Historical legends and myths. Interesting legend

A modern legend.

Mark Zuckerberg says that he has been negotiating for a long time to connect Facebook and WhatsApp. And the negotiations did not produce results.

For reference. WhatsApp appeared in 2009. It was founded by Jan Koum and Brian Acton. In 2014, when WhatsApp had 400 million monthly active users, Facebook wanted to acquire WhatsApp. Both WhatsApp and Facebook were expected to benefit from this merger.

Mark Zuckerberg invited Jan Koum to his home to once again discuss the terms of the acquisition of WhatsApp.

At some point in the conversation, Jan Koum said that he needed to take a break and just think, and a tense silence hung in the room.

And then a miracle happened. Here's what Mark Zuckerberg said later:

“My dog ​​Beast came into our room with a puzzled look. With all his appearance he shows that he does not understand why we are sitting in silence. After looking at everyone, he walked towards Ian and jumped into his lap. Ian began to stroke Bist and after a few seconds suddenly said: “Okay, deal.”

In one city they held a competition for the best artist.

And in the end, the jury chose the two best. But the judges could not decide which artist was the best. Then they turned to the Sage for advice.

The sage addressed the finalists with a question:

– How many shortcomings do you see in your paintings?

One artist said:

– If I saw a flaw in the picture, I would correct it immediately. This picture is flawless.

Salvador Dali was surrounded by legends and secrets. For example, he could tell buyers that he used a large number of bee venom mixed with paint. That's why this painting is so unusual and should cost at least a million.

Here is one of the legends. Salvador Dali often visited restaurants that were new to him, inviting him to lunch different people: rich buyers, art connoisseurs, critics and just friends. He treated everyone at his own expense. Dali ordered the most expensive dishes for his guests.

When the time came to pay the bill, the artist signed the check with a generous hand, and then... turned the check over and wrote a few warm words of gratitude to the owner of the establishment, completing the gratitude with his sweeping signature.

Dali was sure that the owner of the restaurant would never dare to cash such a check with the original signature of Salvador Dali himself!

That’s exactly what happened: restaurant owners did not cash such a check. After all, they understood that they would be able to help out much more over time. more money for this check than just the invoice amount. Essentially, Dali paid for an expensive lunch with a piece of paper with his signature.

But such a receipt under glass hung in the most visible place in the restaurant, saying: “Salvador Dali himself eats with us!”

Well, the artist saved a lot of money, acquired new customers and gained fame as a generous friend.

/ Legends / Historical legend/ The Legend of Salvador Dali /

Urban legends are often exciting stories containing many folklore elements, and they spread quite quickly in society. Stories are told dramatically, as if true stories related to real people- although in fact they may be 100% fictitious.

Local touches are often added to the legend, so it will be quite strange to hear the same story in different versions in different countries. Urban legends often carry a warning or some meaning that motivates society to preserve and spread them. One thing is for sure - some of these creepy urban legends have kept many people awake. Below are ten of the best urban legends:

10. Choking Doberman

This urban legend originates from Sydney, Australia and tells the story of a Doberman pinscher who choked on something. One night, a married couple went out for a walk and sat in a restaurant, when they returned home, they saw their dog choking in the living room. The man panicked and fainted, and the wife decided to call her old friend, a veterinarian, and arranged to bring the dog to the veterinary clinic.

After she took the dog to the clinic, she decided to return home and help her husband go to bed. This takes her some time and meanwhile the phone rang. The veterinarian screams hysterically into the phone that they need to quickly get out of their house. Without understanding what is happening, the married couple leaves the house as quickly as possible.

As they descend the stairs, several police officers run towards them. When the woman asks what happened, one of the officers replies that their dog choked on a man's finger. There is most likely still a burglar in their house. Soon, former owner finger was found unconscious in the couple's bedroom.

9. Suicidal guy


This story, also known as "Death of the Boyfriend", is told in many variations and is considered a general warning not to stray too far from the safety of your home. Our version will focus on Paris in the 1960s. A girl and her boyfriend (both college students) kiss in his car. They parked near the Rambouillet forest so that no one could see them. When they finished, the guy got out of the car to take a breath. fresh air and smoke a cigarette while the girl waits for him in the safety of the car.

After she waited five minutes, the girl got out of the car to find her boyfriend. Suddenly she sees a man hiding in the shadow of a tree. Frightened, she gets back into the car to quickly leave - but while she was getting in, she heard a very quiet creaking sound, followed by several more creaking sounds.

This continues for several seconds, but the girl eventually decides that she has no other choice and decides to leave. She presses the gas pedal, but can’t go anywhere - someone tied a cable from the car’s bumper to a tree growing nearby.

As a result, the girl presses the gas pedal again and hears a loud scream. She gets out of the car and finds her boyfriend hanging from a tree. As it turned out, the creaking sounds were made by his shoes dragging along the roof of the car.

8. Woman with a torn mouth


In Japan and China, there is a legend about the girl Kuchisake-Onna, also known as the woman with the torn mouth. Some say she was the wife of a samurai. One day, she cheated on her husband with a young and handsome man. When the husband returned, he discovered her betrayal, and in a rage he took his sword and cut her mouth from ear to ear.

