10/10/2015

(12)Whataresometransformativeshortstories?Quora

Whataresometransformativeshortstories?

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1. Today,itsbeentenyearssincemyabusiveexfiancsoldmyfavorite
guitar.HesolditonthedayIlefthim.WhenIwenttoclaimmy
belongings,hewasproudthathehadsoldittoapawnshop.Luckily,I
managedtotrackdowntheguywhoboughtitfromthepawnshop.He
wasreallysweet,andgaveitbacktomeforfree,ontheconditionthatI
accompanyhimonhisfrontporchforanhourtoplayguitarwithhim.He
grabbedasecondguitarandweendedupsittingthereonhisporchforthe
restoftheafternoonplayingmusic,talking,andsmiling.Hesbeenmy
husbandfornineyearsnow.MMT

ShortStories:Whataresomeshort
storiessimilarto'SilverWater'byAmy
Bloom?
Whataresomeinspirationalshort
stories?
Whataresomeshortstorieswithan
amazingclimax?
Whataresomeinterestingshortstories?
Whicharethebestshortstories?
Inspiration:Whataresomeofthebest
(shortorotherwise)storiesonhardwork?
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2. Todaywouldhavebeenthe127thdayinarowthatIvisitedheratthe
hospitalassherestedinacoma.ButlastnightIhadadreamthatshe
died,andIwokeupintearsthismorningandcouldntbringmyselfto
drivetothehospitaltoseeherlyingtherelikethat.SoIstayedinbed,
staringattheceiling,andthinkingofhowIwasgoingtohavetolearnto
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(12)Whataresometransformativeshortstories?Quora

livewithoutherfortherestofmylife.Andthenmyphonerang,anditwas
her.MMT
3. Today,aboutanhourafterIlostmywallet,amanshowedupatmyfront
doorwithit.Everythingwasintactincludingthe$200incash.AsI
expressedmygratitude,heexplainedtomethathehopesdoingtheright
thingpaysoffforhim.Oddlyenough,Ilostmywalletsometimethis
morningtoo,hesaid.Ihadaboutthesameamountofcashintherethat
youhaveandallmycardsandIDs.Withoutthinkingaboutit,Ipulled
out$100andhandedittohim.Takethis,Iinsist,Isaid.Justincase
youdontfindyourwallet,wellsplitthecash.Hegratefullyacceptedthe
moneyandleft.Thiseveningheknockedonmydooragain.Heresyour
$100back,hesaid.Awomanfoundmywalletandreturneditandallmy
cashaboutanhourago.MMT
4. Today,whileIwasbrowsinginasecondhandbookshop,Ifoundacopyof
abookthathadbeenstolenfrommewhenIwasakid.Iopeneditand
saw,onthefirstpage,infamiliarhandwriting,myownname.Ithadbeen
agiftfrommy(nowlate)grandfather.Nexttomynamemygrandfather
wrote,Ihopeyourediscoverthisbooksomedaywhenyoureolder,andit
makesyouthinkabouttheimportantthingsinlife.MMT
5. Today,aweekafterIdonatedthreebagsofclothestoalocalhomeless
shelter,Isawahomelesswomansittingonaparkbenchwearingatye
dyeshirtImadewhenIwasateenager.Iwalkedbyherandsaid,Ilove
yourshirt!Shesmiledandsaid,Thankyou!Ireallydotoo!MMT
6. Todayat7AM,Ipulledoveronmywaytoworktohelpaladychangea
flattire.At4PM,shesavedmylifewhensherandomlysawmedowntown
andyankedmebackwardoutofacrosswalkasacarrantheredlight.
MMT
7. Today,itsbeenfiveyearssincemymomwasinacaraccidentthatresulted
inherlosingallofherlongtermmemoryfrombeforethecrash.WhenI
waslittle,mymomandIusedtoquoteaWinniethePoohbookasan
insidejoke.Oneofuswouldask,Haveyoueverseenadragonfly?And
theotherwouldreply,Ihave,Ihaveseenadragonfly!ThiseveningI
wassittingwithherwhilewewerewatchingTVandIrandomlyasked,
Haveyoueverseenadragonfly?Andsherespondedwith,Ihave,I
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(12)Whataresometransformativeshortstories?Quora

haveseenadragonfly!Westaredateachotherforaprolongedmoment,
andthenshejumpedoutofherseatandexclaimed,Ohmygod,I
remember!MMT
8. Today,Ihaveadisorderwhichfrequentlymakesmefaintforafew
seconds,makingithardformetobeindependentandholddownasteady
job.Iusedtobereallydepressedaboutit,butmyfamilyandfriends
turnedmyillnessintoagame,seeingwhocouldmakemelaughthe
hardestwhenIreturnedtoconsciousness.Theyhavealsoturnedcatching
meintoasport.Believeitornot,Ihaventhittheflooronceinthepasttwo
years.Someonehasalwaysbeenther...
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Anonymous
5.9kViews
OriginallyAnswered:Stories:Whataresomelifechanging,motivationalstories?

