Virtues

VIRTUES of TRUTH
Compiled by VESNA KRMPOTIĆ

Virtues of Truth
compiled by Vesna Krmpotić
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HUMAN VALUES AND SPIRITUAL UPBRINGING
VIRTUES
of TRUTH
The first out of five collections dedicated to human values, based
on the programme of Sathya Sai education and spiritual upbringing
Compiled by VESNA KRMPOTIĆ
Translated from Croatian into English by

Branislava Lagumdžija
BONA VITA
CONTENTS 5
Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................11
AUTHOR’S REMARKS...............................................................................................................................................12
INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATION IN FIVE HUMAN VALUES........................................................................13
THE MESSAGE OF SATHYA SAI BABA TO TEACHERS....................................................................................21
COMPILER’S FOREWORD.......................................................................................................................................23
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND A PROPOSAL....................................................................................................27
QUOTATIONS ON EDUCATION AND UPBRINGING.......................................................................................28
AN EXPERIMENTAL STORY FOR TEACHERS AND TEACHERS –TO-BE.....................................................30
TRUTH..........................................................................................................................................................................31
THOUGHTS TO PONDER........................................................................................................................................33
Curiosity, thirst for knowledge...................................................................39
King Solomon’s Treasure.......................................................................................................................................42
Thirst for Knowledge..............................................................................................................................................44
That Divine Yearning...............................................................................................................................................47
The Diamond.............................................................................................................................................................49
I Want Your Finger....................................................................................................................................................52
What Does the Sun Look Like?............................................................................................................................54
The King’s Questions...............................................................................................................................................56
Search for Truth...........................................................................................59
Searching in the Wrong Direction.....................................................................................................................62
God Is the Strongest...............................................................................................................................................64
The Statue In Marble..............................................................................................................................................67
Three Things Looked for and (Not) Found......................................................................................................70
Quaggio......................................................................................................................................................................73
The Price of a Diamond.........................................................................................................................................77
The Fool’s Search......................................................................................................................................................80
Treasure Hunt............................................................................................................................................................82
Determination, strong will..........................................................................85
6 HUMAN VALUES AND SPIRITUAL UPBRINGING
Virtues of Truth
How an Old Man Decided to Tear Down a Mountain.................................................................................88

Who is the Strongest of All?.................................................................................................................................90
The Sea Spirit and a Pearl Bead...........................................................................................................................94
Butter, a Beating or a Fine.....................................................................................................................................96
Don’t Give up Until the Job is Finished............................................................................................................98
Courage......................................................................................................101
Brave Mice............................................................................................................................................................... 104
The Leopard . ......................................................................................................................................................... 106
An Antarctic Expedition Looking for Crew Members.............................................................................. 109
A Pirate and Alexander....................................................................................................................................... 111
Three Hundred Brave Ones............................................................................................................................... 113
Khrushchev’s Reply.............................................................................................................................................. 116
A Laconic Reply..................................................................................................................................................... 118
Thoroughness............................................................................................121
King Solomon and an Otter.............................................................................................................................. 124
The Tree of Kimsuka............................................................................................................................................. 128
A Little More Knowledge is Asked for........................................................................................................... 131
The Example of Plinius Senior.......................................................................................................................... 134
The Example of Kyrus the Great...................................................................................................................... 134
The Grand Vizier Saheb....................................................................................................................................... 135
The Example of Thomas Alva Edison............................................................................................................. 135
Gradual Progress, Perseverance, Effort...................................................137
The Turtle and the Rabbit ................................................................................................................................. 141
The Worm and Cherries...................................................................................................................................... 143
The Little Jackdaw................................................................................................................................................ 145
The Wise Servant................................................................................................................................................... 147
The Milch Cow....................................................................................................................................................... 149
The Third Floor....................................................................................................................................................... 152
An Equal Share of Inheritance.......................................................................................................................... 154
The Fisherman’s Catch........................................................................................................................................ 157
Some Incredible Examples................................................................................................................................ 159
Bishop Cumberland............................................................................................................................................. 162
Thomas Alva Edison............................................................................................................................................. 162
Truthfulness, honesty................................................................................165
The Boy Who Called for Help............................................................................................................................ 168
The Peasant and the Water-Fairy..................................................................................................................... 170
CONTENTS 7
A Lion, a Wolf and a Fox...................................................................................................................................... 172

The Sea Cucumber............................................................................................................................................... 174
The Black Hen......................................................................................................................................................... 176
The Emperor’s New Clothes.............................................................................................................................. 178
A Cheat in the Orchestra.................................................................................................................................... 181
Abdul Kadir............................................................................................................................................................. 183
The Bishop and a Robber................................................................................................................................... 186
Mohammed’s Escape........................................................................................................................................... 189
A Piaster for the Camel........................................................................................................................................ 191
Dionisius and Philoxenus................................................................................................................................... 194
Phillip and Demosthenes................................................................................................................................... 195
What did the Teacher Say?................................................................................................................................. 198
Openness to reasons, discrimination.......................................................201
A Puddle Frog and a Sea Frog.......................................................................................................................... 204
A Small Story.......................................................................................................................................................... 206
The Daughter of Heaven.................................................................................................................................... 208
Alexander and a Wise Man................................................................................................................................ 211
Two Astronomers.................................................................................................................................................. 213
The Family Treasure.............................................................................................................................................. 215
Three Life Boats..................................................................................................................................................... 218
The Chain................................................................................................................................................................. 220
The Craft of Teaching, the Craft of Learning............................................223
The Old Gander..................................................................................................................................................... 226
The Tiger Who Thought that He was a Sheep............................................................................................ 228
Good Manners....................................................................................................................................................... 231
The King Who Had to Die................................................................................................................................... 234
The Teacher Who Liked Cakes.......................................................................................................................... 237
Follow an Experienced Wise Man................................................................................................................... 239
The Indian Bird....................................................................................................................................................... 241
Where is the Answer?.......................................................................................................................................... 243
The Hawk................................................................................................................................................................. 245
All the Things That Can be Our Teacher........................................................................................................ 247
The Merchant Teacher......................................................................................................................................... 249
The Tree Won’t Let Me Go.................................................................................................................................. 252
Discrimination between important and unimportant things................255
The Diamond.......................................................................................................................................................... 258
Virtues of Truth
The Ugly Prince and the Heartless Princess................................................................................................ 261

The Building of a Temple.................................................................................................................................... 266
Dogs and a Cook................................................................................................................................................... 269
A Frightened Parachutist................................................................................................................................... 271
The Stone of a Wise Man.................................................................................................................................... 273
King Charles and his Friend............................................................................................................................... 276
How Nasrudin Fed His Overcoat..................................................................................................................... 278
Me or my Clothes?................................................................................................................................................ 280
The Hero’s Reply.................................................................................................................................................... 282
The Banished Prince............................................................................................................................................. 284
Guru Nanak............................................................................................................................................................. 287
Albert Einstein........................................................................................................................................................ 288
Discrimination between reality and illusion...........................................291
Something Rustled in the Bushes................................................................................................................... 294
The One whose Fingers got Burnt Once...................................................................................................... 294
Dear me, I’m Dead!............................................................................................................................................... 295
Monkeys Trying to Get Hold of the Moon.................................................................................................... 297
The Death of a Donkey....................................................................................................................................... 300
The Escape from Ghosts..................................................................................................................................... 303
A Fight....................................................................................................................................................................... 306
The Stolen Axe....................................................................................................................................................... 309
A Merchant and a Prince.................................................................................................................................... 311
Troubles with Rumours....................................................................................................................................... 315
The Angel and the Shepherd .......................................................................................................................... 317
The Concubine’s Pay............................................................................................................................................ 320
Where is the Truth? Enquiry and Self-enquiry . ......................................325
Chasing the Donkey............................................................................................................................................ 328
A Star and a Fish.................................................................................................................................................... 330
A Thief and a Passenger...................................................................................................................................... 332
The Fool’s Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................... 334
The Dream of Pope John Paul the Twenty- Third...................................................................................... 336
The Necklace.......................................................................................................................................................... 341
The Job of a Silversmith...................................................................................................................................... 344
Direct Personal Experience.......................................................................347
The Blind Man and Milk...................................................................................................................................... 350
The Doll of Salt and the Sea.............................................................................................................................. 353
CONTENTS 9
The Moon and Its Reflection............................................................................................................................. 355

The Entangled Limbs........................................................................................................................................... 357
The Blow................................................................................................................................................................... 359
The Moral About the Finite............................................................................................................................... 361
Crazy Dancers......................................................................................................................................................... 363
The Professor’s Finding....................................................................................................................................... 365
A Crazy Man is Buying a Pair of Shoes........................................................................................................... 367
Appendix....................................................................................................369
Prayers and Hymns....................................................................................371
The Prayers from Bhagavan Baba................................................................................................................... 373
Hindu Prayers......................................................................................................................................................... 375
A Sumerian Prayer................................................................................................................................................ 377
An Ancient Egyptian Prayer - Hymn(by the pharaoh Akhen-Aton).................................................... 378
THE HYMN TO THE SUN FROM EL-AMARNA................................................................................................ 379
Taoist Prayers.......................................................................................................................................................... 380
Hebrew Prayers and Hymns.............................................................................................................................. 382
A Peruvian Prayer-Hymn.................................................................................................................................... 384
Zoroastrian Prayers.............................................................................................................................................. 385
A Prayer-Hymn from Ancient Greece............................................................................................................ 387
Buddhist Prayers and Hymns............................................................................................................................ 388
Christian Prayers.................................................................................................................................................... 390
Christian Prayers - Catholic................................................................................................................................ 391
Christian Prayers - Orthodox............................................................................................................................. 392
Prayers from Islam................................................................................................................................................ 394
Sufi Prayers.............................................................................................................................................................. 397
Sikh prayers............................................................................................................................................................. 398
African Prayers and Hymns............................................................................................................................... 399
North American Indian Prayers........................................................................................................................ 400
Ancient Gallic Prayers.......................................................................................................................................... 402
The Prayers of the Saints of All Religions..................................................................................................... 403
Songs and Music Sheets............................................................................407
Plays............................................................................................................413
The Baby Frog and the Baby Snake................................................................................................................ 415
The Little Lion and the Little Antelope......................................................................................................... 420
The Little Fairy........................................................................................................................................................ 424
The Sky and Earth Watch.................................................................................................................................... 430
Virtues of Truth
How Much Does a Snowflake Weigh?........................................................................................................... 439

Where Do You Come From................................................................................................................................ 444
The Mirror................................................................................................................................................................ 449
The Three-eyed...................................................................................................................................................... 453
Index...........................................................................................................489
INTRODUCTION
True upbringing is helping the child to manifest the inner Divinity,

which is latently present in him or her.
Sathya Sai Baba
Virtues of Truth
AUTHOR’S REMARKS
This book is a collection of diverse material related to and addressing the universal
value of truth, and as such, is intended for parents, teachers and educators of all
religions and cultures. The remaining four volumes are dedicated to love, peace, right
conduct and non-violence.
The book on truth can be read as a piece of literature, i.e., a selection of stories from
the universal literary heritage of humanity, or a collection of anecdotes and excerpts
from inspiring biographies, which make it an interesting anthology of human pursuit
to discern reality through the value of truth – therefore it can be read by virtually
anyone who have their heart set on such things.
V. K.
INTRODUCTION 13
INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATION IN FIVE HUMAN VALUES
What is the use of all the knowledge of the world if a good character has not been
acquired with it.
(Sathya Sai Baba)
Devoid of virtue, God is just a name.

(Plato)
ABOUT SAI EDUCATION
SAI EDUCATION IN HUMAN VALUES (SEHV), OR EDUCATION IN

HUMAN VALUES (EHV), IS A UNIVERSAL PROGRAMME OF EDUCATION
AND UPBRINGING, BASED ON LEARNING AND ACTUALLY AWAKENING
THE FIVE HUMAN VALUES THAT ARE ALREADY LATENTLY PRESENT IN
OUR HEART.
THESE FIVE VALUES REPRESENT A BASIS OF OVERALL SPIRITUAL
CULTURE AND EVERY RELIGIOUS SYSTEM. THE FIVE VALUES HAVE
ALWAYS BEEN THE FUNDAMENTAL VALUES OF MAN, IN ALL REGIONS
OF SPACE AND TIME, CULTURE, RACE AND ENVIRONMENT. THEY ARE:
TRUTH, RIGHT CONDUCT, PEACE, LOVE AND NON-VIOLENCE.
That is what makes this programme suitable for every environment, at the same
time allowing every environment to incorporate its own ethnic, religious, and cultural
traits in it; in other words, the training can be adapted to every civilisation and culture
– as long as the essential direction of the programme remains intact.
Virtues of Truth
The aim of this training, upbringing and education is blossoming of virtue,

character and creative potential.
Such „blossoming“ individuals are a real asset for any nation, broader community,
and finally, for all humanity. They favourably affect their families, immediate
surroundings and through them, the society at large.
These basic values (truth, right conduct, peace, love and non-violence), are essential
for the well-being of both an individual and the society. They are the backbone of
every religion, spiritual aspiration and discipline, as well as of all ideals of personal
and social progress, and all ethical systems. They have been repeatedly stressed by all
great spiritual masters, educators and revivers of human society who have carried the
torch of renewal and enlightenment through ages.
What is unique for SEHV, or EHV, is its methodology. The teaching technique
is comprised of five components. These five components are related to the already
mentioned five human values. The five human values are related to five aspects of
human personality. It is precisely the combination 5 x 5 x 5, i.e., the combination of
techniques, values and aspects of personality WHAT MAKES THIS EDUCATION
UNIQUE AND EFFECTIVE.
This education comes as a result of twenty years of experience, experiments

and research, and is based on the philosophy of the Avatar, Sathya Sai Baba, i.e. on
His programme of holistic upbringing, which as its primary aim has good character
or human excellence. The character has been defined here as harmony of thoughts,
words and deeds. Therefore, upbringing and education are intended for the spiritual
revolution of mankind – the only one which can bring true and lasting progress both
to the society and the individual.
IF THERE’S VIRTUE IN THE HEART, THERE’S BEAUTY IN THE CHARACTER.