Some say that the woman was cursed - she will never die, and still walks around the world so that people can see the terrible scar on her face and feel sorry for her. Some claim that they saw a beautiful young girl who asked them: “Am I beautiful?” And when they answered positively, she tore off her mask and showed a terrible wound. Then she repeated her question - and anyone who stopped considering her beautiful would face a tragic death.

There are two morals to this story: it costs nothing to give a compliment, and honesty is not the best approach in all situations.

7. Bridge of the Crying Child


According to this legend, a couple was driving home from church with their child and arguing about something. It was raining heavily, and soon they had to cross a flooded bridge. As soon as they drove onto the bridge, it turned out that there was much more water than they thought, and the car was stuck - they decided that they had to go for help. The woman remained waiting, but got out of the car for a reason that one can only guess about.

When she turned away from the car, she suddenly heard her child crying loudly. She returned to the car and discovered that her child had been swept away by the water. According to the same legend, if you are on the same bridge, you can still hear a child crying there (the location of the bridge, of course, is unknown).

6 Alien Abduction of Zanfretta


The story of the kidnapping of Fortunato Zanfretta has become one of the most famous urban legends in Italy over the past few decades.

According to his own stories (originally made under hypnosis), Zanfretta was abducted by aliens Dragos from the planet Teetonia, and over the course of several years (1978-1981) he was repeatedly abducted several times by the same group from another planet. No matter how terrifying and creepy this story may sound, if we take into account the words of Zanfretta, spoken by him during a hypnosis session, we can evaluate the intentions of the aliens from an optimistic point of view:

“I know that you want to fly more often... no, you can’t fly to Earth, people will be scared of what you look like. You can't become our friends. Please fly away."

Zanfretta has perhaps provided more details about his alien abduction than any other person in history - his detailed stories can make even the most ardent skeptic wonder if there is some truth there. Until this day, the Zanfretta case remains one of the most interesting and mysterious "secret files".

5. White Death


This story is about a little girl from Scotland who hated life so much that she wanted to destroy everything connected with her. Finally, she decided to commit suicide, and soon after, her family discovered what she had done.

In a terrible coincidence, all members of her family died a few days later, their limbs torn off. Legend says that when you hear about the White Death, the ghost of a little girl may find you and knock on your door many times. Each knock gets louder until the man opens the door, after which she kills him so that he will not tell anyone else about her existence. Her main task is to make sure no one knows about her.

Like most urban legends, this story is most likely the product of the unbridled imagination of a modern Aesop.

4. Black Volga


According to rumors, on the streets of Warsaw in the 1960s, a black Volga was often spotted - in which people who kidnapped children were sitting. According to legend (which, no doubt, helped by Western propaganda) Soviet officers drove around Moscow in the black Volga in the mid-1930s, kidnapping young, pretty girls to satisfy the sexual needs of high-ranking Soviet comrades. According to other versions of this legend, vampires, mystical priests, Satanists, human traffickers and even Satan himself lived in the Volga.

According to different versions of the legend, children were kidnapped in order to use their blood as a treatment for rich people from different parts of the world suffering from leukemia. Naturally, none of these versions were ever confirmed.

3. Greek soldier


This one is less famous legend tells the story of a Greek soldier who returns home after World War II to marry his fiancée. Unfortunately for him, he was captured by his compatriots with enemy political beliefs, he was tortured for five weeks and then killed. In the early 1950s, mainly in northern and central Greece, stories circulated of an attractive Greek soldier in uniform who would appear and quickly disappear, seducing beautiful widows and virgins with one goal - to give them a child.

Five weeks after the child was born, the man disappeared forever - leaving a note on the table in which he explained that he was returning from the world of the dead so that he could have sons who could avenge his murder.

2. Elisa Day


IN medieval Europe There lived a young girl named Eliza Day, whose beauty was like the wild roses growing by the river - bloody and red. One day a young man came to town and instantly fell in love with Eliza. They met for three days. On the first day he came to her house. On the second day, he brought her one red rose and asked her to meet where wild roses grow. On the third day, he took her to the river, where he killed her. The terrible man waited until she turned away from him, after which he took a stone and, whispering “All beauty must die,” killed her with one blow to the head. He put a rose in her teeth and pushed her body into the river. Some people claim to have seen her ghost wandering along the river bank, holding a single rose in her hand and blood streaming from her head.

Kylie Minogue and Nick Cave have very beautiful song on the theme of this legend - " Where The Wild Roses Grow":

1. Well to Hell


In 1989, Russian scientists drilled a well in Siberia to a depth of approximately 14.5 kilometers. The drill fell into a cavity in the earth's crust, and scientists lowered several devices into it to figure out what was going on. The temperature there exceeded 1000 degrees Celsius, but the real shock was what they heard on the recording.

Only 17 terrifying seconds of sound were recorded before the microphone melted. Many of the scientists, convinced that they had heard the cries of the damned from hell, quit their jobs - or so the story goes. Those who remained were even more shocked that night. A stream of luminescent gas shot out from the well, transforming into the shape of a giant winged demon, and then the words “I have won” could be read in the lights. Although on this moment Although this story is considered fiction, there are many people who believe that it actually happened - the urban legend "The Well to Hell" is told to this day.

Every nation has beautiful and amazing legends. They are varied in topic: legends about the exploits of heroes, stories about the origin of the names of geographical objects, horror stories O supernatural beings and novelistic tales of lovers.

