Ling
Author
First story: Penny wise, pound foolish
One day, a couple came home from work. When they got home, there was an envelope on their front porch with no address or stamp. It wasn’t close, so it wasn’t from the post office. They opened the envelope curiously; two movie tickets and a letter dropped out.
The letter said, “I am your neighbor. The movie tickets are your present for our anniversary as neighbors.”
“We don’t have new neighbors recently. Our neighbors have both lived here for over ten years.” The Husband said.
“You are right! And we have lived here for so many years, even though we haven’t talked to each other.” the wife said
“You did once fight with them.” the Husband said jokingly
“It was because you threw our trash in their trash can, be warned.” the wife unhappily said.
“You also kept a neighbor’s mail parcel when it was a delivery mistake.” The Husband retorted.
“You also enjoyed the food by delivery mistake.” The wife mad.
“Okay, I did. Who would send a gift without their name? Maybe the envelope was also a mistake in delivery,” The Husband said.
“Do you think we should ask our neighbor who sent the envelope?” the wife asked with some doubt.
“Why!? Don’t you like to enjoy watching movies?” The Husband slyly smiled.
“Of course, I like to watch the movies.” The wife was happy to say.
So they hurried to eat dinner and then dressed to watch the movie.
They were so happy to enjoy the surprise presents.
On the way home after watching the movie, they even wished they could often receive such surprise gifts in the future.
When they got home, they received another bigger surprise.
The Husband parked the car, and the wife opened their home’s door; she was as dumb as a wooden chicken standing there.
“Why do you still stand as a stump here?” The Husband wondered
“Is this our home?” the wife whispered
“Are you silly!?” The Husband said as he stepped into the room.
Then, he backed two steps and checked around, “Yes, it is our home.” he said, puzzled.
“What happened? Where is our furniture?” The wife’s confusion.
Their home was empty! All the furniture was gone! There was only another letter on the bare floor.
“Do you know who gave you the movie present now?” The wife picked up the letter and read it.
“There is no free lunch!” The Husband took the paper and read the words on the back.
This story wants to tell us: Be careful when you receive an unexpected present from an unknown benefactor!
Americans say: Penny wise, pound foolish
Chinese say: Pick the sesame and lose the watermelon
If they weren’t people who took advantage of others, and if they were friendly to their neighbors, maybe the end would be different, too.
When their neighbors saw someone move their furniture out, they would go to ask what happened. Then call the police.
People say never to ignore someone who cares for you because someday you’ll realize you’ve lost a diamond while you were busy collecting stones.
In other words, nearby neighbors are better than distant cousins.
Story Two: Choose Your Friends Wisely
A butterfly flying from afar asked a fly, “Are there flowers nearby?”
The fly responded, “Flowers!? I’ve never noticed flowers around here. But there is a great dirty ditch! There are many empty cans, bottles, and trash in the ditch. All good things!”
So, the butterfly followed the fly’s direction to the ditch. The ditch stinks badly; the butterfly almost fell out of the air.
She runs away from the stinking ditch as fast as she can
Then she met a bee.
He asked the bee, “Is there a dirty ditch nearby?”
The bee said, “I’ve never seen a dirty ditch around here, but there is a garden. In the garden, there are a lot of beautiful and fragrant flowers.
The bee then told the bird many details about the local flowers, such as where roses, chrysanthemums, lilies, and more were found and in which season each bloomed.
“Many butterflies who like you like to dance in the garden; they are my friends.”
This story reminds us that mindfully choosing our friends is very important. Different friends help us to see the world from various perspectives.
Who will you choose to walk in your life? The fly or the bee?
Story Three: Remember What Matters Most
A housekeeper with limited means joined a high-quality health club. The fees for the club were expensive for her.
“Why do you spend so much money there? Shouldn’t you save the money for your future?” one of her friends asked
“My grandfather was a thrifty person. He saved every penny that he could in his lifetime. Ten years ago, he spent all his money while in the hospital. We still lost him. Then my grandma had to depend on my father.” she responded, “My father was the same as my grandfather: a frugal person. A few years ago, my father fell sick. He also spent all his money at the hospital like my grandpa. And my father also left my mother alone and with no money.”
Then she had a long sigh, “How foolish! Two generations of my family worked and saved their lives, only to spend it all in hospitals at the end of their lives. Don’t you think so?”
“I love my Husband. I don’t want him to live alone.”
“I love my children. I wouldn’t like them to have to support me as my father supported my grandma. So what should I do?”
“So we must take good care of ourselves. We must have good health for my family.” Her friend understands her meaning—and mine, too.
I cannot agree more with the housekeeper: Health is the best investment of all!!
Our health is like our money in a savings account; without the first number, it doesn’t matter how many zeros follow; the number always equals zero.