IF THERE’S BEAUTY IN THE CHARACTER, THERE’S HARMONY IN THE FAMILY.
IF THERE’S HARMONY IN THE FAMILY, THERE’S ORDER IN THE NATION.
IF THERE’S ORDER IN THE NATION, THERE’S PEACE IN THE WORLD.
(Sathya Sai Baba)
INTRODUCTION 15
FIVE TIMES FIVE TIMES FIVE
The five basic human values

1. Truth (sathya)
2. Right conduct (dharma)
3. Peace (shanti)
4. Love (prema)
5. Non-violence (ahimsa)*
The five basic aspects of human personality

1. Physical aspect
2. Emotional aspect
3. The aspect of the heart/love
4. Intellectual/intuitive aspect
5. Spiritual aspect
The five components of instruction

1. Quotation/saying/prayer
2. Silent sitting
3. Group singing
4. Story telling
5. Play/Workshop
Each of the mentioned components, values and aspects is put together to form a
small whole which is a small system in itself, not excluded from other systems but
forming an interrelated structure, a firm whole.
Here’s an example: the first part of a lesson, namely quotation/saying/prayer, is
related to the intellectual/emotional aspect of personality, which means that it relates
to the basic human value of truth. It is a smaller system which represents a whole in
itself.
The other part of the lesson, silent sitting, is related to the emotional aspect of
personality, and to the human value of peace.
* The Sanskrit names are quoted because this educational concept has been born in India, and also
because it is worthwhile knowing the original sound of this oldest Indo-European language.
Virtues of Truth
Group singing represents the third whole that is a part of a lesson, and it is related
to the aspect of the heart, i.e. the human value of love.
The fourth whole consists of story telling and discussion, i.e. the spiritual aspect
and the human value of non-violence.
The fifth whole consists of play/workshop, which is related to the physical aspect,
and the value of right conduct.
All the five techniques, i.e. components of a lesson (quotation/saying/prayer, silent
sitting, group singing, story telling, play/workshop) make a whole, and are a part of
the process of integration. In other words, all the five techniques, interrelated and
related to the personality aspects and human values, help achieve harmony between
man’s internal and external life – harmony between thoughts, words and deeds.
Apart from representing different systems or wholes, all of the five techniques/
aspects/values are also interrelated. Let us take, for instance, the value of right conduct.
That value is not only related to the physical aspect of personality and the technique of
play/workshop. It is actually related to every teaching technique, and its corresponding
personality aspect. This is because right conduct will be strengthened by anything
that makes one’s intelligence and intuition stronger, calms down emotions, deepens
cordiality, affinity, and the feeling of togetherness and man’s relationship with himself
and his entire environment/surroundings.
The creator of this unique system of universal spiritual education is the Avatar Sathya
Sai Baba. According to Him, only cultivation of human values can be considered to be
true education, the one of the highest importance. Academic education is important,
but not as important as the excellence of character, broadmindedness, development
of nobility, i.e., allowing for all its distinctiveness, academic knowledge should serve
the purpose of character building and the development of values. What benefit to
oneself or to the society is a person who has knowledge but misuses it? Or, at best,
is not using it favourably? A learned person, who is not truthful, compassionate,
disciplined – can his fellowmen be benefited by such a person? According to Baba,
education is for life, and not just for earning a living. Therefore, no-one can rightfully
call themselves an educated person, if their internal instruments – the mind and the
senses- haven’t been purified.
INTRODUCTION 17
value: love
aspect: heart
method: group singing
value: truth
aspect: intellectual-emotional
method: saying and prayer
value: peace
aspect: emotional
method: silent sitting
value: right conduct

aspect: physical
method: play/workshop
value: non-violence
aspect: spiritual
method: story telling (with questions and answers)
Virtues of Truth
As the aim of the Sathya Sai Organisation is not to preach or convert*** (because
it does not preach or practice a new religion, nor does it preach only one religion;
on the contrary, it stresses the value and uniqueness of every religion, but also their
oneness when it comes to their spiritual essence), and as the Sai movement is not a
movement which gathers together the followers of the Avatar Sri Sathya Sai Baba (as
it has been gathering together followers of God and divine teachings of any religion),
the only aim of the Sai spiritual education is to develop in children the awareness of
BROTHERHOOD OF MAN AND FATHERHOOD OF GOD.
A man who has wholeheartedly accepted the motto “there is only one caste, the
caste of humanity”, and who is aware of his own inherent divinity, as well as that
existing in other people, will respect faith, culture, nation and race in which he has
been born, just as he will respect the faiths and cultures of other people. Such a man is
a guarantee of peace and value of life, he is the desired objective of all ethic teachings
and endeavours, and an example of education which the Sai spiritual education
favours.
“A man who respects only his religion, and despises other religions, resembles a
man who respects only his mother, and despises mothers of others”, says the creator
and resurrector of this system, Sri Sathya Sai Baba. It will be necessary to repeat again
and again that others are equally entitled to their own mother, as we are to ours; and
to stress that the universality of this approach must not be suspected as a competitive
struggle for spiritual flock in disguise. This approach and this teaching is struggling
for one thing only: for man’s spirituality, regardless of the religion, culture or race to
which he belongs.
According to the definition of Sathya Sai Baba, there is only one religion, the
religion of love. And that religion has been taught by many sons of God and saints,
prophets and Avatars, whose lives bear testimony to what they preached. The religion
of love presents a threat only to scholars devoid of love, i.e., the systems which exist
for their own sake.
** Here it is necessary to stress that the Sathya Sai education, as well as the teachings of Sathya Sai
do not go in the direction of syncretism, or generalising the unique and distinctive characteristics of
different religions. This is not about “drowning” the distinct into a sea of indistinctiveness. Quite to the
contrary, this education and this teaching demand a better and more responsible acquaintedness with
one’s own religious and cultural roots. And what it encourages is not just to be acquainted, but to apply
the teaching; furthermore, it does not seek conversion from one religion into another, but constantly
encourages interest in and respect for one’s own cultural and religious cradle. BUT IT DOES DEVELOP
AWARENESS OF APPRECIATION, TOLERANCE, RESPECT AND LOVE FOR RELIGIONS AND
CULTURES OF OTHERS.
INTRODUCTION 19
A FEW REMARKS
EHV programme (Education in Human Values) has been practised in many

countries for many years now. It is taught in 112 countries today.
For its support and development, a number of institutions have been founded,
such as the Institute ESSE in Copenhagen, which for years has been developing
different levels, methodology, and training for Sai teachers, as well as the Sathya Sai
Institute in Bangkok and Jakarta, while in England several hundred of schools have
adopted the programme of the five values.
The way this education is affecting personality and indirectly, the community, has
surpassed even the most optimistic expectations. Whole sections of big cities have
experienced this transforming influence (a good example is one of the notorious
suburbs of Bangkok, where there is a full-time Sathya Sai school, as well as the school
in the most neglected part of Harlem, New York, or the one in the capitol of Zaire).
THE PROGRAMME OF SSE DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY CHANGE IN AN
ALREADY EXISTING CURRICULUM OF ANY EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. EHV
IS A SUPPLEMENT TO ANY PROGRAMME IN ANY ENVIRONMENT.
Young attendees of this programme exhibit extraordinary tendency to abandon
deviant behaviour – this change is visible in better discipline, concentration, readiness
to work, giving up of bad habits, and in better ability to discriminate between good
and evil, truth and illusion.
If this programme is not to be applied in a school which has a complete EHV
curriculum, the training should be organised once a week. One teaching period lasts
for one hour. The duration of each of the units (components) which make up one
lesson is not always the same. Below is given an approximate timing, which can be
adapted to the curriculum and age of the students.
1. Quotation/saying/prayer 5-6 minutes

2. Silent sitting 5-6 minutes
3. Group singing 6-7 minutes
4. Story telling 15-20 minutes
5. Play/workshop 15-20 minutes
Virtues of Truth
In the environment which does not approve of prayer in the classroom, it

should better be avoided. If prayer is allowed, the children must learn prayers of all
religions.
It is recommended that at the end of each lesson students enter silence for an
additional minute or two (sit peacefully without talking).
An ideal lesson is the one in which the topic (the value and virtues) is present in all
of the five units, i.e., in all of the five segments which are used as teaching tools.
INTRODUCTION 21
THE MESSAGE OF SATHYA SAI BABA TO TEACHERS
Dear teachers,
Teaching is the noblest among professions. It is also the most sacred spiritual
path to self-realisation. This is because the cultivation of unconditional love is
contained in it, and giving and sharing of that kind of love in abundance. The
teacher is shaping the coming generation into self-confident, self-reliant individuals,
aware of God. He or she is the builder of happy homes, progressive communities
and peace-loving nations. The teacher has to equip himself/herself not only with
knowledge and skill to pass on that knowledge, but also with the vision and insight
into how to inspire and transform.
Children absorb customs and tendencies, behaviour and beliefs which they
find in their teachers and elders. Therefore the teacher has to be a constant role-
model for the ideals which he or she wants planted in the hearts of children. He or
she must be recognized by modesty, simplicity, morality and decency – so that the
education would bear fruit of these excellent qualities. Such a teacher may become
a beacon of truth, love and great respect. The children who grow under his/her care
and wisdom, will shine like torches of love in their homes, radiating courage, joy and
hope. Let the beacons never dim. Let the torches always shine brightly.
A good teacher + good students = good nation.
With blessings,
Sathya Sai Baba
Virtues of Truth
INTRODUCTION 23
COMPILER’S FOREWORD
My wish was to make a collection of material which would be helpful to teachers,

educators and parents, and especially to the teachers of Sathya Sai spiritual education
in human values, in the area where Serbo-Croatian is spoken.
Selected examples of Serbo-Croatian folk tales should find their place, side by
side, with the stories coming from Panchatantra, Aesop, Chinese, Sufi and Hassid
tradition as well as other famous heritage, or with the fairy tales written by Andersen,
Grimm Brothers and Wilde. Bearing in mind that every environment should stress
its own particular spiritual milieu and mentality, I thought it would be favourable
for us to have a collection with our own component included in a global overview.
So in this book I included proverbs, traditional stories and poems from our folklore,
considering especially important that children from this region should memorise
and grow fond of folk sayings and proverbs, which, in my opinion, represent the most
dense, most laconic and most powerful expressions of wisdom we possess.
This is the first out of five collections dedicated to the values of truth, right conduct,
peace, love and non-violence. At the same time, it is the first “home-made” one and it
is more voluminous than all Australian, Canadian, American, Thai, English, German
or any other existing textbooks or manuals.
Many of the stories that have been included in this collection, meet in traditions
of very far removed and distant cultures. Sometimes I was not sure to which tradition
I should assign a particular story. Most often I categorized them according to the
linguistic and cultural domain in which I met them and which was indicated by
the story itself. (For example, the Yakut story about a wrongheaded daughter-in-
law, quoted in one of the books, can be found also in the Balkans, whereas plenty of
similar or even identical ones can be found along the route India-Persia-Russia-Near
East-Western Europe. But, as this is not a scholarly work, the determination of the
original source is not considered to be of utmost importance; uncertain origin is
marked as “origin unknown”).
Virtues of Truth
Play/Workshops
The examples and descriptions of play and workshop material I have found
in various textbooks and manuals of Sathya Sai education, but also in textbooks
concerned with the development of ecological awareness, or in those offering non-
violent solution to conflicting situations. Some of them are products of my own
imagination. Play and tasks can always be re-created, supplemented, or replaced by
new ones. Nothing is final, on the contrary, it is offered to be tried in practice.
For the purpose of working with children, I have often composed songs with music.
They are offered at the end of the book. Naturally, everyone can make additions with
their own music, or rely on some third classic choice of music.
The objective of play and workshop is to confirm and deepen, through play,
work and personal experience, the job that has been started, of understanding and
acquiring a value. Play and workshop represent a practical application of the topic
that has been considered. In the workshop it is the physical aspect of personality that
is more involved or active than others.
Silent sitting
In selecting the texts and silent sitting activities I adhered to the recommendations
of the Sai training programme in the five human values, and their numerous co-
values, i.e. virtues. I have tried to adept the silent sitting to the topic, so that it can
support and shed further light on the topic in question.
Aesthetic component
I have to admit that, for me, there was an important ingredient missing in the
textbooks and manuals of Sathya Sai education, and that is the aesthetic component.
There were many morally edifying stories and anecdotes in the style of Aesop’s fables,
where the vividness of narration mostly served the purpose of grasping and explaining
its moral. I firmly believe that beauty spiritualises and that becoming aware of the
ability to admire is important. That is why this selection offers not only stories of
wisdom, but also the stories that directly address our sense of beauty.
INTRODUCTION 25
Three age groups
All the three age groups have been taken into account – the first one, from age 6 to
age 9, the second, from age 9 to age 12, and the third, from age 12 to age 15. There is a
programme for each age group, often offering a possibility to choose. The teacher can,
from the offered workshop, silent sitting, sayings, riddles and stories material, make a
choice at his/her own discretion. Or he/she can use examples of their own.
Basic values and accompanying virtues
Every basic human value (truth, moral conduct, peace, love and non-violence) has
quite a number of accompanying co-values, or virtues, pertaining to it, supporting it
and making it complete.
It is exactly because of these numerous co-values/virtues, that it has been necessary
to dedicate a whole book to each particular value, as it is clearly shown by this book.
This book is a co-collection, or in other words, an integral part of the whole which
consists of five collections on values, only one of which is the value of truth.
However, the virtues of truth are often also the virtues of peace, non-violence, love
and right conduct. In other words, the basic values often share one and the same co-
values. For example, the virtues of courage, patience, perseverance, one-pointedness
and self-sacrifice can be found as supportive virtues of right conduct (dharma), truth
(sathya), non-violence (ahimsa) and peace (shanty). By upholding one of the values,
we are upholding others, as well. It is impossible to draw a dividing line between
the five values, just as it is impossible to draw a dividing line between five aspects of
human personality – the line, which has been mentioned and respected, serves the
purpose of practical classification. It is rather a ‘flooding line’, than a limiting one.
Story telling
Questions for discussion, which follow every story, are just a framework, a
supportive stick for starting a discussion/talk. It is essential that the talk is directed
to bringing to our awareness the impressions created by the story, and understanding
and acquiring the virtue in question. The level of analysis should be suited to the
environment and the attendees - their possible experience and previous exposure to
Virtues of Truth
spiritual education.
I’d like to reiterate here that, while working with children, it is possible to
look for a better solution, make improvements, etc. In that case, a possible future
edition could be made more complete and self-contained – i.e. collections of other
values which are being prepared for printing could be supplemented by such very
welcome additions.
With love and gratitude to the One who has inspired me and pointed me to this
work.
Vesna Krmpotić
INTRODUCTION 27
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND A PROPOSAL
My heartfelt thanks to many of those who supported this work and effort with
their readiness to help, zeal and good will.
I would also like to propose starting a small-scale research among children.
Children should vote for a character from a story, allowing it to qualify, if it makes to
the second round, for the title of the hero/heroine of love, right conduct, peace and
truth. Throughout the year children vote for the candidates, and their names are put
in a box. At the end of two terms (or a year), all the candidates are taken out of the
box and put on a voting board, so that everyone could be reminded of their names,
deeds and the whole story related to them.
Then (secret) vote starts to choose the best one. The character who gets the greatest
number of votes, will be proclaimed the hero/heroine of the year and become the
mascot of the corresponding age group. If there are attendees in all of the three age
groups, there will be three such heroes of truth.
About their further life we can decide later, together.
V.K.
Virtues of Truth
QUOTATIONS ON EDUCATION AND UPBRINGING
ON NOBLE UPBRINGING
You know that a start is the most important part of any job, especially when it
concerns someone young and tender, because that is the time when character is being
moulded, when the desired effect is more easily imprinted.
Will we just like that, carelessly, let our children listen to shallow stories, made up
by shallow people, allowing them thus to be absorbing the ideas which are most often
contrary to the ideas we would like them to possess as adults?
We must not do that. Everything planted in the mind at that age, will most probably
remain fixed and unchangeable, so it is of utmost importance that the first stories that
the young are exposed to, be the specimens of noble thoughts…
Then our youth will live in the country of good health, surrounded by beautiful
sights and sounds, receiving from every thing that which is good; and beauty, that
emanation of virtue, will keep flowing into ears and eyes as a light breeze which
brings health from purer regions (purer than ours), unnoticeably alluring the soul of
a young age, to be a picture of and in harmony with the beauty of reason.
There can be no upbringing nobler than this.
(Plato:”Republic”)
Education is of two kinds – informative and normative. The first one is concerned
only with informing, for instance - that water consists of one particle of hydrogen and
two particles of oxygen. On the other hand, normative training teaches us that when
draught strikes, it is our duty to share the water we have with our fellow-men.
(Swami Vivekananda)
It is my opinion that all children should be taught the truths common to all
religions.
(Mahatma Gandhi)
INTRODUCTION 29
We have created a huge corpus of scientific knowledge, which, after all, represents
only the outer civilisation. It is high time we achieved a change of heart – of the inner
civilization… a civilised man must expend his heart, just as he has expended his
mind.
(Bertrand Russell)
If we do not plant the tree of spiritual practice at a young age, we will not enjoy its
shade when we get older.
(Old Greek proverb)
Every second that we live is different. Every unique moment of this universe is the
moment that shall never be repeated. And what do we teach our children? We teach
them that two and two make four and that Paris is the capitol of France.
When will we teach them what they really are?
(Pablo Casals)
(True) education is a manifestation of perfection, which is already inside man.