Definition of the term

A legend is an unreliable account of an event. It is very similar to the myth and can be considered its approximate analogue. But legend and myth still cannot be called completely identical concepts. If we are talking about myth, then there are fictional heroes who have nothing to do with reality. The legend is based on real events, later supplemented or embellished. Since many fictitious facts are added to them, scientists do not accept legends as reliable.

If we take as a basis classical meaning words, then a legend is a tradition set out in artistic form. Such legends exist among almost all nations.

The best legends of the world - they will be discussed in the article.

Types of legends

1. Oral legends are the most ancient look. They spread through wandering storytellers.

2. Written traditions - recorded oral stories.

3. Religious legends - stories about events and persons from church history.

4. Social legends - all other legends that are not related to religion.

5. Toponymic - explaining the origin of the names of geographical objects (rivers, lakes, cities).

6. Urban legends - newest look, which has become widespread these days.

In addition, there are many more varieties of legends, depending on the plot that underlies them - zootropomorphic, cosmogonic, etiological, eschatonic and heroic. There are very short legends and long narratives. The latter are usually associated with a story about the heroic achievements of a person. For example, the legend about the hero Ilya Muromets.

How did legends arise?

WITH Latin language legenda translates as “that which must be read.” The history of legends goes back a long way and has the same roots as myth. having no idea about the reasons for many things happening around him natural phenomena, composed myths. Through them he tried to explain his vision of the world. Later, based on mythology, amazing and interesting legends about heroes, gods and supernatural phenomena began to arise. Many of them have been preserved in the traditions of the peoples of the world.

Atlantis - the legend of the lost paradise

The best legends that arose in ancient times have survived to this day. Many of them still captivate the imagination of adventurers with their beauty and realism. The story of Atlantis says that in ancient times there was an island whose inhabitants achieved incredible heights in many sciences. But then it was destroyed strong earthquake and sank along with the Atlanteans - its inhabitants.

We must express gratitude to the great ancient Greek philosopher Plato and the no less revered historian Herodotus for the story of Atlantis. Interesting legend excited the minds even during the lifetime of these outstanding scientists ancient Greece. It has not lost its relevance even today. The search for the wonderful island, which sank thousands of years ago, continues to this day.

If the legend about Atlantis turns out to be true, this event will be one of the greatest discoveries century. After all, there was an equally interesting legend about the mythical Troy, the existence of which Heinrich Schliemann sincerely believed. In the end, he managed to find this city and prove that there was some truth in the ancient legends.

Founding of Rome

This interesting legend is one of the most famous in the world. The city of Rome arose in ancient times on the banks of the Tiber. The proximity of the sea made it possible to engage in trade, and at the same time the city was well protected from a surprise attack sea ​​robbers. According to legend, Rome was founded by the brothers Romulus and Remus, who were suckled by a she-wolf. By order of the ruler, they were supposed to be killed, but a careless servant threw the basket with the children into the Tiber, hoping that it would drown. She was picked up by a shepherd and became the foster father for the twins. Having matured and learned about their origin, they rebelled against a relative and took power from him. The brothers decided to found their own city, but during construction they quarreled, and Romulus killed Remus.

He named the built city after himself. The legend about the emergence of Rome belongs to toponymic legends.

The Legend of the Golden Dragon - The Path to the Heavenly Temple

Among the legends, stories about dragons are very popular. Many nations have them, but traditionally it is one of the favorite themes of Chinese folklore.

The legend of the golden dragon says that between heaven and earth there is a bridge that leads to the Heavenly Temple. It belongs to the Lord of the World. Only pure souls can enter it. Two golden dragons stand guard over the shrine. They sense an unworthy soul and can tear it apart when trying to enter the temple. One day one of the dragons angered the Lord, and he expelled him. The dragon descended to earth, met other creatures and dragons of different stripes were born from him. The Lord became angry when he saw them and destroyed everyone except those not yet born. Having been born, they hid for a long time. But the Lord of the World did not destroy the new dragons, but left them on earth as his governors.

Treasures and Treasures

Legends about gold occupy no last place on the list of popular legends. One of the most famous and beautiful myths Ancient Greece tells of the Argonauts' search for the Golden Fleece. For a long time The legend about the treasure was simply considered a legend until Heinrich Schliemann found a treasure of pure gold at the excavation site of Mycenae, the capital of the legendary king.

Kolchak's Gold is another famous legend. In the years Civil War ended up in my hands most of Russia's gold reserves are about seven hundred tons of gold. It was transported in several trains. Historians know what happened to one train. He was captured by the rebel Czechoslovak Corps and handed over to the authorities (Bolsheviks). But the fate of the remaining two is unknown to this day. The precious cargo could have been dumped into a mine, hidden or buried in the vast area between Irkutsk and Krasnoyarsk. All the excavations that have been carried out so far (starting with the security officers) have not yielded any results.

The Well to Hell and the Library of Ivan the Terrible

Russia also has its own interesting legends. One of them, which appeared relatively recently, is one of the so-called urban legends. This is a story about a well to hell. This name was given to one of the deepest man-made wells in the world - Kola. Its drilling began in 1970. The length is 12,262 meters. The well was created exclusively for scientific purposes. Now it is mothballed because there are no funds to maintain it in working condition. The legend appeared in 1989, when a story was heard on American television that sensors lowered to the very depths of the well recorded sounds similar to moans and screams of people.