ThisisthestoryofNawazuddinSiddiqui.Mostofyouwouldhavestarted
noticinghimafterthemoviessuchasKahaaniandGangsofWasseypurbut
heisintheindustryfromlongbackdoingmenialroleswhichanyonewould
hardlynotice.
HegraduatedfromNationalSchoolofDramaandcametoMumbaiwhere
hethoughtthathisincredibleactingskillswillleadhimtowardshisgoalinno
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(12)Whataresometransformativeshortstories?Quora

time.Buthewaswrong.InIndianfilmindustrytherearetwoquestionswhich
youhavetoanswerinaffirmationbeforebecomingasuccess"Was/Isyour
father/grandfather/mother/uncleanactor/actress/director?"
AND"Doyouhaveagoodlookingfaceandasixpack/zerofigure?"
Hedidn'thaveanyoneoftheabovementionedtwo.Hesaid"Sir,Iknow
acting"andtheylaughedoff"Hah!Evenwedon'tknowwhatacting
is.Howcanyouknowthat?"
Buthedidn'tgiveup.Hestarteddoingroleswherehewaspartofacrowdor
hehaddialogueswhichyoucanmissifyoulookdowntoseewherethe
popcornhasfallenfromyourfoodtub.Buteveninthosesmallroleshemade
aneffect.Hewasnoticedbyafewpeoplewhohavestruggledjustlikehimand
onesuchpersonisIrrfanKhan.HepraisedNawazuddin'sactingwhenhewas
doingasmallroleinthemovieNewYork.
Withmotivationsliketheseanda'neversaynever'spirit,hehasachieved
successwhicheveryoneimaginesifhelookstowardsactingasacareer.

Courtesy:VarunUpadhyay
Written25JunViewUpvotes

Upvote 72

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BrijeshChandrakar,evolvingtheist
2.7kViews

TsunamisurviovorMartunissignedforSportingLisbon.
2004,youngMartuniswasplayingfootballwhentsunamiwavesstruckBanda
Aceh,Indonesia.Helosthismotherandbothhissistersinthedisaster.He
survivedfor20daysonfoodwashedintowater.Footageofboyattractedthe
attentionofCristianoRonaldo.RonaldopaidforMartunis'seducationand
helpedrebuildhishome.

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(12)Whataresometransformativeshortstories?Quora

Aftercompletinghiseducation,hejoinedtheyouthacademyofSporting
Lisbon.
Andnowfewdaysago,SportingLisbonofficiallyannouncedthesigningof
MartunisRonaldo.Yes,headoptedsurnamefromCristianoasheconsiders
himselftobehisadoptedson.MartunisRonaldo

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(12)Whataresometransformativeshortstories?Quora

TsunamisurvivorhelpedbyCristianoRonaldosignswithSportingLisbon
Written5JulViewUpvotes

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PingakshSharma,DigitalMarketingatZORoomsandZostel
26.1kViews

Source:BaiFangli,ARickshawPuller

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(12)Whataresometransformativeshortstories?Quora

In1987,a74yearoldrickshawpullerbythenameofBaiFanglicamebackto
hishometownplanningtoretirefromhisbackbreakingjob.There,hesaw
childrenworkinginthefields,becausetheyweretoopoortoaffordschoolfees.
BaireturnedtoTianjinandwentbacktoworkasarickshawpuller,takinga
modestaccommodationnexttotherailwaystation.Hewaitedforclients24
hoursaday,atesimplefoodandworediscardedsecondhandclotheshe
found.Hegaveallofhishardearnedearningstosupportchildrenwhocould
notaffordeducation.
In2001,hedrovehisrickshawtoTianjinYaoHuaMiddleSchool,todeliverhis
lastinstallmentofmoney.Nearly90yearsold,hetoldthestudentsthathe
couldntworkanymore.Allofthestudentsandteachersweremovedtotears.
Intotal,Baihaddonatedatotalof350,000yuantohelpmorethan300poor
studentscontinuewiththeirstudies.In2005,Baipassedawayleavingbehind
aninspiringlegacy.
Ifarickshawpullerwhoworeusedclothesandhadnoeducationcansupport
300childrentogotoschool,imaginewhatyouandIcandowiththeresources
wehavetobringaboutpositivechangeinourworld!
AfterthisfromMay2015onward,Isupporteducationof2girlchild.Believe
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(12)Whataresometransformativeshortstories?Quora

mewhenIsaythis,dosomethingforother,itwillgiveyouinnerpeace.
Updated15SepViewUpvotes