(Swami Vivekananda)
School textbooks have to be rewritten… our educational systems must be filled

with a new spirit.
(Albert Einstein)
Virtues of Truth
AN EXPERIMENTAL STORY FOR TEACHERS

AND TEACHERS –TO-BE
Who is Teaching Children?
Once a school principal invited Gandhi to visit their school and talk to the
teachers and students. It was obvious that the teachers prepared themselves well for
this occasion, wanting to demonstrate to Gandhi their expertise and skill.
Gandhi arrived on time. He made a round through the classrooms, school
workshops, laboratory and the gym. Eventually, he came to the teacher’s room. All
the teachers gathered around him, wanting to know his impressions.
But at the very start of conversation, Gandhi asked the teachers to tell him what
was it that they taught.
“I teach mathematics”, one of the teachers said.
“I teach chemistry”, said in haste another.
“Grammar”.
“Geography”.
It went on like that. When everyone took their turn, Gandhi said:
“Very well! And who is teaching children?”
(One of the anecdotes about Gandhi)
Questions to discuss
1. What does it mean – to teach? What does it consist of?

2. What is the main objective of teaching?
3. What is the medium and what is the focus of teaching?
4. What most often happens with young people whose schooling resembles the one
described in this episode?
INTRODUCTION 31
TRUTH
Truth will set you free.

(The words of Jesus in the Gospel According to John)
Who speaks the truth, praises the Lord.

(A Serbo-Croatian saying)
Rain can wet the leopard’s spots, but it cannot erase them.
(An African proverb)
Truth is that which never changes.

(Plato)
A jewel remains a jewel, even if it is dropped in mud; dust remains dust, even if it
raises to the sky.
(Sheik Sadi of Shiraz)
Truth shines like the sun.

Tell the truth and make the devil feel ashamed.

(An Indonesian saying)
Truth does not need many words, and there are never enough words for a lie!
(A German saying)
Lie is a religion of slaves and masters. Truth is God of a free man.

(M. Gorki)
Virtues of Truth
Speak truthfully, sit where it pleases you!

A lie can run for a year, the truth will catch up with it in one day!
(An African proverb)
A lie doesn’t have lunch and dinner at the same place.

When you shoot an arrow of truth, first dip its head in honey.
(An Arabian saying)
The greater the truth, the greater the lie about it.
(Ingmar Bergman)
Man is free only when he serves the truth.

(L. N . Tolstoy)
There is no private truth, just as there is no private sun.

(Radakrishnan)
God is truth.
(All religions)
All universe is born from truth and merges back in truth.

(A Telugu verse)
As long as your vision is not purified by love, you cannot see the truth.
(Sathya Sai Baba)
INTRODUCTION 33
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
We experience the truth on a few different levels, that is to say, we experience it

with our senses, mind and intuition (conscience).
Therefore, truth is a hierarchical notion, correspondent to the levels of our
understanding of reality.
ON THE TRUTH OF THE FIVE SENSES
When experienced by the senses, it is partial and incomplete, in other words – it’s
relative. A relative truth is impermanent, limited and changing. That kind of truth is
our everyday experience.
We do not see the stars in the morning, but they are just as there as they are at
night, when we can see them. If the sun sets by the horizon, it does not mean that it
is no more – though our eyes are telling us so. When we are travelling by car or train,
our eyes are informing us that the surrounding landscape is rushing by our side. We
say that lemon is sour, honey is sweet and that garbage stinks. That something is hot
and something is cold. But: when we take some sugar first, lemon will be much more
sour, and vice versa, after lemon sugar will be sweeter than normally. If we dip a hand
in warm water, the cold would seem colder, and vice versa. So, the senses adjust to
the changes in our surroundings. Further, if we compare the feelings, perception,
and reactions of various creatures to the same stimulus, we will see that there are
quite striking differences. Flies and bees are attracted by honey and sugar, dogs are
indifferent to sugar, goats like salt, warms feast on rot, sea is not salty for fish. As folk
wisdom says: “The sun which shines to the eagle, blinds the owl.”
The human eye can see only parts of the spectrum which we call
electromagnetic; there is a lower and upper threshold of the human senses. Other
Virtues of Truth
creatures have a different distribution or range of the sensory perception. For

example, the dog can hear a sound of a very high frequency, which is out of reach for
the human ear. The sense of smell incredibly sharpens in insects in the mating season.
Besides, man is blind for radioactive rays, x-rays, radio-waves, etc.
Thus, we need to conclude that the truth that we receive through the senses is
a truth of a limited range, belonging to the world of change and illusion. There is
a classic story about an elephant in a dark room inspected by five men, which can
serve as an excellent example of how relative is the value of interpreting the reality
by means of the senses. As no-one can see the elephant, especially not in its entirety,
each of the five men is attached to their fragmentary experience, which they proclaim
to be complete. The man who has touched the elephants ear, says that the elephant
is something resembling a huge fan. The second man, who has been touching the
elephant’s leg, claims that the elephant is a column. The third one, touching the trunk,
says that the elephant is similar to a thick rubber pipe. The fourth one says that the
elephant is a small broom, while feeling the elephant’s tail. And the fifth man claims
that the elephant is a huge wineskin, as he has been reminded of a wineskin by the
elephant’s stomach.
Those men argued, and could have even put up a fight because of their
different conclusions. All the conclusions they made are based on the sensory data
(touch), and there was no resemblance whatsoever in between them. However, if they
had brought a lamp (of intuition, self-knowledge) into the dark room, they would
have seen the whole of the elephant and their dispute would have automatically be
resolved.
This story also illustrates that the entire truth unites people, just as the partial
one divides them. It can be said that the science of today has such a fragmentary
approach to reality: it is exploring a certain domain and is incapable of seeing other
domains, in other words, it is incapable of relating the results of one approach of
research to the results of other approaches.
ON THE TRUTH OF THE MIND
The truth based on the inferences of the mind, starts from indirect, intermediary,
non-personal experience.
One such inference would be: “All the seas are salty”. This conclusion was not
arrived at by tasting the water from every sea. It was arrived at by observation, listening
to what others said, memorising and by means of logic. “Everything is moving, even
the apparently immovable objects”, is an inference of the mind, based on the evidence
INTRODUCTION 35
of the electronic microscope, which means it is an indirect conclusion. “The Sun does
not move around the Earth, it is the opposite that is true”, is another such conclusion,
arrived at by means of measuring, mathematics and telescopic observation; this
conclusion contradicts the sensory conclusion.
But even that truth is not the one which is changeless, perfect, the same in all its
parts, present everywhere and universal: as not all the seas are equally salty, and even
the sun has its life-span, as the extinction of so many suns testifies.
The knowledge that is constantly being developed, supplemented, renovated,
redistributed and integrated into different systems, falls into the category of this kind
of truth. Science and its inferences rely on this intermediary, indirect approach to
reality.
ON THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH
The absolute truth is something which is everywhere and always the same, in
everyone and for everyone.
It is that which is the same at the core and which unifies all the diversity. It is all-
present and imperishable. It is not changed by either time, space, or any of the traits
of the material universe. It is unattainable by the senses and reason. Its greatest proof
is personal experience, which cannot be passed on from one individual to another.
(Though often dramatic and inexplicable interferences in the world of the matter, or
so called “miracles”, are its undeniable testimony).
The search for it starts at the level of the higher intellect. It is being revealed to
intuitive experience and self-realisation, that is to say, to the state of being which is in
itself the highest knowledge, or the objective of its own seeking. Therefore it can be
said that absolute truth = God = Divine, a realised Self.
In order to highlight this truth more closely and vividly, here is a story from one
of the Upanishads (Chandogye):
“A great sage Udalaka Aruni had a son named Svetaketu. One day his son came
back from school. His father had noticed that the school knowledge was insufficient
for learning what was most important, as teachers lack their own inspiration or
experience necessary to bring their students closer to the supreme truth. Wishing to
offer his son the idea and the taste of that truth, he sent the boy to fetch a red fruit
from the banyan tree.
When the boy brought the fruit, his father said:
“Cut it in half ”.
Virtues of Truth
The son did as he was told.

“What is there inside of it?”
“There are countless small seeds”
“Take one seed and cut it in half, too.”
After much effort and patience, the son succeeded in cutting one tiny seed.
“What is there, inside of it?”
“There is nothing inside, father”.
“Oh, my child, a tree like this cannot grow out of nothing.”
“Truly father, there is nothing”.
“That which you call nothing, is something that eyes cannot see – something
invisible from which this huge tree grows. That is power, that is invisible spirit which
pervades everything and is in everything, and is a root of everything that exists”.
To illustrate the same point, the father uses a pinch of salt, which he puts in a
glass of water. The salt dissolves and becomes invisible. But, when the water is tasted,
one can feel it is salty – no matter if a sip is taken from the top or from the bottom of
the glass.
“That is the same spirit, which is all-present”, the father explained. Finally he
said: “That spirit is in you. It is you, my son!”
To make another illustration, we shall use the phenomenon of gravity. Sir Isaac
Newton discovered the laws according to which gravity affects other visible objects,
but neither Newton nor anybody else has been capable of making this force visible.
What is usually meant to be truth?

It is common to consider as truth a faithful description of some event which has
happened in our physical presence, if in our description the details observed by our
senses are neither exaggerated nor diminished. Again, it is considered as truth if we
repeat something we have heard from other people, about the things which we have
not witnessed physically, using exactly the same words in which they have been
reported to us.
Sathya Sai Baba says that such a definition is too narrow for Truth. According to
Him:
“Truth is light which is showing man his path to God. The thought arising in one’s
mind, the words emerging from one’s tongue, the deeds done by one’s hands – all the
three must be in perfect harmony. They must work in complete unison. But if you are
thinking one thing, saying another and doing a third, then your life is not truthful,
but it is false… Truth is one unbroken consciousness, one unified divine energy.”
That is the truth, inseparable from a moral code, by all religions equated with
God.
INTRODUCTION 37
That is the truth which pervades every being and all things, unattainable to the
mind and senses, but attainable to a purified (true) life and the spirit of a self-realised
man. Life lived in harmony of thoughts, words and deeds, is the first precondition for
advancement along the road leading to the supreme truth.
Consciousness realises the truth directly, by becoming it, merging into it; therefore
it requires no external proof. That is truth that is revealing itself to the essential human
self-realisation, proclaiming itself the base of the entire existence, which is the eternal
reality, spirit, and God.
That truth is the truth of all existing things – the essence not only of our being but
also of the world. There is a verse in Rig Veda saying: “In truth rivers flow, in truth the
sun shines”, and one of the sayings most pregnant with meaning is our folk proverb:
“The truth shines with the splendour of the sun”.
Conclusion:
The search for truth starts with intellect, the highest antennae of which is
intuition.
We do not look for it in facts, numbers, indirect conclusions or observation of
our surroundings; we look for it by controlling the senses and the mind, and by right
conduct; we look for it directly, in ourselves, by means of intuition, purified insight,
listening to our conscience, focusing of our awareness, listening to the inner sense.
It can be said, then, that self-realisation is understanding/becoming that essential,
absolute truth, which is the same in one and all. That has been taught by all the great
prophets, saints and teachers, and all religions agree with the dictum that God is
truth.
Here are three important quotations about truth, proclaimed by three great
authorities, in different times and in different spots of man’s cultural space.
Atman vidhi (Know Thy Spirit), is said in the Vedas.
Gnothi seauton (Know Thyself), was written at the façade of the Temple of Apollo
in Delphi; Socrates was shaken by this truth as the greatest revelation.
The Kingdom of God is within you, said Jesus.
Virtues of Truth
A JOURNEY TO TRUTH
Man’s journey toward truth starts with curiosity.

What is there at the bottom of the sea? What is there at the core of the earth? Is
there God? Why there is spring after winter? Is there life on Mars? Where does man
go after his death?
There is thirst for knowledge at the very beginning of life; if that desire is
persistent and strong, and if it won’t be satisfied with partial answers and truths of
the mind and the senses, then man will embark on a search for answers to the most
important questions:
Who am I?
Why am I?
Where did I come from?
Where am I going?
Curiosity compels man to search.