Another interesting legend, which may well be true, speaks of a library of books, scrolls and manuscripts. The last owner of the precious collection was Ivan IV. It is believed that she was part of the dowry of the niece of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine.

Fearing that the precious books in wooden Moscow might be burned in a fire, she ordered the library to be placed in the basements under the Kremlin. According to the seekers of the famous Liberia, it may contain 800 volumes of priceless works of ancient and medieval authors. Now there are about 60 versions of where the mysterious library may be stored.

Collected here best parables, legends and stories. These parables will be useful for various presentations. We use them to teach public speaking.

Speaking with a parable

I wrote down some of the parables from memory, some were told by students in class... I rewrote some of the parables in my own way... Therefore, I did not provide any attribution.

The best parables and legends are collected here, and not everything in a row, I love short parables with a good meaning.
Read, enjoy. I will be glad if you send parables that you personally liked! 🙂
A big request: leave comments!

This short parable one of the most ancient
as they say: “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

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 coat faster than you can.”

The sun hid behind a cloud, and the wind began to blow stronger and stronger 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 tenderly 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 school, I have combined them into one collection, read:

Parable. Two oars.

The boatman was transporting the traveler to the other side.

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

– Your oars are interesting,- said the traveler. – 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 spin in one place.

“I used to think about something, reflect, make plans... But it didn’t bring anything useful.” I was just circling in place, like this boat.

The boatman stopped rowing with one oar and began rowing with another, with the sign “Do.” The boat began to circle, but in the other direction.

– Sometimes I rushed to the other extreme. I did something thoughtlessly, without plans, without drawings. I spent a lot of time and effort. But, in the end, he was also spinning 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 beautiful house, which rose on the river bank:

“I built this house after I made inscriptions on the oars.”

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

Fight with Leo

Lion resting in the shade big tree after hearty lunch. It was midday. Heat. The Jackal approached the Lion. He looked at the resting Leo and timidly said:

- A lion! Let's fight!

But the answer was only silence.

The jackal began to speak louder:

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

Leo didn't pay any attention to him.

Then the Jackal threatened:

- Let's fight! Otherwise I’ll go and tell everyone that you, Leo, scared me terribly.

Leo yawned, stretched lazily and said:

- And who will believe you? Just think! Even if someone condemns me for cowardice, it is still much more pleasant than the fact that they will despise me. Despised for fighting with some Jackal...

This parable 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.”

One wise man gave him this ring with the words: “Never take it off!”

In moments of grief and difficult experiences, Solomon looked at the inscription and calmed down...

But one day such a misfortune happened that words of wisdom, instead of comforting, caused him to have an attack of rage. Tore off Solomon took the ring off his finger and threw it on the floor.

When it rolled, the king suddenly saw that there was inside The rings also have some kind of inscription. He was surprised, because he did not know about this inscription. Curious, he picked up 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's a funny parable.
When I tell it, I always remember my grandparents’ house in the village,
where I used to spend the whole summer. A barn, an axe, a fence, a large wooden gate...
And neighbors, as the heroes of this story.

Quickly conclusions

One old woman told a man that his neighbor was dishonest and that he might even steal an axe.

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

No axe!

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

Goes out into the street. He sees the neighbor coming. But he doesn’t just walk: he walks like someone who has stolen an axe, and he looks with squinted eyes like someone who has stolen an axe, and he smiles like someone who has stolen an axe. The neighbor even said hello, like a man who had stolen an axe.

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

He harbored a grudge and returned home. Lo and behold, there’s an ax lying under the barn. His axe! Apparently one of the children took the ax but didn’t put it back. The man was happy. Satisfied, he leaves the gate. And he sees that the neighbor is not walking like someone who has stolen an axe, and he is looking with narrowed eyes, not like someone who has stolen an axe, and he is not smiling like someone who has stolen an axe.

“What an honest neighbor I have!”

Dear reader! I hope you enjoy our collection of proverbs. A big request: click on Google ads. Exactly this the best THANK YOU our website!

A short parable - a fable of the great sage Aesop.
Suitable for anyone. Even for 3rd grade children.

The shortest parable is a fable.
The Sage of Aesop.

Fable Dog and Reflection

The dog walked along a 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 the bone from the reflection.

So I was left with nothing. She lost hers and couldn’t 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. This is what the parable is about.
I like short parables like this.

Half life

One philosopher was sailing on a ship. He asked the sailor:

– What do you know about philosophy?
“Nothing,” answered the sailor.
“You have lost half your life,” the philosopher said, 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 very close. Even if something happens to the ship, we will be able to swim to the shore.
– It’s easy for you to talk about this. You know how to swim, but I can’t swim at all! - he answered.
- Is that so? You recently told me 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's another parable. Similar.
I always remember this parable when I am given any advice.

Gardener and writer

Once a gardener turned to the writer:

– I read your story. I like it. And you know what I thought?.. Would you like 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’ll finish the apple, and I’ll give the core to you.” There are a lot of good seeds there. I don't need them, I'm not a gardener. And you will plant them, grow good apple trees, harvest, and earn a lot of money.

