Monday, June 14, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
THE PERFECT WIFE - A Mulla Nasrudin Story
A Mulla Nasrudin Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE
There is a beautiful and bright young girl who lives in my neighbourhood.
She wants to get married but it seems that she just can’t seem to find anyone suitable matching her "stringent" requirements.
She is surrounded by so many “eligible” boys, colleagues at work, in her friends circle, if she prefers a "love" marriage; and also she has “seen” and “rejected” a large number of boys her parents and well-wishers keep lining up for her, in case she wants to go in for an "arranged" marriage.
None of the boys seems to come up to her perfect standards and high expectations. But one thing is sure - she does want to get married.
I wonder whether I should tell her this apocryphal Mulla Nasrudin Teaching story – THE PERFECT WIFE :
Mulla Nasrudin was sitting in a tea shop when a friend came excitedly to speak with him.
“I am about to get married,” his friend said, “and I am so very excited.”
“Congratulations,” Mulla Nasrudin said, nonchalant, pokerfaced.
“Tell me, Nasrudin, have you ever thought of marriage yourself?” the about to get married friend asked Mulla Nasrudin who had remained a chronic bachelor.
Nasrudin replied, “Of course I did think of getting married. In my youth, in fact, I very much wanted to get married.”
“So, what happened...?” the friend asked curious.
“I wanted to find for myself the perfect wife,” Nasrudin said, “so I travelled looking for the perfect wife. I first went to Damascus
"Oh, how sad...!" said the friend, " then what did you do...?
"Then I travelled further and went to Isphahan. There I met a woman who was both spiritual and worldly, beautiful in many ways, but her social graces were not of the highest standards.”
“What a tragedy...then what did you do...you gave up...?” the friend asked.
“No...No...I don't give up so easily...and I very much wanted to get married...so I kept on searching for the perfect wife and travelled all over the world meeting so many women..." Nasrudin said.
“And did you find her...? Tell me, did you finally find the perfect wife...?” the friend asked eagerly.
“Yes,” Nasrudin said, “after travelling all over finally I went to Cairo
“Then why did you not marry her...?” the friend asked excitedly.
“Alas,” said Nasrudin as he shook his head in dismay, “Unfortunately, she was searching for the perfect husband.”
Dear Reader, please be so good as to advise me:
Should I tell the beautiful and bright young girl this Mulla Nasrudin story right now...?
Or should I wait till she perfects the art of remaining single...?
VIKRAM KARVE
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
LOVE - A Teaching Story
LOVE
Ancient Wisdom
A Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE
Here is an inspirational story I read somewhere:
Long time ago in China
This story is about one such ordinary family having a modest house with a garden in front.
The family was going through a tough phase as the husband was not doing well in his career, the family was financially quite badly off and this was causing discord in their home.
One evening the wife was strolling in her garden waiting for the husband to come home from work.
From the corner of her eye she saw three old men standing in the far corner of her garden.
She gradually started walking towards them.
As she came closer she noticed that they were noble looking elderly men with long white beards.
She did not recognize them, but being a kind woman, she said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have a cup of tea and something to eat."
“Is the man of the house home?” they asked.
“No”, the wife said, “my husband is out.”
“Then we cannot come in now”, they replied.
In the meantime her husband returned home from work after another gruelling day.
He was obviously not in a good mood since, as usual; he had a bad day at work.
The wife immediately told him that they had guests standing outside and suggested they invite them.
Initially the husband was reluctant but then he finally agreed after being persuaded by his wife’s insistence, so he said, “Okay, go and tell them that I am home and invite them in.”
The woman went out and invited the men in.
“We do not go into a house together,” they replied.
“Why is that?” asked the puzzled wife.
One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and then pointing to the other one he said, “He is Success, and I am Love. Only one of us will come into your home. It is for you to decide which one of us three you want to invite into your home.”
Seeing the confusion on her face, they told the wife, “We suggest you go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home.”
The wife went in and told her husband about what the three old men had said.
The husband was overjoyed. “How nice,” he said, “Let us invite Success. He will make me successful in my career, I will no longer be a loser, a failure, and all our troubles will go away.”
But his wife disagreed, and said, “My dear, why don't we invite Wealth? Let him come in and fill our home with plenty of wealth – it will make us rich and prosperous and you won’t even have to work and we all can enjoy throughout our lives.”
Their daughter was listening from the other corner of the house. The daughter wanted peace and harmony in the house so she said: “Let us invite Love. Our home will then be filled with love – that’s what we need most now!”
At first they did not agree with their daughter’s suggestion but the daughter was very stubborn and would not change her mind so the two parents finally gave in and agreed to invite Love.
“Okay, we will do as our daughter says,” the husband said to his wife, “you go out and invite Love to be our guest."
