisions." The old man stood up and said that he had something to do.

"Thank you for your hospitality and for your advice for Nobel. I am confident that we will discuss this matter, and he will make a decision. I wish you to be healthy." Max left some coins for the old man and walked away. While others were going about their lives, Nobel remained in silence.

If you like my educational stories,

you can search the whole book " Manners in the Great Kingdom" in all bookstores

A person always has a choice - educational stories from the book "Manners in the Great Kingdom."

 Max woke up. After eating his breakfast and bidding farewell to his mother, father, and sister, Max went to his teacher, who had prepared all the necessary items for his journey. He must remember to pack clothes, a bag, and instructions in case anything unexpected arises during his journey. Max carefully put on his clothes, listened to his teacher's recommendations, and proceeded to the other kingdoms. In the middle of the day, a car stopped next to Max. In that car were a well-dressed father and a son. The father was in his 40s, and his son was twenty years old. The car was brimming with fruits and vegetables.

"Hi! Where are you going, son?" asked the driver.

"I am going to the next kingdom," said Max.

"We are also going there. Come in the car; we will leave you there."

"For how many days will you sell the goods?" asked Max.

"The products are not for sale; they are for exchange." Answer the father and continue to speak.

“In our kingdom, it's clear that people have been living in this manner for many years. All the peasants are obligated to live that way in order to get fewer illnesses. Maintaining excellent hygiene not only prolongs our lives but also enhances our appearance. It is time for my son to get married, but he is still searching for a bride from our kingdom, and we are going to search for her in another kingdom. However, in order to choose a bride, we need to find a girl who is clean and hardworking enough to live in our kingdom. For many years, it has been a custom that, when a boy and a girl don't get along, we select a girl from a different kingdom based on our mutual preferences. In reality, we trade fruits and vegetables from home, where there are girls ready for marriage, for garbage. We ask people from villages with marriage-ready girls to stop there. In the house where there is less garbage and our son likes her, we will ask her for a wife. When we say that we are from the great kingdom, the parents always agree because they know that the life there is better, and we live with love and commitment.

"You've discovered an excellent solution for boys, but I'm confident that there are girls in the great kingdom who face similar issues. How you are deciding such problems?" said Max.

"We have also found a solution to that problem. We took this into consideration when we created the rules for the great kingdom. Every two years we are organizing a race for boys from other kingdoms who are ready for marriage. We determine places where new houses have to be built, having in mind the number of girls who have to be married. The race is based on who is better at his job: masons, smiths, tailors, carpenters, and boys with many other abilities. At the same time in the race, they are building houses for the new families. The masons are putting brigs; the carpenters are making tables, chairs, fences, and beds needed for the new houses. The tailors are stitching all the necessary items for the houses. Our king sources all the materials directly. Therefore, the new family has a solid foundation for life, experiencing fewer problems and greater family happiness. The girls and their families make up the jury, observing the working process closely. When they like a boy, they send the girl to help and encourage him. If the boy likes the girl, he will allow her to come and help him. This helps them meet, marry, and find a home."

Two other roads split off from the main road. "I wish you good luck and success; I will take the other road."

"I wish you the same for you young boy, and continue driving the cart."

If you like my educational stories,

you can search the whole book " Manners in the Great Kingdom" in all bookstores

The lack of knowledge and laziness are the biggest enemies

“Max, sit down and listen carefully to what I will tell you. Now you are seventeen years old, and you are crown prince. Till now, we have been teaching you many things with teachers from our kingdom, and all that you know is a theory; you have to understand some truths outside the kingdom. You must spend at least a year traveling to other kingdoms to observe how people live, understand the challenges they face and the consequences of their actions, and experience all of this. You have to get wiser in order to rule our kingdom. You will get wiser when you get more knowledge. The question is how accurately you will evaluate the knowledge you acquire about morals and values. Good manners are the basis of excellent health and a successful life. The man is complete when he/she has spiritual, mental, and physical health. We have no doubts that we educated you for a crown prince. Our best teachers were teaching you. You can cope with all subjects, including sports. You have been living only in the castle, and you know only one side of the coin. It is essential to see the other side of the coin—how other people live. However, our kingdom is highly respected. How did you know that hundreds of years ago, your grandparents worked tirelessly, engaged in negotiations, displayed patience, and demonstrated selflessness to maintain the balance of all kingdoms?   A one-kilometer area, bordered by the borders of the other kingdoms, serves as a free trading zone, allowing all traders to travel there and engage in trade with each other. This boundary is impenetrable, ensuring our safety from all threats. Moreover, we have four buildings on our side that serve as entrances to the free trading zone. Both of the buildings serve as courts. Kingdoms designate one building for resolving disputes and looting, while the other serves as a platform for arbitrage. To be more precise, we are the ones conducting the arbitrage. The other building houses the major traders who engage in cross-kingdom trade. The other two buildings are keeping money safe. Other kings can use one of them to safeguard their treasures, as it contains keys and rooms for each. We reserve the final building for the bid traders. We only keep them safe. Everyone is aware of their immense reserves, which is why they refrain from attacking us, fearing that their actions would incite others' anger. Our grandparents have done everything, and it is our duty to uphold and rebuild these laws. This explains why we possess the largest library. It is our most powerful weapon. We gather all stories and lessons for future reference. We know that knowledge is more powerful than every weapon. With speech control, you can conquer everyone by controlling their feelings. At your age, young people travel to other kingdoms and share information with us about their superior manufacturing capabilities, the news they have learned, the quality of their kings' rule, the taxes they have imposed, and their intentions. We require this information because it aids us in our interactions with kings and traders. When we comprehend new developments, we implement them in our kingdom to enhance the quality of life for our people. Moreover, we identify the areas with the best harvests, purchase them from them, and then sell them to other kingdoms at a profit. For instance, once we determine which village is selling the best wagons, we purchase them, travel to the free zone, and then sell them to other kingdoms. When an individual possesses knowledge, they are free from the fear of failure. To possess good knowledge, one must possess good manners, cultivate good habits, exercise control over their emotions, and adhere to all other factors that contribute to mental clarity. We take care of every person in our kingdom, and we are kind and respectful to people from other kingdoms; that is why they respect us. It's time to travel to other kingdoms to gain knowledge and implement what you see as beneficial and new in our kingdom. My advice is to describe everything that you think is good, and when you meet a wise person, visit her or him; that is very important for you. Those people are an unlimited source of knowledge. We maintain good health, love, and amity with both close and unknown people. We derive our knowledge from the good manners and habits we employ daily to navigate all situations without causing harm to anyone. For us, it is important to help everyone and everything. We must not only maintain fairness, but also ensure a correct understanding of the situation. To know the actual situation, we have to know the situation on all sides of the coin in order to judge the way that, even if convicted, will be satisfied. The Lord has created us in a way that allows us to injure ourselves while simultaneously fostering the development of our personalities, enabling us to leave a lasting legacy that is both meaningful and beautiful. In order to have balance, there will always be good and bad, black and white, and smiles and tears. The man lives with his/her body, mind, and soul. The Lord has created us in such a way that only two bodies, minds, and souls can create the new life of the new soul with a new body and a new mind. To remain in our human bodies, we require numerous allowances from healthy, thinking individuals who maintain balance and harmony. However, this can only be achieved with knowledge. Being born into a good family and achieving success is not enough; you need support to develop into a person with strong character and good manners, not just for the physical body but also for the soul and mind, for inner peace. That's why, son, tomorrow, dress like a normal person, grab your inkpot and quill, and write everything that's important to you. This will enhance your wisdom and make you wiser and fairer. With your writings, you will leave the knowledge to the new generation, and you will show them the mistakes that they should not make again. I wish you success in your journey and good luck on your comeback at eighteen years old. Let the Lord keep you safe.”

