Contentment Is Bliss and stories for kids
Contentment Is Bliss
One day, a German tourist came to his village for a short stay. His name was Bernard. He showed an interest in knowing the livelihood of the people who lived in his vicinity.
The tourist observed Banda worked only for a short time every day. He was curious to know as to why Banda worked like this. So, one day he talked to Banda.
" H! I'm Bernard from Germany. I see that you work only for about an hour every day. Can I know why?"
"Well, I think this is enough for me. I have work in my garden and I do them."
"But don't you think, if you work longer you can split more wood and earn more. Then you can buy a wheelbarrow and transport more wood to the town."
"Well, then?"
"Then you can buy a truck with the money and transport logs to the town. You can employ some workers to help you with your work, too."
"Then what have got to do?"
"Well then, you can build a big house with that money. You can buy furniture and lead a happy life with your family."
The woodcutter asked, "Am I not happy now? I have a wife , kids and a roof over my head. I have a vegetable plot and a cow, too. I have got everything I want. I'm satisfied with what I have got."
The tourist looked down and went away.
[ Adapted by Sajendra Kumara based on a lesson in The English pupils' Book for Grade 11]
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A small rose apple plant grew under a large mango tree. The mango tree spread its roots everywhere. The roots used up all the food in the soil. The little rose apple plant had very little food. So, it did not grow well.
The branches of the mango tree were very large. They spread all around. The poor rose apple plant did not get any sunlight. So, the plant had neither food nor enough sunlight to grow. As a result, the plant was pale and thin.
There were two little children called Kulith and Ruchith. While the two children were playing in the garden, they saw the little rose apple plant.
Kulith said, "Here's a little rose apple plant."
Ruchith said, "It cannot grow well under this large mango tree."
"Yes, it isn't getting enough food and light because of the mango tree.", said Kulith.
So, they decided to remove the plant carefully and plant it in the open. With the help of the sunlight and rain the plant grew up into a healthy leafy tree. Soon it bore fruit. The two children were very happy to see the rose apple tree laden with fruits.
[ Adapted by Sajendra | English Pupil's Book Step 3 (1979)]
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Once there lived a young couple. They loved each other very much. The young lady was a pretty one. However, they were not blessed with children. The fate was such that the wife fell suddenly ill. On admission to hospital they were informed that she had got some rare illness. As a result of the illness, her skin wrinkled up and looked very much older than her age.
One day, the wife found that her husband was groping about the room after getting up. When inquired, he told her that he could not see anything. He also vehemently opposed to see a doctor. Thus their life went on. They lived happily helping each other.
After a few years, the wife died of her illness. The husband did all the funeral rites with the help of the neighbours who were always helpful to them.
After a few days, the neighbours found that the blind husband was packing up to leave the village. They asked him how he could look after himself in another village. They pleaded him to stay in their village so that they could look after him.
Then the young man said, "No, I'm not blind. I just pretended to be blind in front of my wife. You know she looked older than her age after she got the terrible illness. So, I thought she would worry about me because of her appearance. So, I pretended to be blind. I'm leaving this house because I always remember her when I'm here. I cannot bear it up anymore. Please don't misunderstand me."
[ An adaptation by Sajendra Kumara ]
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