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AvinashVijjapu,MyaspirationsareinBrownianmotion.
49kViews

Iwaswaitingatthebusstoponeeveningformyusual4o'clockride.Aftera
longandexhaustingday,Igenerallysubconsciouslythinkoftherefreshing
showerwithcoldwateronceIreachhome.SincethatwasaFridayeveningI
wasthinkingabouttheweekendmovieplanswithfriends.
ThenIsawhim.Helookedlikeawellfedandpamperedadolescentboylike
me.Hewasalsodressedlikeaboyfromawellofffamily.Hewasholdingouta
polythenecoverandtryingtoconveysomethingthroughhandgesturestoa
manstandingnexttomewholookedlikehewasinhisearlyforties.Theman
whoalthoughlookedconfusedfetchedoutanINR10notefromhispocket
andplaceditinthepolythenebag.Iunderstoodthattheboycouldnotspeak.
Thentheboyapproachedmewithasmile.Hepointedatsomethingonthe
othersideoftheroadandthenheldoutthebag.IcouldseesomeINR10and
20notesinthebag.AlthoughIcouldnotunderstandwhathewastryingtosay
orwhathewaspointingto,Ithoughthemusthavesomegenuinereasonfor
askingmoney.ItoodroppedinanINR20note.Hethankedmewithasmile
andwentontothenextperson.Almosteveryonepresenttheregavehima10
or20becausehelookeddecentandIobservedtherewereonly10'sand20'sin
thebag.
Hethankedeveryonewiththesamesmile.Hethencrossedtheroad.Allthis
whileeveryonewasobservinghim.HethenfetchedoutanINR20fromhis
pocket,putitinthebagandgavethebagtoaphysicallydisadvantaged
womansittingonthefootpathbesidethebusstopontheoppositesideofthe
road.EvenfromthedistanceIcouldseethatherfacelitupwithabsolute
gratitude.Andthenhewalkedawaygracefully.

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(12)Whataresometransformativeshortstories?Quora

Iwasabsolutelydumbstruck.Sowerethepeoplearoundme.Thesepeoplewho
would'veatthemostgivenher1or2rupeecoinsgavetheboyatleast10
rupees.AndasformeImaynotevenhaveacknowledgedherpresenceand
mayhavebeenengrossedinmyownthoughts.Thatactionsoftheboyput
everyoneofuspresenttheretoshameandguiltyofthewaywetreatothers
whoarelessadvantageousthanus.Iwasstilldeepinmythoughtswhenmy
buscame.AndIboardeditwithtearsrollingdownmycheeksandasmileon
mylips.
AtthatmomentitselfIknewthathisendearingsmileandher
glintingeyeswouldforeverbeetchedinmymemoryandwould
neverletmelosehopeinhumanity.
Edit:ThankyouJayantPatodia,HarishReddy,AngsumanHazarika,Praveen
Kumar,AdityaAsthanaandAkshayGuptaforthepromotion!
Updated18JunViewUpvotesNotforReproduction
Upvote 1.4k

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PranjalSahu,YetanotherITguy!
7.4kViews

Skyfullofstars
LastyearinJune2014,Igotcallfrommymomsayingmickey(myyounger
brother)isnotkeepingwellsosheistakinghimtothehospital.Ithoughtmay
beMickeygotnormalfever,willbeokayinadayortwo.Nextdaymymom
againcalledsayingthatsomethingishappeningtoMickey.Evenafter4bottles
ofglucosedrip,heisverysickandislookingverytiredandpale.Thenmymom
justtoldme'neurologicalproblem'andshestartedcryingonphone.Ijuststood
silentlycompletelystunned.Irushedtomynativeplace(Durg,Chhattisgarh)
fromBangalore(whereiwork).Nextmorning,ireachedthehospital.My
brotherwasinICU.IwasdesperatelywaitingtoseeMickeyandwashoping
thathewillbe'allok'.Mickeywasalsoveryeagertoseeme,"hisbrother
comingtomeethimsoquicklyfromsofar".Andthenisawmickey..hehadlost
halfhisweight.Iwashappy(toseemickey)andsad(inthatcondition)atthe
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samemoment.Actingnormally,iaskedabouthishealth.Hewantedtosayalot
buthewasnotableto!.Hewassufferingfromaneurologicaldisease'guillain
barresyndrome'.Forgetaboutmovinghandsandlegs,mickeywasnotableto
raisehiseyebrowsandopenhismouth.

