CHILDREN’S DAY STORY

SHOULD YOU TELL YOUR CHILDREN THIS STORY...?

Once upon a time – long long ago – there was a saying:

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY

In those days of the distant past – people believed in idealistic things like Ethics and Moral Values – and followed Utopian Codes of Conduct – for example

DO NOT LIE

DO NOT CHEAT

DO NOT STEAL

Young children were taught moral values.

In order to educate them on the ethical and moral aspects of life – children were told fables, parables, inspirational tales and teaching stories. 

However – all these things are irrelevant in today’s modern times.

In fact – if you teach your children such outmoded ethical concepts like speaking the truth and being honest – they will become unfit to live in the modern world. 

As is evident from practical observation – in order to “succeed” in today’s modern times – you must lie – you must cheat – and – you must steal – and – honesty is certainly not the best policy. 

However – for old times sake – here is a story told to us when we were kids – which emphasized obsolete Utopian moral values – and imparted the archaic saying – “honesty is the best policy”.

Do read it – but please do not tell this story to your children – lest they begin to mistakenly think that honesty is good – and they actually start believing that honesty will help them “succeed” in life. 

I suggest that you suitably modify the story to bring it in sync with present day ethics and moral values. 

THE SEED OF INTEGRITY

A Teaching Story 

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Once upon a time there was a childless King who wanted to choose a worthy successor to his throne after he passed away. 

He called all the young children in his Kingdom to his palace one day and said to the children: 

“I feel it is time for me to choose the next King. 

I have decided to choose one of you as my successor – as my Crown Prince – and groom you to be the King after I am gone.”

The amazed children listened spellbound as the King spoke: 

“I am going to give each one of you a seed today. 

Yes – I will give you all just one seed – but it is a very special seed. 

I want you all to go home– plant the seed – water it – nurture it – and come back here to me exactly one year from today with the plant you have grown from this one seed. 

I will then judge the plants that you bring to me – and whoever grows the best plant – he will be the Crown Prince – the next King after me.” 

There was one small shy boy who was there that day – and he too – like the others – received a seed from the King. 

The small shy boy went home – and excitedly told his mother the whole story. 

His mother helped him get a pot and some planting soil – and he planted the seed and watered it regularly and nurtured it carefully.

Twice every day – in the morning and in the evening – the small shy boy would water the seed lovingly and watch to see – if the seed had germinated and grown. 

After a few days – some of the other children began to talk about their seeds and the lovely plants that were beginning to grow.

The small shy boy kept going home and checking his seed. 

He was disappointed that nothing was growing from his seed.

Days passed – then weeks – and months – but still – there was no sign of a plant growing from the small shy boy’s seed. 

But – the small boy still kept lovingly watering his seed regularly hoping that it would germinate.

By now – the other children were talking about their wonderful healthy plants.

But – the small shy boy did not have a plant.

He felt like a failure – but he kept persevering and nurturing his seed with love and dedication – in the optimistic hope that his seed would someday sprout a plant.  

Six months went by – and there was still no sign of a plant in the small shy boy’s pot. 

Everyone else had exquisite tall plants.

But – the small shy boy had nothing. 

Inwardly – he wondered why his seed was not germinating – and he feared that maybe he had not watered it properly – and so – maybe – he had killed his seed.

But – the small shy boy did not say anything to his friends.

He kept on tenderly watering and nurturing his seed with dogged determination and doting devotion – in the fond hope that his seed would grow and blossom into a beautiful plant. 

Finally – one year passed – and all the children of the kingdom brought their plants to the King for inspection. 

The small shy boy was scared and did not want to take his desolate plantless pot with just the soil and seed to the King.

But – his mother encouraged him to go – and she told him to take his pot with him and show it to the King. 

She told the small shy boy to be honest about everything – and speak the truth. 

The small shy boy felt fearful and nervous – but he listened to his mother – and he took his barren pot to the King. 

When the small shy boy arrived at the King’s Palace – he was astonished to see the variety of beautiful and exotic plants grown by all the other children. 

Totally crestfallen – the small shy boy put his desolate pot on the floor.

Everyone jeered in derision – and the other children mocked the small shy boy – and they made fun of the small shy boy and his desolate pot. 

A few children felt pity for him and tried to console the small shy boy. 

Suddenly – the King arrived. 

The King looked around the hall appraising the plants and showered words of praise to the gathered children: 

“It is really amazing – you all have really grown fantastic beautiful plants, trees and flowers. 

I am truly impressed. 

Today – one of you is going to be selected as the Crown Prince to be the next King...!!!” 

The small shy boy shivered with tremors of trepidation.

He was overcome with shame and fear – and he tried to hide in the back.

The King’s eyes searched all over – and suddenly – the King saw the small shy boy at the back of the hall with his barren pot.

The King ordered his guards to bring him in front of the throne.

The small shy boy was terrified – and he thought to himself: 

“When the King looks at my pot – and sees how badly I have failed in the task he gave me – he is sure to punish me...!!!” 

Seeing how frightened the small shy boy was – the King stepped down from his throne – he walked down towards the petrified boy – he lovingly put his hand on the small shy boy’s shoulders and announced: 

“This boy is your new King...!!!”

The small shy boy could not believe his ears.

It was unbelievable that the King should select a failure and loser like him who could not even sprout his seed be the Crown Prince. 

The King escorted the small shy boy to the throne and said to everyone: 

“One year ago – I gave all of you one seed each. 