A small child asks many questions. Later he/she will look for answers in books,
and talking with wiser and more knowledgeable than themselves. Or in the solitude
of inner reflection.
But on this journey of search, one should be equipped with certain qualities, such
as determination, single-mindedness, courage, perseverance, patience, thoroughness,
self-confidence, self-sacrifice, power of discrimination, honesty, responsibility,
truthfulness…
On this journey toward truth, the help of a teacher is very important, coming
either in the form of a living teacher or in the form of his teachings. The teacher
speeds up and facilitates the journey – if a man has the mentioned characteristics, i.e.,
at least some of them, and at least at a germinating stage, the teacher will endeavour to
lead the seeker for truth to a direct experience of that truth. It is because no book or
teaching or knowledge can replace the actual experience of the truth. That experience
is gained by personal effort, by diving into one’s own inner world which, in its essence
is the very truth which is being sought.
When you wake up in the morning, you know you are not sleeping, no-one
needs to tell you that. And there is no instrument which will be more convincing in
making you believe that you are awake than your own awakening.
Curiosity,
thirst for knowledge
CURIOSITY 41
THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: CURIOSITY, THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE
Opposite/obstacle: INDIFFERENCE, LACK OF INTEREST
Age: 6-9
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
Lucky is the one who knows that he doesn’t know, and wants to learn.
No-one is as blind as the one who doesn’t want to see.

(Heywood)
Wondering is the beginning of wisdom.

(A Greek saying)
One who asks is already half way to the answer.

(An Irish saying)
It is bad not to know, but it is worse not to want to know.

(A West African saying)
SILENT SITTING
Sit around the table. Put a closed box in the middle on the table surface. Tell the
children to calm down and watch the box for a few minutes. Then the box is opened
and its contents are taken out – sweets for everyone, stickers, or something like that.
The box is a symbol and a visible representation of knowledge which, at first hidden
from us, is then revealed, especially when our thoughts calm down and when we are
focused on finding out. The gifts in the box should be attractive and interesting. It is
because knowledge is pleasure, especially when we put some effort in finding out.
Virtues of Truth
GROUP SINGING
STORY
King Solomon’s Treasure
King Solomon was the richest ruler in the world. His throne was made of jewels
and diamonds, the walls of his palace were painted with most awe inspiring paintings,
adorned with shields made by most skilful craftsmen and mirrors which were made
of polished silver; the floors were paved with marble interspersed with jewels. The
staircase leading to the throne chamber was made of ivory. The royal gardens,
rippling with fountains, had numerous peacocks proudly roaming through them. In
royal stables one could find the finest horses. King’s glory and his riches resembled
the splendour of the sun.
The city of Jerusalem was a place with finest merchants, the most skilled masons,
sculptors, singers, goldsmiths and many other unsurpassable artisans in various arts
and crafts. The city of Jerusalem had another wonder: a huge temple, the masons’
pride, the miracle admired by people who were coming to see it from all parts of the
world.
It might be considered that king Solomon and his people had everything one
could have wished for. But, was it really all?
One night, the king had a dream which gave him the answer to this question.
In this dream God Himself appeared and revealed to the king:
“Ask from me that which you lack, and it shall be given to you”.
Solomon took a bow before God:
“I have earthly riches, and the glory of the world, but I lack knowledge and
wisdom. I feel like a child that is knocking on the door of wisdom. I am the king to
this people, and I would like to teach them what is best for them. Grant me knowledge
and wisdom to do it – to discriminate good from evil, permanent from impermanent,
true from false.”
And God replied to him:
“Because you did not ask me to give you more riches and a longer life, because you
asked me for realisation of truth, because you asked for the mind and heart which
can tell good from bad, your prayer shall be heard and I’ll make you the wisest man
in the world. Besides, your riches shall be multiplied and years of life shall be added
unto you”.
(Quoted in Mother Mira, translated and abridged by V.K.)
CURIOSITY 43
QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS:
1. Let us retell the story: what treasures did king Solomon possess? What was
his palace like?
2. Which amazing wonder was there in the town of Jerusalem?
3. Are riches and fame the ultimate goal of human life? What is greater than
that?
4. What did Solomon want from God?
5. He was a great and powerful ruler, yet he said “I feel like a child”… (Before the
truth even the greatest of rulers is small).
6. What would you first and foremost want from God?
7. And what is the second and the third thing?
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Draw king Solomon.

Or: make a doll-king, using the material there is: pieces of cloth, pins, safety-pins,
cardboard, wire, wooden sticks, colours.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: CURIOSITY, DESIRE TO LEARN
Age: 9 - 15
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
(See the beginning of this chapter)
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Thirst for Knowledge
There was a spiritual teacher who had a disciple who continuously pleaded on him
to reveal to him the secret of highest knowledge. The disciple was asking the teacher
to reveal to him the fastest and the easiest way to the truth.
So the teacher one day said to him:
“Come with me to the lake, and I shall show it to you”.
They went to the lake and stepped into the water. The disciple was surprised and
wondered whether the knowledge was stored in water. All of a sudden, the teacher
grabbed the disciple and pushed his head under water. He kept him there for a short
while.
He then let go of him, and allowed him to breath in some air. And while the
disciple wheezing was gulping for air, the teacher asked him calmly:
“Well, how was it under water”?
“Oh, I thought I’d die”! the disciple blurted out, catching his breath.
The teacher said:
“Ah, you see – when you came to want to know the truth as much as you wanted to
breath some air under water, then you will surely reach it and attain your goal”!
(An Indian tale, quoted by many spiritual Masters)

CURIOSITY 45
QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS
1. What did the disciple want from his teacher?

2. How did the teacher show to him what he really needed?
3. Yes, what a desire needs to be like in order to come true?
4. With his head dipped in water, did the disciple have any other wishes, but to
get some air?
5. Would the disciple have understood equally well the teaching if his teacher
had just talked about the need for truth?
6. “Lucky is the one who knows that he doesn’t know”… that realisation and
desire is the starting point. Feeling that we do not know that which is real
and most important is where wisdom starts. The next step is search for that
real and most important thing. Are there people who do not feel this way,
thinking instead that they know everything they need to? What do you think
about that?
7. Many scientists and researchers spent many wakeful nights in order to find
out. They often forgot not only to sleep but also to eat. Do you know of any
such examples? (Edison, Tesla, Magellan…)
8. Researchers into reality most often do not lead comfortable lives. Would they,
in your opinion, gladly change places with those who enjoy comfort, but have
not tasted the desire to find out, struggle, sacrifice and pleasure of discovery?
Do you think that Tesla would have gladly changed places with the millionaire
Morgan, whose money enabled Tesla’s experiments?
9. Why?
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Cut cardboard in the shape of a brick.

Take one such “brick” and write on it in big capital letters “I will”.
On another one write “I can”.
These bricks are our stepping stones, we progress along the path of life from
brick to brick. We begin this ‘journey’ holding two “bricks” in our hands. That is our
travelling kit. The first passenger bends down and leaves the brick “I want” on the
floor. He puts one foot on this stepping stone, bends down again and puts the brick
“I can” on the floor. Then he bends down again, taking the first brick, “I want”, and
putting it in front of him, lowers his foot on it, lifts up the ex “I can” brick, puts it in
front of him, steps on it, etc.
That way the passenger progresses to the finish line.
Virtues of Truth
Quick and skilful progress is essential for making good time and arriving to the
finish quickly. The “race” is monitored by a stop watch.
All the children take part in this race.
CURIOSITY 47
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9 - 15
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
That Divine Yearning
The great teacher Ramakrishna said that the truth cannot be attained without
great yearning of the heart. And the great yearning of the heart cannot live alongside
petty yearnings for worldly things. This is well illustrated by a story about a boy whose
mother would sometimes leave him to spend the whole day with Ramakrishna. The
boy was five, and was a son of Ramakrishna’s cousin.
“He would spend the whole day at my place, playing with his toys and forgetting
about everything else. But as soon as the night came the child, fed up with his play,
would ask for his mother.
“I want my mother”, the boy would insist.
I tried to trick him into forgetting his desire in many ways; I promised to give him
a pidgin. But he was inconsolable. He would burst into tears and ask me, sobbing,
to take him home. There was always one and the same request: “I want to go to my
mother”. The toys lost their appeal. I myself cried watching him cry so inconsolably.
That is how man should cry for God (truth) – like a child. When both food and
play lose their appeal, when the experiences in the world become insignificant, then
man starts feeling unrest deep inside, and cries out for God”.
(Quoted in Ramakrishna)
Virtues of Truth
QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS:
1. What did the little boy do all day long?

2. Absorbed in his play, did he notice anything else?
3. In the evening, when he played to his heart’s content…
4. What was the only thing which could comfort him?
5. Have you ever seen a little child inconsolably crying for his/her mother,
becoming indifferent to toys if she is not available?
6. Why is this child a symbol and an image of man?
7. There comes the time and the moment when the desire for truth (God, love)
is by far the most important thing … when priorities change. These are most
often the times and moments of loneliness and pain, when we are forced to
find the cure for the pain we feel…
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Take a piece of paper and draw two identical faces – a smiling one and a crying
one. Paint them. Put one on top of the other and see the difference, the features which
differ. Draw these features. There is slight difference in the features, but the difference
considering the condition and feelings emanating from these two faces is enormous
– one is a testimony of pain, the other of the opposite emotion.
However, in order to shift from one emotional state to the other, is it enough
to just change the outward expression (our face and behaviour)? Or do we have to
shift the focal point of our wishes and interest, and mark our real objective more
important than any other objective, which have been temporary and changing?
CURIOSITY 49
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12 - 15
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Diamond
Under a big tree, at the edge of a village, a wondering hermit was just about to
make his bed and rest for the night. Right then, panting and struggling to catch his
breath a man came running, and shouted:
“The stone! Give me the stone! Give me the precious stone!!”
“What precious stone”? asked the hermit.
The man explained:
“Last night, the Lord appeared in my dream and told me to go to a tree at the edge
of the village before dusk – there I would, he said, find a saint, who would give me a
precious stone. The stone which would make me rich for ever”.
“Oh”, the hermit said, dipping his hand in his bundle. “The Lord must have had in
mind this stone”…
He took out a diamond, as big as the child’s fist.
“A few days ago I found it on a trail in the woods. Yes, certainly, you can have it”.
The man was staring at the huge diamond. He couldn’t believe his own eyes. He
could not understand why the hermit was unhesitatingly giving him something so
valuable. Without saying a word, he took the diamond and disappeared toward the
village.
The next morning, at the break of dawn, he came again:
“I’ve spent a sleepless night”, he said. “I couldn’t stop thinking: how rich you must
Virtues of Truth
be to give the biggest diamond the human eye has ever seen as a gift to a complete
stranger? That is why I’ve come, to return this diamond to you, in exchange for the
riches which had made you so generous.”
And this is how the man became the wise man’s disciple.
(An Indian story, quoted in A. de Mello)
1. What did the man want from the hermit?

2. Did the hermit hesitate to give him the diamond?
3. What was the man more amazed by- the big diamond or the hermit’s
indifference to the material value of the diamond?
4. What kind of change took place in this man?
5. Does it mean that he shifted from desiring material wealth to desiring spiritual
wealth instead?
6. To what/whom did he owe this turnabout?
7. What diamond did the Lord have in mind when he told the man in his dream
to go to the outskirts of the village at sunset?
8. Can a search for a true value start with a search for a subsidiary one?
9. Diamond as a mineral and the diamond of knowledge are examples of…?
(Material and spiritual value – which is symbolised by which?)
10. What a real, convincing teacher of values should be like; what the teaching
must be like? (The teacher which lives what he teaches and who teaches by his
own example).
PLAY/WORKSHOP
And, what about the story having a different ending?

Let’s write the new ending to the story, i.e. let us tell it.
For example: the man did not turn up in the morning to return the diamond.
What happened then? How would the story end in that case?
(Is it likely that the police would arrest the man, when the word spread that he had
such a huge diamond? Or is it more likely that everyone would be happy because he
got rich and leave him alone?)
Is it likely that thieves would ambush and rob him, perhaps even kill him?
Is it likely that the man would become restless and anxious, that he would feel
CURIOSITY 51
vulnerable because of the wealth others felt envious about, and because of which
many would start hating him?
Is it likely that the sons of this man would fight over the diamond? Is it likely that
the conflict would arise also between their wives and children? Is it likely that the man
would regret taking the diamond? Or the opposite is likely – that their relationship
would become more harmonious, peaceful and honest?
Perhaps the man would try to smash the diamond into little pieces in order to hide
it and sell it more easily? Perhaps he would dig a hole in the ground and hide it there
before anybody could see it, remaining as poor as before – with the difference that he
would know he was a rich man, only incapable of using his wealth.
Perhaps he would move to another place, to avoid persecution and danger?
In general: is it more likely that he would sleep peacefully at night with the
diamond or without it?)
We talk about al the possible endings to the story.

Every child draws the diamond.
Every child writes their own ideas about what would have happened if the man
hadn’t returned the diamond.
The pieces of paper with the story endings are put in a basket or a box. Everyone
draws a piece and presents the found solution in mimic and gestures. The others
make guesses and select the best presenter.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12 - 15
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
I Want Your Finger
There was a poor man who had a friend who after he died ascended to the heaven
of immortal souls. It so happened once that the poor man met the immortal one in
the world of the mortals.
“How are you?”, asked the immortal one sympathetically.
“Alas”, said the poor one, “how else can I be but miserable and depressed? I am
as poor as a church mouse: nothing to eat or wear, no roof above my head or bed to
sleep in. Can you help me in any why, we are friends after all?
“I will help you”, said the immortal one.
He pointed his finger at a brick by the road, and it immediately turned into a gold
bar. The immortal took the gold bar and gave it to the poor man. He accepted the gold
bar but did not seem contented.
The immortal one pointed his finger at a cat, which was just passing by. Immediately,
the cat turned into a golden statue.
But it seemed as if the poor man still wasn’t happy.
“What else do you want?”, his friend asked. “Would you like me to turn that pile
of stones into diamonds?”
“No”, said the poor man. “I want your finger”.
(Xiao Fu, abridged by V.K.)