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

– Why do you think that I don’t have enough ideas of my own?

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

Help

One day we 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 walked up to him in the yard, climbed onto his lap and just sat there. When his mother later asked him what he told his uncle, the boy replied:
- Nothing. I just helped him cry.

The video is a parable. Dad and son.

This parable has no text yet. Just watch the video.

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

Cost of a hammer blow

One farmer's tractor stopped working.

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

He examined the tractor, tried how the starter worked, lifted the hood and checked everything carefully. Then he took a hammer, hit the motor once and started it. The engine rumbled as if it had never been damaged.

When the master handed the bill to the farmer, he looked at him in surprise and became indignant:

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

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

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

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

Parable. A happy family

In one small town two families live next door. Some spouses constantly quarrel, blaming each other for all troubles and trying to figure out which one is right. And others live amicably, they have no quarrels, no scandals.
The obstinate housewife marvels at her 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 the neighbor's house and hid under open window. Watching. Listens.

And the hostess is just putting things in order in the house. He wipes the dust off an expensive vase. Suddenly the phone rang, the woman got distracted, and put the vase on the edge of the table, 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 doing, honey? It's my fault. I was in a hurry and didn’t notice the vase.
- I am guilty. She placed the vase so carelessly.
- No, it's my fault.Anyway. We could not have had greater misfortune.

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

- You're doing something fast. Well, what did you look at?
- Yes!
- Well, how are they doing?
- It's all their fault. That's why they don't quarrel. But with us everyone is always right...

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

After all, we use all these parables to teach public speaking.

This parable seemed funny at first, but nothing more.
It was not clear where this parable could be applied. After all, we are not monks.
It seems to me that this parable is about rules,
and about exceptions to these rules.
And that above every 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 was overflowing due to the rains.

On the shore stood a young beautiful girl who also needed to move 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 or touch them.

The young monk pointedly turned away. And the old man approached the girl, asked something, put her on his back, and carried her across the river. The monks walked in silence for a long time. Suddenly, the young man could not resist:

– How could you touch a girl!? You took a vow not to touch women! This is a terrible sin!

To which the old man calmly replied:

“It’s strange, I carried it and left it on the river bank, and you are still carrying it.” In my head.

This is the same parable. Video

One of my favorite parables. This is so wise:
“Listening to other people’s words is 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 it's needed here. You can do without it.

Silence

Once upon a time, an old Lama was resting in the shade of a tree. Several people gathered - his ideological opponents- and they began to tease and even insult the Lama.

But the old man listened to them very calmly.

Because of this calmness, they felt somehow 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 it is with understanding that such deep silence is possible,- answered the Lama.

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

- At the same time, I cannot stop you from insulting me. This is your freedom and your right.

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

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

Parable. Payment for work.

Pay for work

The worker came to the owner and said:

- Master! Why are you paying Ivan three times more than me? I don’t seem to be a quitter, and I work no worse than Ivan. This is not fair! And it's not fair.

The owner looked out the window and said:

- I see someone is coming. It looks like they are carrying hay past us. Come out and find out!

The worker came out. Came in again and said:

- True, master. They are transporting hay.
- Don’t you know where? Maybe from Semyonovsky meadows?
- Don't know.
- Go and find out.

The worker went. Enters again.

- Master! Exactly, from Semyonovsky meadows.
– Do you know whether the hay is the first or the second cut?
- Don't know.
- So go and find out!

The worker came out. Coming back again.

- Master! First mowing!
– Do you know at what price?
- Don't know.
- So go and find out.

I went. He came back and said:

- Master! Five rubles each.
- Don’t they give it away cheaper?
- Don't know.

At this moment Ivan enters and says:

- Master! Hay was being transported past from the Semenovsky meadows of the first cut. They asked for 5 rubles. We bargained for 4 rubles per cart. Buy?
- Buy it!

Then the owner turns to the first worker and says:

“And now do you understand why I pay Ivan three times more than you?”

They often ask: “Recommend 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 of learning the secret of a long life from the hero of the day, who turned 100 years old. The journalist came to a mountain village, found a centenarian and began to find out how he managed to live a hundred years.

The old man said that his secret was that he never argued with anyone. The correspondent 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 Grand 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 whether she's ugly or pretty, plump or slender.

He arrived at the station, and when the clock struck five, she appeared. Woman with a red rose in her buttonhole. She was over forty...

The sailor wanted to turn and leave. He felt embarrassed that all this time he had been corresponding with a woman much older than himself.
But... but he didn't do it. 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, extended his hand and introduced himself.

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

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

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

The same parable, in “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 say to myself:
“Who knows, 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 horror,” the neighbors sympathized, “How unlucky!”
“Who knows whether he was lucky or not,” answered the old man. – You don’t need to reason, but look for the horse.

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

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

This new horse had a cool disposition. The next day, the old man's son fell from his horse and broke his leg.

- Horrible. How unlucky! - the neighbors told the old man.
– Who knows whether it was lucky or unlucky? - answered the old man. – One thing is clear – the leg needs to be treated.

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

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

The old man still answered with a smile:

- Who knows? Are you lucky... or unlucky...

This is an endless story. Success or failure, who knows?..