The woman went out and told the three old men, “We wish to invite Love into our home.”
Love stepped forward and the wife started leading him towards her house.
As she conducted Love into her home she noticed that the other two Success and Wealth also followed and entered the house.
Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: “I only invited Love. Why are you two coming in?”
The old men replied together: “If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would have stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever he goes, we go with him. When Love comes into your lives, into your home, into your family…Success and Wealth automatically follow.”
I am sure you agree, Dear Reader, wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success, and even if those two, Wealth and Success are not there, it is Love that matters the most…
VIKRAM KARVE
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
PROHIBITION
A Teaching Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE
Here is a Ancient Wisdom Story titled “Prohibition”
Concerned at the increasing drunkenness and alcoholism in his kingdom, a famous king imposed strict prohibition on wine and liquor.
Earlier most people in that kingdom used to make their own liquor at home and had all the paraphernalia for distilling home-made liquor, and though they had stopped distilling liquor at home after prohibition was imposed, many such innocent people were arrested merely for possession of vats and distillery apparatus in their houses and they were punished severely in the same terms as those actually caught making illegal illicit liquor.
The Prime Minister advised the King not to be so severe with those people who merely had vats in their homes and were not actually distilling liquor but the king would not budge saying that even those having the tools of the trade deserved punishment.
One day,the king was driving his chariot along with his Prime Minister in the country when they saw a young man sitting under a tree.
“Have that man arrested…!” the Prime Minister told the King.
“What has he done…?” asked the king in puzzlement.
“That man is going to commit adultery…!” the Prime Minister proclaimed.
“How do you know…?” the king asked perplexed.
“He has the tools of adultery, just as those people have their vats…!”
The king broke out into a loud laugh and ordered that the people arrested for mere possession of vats be released immediately.
VIKRAM KARVE
http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
vikramkarve@sify.com
Ancient Wit and Wisdom - A Teaching Story
PROHIBITION
A Teaching Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE
Here is a Ancient Wisdom Story titled “Prohibition”
Concerned at the increasing drunkenness and alcoholism in his kingdom, a famous king imposed strict prohibition on wine and liquor.
Earlier most people in that kingdom used to make their own liquor at home and had all the paraphernalia for distilling home-made liquor, and though they had stopped distilling liquor at home after prohibition was imposed, many such innocent people were arrested merely for possession of vats and distillery apparatus in their houses and they were punished severely in the same terms as those actually caught making illegal illicit liquor.
The Prime Minister advised the King not to be so severe with those people who merely had vats in their homes and were not actually distilling liquor but the king would not budge saying that even those having the tools of the trade deserved punishment.
One day,the king was driving his chariot along with his Prime Minister in the country when they saw a young man sitting under a tree.
“Have that man arrested…!” the Prime Minister told the King.
“What has he done…?” asked the king in puzzlement.
“That man is going to commit adultery…!” the Prime Minister proclaimed.
“How do you know…?” the king asked perplexed.
“He has the tools of adultery, just as those people have their vats…!”
The king broke out into a loud laugh and ordered that the people arrested for mere possession of vats be released immediately.
VIKRAM KARVE
http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
vikramkarve@sify.com
A Teaching Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE
Here is a Ancient Wisdom Story titled “Prohibition”
Concerned at the increasing drunkenness and alcoholism in his kingdom, a famous king imposed strict prohibition on wine and liquor.
Earlier most people in that kingdom used to make their own liquor at home and had all the paraphernalia for distilling home-made liquor, and though they had stopped distilling liquor at home after prohibition was imposed, many such innocent people were arrested merely for possession of vats and distillery apparatus in their houses and they were punished severely in the same terms as those actually caught making illegal illicit liquor.
The Prime Minister advised the King not to be so severe with those people who merely had vats in their homes and were not actually distilling liquor but the king would not budge saying that even those having the tools of the trade deserved punishment.
One day,the king was driving his chariot along with his Prime Minister in the country when they saw a young man sitting under a tree.
“Have that man arrested…!” the Prime Minister told the King.
“What has he done…?” asked the king in puzzlement.
“That man is going to commit adultery…!” the Prime Minister proclaimed.
“How do you know…?” the king asked perplexed.
“He has the tools of adultery, just as those people have their vats…!”
The king broke out into a loud laugh and ordered that the people arrested for mere possession of vats be released immediately.
VIKRAM KARVE
http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
vikramkarve@sify.com
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Theory of Relativity Made Simple
THEORY OF RELATIVITY
Ancient Wisdom
A Mulla Nasrudin Teaching Story
Retold by VIKRAM KARVE
Dear Reader, here is an apocryphal Mulla Nasrudin Story to brighten up your day and enlighten you:
One day Mulla Nasrudin’s neighbour came over to ask for some advice on how to manage his large family in his tiny little house.