Hismedicationswerestarted,some20bottlesofglobulindripandso
on.Thoughhewasoutofdanger,hewasunabletodoanythingonhisown!
(Mymomusedtofeedhimasmickeywasnotabletoholdaspoon).We
broughtmickeyhomeafteraweek.ThethingthatastonishedmewasMickey's
willpoweranddetermination.Hetackledthiswholeincidencewithsuchease
thateverybodywasshocked.Hesmiled,laughed(asmuchhecouldsincehe
wasn'tableto!).Heusedtojokewiththepeoplewhocametoseehim.
Hisphysiotherapysessionsstarted.IcamebacktoBangalorehopingmy
youngerbrotherrecoversquickly.After4days,againMickey'shealthstarted
deteriorating,thistimehewastakentoNagpurtoabiggerhospital.They
startedallthemedicationsagainandalsohisphysiotherapysessions.Iwas
helplesslyseeingeverythingcursingmyselfwhyiamawayfrommyfamilyat
thismomentoftime.Again,mickeycameoutofthedangerwiththesame
willpoweranddetermination!
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(12)Whataresometransformativeshortstories?Quora

Mickeystartedrecoveringslowly.Doctorshadsaidhewilltakeyearstorecover
andeventhenwon'tbe100%fit.Butmickeyhadotherplans.Heworkedhard
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withhisphysiotherapistwhousedtocomedailytohomeinthemorning.For
thefirstfewmonthsmickeywasjustsittingathome.OnedayIcalledhimand
asked'howareyoutacklingallthis!',hejustsmiledandsaid,thereisnothing
totackle,iamjustlivingmychildhoodalloveragain.Everydayiamlearning
newthings.Onedayiliftedmyfingersaftersomanydays,theotherdayiwas
abletoturnaroundallbymyself!.
IwasamazedbyMickey'sdeterminationandwillpower.
Afterfewmoremonths,againMickeyamazedme.Hewasonawheelchairfor
sometime.Mickeystartedtogotohiscollege(onhiswheelchair),notgivinga
rat'sasstowhatpeoplewouldthink!.Ithoughthowcouldthisboydoallthis!
Feltlikethisboyissomethingdifferent.
Now,mickeyisfitterthanmostofthepeoplearoundhim(includingme:P).
Heexercisesdaily,worksinaccenture,isaenthusiaticbloggerandmuch
more.Thoughhehasnotachievedsomethingbigbutfightingthedisease(a
rareonehappensto1in1000000people)withthatlevelofwillpower
,determinationandcomingbacktoanormalroutineevenafterwhatdoctors
saidisnothingbutmagical.

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(12)Whataresometransformativeshortstories?Quora

Checkouthisbloghere:www.srijalism.comLovewhatyoudo!!!
Inshortmyyoungerbrotherhaschangedmyandmyfamily'slifeforever.
Wearenowmoreconfident,lessafraidandarereadytotakeanychallenges
headon.Mickeykeepsinspiringeveryonearoundwithhiseverlastingradiating
life!!!.
P.S(Inthiswholescenario,mymomwastheunsungherowhokepton...
(more)
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KarunamoorthiPalanisamy,Moorthi,IIMAAlumni!
11.6kViews

IlovethisonefromSwamiVivekananda.
OnemorninginSarnath,aftervisitingthetempleofMotherDurga,theSwami
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(12)Whataresometransformativeshortstories?Quora

waspassingthroughaplace,wheretherewasalargetankofwaterononeside
andahighwallontheother.Here,hewassurroundedbyatroopoflarge
monkeys.Theywerenotwillingtoallowhimtopassandtherewasnoother
way.Ashetriedtowalkpastthem,theyhowledandshriekedandclutchedat
hisfeet.Astheypressedcloser,hebegantorunbutthefasterheran,the
bolderthemonkeysgotandtheyattemptedtobiteathim.Whenitseemed
impossibleforhimtoescape,heheardanoldsannyasicallingouttohim:
"Facethebrutes"
.Thewordsbroughthimtohissenses.Hestoppedrunning
andturnedmajesticallytoboldlyfacetheiratemonkeys.Assoonashedid
that,theyfellbackandfled!Withreverenceandgratitudehegavethe
traditionalgreetingtothesannyasi,whosmilinglyrespondedwiththesame,
andwalkedaway.
BeBold..BeStrong..BeHeroes..
Source:AmazingLifeincidentsofSwamiVivekananda
Written10Nov,2014ViewUpvotes