There is mathematics in this parable.
Sometimes people tell me that the numbers in the parable don’t add up.
Do the math for yourself...

Shared reward

A wandering monk came with important news to a strange city. He wanted to hand it over only to the ruler himself. No matter how the court ministers insisted that the monk give them this news, 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 invited him to choose any reward he wanted. To everyone's surprise, the wanderer asked for 100 blows of the stick personally from the hands of the prince.

Having received the first five blows, the monk shouted:

The prince fully “rewarded” everyone.

Video parable. Price of the dress.

legend

They say that this happened in London, and this is a real legend. I won't say so. In any case, this legend is very similar to the truth.
Suitable for performance or storytelling.
For both adults and schoolchildren of any grade.

Difficult lot

In London there lived a merchant who had the misfortune of being in debt to a moneylender. a large amount money. And he - old and ugly - said that he would forgive the debt if the merchant gave him his daughter as a wife.

Father and daughter were horrified.

Then the moneylender suggested drawing lots. He put two stones into his empty wallet - black and white. The girl had to pull one of them out. If she comes across a white stone, she will stay with her father, if it is black, she will become the wife of a moneylender. The merchant and daughter were forced to accept this offer.

But when the moneylender put pebbles in his wallet, the girl noticed that they were both black. What should the girl do now?

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

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

Since the remaining pebble was black, it follows that she pulled out a white one: after all, the moneylender could not admit to fraud.

A very ancient legend.

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

Pearl woman

Mark Antony arrived in Egypt. Cleopatra threw a feast in his honor.
The Roman was amazed at the luxury of the feast. And, to flatter the queen, he delightedly delivered a speech of praise, ending with the words:
– Nothing like this will ever happen again!

But the queen did not accept his compliment. She objected:
- I do not agree with you!
– Will nothing like this ever happen again?

And then she added excitedly:
“I’m ready to bet you, my friend, that tomorrow I will 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 one refuse such a dispute?

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

There was no room on the tables for gourmet food. Were playing the best musicians and the best dancers danced. The glow of thousands of candles illuminated the majestic hall.
The Roman was delighted this time too.

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But, because of a dispute with the queen, he decided to pretend that he had not seen anything new. “I swear by Bacchus, there is not even the smell of a million sesterces here!” - he exclaimed.
“Okay,” Cleopatra agreed calmly. – But this is just the beginning. I alone will 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 does this pearl cost?
– I doubt that anyone can answer this question. She is priceless!
Cleopatra heated the pearl in a candle fire, and then threw the jewel into a golden goblet filled 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 waited for the outcome.
When the pearl had completely dissolved, Cleopatra offered to share a drink with her:
- This is the most expensive wine you have ever tasted. Will you have a drink with me?

Anthony refused.

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

parable

Double benefit

One artist received an order from the village elder to paint a house. For three days he painted the central room, decorating 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 artist’s work. He called the drawing a “pathetic daub” and drove the master away.

Extremely upset, the artist was wandering 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 elder had done to him.

- Don't 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 double the 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 redone by me...

Also, a very ancient parable.

Travel time

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

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

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

The old man shouted to him:

- You still have two hours to go to the city.
- Why didn’t you say so right away? – the wanderer exclaimed in amazement.
- Of course! “I first had to see how fast you were walking with your heavy load,” the old man explained.

Modern parable

Cricket

An American man was walking with his Indian friend along a crowded street in New York.

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

Cars were scurrying around everywhere, construction workers were working, people were making noise.
“But I really hear a cricket,” the Indian insisted, moving towards a flower bed laid out in front of a quaint building of some institution.
Then he bent down, parted the leaves of the plants and showed his friend a cricket, carefreely chirping and enjoying life.

“It’s amazing,” the friend responded. “You must have fantastic hearing.”
- No. It all depends on what you’re in the mood for,” he explained. “And now you can hear him.”
The friends moved away from the flowerbed.
- Marvelous! “Now I can hear crickets well,” said the American.

parable

Great secret

One elder was asked:

- They say you are the most cheerful person in the village?
- Yes, they say. But I have no more happiness than any of my fellow villagers.
- Dear! But it doesn’t look like you were ever sad. There are no traces of sadness on your face! Share your secret!

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

- Why? “I told you,” the old man smiled. - So 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 person there is enough weakness

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

Unexpectedly, a stranger appeared to him and introduced himself as the second of a nobleman, who thought that the scientist had 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, at your choice, I will drink another.

The duel did not take place.

The next parable is about persuasion. 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 explain her problem:

“My boy was probably damaged,” she said. - Imagine, he only eats sweets. Any sweets: sweets, jam, cookies... And nothing else. No amount of persuasion or punishment helps. What should I do?

The elder just looked at the boy and said:

– Kind 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 do it today.

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

The child ran up to his mother and exclaimed:

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

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

– Was there any special day yesterday? Why didn't you talk to your child yesterday?

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

This parable was sent to me. And I liked her right away.
Send us parables too, but only short and best ones.

I want you to be happy!..

In one distant city there lived a beautiful girl.

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

Time passed, her boyfriend proposed marriage to her. Soon they got married and bought a big house. Everything was as the girl asked.
And then more time passed, and she and her husband separated without having children, and they sold the house.