CURIOSITY 53
1. Let us retell the story…

2. What would you want from the immortal one?
3. The one who has everything, can he want something more?
4. What is the meaning of the immortal one’s finger?
5. Is there an end to wishes?
6. Tell about an instance when you wanted this and that, and then wanted
something else… What happened soon after your wishes were fulfilled?
7. It seems as a desire is migrating from one thing to another … have you noticed
that? Today I want this, tomorrow I want that… So it is best to make a wish as
the poor man in the story… What does it mean?
8. There is one thing, which once you have it, makes you feel you have
everything… What is it?
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Draw the immortal man’s finger. It can look quite different from an ordinary
finger. The only prerequisite is that it must look as a place from which desires are
being fulfilled.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: All ages
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
What Does the Sun Look Like?
There was a man who was blind from birth. He would always enquiry about how
things looked like. When others described a thing to him, he would then feel the
thing with his fingers, smell it, listen to the sound it produced, and sometimes he
would even lick it with his tongue in order to form an impression about it. One day
he wanted to be told what the sun looked like. It made everyone think deeply. The sun
was not within hand’s reach, it cannot be licked, smelled or felt.
In order to illustrate the shape of the sun, they gave him a brass disc.
“That is the shape of the sun”, they said.
The blind man felt the disc with his fingers, and accidentally banged it. The disc
produced a muffled, deep sound.
After a while, one day the blind man was passing by a temple exactly at the time
when the gong sounded.
“That’s the sun”, thought the blind man.
Another man wanted to explain to him that the sun emanates light. He didn’t
know how to illustrate light to a blind person. So he took a candle and pushed it into
the blind man’s hands. The blind man felt the candle and made a conclusion that the
sun resembled a flute.
One day out of the window came a melody played on the flute.
“ Oh, it is the sun coming to visit me”! the blind man exclaimed happily.
CURIOSITY 55
There is a huge difference between the sun, the gong and the flute, but one who
cannot see the difference has to ask many more questions.
(A story circulating in Asia, abridged by V.K.)
1. Let us first retell the story…

2. What do you think, does the blind man in the story represent only a person
deprived of eyesight?
3. Many people move about in the world as if they were blind … i.e., not seeing
the truth, but making conclusions about what is true and real. What would be
useful for such people? (To ask those who are not blind).
4. Back to the story… How could the blind man be shown that the sun gives
warmth? And what could be his conclusion?
5. What other means could be used to give the blind man a hint about what the
sun is like and where it is? Let us make the story longer!
6. What does the sun stand for?
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Make greeting cards out of shiny cardboard. First, decorate them with some
shimmering powder, stickers, drawings. Then write on it your favourite saying. In
the end, fill in the name and address of the person to which you are going to send
the card.
Someone gets the task of buying the stamps and posting the cards at a post box.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: All ages
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The King’s Questions
There once was a king who was very, very curious. It was not easy to answer his
questions. It happened once that he summoned to his court a group of learned and
wise men and asked them the following questions:
1. What does God eat?
2. When does God cry?
3. When does God laugh?
4. What is God doing at this particular moment?
The wise and learned men thought hard, but they could not find the right answers
to these four questions. Then one of the wise men told the king that he knew a peasant
who could answer all sorts of questions and solve all kinds of riddles.
“You have my permission to bring him here”, the king said, truly disappointed
by the results obtained from the learned and wise. The said wise man hurried to find
the peasant; he brought him to the court the way he found him in the field – dirty and
muddy, in worn out clothes.
When the peasant heard the four questions, he replied to them like this:
1. What does God eat? He eats man’s pride and illusions.
2. When does God cry? God cries when man forgets about Him.
When does God laugh? God laughed only twice. The first time was when two
brothers quarrelled over a piece of land, saying to each other: “Up to here is mine,
CURIOSITY 57
and from here is yours”. And the second time was when a doctor said to his patient:
“Don’t worry, I shall cure you”.
But the peasant didn’t utter a word when he was supposed to answer the fourth
question. The king encouraged him to say something, as he was very pleased with his
previous answers, but it was in vain. Finally, the peasant said:
“In order for me to answer your last question, we will have to switch places – I’ll
sit on the throne, and then you’ll have to repeat your question”.
All present were very surprised at this request. However, the king gladly indulged
the peasant’s wish. When the king was standing before the throne on which the
peasant was now sitting, and asked his question again, about what God was doing at
this particular moment, the peasant replied:
“Here’s what He is doing – uplifting the poor and demoting the rich”.
(Shantananda Puri, abridged by V.K.)
1. Why did the king like to ask questions? What did make him do it?
2. Were the king’s questions the usual ones or were they rather unusual?
3. Was it easy to answer them?
4. Why was(n’t) it easy?
5. What would be your answer? Choose one of the four questions and give your
own answer!
6. What does it mean to be wise?
7. When you have read many books and can quote words of many scholars and
men of letters, does it make you wise?
8. Who was wise without reading any books?
9. Is wisdom something that can be learned?
10. What do you think, how did the King feel after he heard the answer to the
fourth question? What do you think, what did he do? Rewarded the peasant?
Threw him out of the hall? Punished him in some way?
11. What would a wise king do, the one who truly wanted to learn the truth?
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Everyone takes their turn in being the king and writes their own questions
Virtues of Truth
on a piece of paper. Then there is a question and answer session. When everyone
gives their answer to the questions, then the most difficult question and the best
answer are selected by voting.
Search for Truth
SEARCH FOR TRUTH 61
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: SEARCH FOR TRUTH
Opposite/obstacle: INERTNESS OF THE SPIRIT AND BODY, INDIFFERENCE,
LAZINESS
Age: 6 - 9
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
Search and you will be found.

(A Sufi saying)
The one who is seeking will find.

Ask and it shall be given you,

Seek and ye shall find,
Knock and it shall be opened unto you.
(The Gospel)
In every marble block there is a lovely statue

waiting to be released.
(Kung Fu Tse)
Not before winter comes do we find out which trees are evergreen.
(A Chinese saying)
Find a wise travelling companion and you are already half way to your
destination.
(A Russian saying)
Passion to know the truth is the best expression of man’s vitality, and a special
expression of his respect for himself.
(Ivo Andrić)
Virtues of Truth
SILENT SITTING
In a darkened room children sit at the table. A sign is put in the middle of the
table – a mirror, a piece of glass, a flower in a vase, etc. A beam of torch light is being
moved across the table, and children are instructed to carefully monitor the path of
the light. In the end, the light finds its goal, shedding light on the mirror or a glass
ball.
This is a tiny presentation of search for truth.
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Searching in the Wrong Direction
Once there was a man who lived on the banks of the Yellow River, and who desired
to visit the kingdom of Chu. In order to reach the desired destination of the kingdom
of Chu, he needed to head south. However, instead, he climbed his carriage and set
off to the north.
Along the way he met a man and asked him about the kingdom of Chu.
“This is the wrong way – Chu is in the south”, the man said. But the man on the
carriage said:
“Doesn’t matter! Look how wonderful my horse is and how fast it can gallop”!
So he continued his journey northward. Again he met a man on the road.
“Off I go to the kingdom of Chu!”, the traveller in the carriage shouted happily.
“The kingdom of Chu lies to the south”! the passer-by shouted back.
“Oh, does it matter? I have quite enough money for that journey”!, the traveller
exclaimed.
Continuing his journey to the north, he again met another man on the road, who
once more told him that he had taken the wrong direction. The traveller replied:
“Don’t worry, but look how skilful my coachman is”!
So the man continued to travel to the north, paying no heed to the warnings that
the kingdom of Chu did not lie in that direction.
Because he was travelling in the wrong direction, not only did he never reach the
kingdom of Chu, but he also was getting further away from it day by day.
(A Chinese story)
SEARCH FOR TRUTH 63
1. What did the man from the banks of the Yellow River want?
2. He simply set off, but in a wrong direction. Is it enough to just search for
something, without getting informed about where it is?
3. What seems to have been more important to the man?
4. Can the goal be reached only by travelling, even in a good carriage (car, plane)
with full wallet and a skilful coachman? What else is needed?
5. Find some examples of futile searching in your surroundings! What do you
think about a man who lost his key in the dark under a bridge, but is looking
for it underneath the street light? Will he ever find it? Is this an example
of how things shouldn’t be done? Why do we tell a story about how things
shouldn’t be?
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Draw a map of the kingdom of Chu and the Yellow River. Mark the four directions:
North, East, West and South. Draw the south-north road. Mark the three spots along
the road where the traveller encountered the three men. At each of these spots write
the key word in the traveller’s reply concerning the objection that he was travelling
in the wrong direction.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
LAZINESS
Age: 6 - 9
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
God Is the Strongest
Ibobiti climbed a tree, a strong wind blew, the tree swayed and Ibobiti fell down,
breaking a leg.
“The tree is strong, it has broken my leg”, Ibobiti said.
“The wind which swayed me is stronger”, said the tree.
However, the wind said that a hill is stronger than it, as it can stop it. So Ibobiti
thought that the strongest is the hill, which can stop the wind, which can sway the
tree which broke his leg.
“That’s not right”! the hill said, explaining that a mouse is stronger than it, which
can make a hole all the way through it.
“That’s not right”!, the mouse interfered then, “for the cat is stronger than me”.
So Ibobiti thought it was the cat who was the strongest.
But the cat said that the rope they use to tie her is stronger.
“So it must be the rope that is the strongest of all”, Ibobiti thought.
“No, that’s not right”, the rope said, “for I’m easily cut by an iron knife”.
The iron explained that fire was stronger than it, because it can soften and melt
it.
So, Ibobiti thought that it was fire which can melt iron which can cut the rope,
which can tie the cat, which catches the mouse, which can bore a hole through the
SEARCH FOR TRUTH 65
hill, which stops the wind, which sways the tree which broke Ibotiti’s leg that which
was the strongest.
Then fire said:
“Water is stronger than me”.
Then water said:
“A boat is stronger than me, for it splits me in two”.
But a stone turned out to be stronger than the boat, and man stronger than stone,
and poison stronger than man, and God stronger than poison.
And so Ibotiti found out that it was God who was stronger than poison, which
can overpower man, who was stronger than stone, which was stronger than a boat,
which was stronger than water, which was stronger than fire, which was stronger than
iron, which was stronger than the rope, which was stronger than the cat, which was
stronger than the mouse, which was stronger than the hill, which was stronger than
the wind, which was stronger than the tree, which broke Ibotiti’s leg.
(A Madagascar tale)
1. Let us retell this tale, step by step…

2. How many steps are there before we come to the strongest of all?
3. When we look for a true answer to the question “who is the strongest”, we
must not stop before we reach the end. Let us compose a story about the
same question! (Who is stronger than a lion? The bullet! And who is stronger
than the bullet? Rock, iron! Who is stronger than rock or iron? Man! Who is
stronger than man? Illness, death! Who is stronger than death and illness?
Who cannot be harmed by either death or disease? ) Etc.
4. Which proverb would you match with this story?
5. What is considered to be the greatest truth of all?
6. There is something stronger for every thing and every creature, just as
there is something weaker than them. It’s like going up the ladder, or up a
pyramid. Every next step up the pyramid leaves behind more and more steps
underneath, but still there are those which need yet to be taken. And what is
the highest rung on the ladder, the summit of the pyramid?
Virtues of Truth
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Draw a pyramid with terraced structure. Beside every terrace, note a part of the
tale relating to that level. The same can be done with the rungs of a ladder. Decide
how to label the top of the ladder (pyramid), i.e. the goal of the climbing/descent.
Take a short break – without drawing or talking, but just keeping quiet. Everyone
thinks of how they would label the top. Then everyone gives their suggestion and
explain their choice.
SEARCH FOR TRUTH 67
Value: TRUTH
LAZINESS
Age: 9 - 12
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Statue In Marble
There was a boy who every day, on his way to school, passed by a sculptor’s
workshop on the corner of a street. There was a huge chunk of marble standing near
the entrance to the shop, and the sculptor was always working the stone with the
hammer and chisel. Slowly, a shape started emerging from the stone. It seemed as if
the sculptor was stripping marble bandages off a head and body.
Days went by. Then, one morning, the hammering ceased. The sculptor did not
work with the hammer or chisel any more. The huge marble chunk was gone, too.
Where it used to stand, there was a statue of a boy. He was glowing, with a smile on
his lips. The marble boy looked so alive, that the awe-struck school boy approached
him and said in low voice:
“Where have you been?”
The sculptor was resting in his rocking chair. He, too, had a smile on his lips. The
boy approached the sculptor and asked:
“Sir, how did you know this marvellous statue was hiding in the stone?”
(Origin unknown, abridged by V.K.)

Virtues of Truth
1. 1. Retell this tiny episode!

2. 2. What do you think, what was the sculptor’s reply?
3. 3. Where the sculpture really was? What is that place called?
4. 4. Where is the picture that you are going to draw on a piece of paper?
5. 5. Where is the picture you are about to make out of coloured pebbles, where
is the story, the song, the music that someone is going to think of, compose,
sing?
6. 6. What does it take for these stories, sculptures, pictures to be “set free”?
7. 7. Where is the nest that a bird hasn’t yet started making? The beehive, made
by the wild bees, which never received any training about how to make it?
8. 8. What is needed for something like that to be accomplished? What about the
hitting of sculptor’s hammer - was it mere noise?
9. 9. List some of man’s inventions which appeared in a similar way (the boat,
bridge, the bow and arrow, spinning and weaving, the thread and needle, the
mill, flute, violin…)
10. 10. What do you think about the saying “tell me your dreams, I’ll tell you who
you are”…?
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Everyone takes a piece of paper and writes their own goals that they want to
achieve in their life. First let children write down their dreams, and how they picture
themselves when they grow up. The most important goal should be underlined in red
pencil. There is only one requirement: to be honest.
When the lists of goals and desires are made, the pieces of paper are collected, read
aloud and discussed.
Then similar goals are grouped: for example, inventions and discoveries make
one set, glorious achievements in sports, art, politics make another set; the third
group includes achievements like walking across a desert, swimming across the
English Channel, conquering the Himalayas and other mountain peaks, diving into
the deepest abysses of oceans, etc. The fourth group includes things relating to our
personal education – learning several languages, studying minerals, collecting data on
this and that.. The fifth group can include goals which may seem modest, concerning
our moral aspect. These goals are: to be a good person, be a friend to many people,
be ready to help, understand, follow the truth, be loved and love, even if we do not
become rich and famous.
SEARCH FOR TRUTH 69
When the goals are grouped in this manner, children can see which group they
belong to at the moment. It should be stressed, however, that these groups of goals
do not serve for grading the participants in any way, but to allowing them to get to
know themselves better.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
LAZINESS
Age: 9 - 12
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Three Things Looked for and (Not) Found
Word has it that there was a man by the name of Ganther who wanted to find
a never-ending joy. One morning this man embarked on a journey and after some
time, reached a kingdom where the king had just died. The rich and noble noticed
him and asked him to come to the court. When they got to know him better, the
oldest nobleman offered him to become their king. Ganther was indeed pleased by
this offer, and he enthusiastically accepted it. But when at night he was taken to the
royal bedroom, there was a surprise in store for him: there was a lion roaring above
his bed head and a dragon hissing at the foot of the bed; there was a huge bear on the
right-hand side, and a heap of snakes on the left.
“What does this mean”?, Ganther gave out a cry. “Am I to sleep in the company of
all these beasts?”
“Yes, my Lord. All our monarchs slept like that, and paid it with their head”, there
was a response.
“It’s all very nice”, Ganther retorted, “but I wouldn’t like to sleep in such a bed: so
forget about me being your king”.
So he hit the road again, and soon arrived in another kingdom, where he was
similarly invited to become their king. When at night he was brought to the king’s
bedroom, alas, there was a bed packed with sharp knife blades.
SEARCH FOR TRUTH 71
“What”, Ganther shouted, “am I to sleep in a bed like this”?!