A story from the book, Manners in the Great Kingdom. If you are interested, you can find it in all e-stores. As an e-book and in soft and hard cover

 

The true strength of society becomes apparent only when women are allowed to freely express themselves

 A member of the ancient world's silent intellect, Aspasia brought with her words of wisdom that have stood the test of time. Born in Miletus, she resonated with the intellectual world of Athens with her wisdom and intelligence. This extraordinary woman of ancient times shed light on the dark social fabric of the period, emphasizing that females should be able to make their voices heard. Challenging tradition, Aspasia argued that women's education was not only a right but also an indispensable necessity for the progress of society. To her, knowledge was a light that enlightened people; this light was a right for women as well as men. According to her, a woman who does not have a formal education is naive about her own capabilities and the world at large.  The search for wisdom from women was an integral part of society's struggle for enlightenment.In Athens, Aspasia was more than simply a friend or wife; she was a mentor and an inspiration to a statesman like Pericles. Her wisdom, oratory, and worldview left their mark on Pericles' speeches and the political atmosphere of Athens. It is as if she lived to show the world that women could be not just figures but active elements of thought and action.  Aspasia's life, thoughts, and wise words reflect the natural philosophy of the Milesian philosopher Thales. In her perspective on human relationships, Aspasia embodies Thales's notion that all things are interdependent parts of a larger whole. According to him, society can only be completed with the equal contribution of men and women. This woman, who mixed love, wisdom, and the deep connections of the universe, made the idea of ​​the "unity of love and intelligence" the basis of her life. Aspasia's voice resonates today, transcending her time. What he said about freedom, education, and the role of women in social life is an inspiring mirror even today. His enlightened stance demonstrates that love and reason are not mutually exclusive but rather work hand in hand. As we commemorate Aspasia's memory, we take a deep breath with her words, not only for women but also for humanity: "Wisdom shines with love in the depths of the soul; only the free mind can find it."  Those who seek knowledge of the universe can look to Aspasia's legacy for direction. Her voice transcends time, emphasizing that women's struggle for equality and freedom is a crucial step on the path to wisdom. And this step opens the way to the true enlightenment of societies.To Aspasia and all women who embody her essence, 

Putin praises Bitcoin

 I guess that Putin wants to use this uncontrolled money, if it becomes international money, as quickly as possible. He knows that this will be the beginning of the downfall of America. After all, their strength is in the dollar. But basically, every empire collapsed with help from within. There is one unknown answer for all. The Russians think that this was developed by the CIA. Americans think it was invented by the Japanese secret services. The Japanese think it is a development of the Chinese. Politicians think that there is a conspiracy against democracy, because if they do not control it to distribute the portions/budget, then it is anarchy. The business wants this because it will keep its money closer and will not look for offshore companies and so on. Optimists perceive immediate profits, while pessimists believe that the game will eventually end and that this is the largest pyramid scheme of the century. The head of Facebook is inwardly happy that one day his Libra coin will be legalized and will be the strongest of all others. I guess the bosses of McDonald's, Walmart, Amazon, and others with many clients are secretly hoping that this will happen and that they will make some such coin. All banks are dying of fear that they might become redundant. Those who are aware of the technology see competition from Western Union and the like. Dark side hackers see how they will make their biggest hits in time. I can write many more examples. Everyone sees things from their point of view. But when we look at the fantasy movies, there they still believe in money from precious rare raw materials. Time will determine who is correct and who is incorrect.