Prepaid Bribe

adapated by Syamsul Maarif

One day i went to the Government Office. The workers at the office didn’t treat me right, looking at me not,  and don’t please me sit down. In spite of the lousy service, i gave them all fat tips when leaving.

The next time i went to the there, the workers provided me with excellent service. They gave me the newest seat, smile friendly offer to help me, and so on. However, this time I left them only small changes. One of the workers ventured to find out why.

`last time you gave us big tips…’ he hinted.

`Oh, yes. Those tips were for today’s service,’ i replied, `today’s tips are for my previous visit.’

(inspired by Nasrudin’s Story and the condition of Indonesia government services)

The Imposible Dream Come True

Adapted by Syamsul Maarif, SS

Every great achievement was  impossible until someone get a goal to make it a reality.     

Lewis Carroll in his Work give a motivation that we need  the impossible dream.

There is a conversation between Alice and the queen, which goes like this:     

"I can't believe that!" said Alice.     

"Can't you?" the queen said in a pitying tone.

"Try again, draw a long breath, and shut your eyes." Alice laughed.

"There's no use trying," she said.

"One can't believe impossible things."     

"I dare say you haven't had much practice," said the queen.

"When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."     

When you dare to dream, many marvels can be accomplished. The trouble is, most people never start dreaming their impossible dream.

Prepaid Bribe

Adapted by Syamsul Maarif, SS

One day i went to the Government Office. The workers at the office didn’t treat me right, looking at me not,  and don’t please me sit down. In spite of the lousy service, i gave them all fat tips when leaving.

The next time i went to the there, the workers provided me with excellent service. They gave me the newest seat, smile friendly offer to help me, and so on. However, this time I left them only small changes. One of the workers ventured to find out why.

`last time you gave us big tips…’ he hinted.

`Oh, yes. Those tips were for today’s service,’ i replied, `today’s tips are for my previous visit.’

(inspired by Nasrudin’s Story and the condition of Indonesia government services)

The Lion and The cougar

A pointed fable is told about a young lion and a cougar. Both thirsty, the animals arrived at their usual water hole at the same time. They immediately began to argue about who should satisfy their thirst first. The argument became heated, and each decided he would rather die than give up the privilege of being first to quench his thirst. As they stubbornly confronted each other, their emotions turned to rage. Their cruel attacks on each other were suddenly interrupted. They both looked up. Circling overhead was a flock of vultures waiting for the loser to fall. Quietly, the two beasts turned and walked away. The thought of being devoured was all they needed to end their quarrel.

Who's Counting?

Napoleon was involved in conversation with a colonel of a Hungarian battalion who had been taken prisoner in Italy. The colonel mentioned he had fought in the army of Maria Theresa. "You must have a few years under your belt!" exclaimed Napoleon. "I'm sure I've lived sixty or seventy years," replied the colonel. "You mean to say," Napoleon continued, "you have not kept track of the years you have lived?"

The colonel promptly replied, "Sir, I always count my money, my shirts, and my horses - but as for my years, I know nobody who wants to steal them, and I shall surely never lose them."

A Tragedy Or a Blessing?

Years ago in Scotland, the Clark family had a dream. Clark and his wife worked and saved, making plans for their nine children and themselves to travel to the United States. It had taken years, but they had finally saved enough money and had gotten passports and reservations for the whole family on a new liner to the United States.

The entire family was filled with anticipation and excitement about their new life. However, seven days before their departure, the youngest son was bitten by a dog. The doctor sewed up the boy but hung a yellow sheet on the Clarks' front door. Because of the possibility of rabies, they were being quarantined for fourteen days.

The family's dreams were dashed. They would not be able to make the trip to America as they had planned. The father, filled with disappointment and anger, stomped to the dock to watch the ship leave - without the Clark family. The father shed tears of disappointment and cursed both his son and God for their misfortune.

Five days later, the tragic news spread throughout Scotland - the mighty Tittanic had sunk. The unsinkable ship had sunk, taking hundreds of lives with it. The Clark family was to have been on that ship, but because the son had been bitten by a dog, they were left behind in Scotland.

