They are really cute.....

Two Gentlemen of Verona

Two gentlemen of Verona  is a touching story of Jacopo and Nicola, two brothers aged 12 and 13, who do odd jobs and live a hard life themselves to sustain and treat their elder sister Lucia, who is suffering from tuberculosis of the spine.The story recounts the hard life chosen by the two young boys so that they could pay for the treatment of their sister afflicted with tuberculosis. The boys exhibit sincerity and devotion to the cause and the maturity they display in their actions gives a new hope for humanity.The author and his companion had been driving near the city of Verona, when they were stopped by two small boys who were shabbily dressed, selling strawberries. The author’s driver cautioned the author against purchasing the fruits. The boys were very skinny but their eyes were sincere and attracted attention. The author took an instant liking for these boys and ended up buying their biggest basket of strawberries.

Next morning, the author noticed those two boys polishing people’s shoes. The boys smiled and told the author that they performed many other kinds of jobs, like escorting tourists around the city. Impressed, the author had the boys immediately. Due to close interaction, the author discovered that the boys were very friendly and innocent. Beneath their cheerful smiles, however, he could discern seriousness, a hint of sadness that defied their age. The author didn’t regret his decision since the boys proved to be resourceful. The author found their eagerness to do work really remarkable. The author was struck by their desperation to do more and more work, but he was surprised to know that they still wore torn clothes and hardly ate anything.

The author’s trip was coming to an end. Before leaving, he asked if he could do something for them. Nicola, the elder one refused, but the younger one requested the author to drive them to Poleta, 30 kms away, next day. As a last gesture of goodwill, he volunteered to drive the boys himself. The following afternoon, they all drove to the tiny village, near a hill. The author was surprised to halt beside a villa. Before he could question, the boys leapt out and asked the author to pick them up from the same place, after an hour. The author couldn’t restrain his curiosity. He went in and was greeted by a nurse, and through a glass partition, the author saw that the boys were seated beside a hospital bed, with a girl aged 20, who appeared to be their sister. The author refused to be ushered inside, as he didn’t wish to interrupt a happy family reunion. On being asked, the nurse told the author that the children’s father had been killed in a war, and a bomb had destroyed their house and rendered them homeless. Since the Germans ruled the city for many years, the children had to undergo a lot of suffering, and their sister, Lucia, who wanted to be a singer, couldn’t bear the cold and starvation, and contracted tuberculosis of the spine. The boys brought Lucia there, and every week, they brought enough money for her treatment.The author was rejoined by the boys and they drove back to the city. The boys remained tight-lipped, and the author also decided to remain quiet, because he respected their privacy. The author left, filled with admiration, at the courage and relentless effort of two young boys who remained determined despite the setbacks of the war.

Story of the rain...

Rain is the divine gift of God. It arrives from the lap of clouds and dies in the womb of sea. It fulfill the thirst of all. Once rain reaches the ground, rain is put to use by Mother Nature in order to beautify the fields and valleys that make up her domain. The farmers waits hearty for the rain as their fields are incomplete without rain. Rain says that he looks like the very pearls that made up the crown of the goddess named Ishtar and that have then been detached from the crown atop the goddess’ head. This is the doing of Dawn’s daughter, and she does so in order to beautify her own garden.Rain tears bring laughter to the hills, his modesty brings joy to flowers and his bow brings delight to every member of the natural world.Rain says that he is a messenger between the field and the cloud and he sends the love letters of each to the other. However, rain also provides relief to them both individually. He satiates the thirst of the field, and he cures the cloud of its pregnant state by giving birth to rain.Rain arrival is always preceded by the sound of thunder from the sky. Similarly, the rainbow warns of the time when rain will be leaving. The life cycle of rain is as brief as that of human life. Human beings are born of the earth, and the rain is born another of the elements – water. Similarly, both rain and human life cannot continue forever.Rain life begins from the depth of the sea, then he is raised up into the air and moves along with the breeze. As he is flying above the earth, he looks out for which field needs him. When he finds a field like this, he comes down and hugs every little flower and every leaf on the trees.Rain touches the windows of every human household, and their inhabitants are relieved at his coming. Every man alive can hear the sound of rain, but only the emotional ones among them can appreciate how important that sound is.Rain speaks as if he’s signing off a letter. He offers his love along with the sighs of the sea, the laughter of the field and the tears of heaven, all of which form essential parts of the human personality.

STORY OF FROG AND NIGHTINGALE

A frog in Bingle Bog croaked his song at the base of a sumac tree. The other creatures hated his voice, but there was nothing they could do because no matter how they expressed their dislike, the frog just kept on singing.

One day a nightingale perched on the tree and sang a beautiful song. The creatures of the bog, including the frog, were delighted. They encouraged her with their applause to continue singing until the break of day.

The next night the frog approaches the nightingale and says that he owns the tree and has been singing there for a long time. She asks his opinion of her singing, and he tells her that it isn't bad,but it lacks strength. She is impressed with his criticism and tells him that it may not be the best, but it is her song.

The frog then tells her that he can train her and make her great.  She is thrilled that she has someone with so much knowledge and experience to guide her. However, the frog tells her that she will have to pay him for his services.  That night she sings, and the frog charges admission to the other creatures of the bog to listen to her.

The next morning it was raining, but the frog insisted the nightingale practice anyway.  He practiced with her for six hours and when he finished, she was exhausted and her voice was hoarse. However, her voice came back overnight, and the adoring crowd of creatures returned.

Even though he was making money off her songs by charging admission, the frog would scold her and tell her she needed to practice until her voice became strong because he was also charging her for his advice.

She wore herself out with the effort, and soon her song was no longer beautiful, and the creatures stayed away.  She became very sad because  she had grown to enjoy the applause and adoration of the other creatures.  She didn't enjoy singing alone anymore.

The frog got angry and told her she wasn't trying hard enough. She was terrified of failing, and so she tried one last time with all her heart to sing with strength.  She puffed up, burst a blood vessel, and died.

The frog told the others that he tried to help her,but she was stupid and too easily influenced by others. She should have known that your song must be personal and your own.  Then he took his position back at the base of the sumac tree and croaked out his song with all his strength, once again the only voice in the bog.

The main message that this story gives us is that in order to survive in the manipulative world today, it is important to have worldly wisdom. It is only ones individuality and reasoning that can save one from getting duped and exploited. One must know ones limitations and capabilities to be able to decide the course of ones life.