I told you to take the seed – plant it – water it – and bring it back to me today. 

But what you did not know is that – I gave you all boiled seeds that would not grow. 

Except this honest boy – all of you have brought me beautiful plants with exotic flowers and even trees with fruit. 

When you found out that the seed would not grow – you substituted another seed in the place of the original seed I gave you. 

This boy was the only one with the sincerity to nurture the barren seed for one whole year with dedication, hope and perseverance – and he had the courage and honesty to bring me the desolate pot with my original seed in it. 

Therefore – I select him as my Crown Prince to be the next King...!!!”

I wonder whether this story is relevant today – and – in the current scenario.

Dear Parents: 

You decide – before you tell this story to your kids. 

Or – maybe – you can modify the story accordingly in consonance with the modern value system.

Tell me, Dear Reader, in the world of today:

Is honesty really the best policy...? 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

 

This Story was posted online by me a number of times in my blogs including at urls: http://creative.sulekha.com/is-honesty-the-best-policy_75671_blog and https://karvediat.blogspot.in/2009/04/honesty-is-best-policy.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/09/honesty-is-best-policy.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/05/do-not-tell-your-children-this-story.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/11/childrens-day-story-seed-of-integrity.html etc 

A Story for Parents to Inspire their Children

A STORY FOR PARENTS TO INSPIRE THEIR CHILDREN
Musings on Parenting

By

VIKRAM KARVE

THE STORY OF THE CRACKED POT

A water bearer had two large pots – one hung on each end of a pole – which he carried across his neck. 

One of the pots had a crack in it – so – some water leaked out of it.

The other pot was perfect and had no leaks – so – this “perfect pot” always delivered a full portion of water. 

At the end of the long walk by the water bearer carrying water from the river to the master’s house – the cracked pot always arrived only half full. 

For two years this went on daily – with the water bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master’s house. 

Of course – the “perfect pot” was proud of its accomplishments – fulfilled in the design for which it was made.

But – the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection.

The cracked pot felt miserable that it was unable to accomplish what it had been made to do.

The “cracked pot” felt it was a “Loser” – while the “perfect pot” was a “Winner”

After two years of enduring this bitter shame – the contrite Cracked Pot spoke to the Water Bearer one day when he was filling up water from the river.

The Cracked Pot said to the Water Bearer: 

“I am ashamed of myself and I apologize to you.”

The Water Bearer asked the sad Cracked Pot: 

“Why are you feeling so guilty, so penitent, so repentant …? Tell me – Dear Pot – what is it that you are so ashamed of…?”

The Cracked Pot said full of remorse: 

“I feel sorry that for these past two years I have been able to deliver only half my load – because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws – you have to do extra work and you do not get full value from your efforts.”

The Water Bearer felt sorry for the old Cracked Pot. 

In his compassion – the Water Bearer said to the Cracked Pot: 

“As we return to the master’s house – I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed – as they went up the hill – the old Cracked Pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful flowers on the side of the path – and was consoled somewhat.

But at the end of the trail – the Cracked Pot still felt remorse – shame and a feeling of guilt – because it had leaked out half its water load.

And so again – the Cracked Pot apologized to the Water Bearer for its failure.

The Water Bearer said to the Cracked Pot:

“Did you not notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path – and not on the other pot’s side…?

That is because I have always known about your flaw – and – I took advantage of it. 

I planted flower seeds on your side of the path – and – every day while we walked back from the stream – you have watered them. 

For two years – I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. 

Without you being just the way you are – would we have these beautiful flowers on the path – and would I be able to give these lovely flowers to the master – to grace his house.

The “perfect pot” only carries water – but you do two things – you carry water – and – you also help beautify your surroundings too...” 

MORAL OF THE STORY

There are no winners and there are no losers – everyone is a winner in his or her own way.

Yes – you are a winner in your own way 

Each of us has our own unique flaws. 

We all are cracked pots. 

But – it is the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding and make you unique. 

You must consider each person for what he naturally is – and look for the good qualities in him.

Every person is useful to society in his own way – just like the cracked pot was useful in its own way.

Most importantly – you must look for the winner within your own self – maybe hiding deep inside you. 

If you introspect – you will realize that you are a winner in your own way.

So – please do not compare yourself with others – and – do not pay too much heed to what other people say. 

The STORY OF THE CRACKED POT is for parents, teachers, mentors – especially for those – who want to achieve their own unfulfilled dreams – their unrealized desires – and – their unrealistic ambitions – vicariously – through their children and protegees. 

Such people put a lot of pressure on children – they drive the poor kids – and – they overwhelm them with high expectations.

Everyone wants their children to be the best – all parents want their children to stand first in class and excel in all activities. 

Everyone wants to “WIN”

In the “Rat Race” to Success – there is no place for “LOSERS” 

There is no place for even those who come second.

In the competitive world of today – we all adopt the philosophy of life: 

“Winner takes all – and – Loser is left standing small...”

This story is also for those perfectionists – at the workplace and at home – who expect everyone to be perfect like themselves – and this quest for perfection – they make everyone’s life hell…

Most importantly – this story is for you and me – for all of us – who want to be winners in our own way… 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

 

This Story was posted online by me a number of times in my blogs including at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/03/cracked-pot-teaching-story.html andhttp://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/02/are-you-cracked-pot.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/07/are-you-loser-inspirational-story-to.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/03/cracked-pot-teaching-story.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/07/do-you-think-you-are-loser-remember.html and https://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/11/childrens-day-story.html etc