“Dear Mulla Nasrudin,” he bemoaned, “my house is so small that all of us just cannot fit inside – me and my wife, my mother-in-law, three children... we are all so cramped up in our small cottage where there is hardly any space. You are a wise man, and maybe you can find some solution to my problem so please tell me what to do!”
“I noticed that you rear chickens – how many do have in your barn behind your house?” Nasrudin asked.
“I have five chickens and a rooster,” the neighbour said.
“Take them all into the house!”
“What?” the neighbour asked aghast, “how is it possible? My house is already so small and overcrowded. Where is the place for the chickens?”
“Try it!” Nasrudin insisted, “And I am sure you will come and meet me tomorrow and tell me that your problem has been solved.”
The neighbour was not convinced but he did not dare to question the wisdom of Mulla Nasrudin, so he took the five chickens and the rooster inside the house.
The next morning he ran to Nasrudin’s house.
“You have made our problem worse – me, my wife, my mother-in-law, three kids, five chickens and a rooster – it is impossible for all of us to fit inside the small house – there is no space at all!” the neighbour lamented.
However, Mulla Nasrudin ignored his griping and asked the man, “You have a donkey, don't you? I have seen a donkey tied up outside your house.”
“Yes, Nasrudin, I have one old donkey,” answered the neighbour.
“Take the donkey in!” Nasrudin told the man.
No matter how much the neighbour protested, Nasrudin maintained that it was for his best and the hapless neighbour did as he was told.
The next morning, he ran back to meet Nasrudin, and said in total despair, “Nasrudin, it is just not possible. The wife, the mother-in-law, the kids, the chickens, the rooster and the donkey! We had a most terrible night. There is no room even to breathe!”
“If I remember correctly, you have two lambs, don’t you?” Nasrudin asked his neighbour.
“Oh, no! Please don't tell me to take the lambs in. There will be total chaos…”
“Don't worry, my friend,” Nasrudin interrupted and assured the desperate neighbour, “You will thank me for solving your problem in the end.”
The neighbour, hoping against hope that Nasrudin’s crazy advice may miraculously work out, took the two lambs into his packed house that night.
The next morning, the neighbour, in a totally inconsolable state, landed up at Mulla Nasrudin’s door, and pleaded in agony, “Nasrudin, why are you torturing us, making us suffer like this? My small house is jam-packed, teeming with bodies and stinking. My mother-in-law is threatening to kill me, my wife is about to leave me and my children are furious. It is appalling, sickening, your advice has made matters worse.”
Nasrudin patiently listened to his neighbour and said nonchalantly: “Okay, now take all the animals and birds out of the house – chickens, rooster, donkey and lambs – all back to the garden, back to the barn, back to the shed. Throw them all out of the house to where they belong!”
Next morning the grateful neighbour thanked Mulla Nasrudin, “Sir, you are indeed a wise man. You solved my problem. Now, our house is so large, so roomy, and so airy, so much space for everyone, kids can play, we can sleep, everyone is happy. Thank you so much.”
Dear Reader, please tell us what is the moral of this story.
VIKRAM KARVE
http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com
vikramkarve@sify.com
Ancient Wisdom
A Mulla Nasrudin Teaching Story
Retold by VIKRAM KARVE
Dear Reader, here is an apocryphal Mulla Nasrudin Story to brighten up your day and enlighten you:
One day Mulla Nasrudin’s neighbour came over to ask for some advice on how to manage his large family in his tiny little house.
“Dear Mulla Nasrudin,” he bemoaned, “my house is so small that all of us just cannot fit inside – me and my wife, my mother-in-law, three children... we are all so cramped up in our small cottage where there is hardly any space. You are a wise man, and maybe you can find some solution to my problem so please tell me what to do!”
“I noticed that you rear chickens – how many do have in your barn behind your house?” Nasrudin asked.
“I have five chickens and a rooster,” the neighbour said.
“Take them all into the house!”
“What?” the neighbour asked aghast, “how is it possible? My house is already so small and overcrowded. Where is the place for the chickens?”
“Try it!” Nasrudin insisted, “And I am sure you will come and meet me tomorrow and tell me that your problem has been solved.”
The neighbour was not convinced but he did not dare to question the wisdom of Mulla Nasrudin, so he took the five chickens and the rooster inside the house.
The next morning he ran to Nasrudin’s house.
“You have made our problem worse – me, my wife, my mother-in-law, three kids, five chickens and a rooster – it is impossible for all of us to fit inside the small house – there is no space at all!” the neighbour lamented.