Upvote 85

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PremGuptaRequestBio
59.6kViews

IstudyatalocalJEECoachingClass.Ourteacherusuallytellsusencouraging
storiesafterclassonceinamonth.Hetoldusthisstoryfewmonthsago.Iwill
trymybestinrememberingandtranslatingittoyou.

TheLoserwhonevergaveup
Therewasaboynamedsparkywhoonlyfacedfailureineveryworkhedid.
Everyonetreatedhimlikealoser.Hewasnotgoodinstudies.Hegotbad
marksineverysubject.Hefailedthe8thgradeinallsubjects.Heoncetried
hisluckinfootballbuthisteamlostchampionshipduetohim.Theonlything
hecoulddowellwasdrawing.Heusedtodrawfunnycartoonsandshowed
themtoothers.
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Sparkythoughtofsubmittinghisdrawingsinschoolyearlymagazine.He
workedveryhardandmadesomedrawings.Buthewasrejectedtherealso.
Thenaftersomedayshesawanadforlearninggraphicdesign.Hesubmitted
oneofhisschooldrawingsthereandhewasfortunatelyacceptedtheretolearn
.Sparkyworkedhardtolearncartooningashewastheonlychild,hisparents
decidedtopayhightuitionfeeofcourse.SparkypassedtheArtInstruction
Schoolcourse.
SparkynowappliedtoWaltDisneyArtStudios.Hewantedtomakecartoons
fordisneyandwasconfidentthathewillnotberejectedthistime.Sparky
submittedhiscartoonbuthewasrejectedagainandhewasnotevenadmitted
toschool.Hefailedagain.Becauseofhisfailureshewassenttoworkforthe
army.DuringWorldWar2,heonlyhadoneopportunitytofirehismachine
gunbutforgottoloadit.Hewasabletosavehislifebecausethegerman
soldierhewasfiringsurrended.
Nowsparkystartedmakingacomicstrip.Hedecidedtotellhisownstory
throughcomics.Themaincharacterincomicstripwasaloserboywhofailed
ineverythinghetried.Hetriedtopublishedhisstoryinalocalnewspaperand
gavemoneyforpublishingit.Aftersometimehiscomicstartedgettingpopular
.Nownewspaperaskedhimtomakemorecomics.Hiscomicsbecameso
popularthatitpublisheddailyfromOctober1950toJanurary2000.
Sparkythemanwhonevergaveupafterfailingsomanytimeswas
CharlesSchulzandtheWorldfamouscomicnameisPeanuts.
Peanutsraninover2,600newspapers,withareadershipof355
millionin75countries,andwastranslatedinto21languages.
Edit:ThankstoJaishankarEshwarappaSubhadraforedit:)
Edit2:ThankstoTheLogicalIndianteamonfacebook,justcametoknow
theypublishedmypostwithpropercreditsanditcouldreachmorethan10k
people:)TimelinePhotosTheLogicalIndian|Facebook
Updated30Mar,2015ViewUpvotes

Upvote 2.6k

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(12)Whataresometransformativeshortstories?Quora