“Precisely, my Lord”, servants replied. “For all your predecessors slept in the very
same bed, and all perished the same way”.
“Ah”, Ganther said, “everything is great except for this bed; but because of it, forget
about me being your king.”
Early in the morning Ganther set off, walking for three days without meeting
anyone on the road. At the end of the third day he met an old man who was sitting
by a spring. He was holding a walking stick in his hand. When Ganther approached
him, the old man said:
“My dear Ganther, where have you come from?”
“Me – from foreign lands”.
“And where are you going to”?
“I’m am walking the land searching for three things that cannot be found”.
“And what are they”?
“The first thing is abundance that cannot diminish; the other is joy without sorrow,
and the third is light without darkness”.
“Take this staff ”, the old man said, “and continue your journey. The road will take
you at a foothold of a big mountain with a ladder with six rungs. Climb up it, and
when you reach the sixth rung, you’ll reach the top of the mountain. There you can
see a big castle. Knock three times on the door with this stick. A doorman will come
out and ask you what is it that you want. Show him the stick and say: “The master of
this stick commands you to let me in”. And when you go in, you will find the three
things you’ve been looking for”.
Ganther did as the old man advised him. He climbed the top of the mountain
up the six rungs, reached the castle, knocked on the door, showed the doorman the
stick, uttered the massage of the master of the stick. The doorman let him in. Ganther
found even more than he asked for, and lived in the castle until his days on earth were
numbered.
(Gesta Romanorum)

2. Which were the three things that Ganther was looking for?
3. What is the price of imperial status? How do you understand the meaning
of wild beasts around the bed, and daggers in the bed? (Danger, restlessness,
sleepless nights, worries)
Virtues of Truth
4. What do you think, who is represented by the old man? Why does he sit next
to the spring?
5. What does his staff represent?
6. What is this castle on the mountain top, where Ganther found more that he
hoped for?
7. What do you think, why the interior of the castle is not described?
8. What kind of desire is that one which desires the infinite?
9. How can the infinite be represented?
10. What do you think, why did Ganther look for the impossible?
11. What do you think, why does the title say “three (not) found things”? If the
three things have been found, why this ‘not’?
12. Who told us that he would give us the water which would quench our thirst
forever? Is that also impossible?
13. In your opinion, what is the mountain with six levels to climb, with the seventh
crown-one? (The world? The Universe? Man himself?)
PLAY/WORKSHOP
See the previous chapter – considering becoming aware of our own objectives and
desires.
SEARCH FOR TRUTH 73
Value: TRUTH
LAZINESS
Age: 9 - 12
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Quaggio
On the African south coast, in Ghana, lived a boy by the name of Quaggio. He
helped his father make brass statuettes, which served as weights for weighing gold
dust. In this town of Ashanti tribe, all little boys helped their parents do some job –
some of them weaved, others printed patterns on newly woven cloth, and some, like
Quaggio, helped with melting brass and making clay moulds.
Quaggio’s skill in doing this became matchless. It took two hours for brass to melt
down into a white, boiling liquid. Quaggio’s father would then slowly and carefully
pour the liquid into clay moulds. When the brass cooled down, he would break the
clay moulds and take out shiny statuettes.
Quaggio grew very fond of a small brass statuette of a drummer. On a Saturday
night, when the town was vibrating to the beat of songs and dancing, Quaggio did not
want to go and party as usual. He stayed on the porch of his parents’ house, playing
with the little drummer.
“Look how tiny you are”, he said. “Tell me your secret. For, obviously, you must
have a secret…”
Quaggio thought that he noticed the lips of the little drummer move. Then he
heard a soft, but quite intelligible reply:
“Yes, my young friend. I’ll show you my secret. Close your eyes and come with
me.”
Virtues of Truth
Quaggio closed his eyes and was shocked by what he saw: a heap of gold dust. The
heap was swarming with the same small creatures busy with weighing gold dust using
the same small weights.
“This is fantastic”! Quaggio exclaimed. “So it means you are the masters of gold”?
“Yes, we are”, the drummer said. “But we can do something else, too: we teach
people wisdom”.
“Oh”! said Quaggio, lifting his brows. He thought about gold. They were standing
in the lofty yard of the royal palace. Quaggio turned to his small friend:
“You know, I’ve never seen that much gold. I wish I could take at least a tiny bit
home.”
“Really”?
Now it was the drummer’s turn to lift his brows. He continued:
“I’ll tell you a story about gold. Long time ago the treasurer of an Ashanti king
filled quite a big box with gold dust in order to keep it for himself. But, soon he had to
face consequences: he suddenly died, before he could tell anyone where the gold was
hidden. I’ll show you that secret place.”
Quaggio was so excited that he almost stopped breathing. Soon he would be the
wealthiest boy in town! He would have a box filled with gold! Then the drummer
looked him straight in the eye and said in a serious tone of voice:
“The treasure was buried behind the wall of the shrine on the right hand side. If
you are not wise, you will not be able to dig it out. At every door you will encounter
some creature – a man, an animal or a plant – and you will have to decipher the
meaning of what you see”.
“All right”, Quaggio said and started toward the shrine. Soon he was standing
before the first door. There he saw two boys and a palm tree. One of the boys was
trying to climb the tree, while the other was helping him from the ground. Quaggio
realised the meaning of this scene. “If someone is trying to do something useful, he
will get help”. The boys didn’t say anything, but let he pass.
When he was in front of the second door, he saw a boat with oarsmen. Quaggio
immediately realised the massage hidden in this scene. “A boat must have oarsmen
on both sides. Strength lies in unity and harmony”.
When he reached the third door, he found two pods. Quaggio paused to think.
“Ah, I know. There is seed in pods. It is invisible when you look from the outside. The
same way human thoughts are hidden behind the brow”…
The fourth door was in the sign of two crocodiles, attached at the stomach.
However, Quaggio understood what they stood for immediately. “What foolishness
greed is! What use are two mouths when you have only one stomach”?
He then came across a hunchback. There he stopped to think. This was not easy.
What was the meaning of the hunch? Finally it came to him: “When some things
SEARCH FOR TRUTH 75
have already happened, they cannot be changed. Like this hunch. It is better therefore
to accept them”.
In front of the last door there was a surprise waiting for him. The door was wide
open. Quaggio was just about to go in, when a strange bird, her beak pecking at her
own tail, appeared.
“Are you an ostrich? A peacock? A turkey?” Quaggio asked.
The bird did not reply. He tried to pass by it, but the bird lifted her beak up and
started screeching loudly. Now there was no other way out but to escape, for the
palace would soon be up and he would be caught by the guards in front of the shrine.
At that very moment, the drummer appeared.
“Haven’t you understood the massage of the bird?” he asked. “Her beak is pecking
at her own tail. It means: look back, learn from the past. Learn from your past mistakes.
But now we really have to run because I can hear the thud of the guards’ feet.”
“But my gold, my gold…” Quaggio stammered.
The next moment he opened his eyes. The moonlight was shining on the cottages.
There were Quaggio’s friends all around: they were real, happy, hardworking boys,
inhabitants of the small Ashanti town.
“Let’s go to bed. It’s late”… they said.
The small, brass drummer was glittering in Quaggio’s hand. Quaggio thought that
now he knew the drummer’s secret. He thanked him in his thoughts and went to
sleep, wiser for the experience.
(An African story from Ghana, Meshak Asare, abridged by V.K.)
1. Let us retell the adventures of our little hero!

2. Did Quaggio understand the drummer’s secret? What was the secret?
3. Was Quaggio really left empty-handed, without gold? What actually was the
drummer’s gold?
4. What is more valuable: to be rich, or to be wise?
5. What are true riches? Who is rich? And who is poor?
6. What was Quaggio’s mistake? What should he have learned from his mistake?
What should he have said to the bird in order to be allowed to pass? (That
greed for gold results in loss of wisdom).
7. How many doors are there to the true gold?
8. One more time, list the massages found on the way to gold!
Virtues of Truth
9. What do you think, were there two crocodiles with one stomach, or one
crocodile with two heads? Explain!
10. Western Africa and the tribe Ashanti are far away. But a story is a bridge
where we meet and get closer, learn about and from each other. Is reading
and telling stories also searching? For what? (For getting to know others, for
making friendship with others).
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Make a small drummer and a bird from clay or colour modelling clay.
We try and sculpture a two-headed crocodile.
(These symbols are related to proverbs and tales coming from West African
heritage. They are printed on cloth and wood and are worn as amulets and talismans
or kept in homes as decorative pieces. If you have a book with these signs, show
it to children; it would be particularly worthwhile to show them the drummer, the
crocodile and the bird.)
SEARCH FOR TRUTH 77
Value: TRUTH
LAZINESS
Age: 9 – 15
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Price of a Diamond
A rich man said to his servant:

“Take this diamond to the marketplace and enquire about its worth”.
The servant took the diamond and went to the marketplace. First he entered a
grocery shop. The merchant there examined the diamond from all sides and angles,
turning it to the light and weighing it on his palm, to finally say:
“Brother, I’ll give you nine kilos of egg plant in exchange for this diamond.”
“My friend”, the servant replied, “give me a better price, at least give ten kilos”.
The merchant replied:
“No, I’ve already offered the best market price. I’m not giving you any more than
that, so you better think whether you want it or not”.
The servant laughed and went back to his master.
“Sir, the grocer offered me only nine kilos of his merchandise for this diamond. He
said he was offering me the best market price”.
The master smiled and said to his servant:
Take this diamond to the merchant in cloth. That mean is in egg plant business
only. What can he know about diamonds? Cloth merchant also has more money –
let’s see how much he would offer.”
And so the servant went to the marketplace once again, straight to the cloth
Virtues of Truth
merchant shop.
“Will you buy this diamond? How much would you give for it”? the servant asked
the merchant.
He took the diamond and started examining it. Then he said:
“Yes, it’s a good stone. It could be polished into a beautiful ornament. I’ll give you
nine hundred rupees for it.”
“Wait a minute, my friend”, the servant said. “Give me a better price and I shall
give it to you. Give me at least one thousand”.
The cloth merchant replied:
“Don’t insist, my friend. I can’t give you a rupee more than that. Do as you will”.
Laughing all the way back home, the servant returned to his master and informed
him of the cloth merchant’s offer. The master laughed and said:
“Now take it to the jeweller”.
The servant went to the jeweller. He just took a quick glance at the diamond and
said at once:
“I’ll give you one hundred thousand rupees for it”.
(An Indian story, quoted in Ramakrishna)
1. Retell the story!

2. The moral of the story in a nut-shell is…?
3. What do you think, why did the master send his servant first to the grocer
and then to the merchant in cloth? Why didn’t he send him straight to the
jeweller?
4. Can everyone recognize true value of a precious thing? Especially if they do
not deal with such valuable things?
5. Who can teach us about the real value?
6. Do you think that the owner of the diamond did not know the real value of
the diamond?
7. What about the servant?
8. Why did the master send the servant to the merchants? For his own sake,
or...?
9. When someone is looking for true answers, real truth, they must first try and
reject wrong ones. Seeking is learning. How else could the servant have learned
SEARCH FOR TRUTH 79
about the difference in assessment between the jeweller and the grocer, if he
hadn’t visited both of them?
10. What do you think, who does the master represent? What about the servant?
11. Which of the offered sayings best suits this story?
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Stage a play.
Set up various counters – with toothpicks, buttons, matches, old clothes and shoes,
flowers, toys… Every seller must think of a (funny) price to offer for the diamond.
The same story can be presented by pantomime.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
LAZINESS
Age: 9 – 15
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Fool’s Search
A man who has just lit his pipe and inhaled with gusto in his dream, suddenly
woke up in the middle of the night.
“Oh, I’d die for a smoke”! he shouted. “But there’s no fire in the house to light the
pipe”!
He got up and, staggering through the dark, found matches and a candle. He lit
the candle and looked around, looking for a flint for striking fire.
“Alas, alas”, the man said. “I’ll have to go to the neighbour’s and wake him up, I
can’t resist, I have to gratify this need”.
The man put a coat over his shoulders, took a lamp and went to his neighbour’s
house. He knocked. Soon the sleepy neighbour opened the door.
“What trouble brings you at this hour”?, he asked, rubbing his eyes.
“I’m in great trouble”, the man said, pleadingly. “I wouldn’t have woken you up
otherwise. You have to lend me some fire for my pipe- for if I don’t draw a few smokes,
I’ll die before sunrise, it’s that terrible”.
“What fire do you want? Look at what you’re holding in your hand,” the woken
neighbour grumbled and slapped the door to his face.
Indeed, the man was holding a burning candle in his hand.
(An Indian story, abridged by V.K.)
SEARCH FOR TRUTH 81
1. Let us retell this night-time episode!

