Akram was sitting under a tree in the pasture near to the camps. He was counting the stars, which looked like diamonds twinkling in the darkness. Every night, Akram enjoyed making different shapes out of them: As a child, one of his favourite pastimes had been to sit outside at night with his grandfather, where together they enjoyed describing the different shapes that each constellation made. These memories were now the essence of his life, and it was one reason he liked this area of pastureland so much; it provided the perfect gateway to those precious childhood memories. He was a shepher ... read more

ENGLAND OR LONDON Robert got a job in a landlord's house. Once, a landlord's friend came to his house. The landlord called Robert and asked him to bring his binocular. Robert quickly went to the landlord's room and brought the binocular. After the friend left, the landlord called Robert and scolded, You should have asked me which binocular to bring, the one from England or the one from London. It would signify how rich I am. Robert nodded his head. Few days later, another friend of the landlord came to his house. The friend saw a lion skin and asked the landlord who had killed it. The land ... read more

Tenali Rama and the Brinjal Curry Sri Krishna Devaraya was the emperor of Vizayanagra. He had eight advisors. Tenali Rama was one among them. He was very clever and spontaneous. Sri Krishna Devaraya had some special kind of brinjal plants in his garden. The brinjal was very rare kind and curry made out of it was very tasty which was loved by the emperor. As it was a rare kind, thegarden was very guarded and no one was allowed to view the plants without the emperor’s permission. Once the emperor had arranged dinner for his advisors and the brinjal curry was served. Tenali Rama had enjoye ... read more

Lion and His Fear There was a lion who feared nothing except the crowing of cocks. A chill would go down his spine whenever he heard a cock crowing. One day he confessed his fear to the elephant, who was greatly amused. “How can the crowing of a cock hurt you?” he asked the lion. “Think about it!” Just then a mosquito began circling the elephant’s head, frightening him out of his wits. “If it gets into my ear I’m doomed!” he shrieked, flailing at the insect with his trunk. Now it was the lion’s turn to feel amused. Moral: If we could see our fears as others see them we would realize th ... read more

KEEPING THE DOCTOR AWAY Once there were two sisters named Annie and Jenny. One day they were cycling. Suddenly, Annie lost her balance and fell down and started crying. Jenny helped her in getting up and took her home. At home, their mother bandaged her and asked their father to take Annie to a doctor for a tetanus injection. On hearing the name of injection, Annie immediately went to the kitchen and took out an apple from the refrigerator. Just then Jenny came into the kitchen and asked Annie whether she was scared of injection. At this Annie replied, Yes, I am afraid of injection. That' ... read more