AkshatGupta,Hasnoideawhatheisdoing
7.1kViews

Story#1:AlltheDifferenceinTheWorld
EverySundaymorningItakealightjogaroundaparknearmyhome.Theres
alakelocatedinonecornerofthepark.EachtimeIjogbythislake,Iseethe
sameelderlywomansittingatthewatersedgewithasmallmetalcagesitting
besideher.
ThispastSundaymycuriositygotthebestofme,soIstoppedjoggingand
walkedovertoher.AsIgotcloser,Irealizedthatthemetalcagewasinfacta
smalltrap.Therewerethreeturtles,unharmed,slowlywalkingaroundthe
baseofthetrap.Shehadafourthturtleinherlapthatshewascarefully
scrubbingwithaspongybrush.
Hello,Isaid.IseeyouhereeverySundaymorning.Ifyoudontmindmy
nosiness,Idlovetoknowwhatyouredoingwiththeseturtles.
Shesmiled.Imcleaningofftheirshells,shereplied.Anythingonaturtles
shell,likealgaeorscum,reducestheturtlesabilitytoabsorbheatandimpedes
itsabilitytoswim.Itcanalsocorrodeandweakentheshellovertime.
Wow!Thatsreallyniceofyou!Iexclaimed.
Shewenton:IspendacoupleofhourseachSundaymorning,relaxingbythis
lakeandhelpingtheselittleguysout.Itsmyownstrangewayofmakinga
difference.
Butdontmostfreshwaterturtleslivetheirwholeliveswithalgaeandscum
hangingfromtheirshells?Iasked.
Yep,sadly,theydo,shereplied.
Iscratchedmyhead.Wellthen,dontyouthinkyourtimecouldbebetter
spent?Imean,Ithinkyoureffortsarekindandall,buttherearefreshwater
turtleslivinginlakesallaroundtheworld.And99%oftheseturtlesdonthave
kindpeoplelikeyoutohelpthemcleanofftheirshells.So,nooffensebut
howexactlyareyourlocalizedeffortsheretrulymakingadifference?
Thewomangiggledaloud.Shethenlookeddownattheturtleinherlap,
scrubbedoffthelastpieceofalgaefromitsshell,andsaid,Sweetie,ifthislittle
guycouldtalk,hedtellyouIjustmadeallthedifferenceintheworld.
Themoral:Youcanchangetheworldmaybenotallatonce,butone
person,oneanimal,andonegooddeedatatime.Wakeupeverymorningand
pretendlikewhatyoudomakesadifference.Itdoes.
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Story#2:TheWeightoftheGlass
Onceuponatimeapsychologyprofessorwalkedaroundonastagewhile
teachingstressmanagementprinciplestoanauditoriumfilledwithstudents.
Assheraisedaglassofwater,everyoneexpectedtheydbeaskedthetypical
glasshalfemptyorglasshalffullquestion.Instead,withasmileonherface,
theprofessorasked,HowheavyisthisglassofwaterImholding?
Studentsshoutedoutanswersrangingfromeightouncestoacouplepounds.
Shereplied,Frommyperspective,theabsoluteweightofthisglassdoesn't
matter.ItalldependsonhowlongIholdit.IfIholditforaminuteortwo,
itsfairlylight.IfIholditforanhourstraight,itsweightmightmakemyarm
achealittle.IfIholditforadaystraight,myarmwilllikelycrampupandfeel
completelynumbandparalyzed,forcingmetodroptheglasstothefloor.In
eachcase,theweightoftheglassdoesn'tchange,butthelongerIholdit,the
heavieritfeelstome.
Astheclassshooktheirheadsinagreement,shecontinued,Yourstressesand
worriesinlifeareverymuchlikethisglassofwater.Thinkaboutthemfora
whileandnothinghappens.Thinkaboutthemabitlongerandyoubeginto
achealittle.Thinkaboutthemalldaylong,andyouwillfeelcompletelynumb
andparalyzedincapableofdoinganythingelseuntilyoudropthem.
Themoral:Itsimportanttoremembertoletgoofyourstressesandworries.
Nomatterwhathappensduringtheday,asearlyintheeveningasyoucan,
putallyourburdensdown.Dontcarrythemthroughthenightandintothe
nextdaywithyou.Ifyoustillfeeltheweightofyesterdaysstress,itsastrong
signthatitstimetoputtheglassdown.
Story#3:SharkBait
Duringaresearchexperimentamarinebiologistplacedasharkintoalarge
holdingtankandthenreleasedseveralsmallbaitfishintothetank.
Asyouwouldexpect,thesharkquicklyswamaroundthetank,attackedand
atethesmallerfish.
Themarinebiologisttheninsertedastrongpieceofclearfiberglassintothe
tank,creatingtwoseparatepartitions.Shethenputthesharkononesideof
thefiberglassandanewsetofbaitfishontheother.
Again,thesharkquicklyattacked.Thistime,however,thesharkslammedinto
thefiberglassdividerandbouncedoff.Undeterred,thesharkkeptrepeating
thisbehavioreveryfewminutestonoavail.Meanwhile,thebaitfishswam
aroundunharmedinthesecondpartition.Eventually,aboutanhourintothe
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experiment,thesharkgaveup.
Thisexperimentwasrepeatedseveraldozentimesoverthenextfewweeks.
Eachtime,thesharkgotlessaggressiveandmadefewerattemptstoattackthe
baitfish,untileventuallythesharkgottiredofhittingthefiberglassdividerand
simplystoppedattackingaltogether.
Themarinebiologistthenremovedthefiberglassdivider,butthesharkdidn't
attack.Thesharkwastrainedtobelieveabarrierexistedbetweenitandthe
baitfish,sothebaitfishswamwherevertheywished,freefromharm.
Themoral:Manyofus,afterexperiencingsetbacksandfailures,emotionally
giveupandstoptrying.Likethesharkinthestory,webelievethatbecausewe
wereunsuccessfulinthepast,wewillalwaysbeunsuccessful.Inotherwords,
wecontinuetoseeabarrierinourheads,evenwhennorealbarrierexists
betweenwhereweareandwherewewanttogo.
Story#4:BeingandBreathing
Onewarmeveningmanyyearsago
AfterspendingnearlyeverywakingminutewithAngelforeightstraightdays,I
knewthatIhadtotellherjustonething.Solateatnight,justbeforeshefell
asleep,Iwhispereditinherear.Shesmiledthekindofsmilethatmakesme
smilebackandshesaid,WhenImseventyfiveandIthinkaboutmylife
andwhatitwasliketobeyoung,IhopethatIcanrememberthisvery
moment.
Afewsecondslatersheclosedhereyesandfellasleep.Theroomwaspeaceful
almostsilent.AllIcouldhearwasthesoftpurrofherbreathing.Istayed
awakethinkingaboutthetimewedspenttogetherandallthechoicesinour
livesthatmadethismomentpossible.Andatsomepoint,Irealizedthatit
didntmatterwhatweddoneorwherewedgone.Nordidthefutureholdany
significance.
AskQuoraAllthatmatteredwastheserenityofthemoment.
Home
Justbeingwithherandbreathingwithher.
Themoral:Wemustnotallowtheclock,thecalendar,andexternal
pressurestoruleourlivesandblindustothefactthateachindividualmoment
ofourlivesisabeautifulmysteryandamiracleespeciallythosemomentswe
spendinthepresenceofalovedone.
Source4ShortStoriesthatWillChangetheWayYouThink
Written2Dec,2014ViewUpvotes