2. Do you find this story funny? If so, what is it that you find funny?
3. Does it only make us laugh? Or is there something else too, which arises
pity?
4. How would you characterise the man from the story?
5. When someone wants from others something he/she already has, what kind
of person is that? Absent-minded, blind? Lacking self-confidence? Lacking
awareness? Poor? Confused?
6. If we do not know ourselves, then we are strangers in our own house,
furthermore, we are poor because we are unfamiliar with our own riches.
Searching for the light which is in our hand is an everyday occurrence,
the wise say. What do you think about this? What does it mean “everyday
occurrence” – do people run every day down the street, holding lanterns in
their hands? Or…?
7. Although it was silly and inappropriate, his search paid in the end. Sometimes
we need to go to someone else so that he/she can direct us to ourselves. Are
you familiar with any such examples from everyday life? (Teachers, priests,
good friends…)
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Stage a monodrama. The man’s monologue can be adorned and elaborated with
various ponderings, observations, questions, indecisions. His monologue lasts longer,
while the outcome and revelation (with the neighbour’s help) last for just a moment.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
LAZINESS
Age: 9 – 15
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Treasure Hunt
There was a poor Jew who lived in Kiew by the name of Abraham ben Jacob. He
lived a quiet and unnoticeable life, always slightly anxious about all sorts of troubles
that could befall a Jew. One night he had a strange dream. He heard a voice telling
him:
“Get up, Abraham ben Jacob, and hit the road. Go to Prague. There there is a bridge
over the river Wltawa. Under the left supporting pillar, there is a buried treasure. Dig
it out and you will be rich”.
In the morning Abraham ben Jacob dismissed the dream as a good joke. However,
the following night the same voice paid him a visit. This time it spoke more sternly:
“What are you waiting for, Abraham ben Jacob? Your fortune is buried under the
left supporting pillar of the bridge over the Wltawa! Get up, don’t postpone it, go to
Prague”!
The next day Abraham ben Jacob felt some consternation. What did it mean? How
can he go to the distant Prague when he does not know anyone there, no friends or
acquaintances, and his pockets are empty? Besides, for a Jew there is no safe place.
No, it is better to stick to his Kiew shed as the gold he heard about in the dream may
be just empty words.
On the third night the voice was almost shouting:
SEARCH FOR TRUTH 83
“Abraham! Abraham! Are you deaf, are you insane? Destiny intended great riches
for you, and you are afraid to take it! I’m warning you for the last time: at the break
of dawn go to Prague”!
On this third morning Abraham ben Jacob finally summoned courage to obey
the voice from his dream. He walked for a long time and got very exhausted: when
it was unbearable, he was telling himself that the fatigue was not important, because
it was more important to reach Prague. When he thought that he could not proceed
and thought of going back, a wagon would come by, with just enough space for him
to climb on. He slept under the stars, and when it was raining there would always be
a corner for the poor traveller in some inn by the road. That way finally Abraham ben
Jacob arrived in Prague.
He went to the Wltawa. There was a bridge over the Wltawa. Timidly, the newcomer
started making circles around the left supporting pillar, waiting for an opportunity to
dig out the treasure.
The bridge was guarded by one watchman. Abraham ben Jacob looked suspicious
to him – why was he sneaking around like that, staring at the left supporting pillar?
Was he up to something? So the guard shouted at Abraham ben Jacob:
“What are you looking for, you Jewish snoop? Beat it, or I’ll take you to the my
superior and have you get a good beating”!”
The poor Jew was shaking with fear.
“Sir”, he stammered, “don’t get angry, I didn’t mean to bother you, I was talked into
coming here in my dream…”
And he told the whole thing to the guard – about how he heard the voice three
nights in a row, and how he finally obeyed and came to Prague. The guard burst into
laughter. Punching his hips he said to the Jew with contempt:
“Oh, what a fool you are! You are listening to dreams, aren’t you?! If I were as
stupid, I should have obeyed my dream which has been telling me three nights in
a row: “Get up Frantisek, go to Kiew, there is a treasure buried under the hearth in
the house of some Abraham ben Jacob”. But I’m not as stupid as you are and I do not
listen to my dreams”!
When he heard this, Abraham ben Jacob took a deep bow before the guard and
said:
“Thank you, sir, you’ve really enlightened me”!
And he headed for Kiew. When after many days he reached his shed, he dug out
treasure under his own hearth.
(An Indian and Hassid story quoted in Bal Shem, Borghese, and others)
Virtues of Truth
1. What kind of man was Abraham ben Jacob?

2. How did his life start to change?
3. How could this change be perceived?
4. Describe the suffering and troubles he encountered on his journey?
5. Did Abraham ben Jacob find the treasure under the bridge on the Wlatawa?
6. What kind of treasure was it?
7. And what kind of treasure did he unearth from underneath his hearth?
8. What do you think, why didn’t he know before he met Frantisek that he was
rich? What stopped him from finding out?
9. From which moment does Abraham become a different person?
10. What do you think, why did he have to leave his house in order to discover
what there is in it? (He got accustomed to his blindness, routine, thinking,
condition).
11. What do you think, does something similar happen to all of us? Namely – to
have to get out of a certain situation, distance ourselves from the familiar, in
order to see better both the situation we are in and ourselves? Look for an
example in your own experience!
12. If you do not have a suitable example for this story, then next time come with
an example from your personal life, or from lives of your acquaintances and
cousins, your fellow beings, or from a story someone else has told you!
13. Can an ordinary thing, some seemingly ordinary encounter, be a mirror for
us? Can it convey us a very important message about who we are and what we
possess, and what we have at our disposal/what our possibilities are?
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Make a pantomime about Abraham ben Jacob’s journey and discovery. We need to
have two characters and one voice.
The pantomime can be accompanied by the drum, guitar and bell which are
sounded at certain points in time – the drum, for instance, at the turning point when
the Jew decides to go to Prague, and when there is a shift in him from the state of
despair and fear into the state of joyous enlightenment.
Determination, strong will
DETERMINATION 87
STRONG WILL
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: DETERMINATION, STRONG WILL
Opposite/obstacle: INDECISION, LACK OF ENTHUSIASM
Age: 6 - 9
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
Feel your heart, make up your mind, be your own man!

(Serbo-Croatian folk wisdom)
One who hesitates never accomplishes anything.

Once you have decided to cross the river, do not complain about wet knees.
(An African saying)
By the time the shepherd decided to fence his flock, the wolf had already
slaughtered the lambs.
SILENT SITTING
Children lie on the floor with their feet toward the centre of the circle.
They embark on an inner journey; with their eyes closed, they listen to the voice
of the ‘guide’. ”…We climb to the top of the highest mountain, to the peak of Mount
Everest. The expedition is on its way, we are treading the deep, yet untrodden snow.
The snow is squeaking under our shoes. Our eyes are blinded. Our breath is getting
shorter. We are climbing. It starts snowing. We get stuck in a blizzard. We feel tired
and fearful that we might get too exhausted and finish up covered in snow… We
advance with difficulty, drawing a dozen breaths for every step… we keep climbing
as we know that there on the top the sun is shining while the way back to the valley
is fraught with danger. We feel that we do not fight only snow and wind, but also our
fear and despondency. Finally, out of the blizzard and fog, we enter a brilliance of
light and see a gorgeous landscape spread before our eyes . We plant our flag so deep
in snow that no wind can pull it out. Then we sit on top of the highest mountain,
watching the world underneath, taking deep breaths, resting, enjoying.
Virtues of Truth
GROUP SINGING
STORY
How an Old Man Decided to Tear Down a Mountain
Long time ago there was peasant who lived at the foot of a high mountain. While
his house was on one side of the mountain, his field and meadow were on the other
side. Every day when going to work, the peasant, his children and his children’s
children had to go round the mountain, taking either the left route or the right one.
It was a long walk, and it took time. They all were angry with the mountain, but it
couldn’t be helped.
One day the peasant summoned all his sons, daughters and grandchildren and
said to them:
“This mountain has taken away half of my life. That will happen also to you, your
children, your grandchildren and great-grand children. That can’t be put up with
anymore. Let us tear down the mountain! Then we will get to our field in no time.
And the time saved thus can be used for doing many useful things. How do you like
my proposal”?
All agreed with their grandfather with great enthusiasm. Only the
grandmother did not agree. She said:
“Children! Can a mountain really be removed?! All our lives won’t be enough for
such an endeavour”!
But all replied to her in unison:
“You are saying it, granny, because you are seldom going to the filed. You are the
one who mostly stays at home”!
Grandma’s words did not discourage anyone, and they all took a resolve right away
to get busy and tear the mountain down. When the neighbours heard about their
intent, they wholeheartedly joined them. First a widow sent his young and strong son
to help them. Only one old man declared that this endeavour did not make sense.
“What madness”, the old man retorted, annoyed
. “How you, an old man whose hair turned gray, could come up with such a
nonsense? Even if you worked all your life, you would not be able to remove even a
millionth part of the mountain. And there on the top there are huge rocks. How can
man cope with that”?
But the grandfather replied:
“I’m aware of being old and that I won’t live long. But I have many sons, and they
have many children, and sons of these children will have children of their own, and
DETERMINATION 89
STRONG WILL
there will be more and more of us. While the mountain does not grow bigger. If I take
off a chunk, it won’t grow another! So if we all get down to work, can the mountain
resist us? The time will come when people won’t have to go round the mountain, but
will walk down a flat road.”
(A Chinese story)

2. Who is the main character in this story?
3. Who in the family supported the old man’s suggestion?
4. Who didn’t, and why? What conclusion can be drawn out of that? How can
it be related to the American Indian saying: “Great Spirit, do not let me judge
my fellow man unless I have trodden half a day in his moccasins”? What does
the Chinese grandmother has to do with American Indians?
5. Who of you has ever heard of someone deciding to tear down a mountain?
6. What did the second old man say to the grandfather?
7. What was the grandfather’s reply?
8. What do you think, who would prove to be stronger- the mountain or the
people?
9. What did the old man count on when he decided to tear down the
mountain?
10. Was the grandfather being unreasonable?
11. What do you think, whose idea would be accepted by majority of people – the
grandfather’s, or the one of the second old man? Let everyone say their choice
and let them explain!
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Draw the grandfather, the grandmother, sons, grandchildren, the second old man,
the mountain… Paint them. Then cut them out with scissors in such a way that their
feet remain attached to the sheet of paper. Stand them up in the order they appear in
the story. First we erect the mountain, which has to be high and huge.
While erecting them, we utter the “text” of the characters.
In the end, put the mountain back in its slot in the paper, showing that it has been
torn down.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: DETERMINATION, STRONG WILL
Age: 6 - 9
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Who is the Strongest of All?
A rich and envious samurai went for a walk. It was noon, and the sun was shining
so strongly that a silk sunshade was insufficient to protect one from the scorching hot
sunbeams. Cooling his face with a fan, the samurai looked at the sky and said:
“Man is the weakest creature in this world! He can be harmed by anything: wind,
the sun or the cold. I’d like to be the sun. There’s no one as strong as the sun in this
world”!
As soon as he finished his sentence, he was transformed into the sun.
Looking down to the earth, the sun-man proudly said:
“No one is as strong as me! I can burn down to ashes all the creatures on earth if
I will it”!
“You are greatly mistaken if you think that there’s no one as strong as you”! a huge
cloud remarked, which was hovering in between the sun and earth. The cloud blew
up his cheeks and puffed up his body becoming so big that he blocked the passage of
the sunrays. No matter how hard the sun tried, its rays could not penetrate the black
cloud.
Saddened, the sun started thinking:
“I see now that I’m not the strongest! Oh, how I wish I could be a cloud”!
As soon as he finished his thought, he turned into a cloud.
“There’s no one in this world as strong as I am”! he gave out a happy cry. “I’ll block
DETERMINATION 91
STRONG WILL
the way to the weakling sun and flood the earth”!

And the cloud completely screened the sun and started pouring surges of rain
down on earth. Currents of rain water poured down the hills, rivers swelled up and
flooded their banks, surrounding fields and settlements. The cloud was triumphantly
watching all this:
“Indeed, there’s no one as strong as me”!
However, a strong wind charged at the cloud, ambushing it, and tossing it all the
way to the sea.
“Oh, the wind is stronger than me”! the cloud cried in dismay. “Ah, if only I could
be the wind”!
Immediately, he became the wind. Howling, the wind started chasing frightened
clouds in the sky; flying over the sea it sent huge waves to the shore.
“I’m stronger than the sun, stronger than the clouds, stronger than the sea and
stronger than anything in this world”! it howled. Having seen a granite rock in the
distance, it roared:
“I’ll tear you down”!
And he charged at the rock, but it stood there, unaffected. The wind gathered all
its strength, turned into a gale, then into a hurricane, and charged at the rock again.
The granite rock stood proudly on, tall and unaffected. Then the wind realised that it
was powerless before the rock.
“It means that I’m not the strongest! Rock is stronger than me! If only I could be
a rock”!
The moment he made the wish, it came true.
A giant wave attacked the rock, breaking against it with all its might, but in vain.
Wind and the sun resorted to all they knew, but the rock remained intact.
“At last”! the rock cheered. “I’m the strongest! Neither wind, nor the sea, nor the
sun can touch me”!
Just then, the rock felt a tremendous blow. One, second, third. With every blow a
huge chunk of stone broke off its foot.
“Who dares touch me”?! the rock barked and looked down toward its feet. But
with its top enveloped in thick clouds, it could not see who was at its foot. In the
meantime the invisible someone kept showering it with blows. They came one after
the other, breaking big chunks off.
“There is someone stronger than me in this world, it seems? Who is stronger than
the sun, the clouds and the sea? Who is that hero”?
At that particular moment, the wind dispersed the clouds that were enveloping its
head and the rock saw a man standing at its feet. An ordinary man. It was a carver, a
stonemason. He swung his hammer, breaking the rock into big chunks.
“What”, the rock moaned, “is this small creature more powerful than all of us?
Virtues of Truth
I wasn’t swayed by either wind or sea, I resisted the heat of the sun, and now this
insignificant man proves to be stronger! How can that be”?
The stonemason heard the rock’s woe. He stopped hitting and said:
“Yes, I’m stronger than you, because I can do work. Know that there’s no one
stronger in this world than a man who has decided to do something. A strong-willed
man”.
And the man continued working. After every new blow, the rock was
becoming thinner and smaller. Soon, the huge rock which thought it was stronger
than anything in this world, was reduced to just a small shore rock”.
(The tale of many nations)
1. Let us retell the story, step by step! Who turned out to be stronger than the
sun? And stronger than clouds? And stronger than the wind? Stronger than
the rock?
2. The circle closed where it started. Which is the starting point?
3. Why do you think the first man, the samurai, was not aware of his own
strength?
4. In your opinion, what could have the samurai done in order to protect himself
from the sun – instead of becoming the sun?
5. The rock is huge and strong, but the parts man chips off from it cannot grow
again, whereas man can repeat his strikes innumerable number of times, he
can bring other men to help him… Let us list all the things that can be done
by man, but not by the sun, the wind, the sea and the rock! (Man can use the
crane, various other machines for building and construction, mines; he can
join effort with other men, he can think and make calculations...)
6. Without stopping, man is continuously changing his environment. Think
of some examples! (Tunnels drilled in the sea bed, underground railways
underneath cities, dams, ports, highways, runways, mine corridors, turbines
powered by waterfalls, railway tracks, marshes being dried, fields being
watered, lightning channelling, telephone and electricity poles, water lines,
drilling wells, oil sediments collecting...
7. Man is the king among the natural world, because he has … and is able to…?
DETERMINATION 93
STRONG WILL
PLAY / WORKSHOP
How can this story be drawn without pictures?

Can this story be presented in a different way – using geometrical shapes, for
example, like triangles, a circle, etc.? Is the story circular? Can it be a quadrangle?
Can it be a triangle? A pyramid perhaps, or a cube?
We first draw a circle, then we divide it into pieces – the sun, the cloud, the wind,
the sea, the rock… How can the strongest one be represented? (It could be a spot in
the centre of the circle, or it can be its diameter.
Gradual strength can be shown also by means of a pyramid with uneven sides,
the apex and the bottom of which, i.e., the foundation and the crown, is man, the
strongest creature on earth.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: DETERMINATION, WILL POWER
Age: All ages
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Sea Spirit and a Pearl Bead
While a man was sitting in a boat, a pearl slipped out of his hand and dropped
into water. He immediately rowed the boat to the bank, took a bucket and started
taking out water and pouring it on the ground. He tirelessly worked like this for three
days.
On the fourth day, a sea spirit emerged out of the water and asked him:
“What are you pumping out all this water for?”
“I am pumping it out because I dropped a pearl into the sea”.
Then the sea spirit asked him:
“Are you going to stop soon?”
The man said:
“I’ll stop when I pump the sea dry.”
The sea spirit vanished in the sea. He looked for the lost pearl and brought it to
the man.
(Quoted in Tolstoy)
DETERMINATION 95
STRONG WILL
1. Retell the story!