In one of her dreams, the girl saw the Angel again. And she exclaimed:
- Why didn’t you fulfill my wishes! You are not an Angel - you are a Demon!!!
- Why? Yes, because you did not fulfill my only wish. You didn't become happy!

parable

The secret of a smile

- Master! All your life you smiled and were never sad. But I still didn’t dare ask how you manage to do this?

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 do this?” And he just smiled. And he answered that he saw no reason to be sad.

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 to smile? And I always choose a smile.

legend

Rose petal

The great composer Ludwig van Beethoven was about to be accepted as a full member of the Academy of Arts in Paris. The presiding officer 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 one rose petal from the bouquet standing right there and carefully lowered it onto the water surface.

The petal did not overfill the glass, and the water did not spill.
Then the chairman, without saying a word, turned his gaze to those gathered.
The response was an explosion of applause.

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

Parable. Jar of Life

The philosophy professor, standing at 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?
They answered: yes, it’s full.
Then he opened a can of peas and, pouring them into a large jar, shook it a little. Naturally, the peas took up the free space between the stones. Once again the professor asked the students if the jar was full?

They answered: yes, it’s full.

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

They answered: yes, and this time definitely, it is full.
Then he pulled out 2 cans of beer from under the table and poured them into the jar 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 to you personally: work, home, car...
Sand is everything else, little things. If you fill the jar with sand first, there will be no room left for the peas and rocks to fit. And also in your life, if you spend all your time and energy on small things, there is no room left for the most important things.
Do what brings you happiness: play with your children, spend time with your spouse, meet with family and friends. There will always be more time to work, clean the house, fix and wash the car. Focus primarily on stones, that is, the most important things in life. Determine your priorities.

The rest is just sand

I'm done, 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 place for idleness :)

Parable about happiness

An interesting parable. You can chase happiness... and still not catch it. And we can make sure that happiness is always with us. Like in this parable :)

lucky tail

One day, an old cat met a young kitten. Running in a circle, the kitten was clearly trying to catch up with its own tail. The old cat stood silently, watching the actions of the kitten, who, without stopping for a minute, ran after its tail.

- You're chasing your own tail! - For what? – asked the old cat.
“Once a cat told me that my happiness is in my tail,” the kitten answered, “that’s why I catch it.”

The seasoned cat rolled his eyes, smiled as only an old cat could, and said:

– I was younger and, just like you, I tried to “catch happiness by the tail,” because I firmly believed in the truthfulness of what was said to me. You have no idea how many days I spent chasing my tail. I forgot what food and drink were, running and chasing my tail. I also fell, was exhausted, but got up again and again chased illusory happiness. But there came a point in my life when I had already lost hope, and I quit this activity and walked 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.

A long time ago, Water and Fire decided to become friends. Only their friendship somehow ended quickly - either the Water evaporated, or the Fire died out...

They asked the Man to reconcile them.

The man took a lump of dry clay and asked Water to moisten and soften it. Then he mixed and kneaded it properly. The 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.

The fire burned it all thoroughly, giving the products strength...

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

The events of this legend happened quite recently.
You may even find this information in recent news. Similar stories Our students often tell this during public speaking classes.

The legend of the richest man.

Modern legend

Henry Ford's raincoat

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

The employee looked at him - his face was famous. Newspapers often wrote about Ford. And here he is standing here - in a raincoat that looks older than himself and asking about a cheap hotel. The employee asked hesitantly:

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

- Yes,- he answered.

The employee was surprised:

- I recently saw your son at this counter. He booked the most expensive room, and was very worried that the hotel would be the best. And you ask for a cheap hotel and wear a raincoat that seems to be no younger than you. Are you really saving money?

Henry Ford, after thinking a little, replied:

“I don’t need to stay in an expensive hotel, because I don’t see the point in overpaying for extras that I don’t need.” Wherever I stay, I am 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 this 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 don’t worry about the opinions of others about me, because I know my true worth. And I became a millionaire because I know how to count money and distinguish real values ​​from fake ones.

Legend of love

It so happened that on one island there lived different feelings: Happiness, Sadness, Skill… AND Love was among them. One day Premonition informed everyone that the island would soon disappear under water. Rush And Haste They were the first to leave the island by boat. Soon everyone left, only Love stayed. She wanted to stay until the last second. When the island was about to go 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 room for you!”

Happiness sailed past the island, but it was so happy that it didn’t even hear Love calls him.

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

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

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

A parable about how 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 argue. How do you do this?

Grandfather thought for a moment and said:

- You see, young people are going to a party. And when they return, the guys will accompany the girls home, arm in arm.

So I, when I was young, went to see off a beauty. I was going to tell her something, and she suddenly began to slowly pull her hand out from under mine. I didn’t 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 grabbed my arm. I walked purposefully towards the next puddle. She also removed her hand. 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, when she saw that I was walking straight and not turning, began to pull my hand out of my hand. But I don't let you in. She snatched her hand away, but how could she run!

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

When I come up, it means I’m approaching a puddle - she holds on to me tightly, listens to me and... walks through the puddle with me.

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

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

Since then we have been walking side by side. And we don’t fight, we live happily.

All the men opened their mouths slightly, and the older ones said:

- Why didn’t you tell me before, grandfather, how to choose wives? Maybe we would be happier too.
- Yes, you just asked me now.

A wonderful parable. One of the best.