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Upvote 90

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HamidShah,Backpackedthe29statesofIndia
145kViewsUpvotedbyIshavasyamDashAnkurWarikoo

IwassittinginashopsippingteainthebeautifultownofHarsilalongwithmy
friend.Therecamealovelyoldforeigncouplewhoweresittingrightnextto
ourtableandIjustgreetedthem.Theyrespondedbackbysaying"Namaste"
andwestartedachitchat.Afterourintroduction,whenIsaidIamfromTamil
Nadu,theoldmanaskedmetoforgivehimandhesaid"Vanakkam"(Tamil
equivalentofNamaste)pronouncedperfectly.Iwasbitsurprisedandasked
himifhehadvisitedTamilNadubefore.Hesaid"Myfirstvisitwasaround
1990withourfirstkid.MysonlosthisbalanceattheseainMahabalipuram
duetoabigwaveandwastakenintoit.Wethoughtwehadlosthimbutoneof
thefishermanwentafterhimandsavedhislife.Fromthenon,wecometo
TamilNadueveryyearandwealsohaveaTrustfundnowtohelpthat
fisherman'svillageinwhateversmallwaywecan."Afterthatstory,hestarted
tellingabouthisloveforSouthIndianfoodandabouttheplaceshehadvisited
inTNwhichIhaveheardbutneverseentillnow.WhenIjokinglycommented
aboutit,saying,"Youseemtohaveseenmoreofmystatethanme",hethen
toldme"Son,youaresoluckytobeborn&livinginthiscountry.Wesaveevery
pennyofourpensionstovisitIndiaeveryyearandwearen'tstilltiredofthis
beautifulland.Youshouldtrytoseeittoo"
PS:ThisstoryhappenedinMay2012anditgavemethefinalpushtoquitmy
jobinNov2012anddotheK2K tripacrossthe29statesofIndiainthelast2
years.

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Updated19Nov,2014ViewUpvotes

Upvote 7k

Downvote Comments 36+

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HarshKhandelwal,Thinker,HeretoWrite.
44.5kViewsUpvotedbyPoorvishaRavi

Teacher:"Whatdoyouwannabewhenyougrowup?"
Kid:"Iwannabealwayshappy!"
Teacher:"Ithinkyoudidn'tunderstandthequestion."
Kid:"Well,ma'am,Ithinkyoudidn'tquiteunderstandlife!"
Thekidwasa5yearoldboywhowaslaterknownasJohnLennon,
whostartedTheBeatles.

