This story was very interesting it made me think of Jesus in the desert and how he was tempted by the devil. I imagined how thirsty he might of been and how it could be very easy it would be to hear something you want, like how the foolish merchant thought there would be water in the desert. I found it also interesting that the wise merchant was also called the thrifty merchant at the begging. These words are by no means the same thing so why did they change as the story progressed, was it because he was wise that he is thrifty? However, with the other merchant they called him stupid and young. Was the wise merchant also old and therefore attain wisdom?
Bibliography:
Wise and Foolish Merchant by Ellen C. Babbitt
The Ox Who won the Forfeit
I really liked this story because I think it is very applicable in our lives today. The owner wanted to be rich and knew his ox was so strong that he wanted to prove it to everyone. Seems to be kind of prideful. Then when he is showing off he starts bad talking it and hitting it. I think he does this because he is trying to take control of the situation so he thinks that displaying anger and force that this will make the ox listen and do what he wants but it actually does not. The ox later shares that his owner has never done this so why now. The next time, the owner wants to show off his ox and regain his money so he compliments the ox and it moves. I think in hard situations it is easy to get angry and upset and want to have control but sometimes it takes us to be our "normal" selves even in this hardship. That we should just embrace it and still be kind and ourselves. When you want someone to do something to you, you don't belittle them but thank them and compliment them. This was same for the ox.
Bibliography:The Ox Who Won the Forfeit by Ellen C. Babbitt
The Ox and the Owner. Source: Gatewaytotheclassics
No comments:
Post a Comment