However, Mulla Nasrudin ignored his griping and asked the man, “You have a donkey, don't you? I have seen a donkey tied up outside your house.”
“Yes, Nasrudin, I have one old donkey,” answered the neighbour.
“Take the donkey in!” Nasrudin told the man.
No matter how much the neighbour protested, Nasrudin maintained that it was for his best and the hapless neighbour did as he was told.
The next morning, he ran back to meet Nasrudin, and said in total despair, “Nasrudin, it is just not possible. The wife, the mother-in-law, the kids, the chickens, the rooster and the donkey! We had a most terrible night. There is no room even to breathe!”
“If I remember correctly, you have two lambs, don’t you?” Nasrudin asked his neighbour.
“Oh, no! Please don't tell me to take the lambs in. There will be total chaos…”
“Don't worry, my friend,” Nasrudin interrupted and assured the desperate neighbour, “You will thank me for solving your problem in the end.”
The neighbour, hoping against hope that Nasrudin’s crazy advice may miraculously work out, took the two lambs into his packed house that night.
The next morning, the neighbour, in a totally inconsolable state, landed up at Mulla Nasrudin’s door, and pleaded in agony, “Nasrudin, why are you torturing us, making us suffer like this? My small house is jam-packed, teeming with bodies and stinking. My mother-in-law is threatening to kill me, my wife is about to leave me and my children are furious. It is appalling, sickening, your advice has made matters worse.”
Nasrudin patiently listened to his neighbour and said nonchalantly: “Okay, now take all the animals and birds out of the house – chickens, rooster, donkey and lambs – all back to the garden, back to the barn, back to the shed. Throw them all out of the house to where they belong!”
Next morning the grateful neighbour thanked Mulla Nasrudin, “Sir, you are indeed a wise man. You solved my problem. Now, our house is so large, so roomy, and so airy, so much space for everyone, kids can play, we can sleep, everyone is happy. Thank you so much.”
Dear Reader, please tell us what is the moral of this story.
VIKRAM KARVE
http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com
vikramkarve@sify.com
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
TIT for TAT - A Teaching Story
TIT FOR TAT
Art of Cooking
A Teaching Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE
On a freezing cold snowy winter day Mulla Nasrudin was having a chat with some of his friends in the local coffee house.
Mulla Nasrudin said that cold weather did not bother him, and in fact, he could stay, if necessary, all right without any heat.
“We’ll take you up on that, Mulla Nasrudin,” his friends said. “If you stand all night in the village square without warming yourself by any external means each of us will treat you to sumptuous meal. But if you fail to do so, you will treat all of us to dinner.”
“All right, it’s a bet,” Mulla Nasrudin said and that very night Mulla Nasrudin stood shivering all night in the village square till the morning despite the bitter cold.
In the morning he ran triumphantly to his friends and told them he had won the bet and that they should be ready to fulfil their promise of treating him to a sumptuous meal.
“As a matter of fact you lost the bet, Mulla Nasrudin,” said his friends.
“Lost the bet? How is that possible? I stood in the freezing cold all night,” Nasrudin asked perplexed.
“At about midnight, just before we went to sleep, we saw a candle burning in a window about three hundred yards away from where you were standing. That certainly means that you warmed yourself by it,” the friends said.
“That’s ridiculous, “Mulla Nasrudin argued. “How can a candle so far away behind a window warm a person standing outside in the freezing cold more than three hundred yards away?”
All his protestations were to no avail and it was decided that Mulla Nasrudin had lost the bet.
Mulla Nasrudin accepted gracefully the verdict and invited all of them to dinner that night at his home.
All his friends arrived on time, laughing and joking; they had built up a ravenous appetite in eager anticipation of the delicious meal Mulla Nasrudin was going to serve them.
But dinner was not ready.
Mulla Nasrudin told them that it would be ready in a short time and left the room to prepare the meal.
Hours passed and still no dinner was served. Neither did Nasrudin emerge even once from his kitchen.
Finally, getting impatient and very hungry his friends went into the kitchen to see if there was any food cooking at all.
They looked in disbelief at what they saw.
Mulla Nasrudin was standing by a huge cooking pot suspended from the ceiling and there was a small lighted candle under the large cooking pot.
“Be patient my friends,” Mulla Nasrudin assured his friends, “Dinner will be ready soon. You see it is cooking in front of you in this pot.”
“Are you out of your mind, Mulla Nasrudin?” they shouted in exasperation, “How could such a tiny flame boil such a large pot?”
“Your ignorance of such matters amuses me,” Mulla Nasrudin said nonchalantly, “If the flame of a candle behind a window three hundred yards away can warm a person, surely the same flame will boil this pot which is only three inches away.”
Dear Reader, any comments?
VIKRAM KARVE
http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com
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