When Mr. Clark heard the news, he hugged his son and thanked him for saving the family. He thanked God for saving their lives and turning what he had felt was a tragedy into a blessing free business banking for small business.

Time To Think

Henry Ford hired an efficiency expert to go through his plant. He said, "Find the nonproductive people. Tell me who they are, and I will fire them!"

The expert made the rounds with his clipboard in hand and finally returned to Henry Ford's office with his report. "I've found a problem with one of your administrators," he said. "Every time I walked by, he was sitting with his feet propped up on the desk. The man never does a thing. I definitely think you should consider getting rid of him!" When Henry Ford learned the name of the man the expert was referring to, Ford shook his head and said, "I can't fire him. I pay that man to do nothing but think - and that's what he's doing."

Criticism If an impulse comes to say Some un-thoughtful word today That may drive a friend away, Don't say it!   If you've heard a word of blame Cast upon your neighbor's name That may injure his fair fame, Don't tell it!   If malicious gossip's tongue Some vile slander may have flung On the head of old or young, Don't repeat it!   Thoughtful, kind, helpful speech, 'Tis a gift promised to each-- This the lesson we would teach: Don't abuse it!

Anonymous

To The 30 Best Inspiring Anecdotes and Short Stories of All Times - Top

It Couldn't Be Done

Somebody said that it couldn't be done, But he with a chuckle replied That maybe it couldn't, but he would be one Who wouldn't say so "till he tried." So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin On his face. If he worried, he hid it. He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn't be done, and he did it.   Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that; At least no one ever has done it." But he took off his coat and took off his hat And the first thing he knew he'd begun it. With the lift of his chin and a bit of a grin, Without any doubting or quiddit, He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn't be done, and he did it.   There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done, There are thousands to prophesy failure; There are thousands to point out to you, one by one, The dangers that wait to assail you. But just buckle right in with a bit of a grin, Then take off your coat and go to it; Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing That cannot be done, and you'll do it.

Edgar A. Guest

To The 30 Best Inspiring Anecdotes and Short Stories of All Times - Top

"I Can Make It Happen"

History abounds with tales of experts who were convinced that the ideas, plans, and projects of others could never be achieved. However, accomplishment came to those who said, "I can make it happen."

The Italian sculptor Agostino d'Antonio worked diligently on a large piece of marble. Unable to produce his desired masterpiece, he lamented, "I can do nothing with it." Other sculptors also worked this difficult piece of marble, but to no avail. Michelangelo discovered the stone and visualized the possibilities in it. His "I-can-make-it-happen" attitude resulted in one of the world's masterpieces - David.

The experts of Spain concluded that Columbus's plans to discover a new and shorter route to the West Indies was virtually impossible. Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand ignored the report of the experts. "I can make it happen," Columbus persisted. And he did. Everyone knew the world was flat, but not Columbus. The Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria, along with Columbus and his small band of followers, sailed to "impossible" new lands and thriving resources.

Even the great Thomas Alva Edison discouraged his friend, Henry Ford, from pursuing his fledgling idea of a motorcar. Convinced of the worthlessness of the idea, Edison invited Ford to come and work for him. Ford remained committed and tirelessly pursued his dream. Although his first attempt resulted in a vehicle without reverse gear, Henry Ford knew he could make it happen. And, of course, he did.

"Forget it," the experts advised Madame Curie. They agreed radium was a scientifically impossible idea. However, Marie Curie insisted, "I can make it happen."

Let's not forget our friends Orville and Wilbur Wright. Journalists, friends, armed forces specialists, and even their father laughed at the idea of an airplane. "What a silly and insane way to spend money. Leave flying to the birds," they jeered. "Sorry," the Wright brothers responded. "We have a dream, and we can make it happen." As a result, a place called Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, became the setting for the launching of their "ridiculous" idea.

Finally, as you read these accounts under the magnificent lighting of your environment, consider the plight of Benjamin Franklin. He was admonished to stop the foolish experimenting with lighting. What an absurdity and waste of time! Why, nothing could outdo the fabulous oil lamp. Thank goodness Franklin knew he could make it happen. You too can make it happen!