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EDIT:Thanksfortheoverwhelmingresponse,peoplemyfirstanswertoget
1Kupvotes...andthen2K....I'vewrittenoverahundredanswerstilldateon
Quora,anddefinitelynotforexternalappreciationbutformyownPlatonic
joy&pleasureofexpressioninwrittenthoughtandgratificationdrivenoutof
lendingmyproverbialglasses(here,words)tohelpsomeoneseeclearer
throughthehaze!
ButI'mnotgonnalie,externalvalidationfeelsprettygood!
{PardonmeIwritelong!}
Thanksforpromotingtheanswertonolessthan100people,Akshatha
KeshavaReddy,andMutwaKaigi,fortweetingthesame!
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EDIT2:It'sbeenbroughttomylightthatthereisconsiderabledoubt
whetherLennonactuallysaidthis,andwhetherthisoccurrenceactually
tookplacesuchdoubtsoftheskepticsarewellfoundedI'vepremisedmy
standingonsuchdoubtsinaratherelaboratereplytoMichaelDixon's
comment,below.Shouldyouharbourdoubtsandbeinterestedenough,kindly
gothroughthesame!
Updated25AprViewUpvotes

Upvote 2.8k

Downvote Comments 10+

Share 8

HarshaBharadwajRequestBio
10.2kViews

Club99
Onceuponatime,therelivedaKingwho,despitehisluxuriouslifestyle,was
neitherhappynorcontent.
Oneday,theKingcameuponaservantwhowassinginghappilywhilehe
worked.ThisfascinatedtheKingwhywashe,theSupremeRuleroftheLand,
unhappyandgloomy,whilealowlyservanthadsomuchjoy.TheKingasked
theservant,'Whyareyousohappy?'
Themanreplied,'YourMajesty,Iamnothingbutaservant,butmyfamily
andIdon'tneedtoomuchjustaroofoverourheadsandwarmfoodtofill
ourtummies.'
TheKingwasnotsatisfiedwiththatreply.Laterintheday,hesoughtthe
adviceofhismosttrustedadvisor.AfterhearingtheKing'swoesandthe
servant'sstory,theadvisorsaid,'YourMajesty,Ibelievethattheservanthas
notbeenmadepartofTheClub99.'
'TheClub99?Andwhatexactlyisthat?'theKinginquired.
Theadvisorreplied,'YourMajesty,totrulyknowwhatTheClub99is,place
99Goldcoinsinabagandleaveitatthisservant'sdoorstep.'TheKingdidas
advisedbyhisadvisor.
Whentheservantsawthebag,hetookitintohishouse.Whenheopenedthe
bag,heletoutagreatshoutofjoy...Somanygoldcoins!Hebegantocount
them.Afterseveralcounts,hewasatlastconvincedthattherewere99coins.
Hewondered,'Whatcould'vehappenedtothatlastgoldcoin?Surely,noone
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wouldleave99coins!'Helookedeverywherehecould,butthatfinalcoinwas
elusive.Finally,exhaustedhedecidedthathewasgoingtohavetowork
harderthanevertoearnthatgoldcoinandcompletehiscollection.Fromthat
day,theservant'slifewaschanged.Hewasoverworked,horriblygrumpy,and
castigatedhisfamilyfornothelpinghimmakethat100thgoldcoin.He
stoppedsingingwhileheworked.
Witnessingthisdrastictransformation,theKingwaspuzzled.Whenhesought
hisadvisor'shelp,theadvisorsaid,'YourMajesty,theservanthasnow
officiallyjoinedTheClub99.'
Hecontinued,'TheClub99isanamegiventothosepeoplewhohaveenough
tobehappybutarenevercontented,becausethey'realwaysyearningand
strivingforthatextra1,sayingtothemselves:'Letmegetthatonefinalthing
andthenIwillbehappyforlife.'
Moral
Wecanbehappy,evenwithverylittleinourlives.Buttheminutewe'regiven
somethingbiggerandbetter,wewantevenmore!Weloseoursleep,our
happiness,wehurtthepeoplearoundusalltheseasapriceforourgrowing
needsanddesires.Andwestoplivinglifethen!AreyouamemberofTheClub
99?
Written26Nov,2014ViewUpvotes

Upvote 173

Downvote Comment Share 2

TopStoriesfromYourFeed
AditiSainiwrotethis8h

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judgesmeforhavingfun.What
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Well,ifyou'relookingforimprovementthen
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