Parable. Save the star

A man was walking along the seashore right after a storm. His gaze was drawn to 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 on all sides. It seemed like there were millions of starfish on the sand; the shore was literally strewn with them for many kilometers.

Why are you throwing these 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 activities.

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

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

New neighbor

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

Shouts to her husband:

- Go take a look! What a sloppy neighbor we have. Doesn't know how to wash clothes!

In between, I told my girlfriends what a new neighbor I had. But he doesn’t know how to wash clothes.

Time has passed. The housewife again sees her neighbor hanging out her laundry. And again with spots.

Again she went to gossip with her friends.

That's why we wanted to see it ourselves.

We came to the yard. They look at the underwear. But it is snow-white, no stains.

Then one woman says:

“Before you discuss other people’s underwear, you should go and wash your windows.” Look how dirty they are.

Dear reader! I hope you liked the parables.

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

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English lore warns travelers against traveling alone in mountainous terrain at dusk. If you believe, the surroundings of Cornwall, which is considered the birthplace of King Arthur, Celtic traditions and... giants, are especially dangerous!

In the mid-18th century, residents of the Cornwall peninsula were seriously afraid of meeting their giant neighbors. Many ancient myths and legends tell of the sad fate of those who encountered giants.

There is a legend about a simple woman named Emma May, the wife of farmer Richard May. One day, not waiting for her husband to arrive for dinner at the usual time, she decided to go in search of him, left the house and found herself in a thick fog. Since then, she has not been seen again, and although the residents of the village have repeatedly gone in search, Emma May seemed to have disappeared into the ground. The peasants believed that she was kidnapped by giants, who, according to rumors, lived in the surrounding caves and killed late travelers or took them into slavery.

What secrets do the seas and oceans keep?

Many ancient myths and legends are composed about the sad fate of sailors who were swallowed up by the depths of the sea. Almost everyone has heard and chilling stories about sirens calling ships to the reefs. The wild imagination of sailors gave rise to many superstitions, which over time transformed into inviolable customs. In countries South-East Asia sailors still bring gifts to the gods in order to return safely from their journey. However, there was one captain (his name, alas, history has not preserved) who neglected the sacred traditions...

...The elements were raging, the ship’s crew was tired of fighting the elements, and nothing foreshadowed a successful outcome. Standing near the helm, through the curtain of rain the captain saw black figure, which arose from him by right hand. The stranger asked what the captain was willing to give him in exchange for his salvation? The captain replied that he was ready to give all his gold just to be in port again. The black man laughed and said: “You did not want to bring gifts to the gods, but you are ready to give everything to the demon. You will be saved, but terrible curse You will carry it as long as you live.”

The legend tells that the captain returned safely from the voyage. But he had barely crossed the threshold of his house when his wife, who had been lying in bed with a serious illness for two months, died. The captain went to his friends, and a day later their house burned to the ground. Wherever the captain appeared, death followed him everywhere. Tired of such a life, a year later he put a bullet in his forehead.

The dark underground kingdom of Hades

Since we are talking about otherworldly demons, dooming a stumbled person to eternal torment, we cannot help but recall Hades - the ruler of the underground kingdom of darkness and horror. The River Styx flows through a bottomless abyss, carrying the souls of the dead deeper and deeper underground, and Hades looks at all this from his golden throne.

Hades is not alone in his underground kingdom; the gods of dreams also live there, sending people and creepy nightmares, and joyful dreams. Ancient myths and legends say that the monstrous Lamia, a ghost with donkey legs, wanders in the kingdom of Hades. Lamia kidnaps newborns so that if the house in which the mother and baby live is cursed by a wicked person.

At the throne of Hades stands the young and beautiful god of sleep, Hypnos, whose power no one can resist. On his wings, he silently flies over the earth and pours his sleeping pills from the golden horn. Hypnos can send sweet visions, but it can also send you into eternal sleep.

Pharaoh who violated the will of the gods

As ancient myths and legends tell, Egypt suffered disasters during the reign of the pharaohs Khafre and Khufu - slaves worked day and night, all temples were closed, free citizens were also persecuted. But then Pharaoh Menkaure came to replace them and he decided to free the tormented people. The people of Egypt began to work in their fields, the temples began to function again, and the living conditions of the people improved. Everyone glorified the good and just pharaoh.

Time passed, and Menkaura was struck by terrible blows of fate - his beloved daughter died and the ruler was predicted that he had only seven years to live. Pharaoh was perplexed - why did his grandfather and father, who oppressed the people and did not honor the gods, live to a ripe old age, and he had to die? Finally, the pharaoh decided to send a messenger to the famous oracle. Ancient myth- the legend of Pharaoh Menkaure - tells about the answer given to the ruler.

“The life of Pharaoh Menkaura was shortened only because he did not understand his purpose. Egypt was destined to suffer disasters for one hundred and fifty years, Khafre and Khufu understood this, but Menkaure did not.” And the gods kept their word; on the appointed day, the pharaoh left the sublunary world.

Almost all ancient myths and legends (as well as many legends of the new formation) contain a rational grain. An inquisitive mind will always be able to penetrate the veil of allegories and discern the meaning hidden in stories that seem fantastic at first glance. How to use the acquired knowledge is a personal matter for everyone.