2. What do you think, why did the sea spirit return the pearl to the man? Did he
feel sorry for him? Or was he scared? Or did he envy him?
3. If he got scared: can a man dry a huge sea by means of a bucket?
4. What convinced the spirit that something like that could happen?
5. Would the sea spirit return the pearl to the man if he wasn’t so determined?
6. What do you think, what are the occasions in which human will and
determination are most required and most easily perceptible? (When things
go wrong… when someone is in trouble… when someone picks up a goal and
takes up a task upon himself…)
7. Do you know any examples of strong will and determination?
8. Have you heard of an accident (and there was not only one such accident)
when a mother lifted up a huge and heavy truck to free her child which
was laying underneath? According to your opinion, how something that is
contrary to the laws of physics and physiology can happen? (Mother has only
one thought on her mind in that moment, and one will: to save her child.
When a person focuses all her spiritual and physical energy in one point, so
called miracles happen).
PLAY/WORKSHOP
Let us make playing cards. For that we need cardboard, a ruler, scissors, colours,
pencils. When the cards are made, they are shown to everyone so that everyone
knows what they look like. Then the cards are shuffled and dealer out, and the game
goes the way the Black Peter is played.
One of the cards has a drawing of a pearl on it, another of the sea spirit, the rest of
the cards have bucket on it. The winning card is the one with the man on it. We need
to pair together the pearl and the sea spirit, and a bucket with a bucket. There are
twenty (or more) cards with buckets, and each one has a number on it. The cards with
odd numbers are paired with odd ones, and even numbers with even ones.
The player who ends up with the card of the man, without any pair, is the winner.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-15
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Butter, a Beating or a Fine
A merchant was brought to the court because he was selling rancid butter; his
butter was stinking and was hazardous for health. Having investigated the case, the
judge ruled that the merchant is to be punished. The decision was the following: the
accused will either eat the butter himself or take the beating consisting in 23 blows
with a bat, or he will pay the fine of 100 rupees.
The merchant considered the options and decided to eat the butter.
He started eating, but as the butter was rancid and of a very unpleasant smell,
making him feel sick, after several bites the merchant decided to give up this option
and said that it is better for him to take the 23 blows. When he was showered with
blows, and when he already received a dozen, he started screaming:
“Stop it, I’ll pay the fine!”
And he paid the 100 rupees.
(Quoted in Sathya Sai Baba)
DETERMINATION 97
STRONG WILL
1. Let us retell the story!

2. What message is contained in this story?
3. There is actually more than one message here, which one do you see as the
most important and will give your vote to?
4. It was the merchant’s fault that he got punished, but he made it even harder on
himself… Why and how?
5. What should he have done immediately after he heard the sentence?
6. Indecision is a sign of…? (Insecurity, guilt feelings, fear, lack of self-
confidence)
7. Can you remember one instance when you were indecisive, how did you feel
then?
8. In your opinion, what is it that endows one with strong will? (Knowing that
he/she is right, that his/her decision is a right one, that the goal is worth the
effort).
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Drawing of a comic strip consisting in series of key pictures.

Presentation: How does an insecure person cross the street? And how a determined
one?
Try to think some more, for example: how does an indecisive person order a meal
in a restaurant? How does an indecisive woman shop in a big store- how does she
pick a dress?
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-15
MOTTO/SAYING/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Don’t Give up Until the Job is Finished
Once there was a drought so severe that it threatened to completely destroy the
fields planted with wheat. The worried peasants started digging channels for watering
the fields. There was one among the workers who was especially determined and
stubborn. He took a vow that he would not stop digging until the field is connected
with the river. Early in the morning he got down to work.
He kept digging until it was time for breakfast. He declined food in order not to
waste time. It was lunch time. His daughter came with lunch and some water and a
towel, so that he got refreshed and get some rest. The man said that he had no time
for such things. The daughter went back home and said to her mother that the father
did not even touch his food, not did he took a break.
Worried for his husband, the wife went to the field.
“Why don’t you have something to eat”? she asked. “The food will get cold. You
really always exaggerate in everything.”
“Don’t bother me”, the husband snapped. “I have too much work to do and not
enough time”.
The wife persisted in talking him into taking a break and having something to eat.
The peasant threw a tantrum and almost kicked his wife with the shovel.
“Are you stupid”? he shouted at her. “There’s no rain! Our wheat will get scorched!
There will be no food for our children! I’ve taken an oath that I’ll neither eat nor have
DETERMINATION 99
STRONG WILL
rest until I bring water to our field”!

The woman ran home thinking that her husband lost had lost his mind.
Sweat dipping from his brow, the peasant dug and dug, without looking up. Before
the night came, he succeeded in digging a ditch to the river. He then sat down and
watched water filling the ditch and flooding his field. The gurgling sound made by
water filled his heart with joy.
He then went home, called his wife and said to her:
“Now run me a bath and make me some dinner”.
When he washed and had his meal, he sat on the porch and lit his pipe. His soul
was enveloped in calm and bliss. Then he went to bed and fell fast asleep, that only a
way a contended and happy person can.
His neighbour, who started digging the ditch on the same day, did not show
that much resolve. When his wife brought him lunch and advised him not to strain
himself too much, as it was already too late, he did not protest. He put his shovel aside
and said:
“All right, I’ll go home with you since you insist so much”.
This man, however, did not succeed in watering his filed.

2. What kind of sound did the water make when it started flowing through the
drainage ditch? Was there any music that could equal it? Explain!
3. What joy did the man experience in taking bath and partaking of his food –
ordinary or special, even solemn? What was built in this joy? What delight
was there in smoking the pipe, and why?
4. Did the neighbour put away his shovel only because his wife asked him to?
5. Does determination bring also material gain – can it be expressed in banknotes?
(How much money is the saved wheat?)
6. Why is indecisiveness expensive and inviting loss? Loss of energy and will
is also a material loss… What does happen when a pupil or a student does
not study, fails and has to repeat a class or a year? How much does it cost his
parents? How much time was he himself deprived off by such behaviours -
and time is money!
7. What is the cost in another sense – considering his self-respect, dignity and
Virtues of Truth
the feeling of being pleased with himself?

8. Here’s an unbelievable piece of information: Thomas Maischberger, an alpinist
from Austria, climbed almost all the highest peaks in Europe – Mont Blanc,
Monte Rosu, Matterhorn, Jungfrau… and he was crippled! Namely, one of his
legs was wooden!
WORKSHOP/PLAY
We stage the play giving it a title of our own and make additions to the story as it
pleases us.
Or: we make “bricks” out of cardboard which read “I will” and “I can”. (See
previous chapters)
Courage
COURAGE 103
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: COURAGE
Opposite: FEARFULLNESS, TIMIDITY
Age: 6-9
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
The one who is firmly installed in truth is freed from fear.

(Shakespeare)
To be daring means to persevere even in the face of fear.

(Unknown)
It is by doing brave deeds that we become brave.
(Aristotle)
When the devil gets hold of your robe, cut off your robe.
Brave is the one who though being strong, does not show his strength, but lives
humbly and quietly.
(An Indian saying)
What should the one whose bills are paid be afraid of?
(A Persian saying)
SILENT SITTING
We lie down in a circle with our feet turned to the centre of the circle. We close
our eyes and monitor our breathing; „we are travelling“. We’re imagining to be a creek
... to be flowing over small pebbles and sand, small shells, gurgling and glittering.
Slowly we are growing bigger, deeper, quicker. We are joining a river, losing ourselves
in it, becoming the big and swift river ourselves, racing by big cities on our banks.
Their reflection can be seen on the river surface. We are flowing under bridges; ships
and boats flow in our waters.
Finally, a strange hum can be heard in the distance. That is the hum of the sea. We
know that we are soon to flow into the vast, blue, salty sea waters, and become one
with it. The noise is getting louder, we feel we are disappearing and dissolving in that
noise, into that blueness; we have stopped flowing, we are just here and everywhere.
Virtues of Truth
Now we are the sea... tranquil, huge, containing all the rivers and streams. We stay
like that.
Then we open our eyes. We’ve been the sea and we know what it is like – to be the
sea.
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Brave Mice
There was a cat who used to chase mice in the barn all they long.
One morning the mice summoned to try and find the solution how to end this
evil. Every mouse had his or her own idea about how the tribe of mice can protect
themselves from the evil-doer cat.
The mice’s discussion turned very loud, the squeaks and moans raised up to the
barn ceiling.
„It can’t go on like this“! they waned. „Something has to be done“!
„This is the question of our survival, brothers“! they squeaked.
„It’s about the massacre and extinction of the mice race“!
When the uproar subsided, an old gray mouse spoke:
„I suggest that you listen to me, as I have an idea how to solve the cat question“.
„Hear, hear“! all shouted.
„“We need to tie a bell to the cat’s tail, so when the bell is heard, we’ll know that it
is approaching, and we’ll have time to hide.“
„What an excellent idea“! the mice shouted in admiration. „Splendid, splendid“!
One volunteer, ran to fetch the bell.
„Who will go to hang the bell around the cat’s tail“? the old mouse asked.
Every mouse ran away to his hole.
(Aesop)
1. Let’s retell the story...

2. Are we also sometimes like those mice? Why is it said for many that they are
COURAGE 105
heroes only when it comes to talking?

3. What does true bravery consist of – words or deeds?
4. Those who shout and threaten, are they really more dangerous than those
who do not do that?
5. Why is it said that „the dog which barks does not bite“?
6. What are you like – what is your opinion about yourself?
7. And what do others think about you?
8. It is good when we can laugh at our own faults!
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Draw the Mice Assembly. In the background there are the cat and the bell.
Find five words which appear in the story in the crosswords below.
B R A V E X M
E F S O P S D O
L Z S E H O P U
L A E G R A S
F H C A T E
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: COURAGE
Age: 6-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Leopard
Once a leopard’s cub wondered away from its litter and found itself among the
elephant herd. His mother and father warned it not to come close the heard of those
large animals, but the leopard cub disobeyed. Suddenly the elephants broke into a
run, and one of them unintentionally stepped on the little leopard’s cub. The little
leopard remained lying in the grass. A hyena came by, sniffed at his body, and went
to tell the cub’s parents that their little one was run down.
„I’m bringing you terrible news“, the hyena said. „I’ve run across the corpse of
your child“.
Mother and father lion howled in pain, and then with anger.
„How has this happened“? the father asked. „Tell me who harmed our son? I won’t
have peace until I take revenge“!
„Elephants did it“, the hyena replied.
„Elephants“?! father leopard asked, confused and trembling. „You say it was done
by elephants“?!
„Yes“, said the hyena, „I’ve seen their trail“.
The leopard was pacing up and down for a while, roaring and shaking his head.
„No, it can’t be true“, he said at last. „It wasn’t done by the elephants. It was done
by goats“ Goats killed by little boy“!
And he rushed down the hill and threw himself on a herd of goats, which grazed
COURAGE 107
in the valley. In his terrible rage, he slaughtered as many as he managed.

(An African fable)

2. Do fables really talk about the animal world? Or do they just use the animal
world in order to convey their message?
3. Was it brave and truthful to proclaim goats murderers?
4. Why do you think the leopard’s father blamed the goats, and not the
elephants?
5. Did the leopard act cowardly?
6. We are not always brave enough to face the truth, are we?
7. What does the truth want from us once it is revealed? (To act accordingly. To
take action, make a move; we often do not feel confident or strong enough to
do it. That is why we do not want to hear the truth).
8. Every day so many people act like the father leopard. They take their anger
out on the weaker ones. The same is done by children. Think of an accident
in the school yard or on the playground, where there are boys elephants, boys
leopards and boys goats, and share it with others!
9. Have you ever seen a rooster in a farmer’s backyard pecking at a hen? What
does the hen do afterwards?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Make a jigsaw in which all the key words from this story are included. For
example:
D C O U R A G E
A X B R A V E H
D A R I N G O P
B B X H Y E N E
Y C L E O P A R D
M N G O A T E A
Virtues of Truth
Look and see whether you can find the same word more than once. But do not
search only vertically and horizontally. Search also in other ways, with a bit shuffled
letter combinations, or a zigzag letter cells ordering.
Let us try to rearrange the crossword on our own.
COURAGE 109
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: COURAGE
Age: 9-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
An Antarctic Expedition Looking for Crew Members
In 1922, one of the explorers of Antarctic, Sir Ernest Shacleton (1874-1922) put
an advert in London papers concerning the national Antarctica expedition, which
was being prepared for the conquest of the South Pole. (The expedition was not
successful). Later Schacleton said that so many answered the advert expressing their
wish to volunteer that it seemed to him the “all men of Great Britain had decided to
join him”. Indeed, the response passed all expectations.
The advertisement read as follows:
“Men are wanted for a dangerous expedition. Wages are low, the cold enormous,
months without daylight are long, danger is constant, and safe return is rather
suspicious. Honour and recognition in case of success. Ernest Shackelton.”
(From London newspapers in 1900)
1. Let us first retell what this story is about…?

2. Was there any firm promise in the advertisement? Any guarantees? Money?
Success? Return?
3. Yet, an unexpectedly large number of men applied to join this endeavour?
Why is that?
4. What do you think: was one of the reasons for this enthusiastic response
Virtues of Truth
frankness of Ernest Shackleton, which made people feel that they had before
them a fearless and honest person?
5. Would you rather join a perilous adventure with a man like Ernest Shackleton,
or choose a less dangerous adventure with someone who does not posses
Shackleton’s virtues?
6. Brave is the army which is lead by a brave commander...
7. What do you think: do the qualities like honesty, determination, truthfulness,
etc., entice the same or similar qualities in others? How would you describe a
good leader of a group, or even a country?
8. Bravery inspires more bravery, fear breads more fear, determination encourages
more determination. Keeping quiet about a danger cannot be courage. Just as
it takes courage to start for the South Pole, it equally takes courage to openly
say what it means, and what can be expected. Does openness by itself win
trust?
9. Openness is one of the first preconditions for making a joined effort and
working together. Give an example from your own experience!
10. Many of us do not even attempt to do something for fear of failure. The task
at hand seems too difficult. Is it brave to give up a task because you think that
you won’t succeed?
11. How many things happened, how much was discovered and achieved just
because of that stubborn and daring I’ll-give-it-another-try attitude. That
seemingly insignificant decision is often vitally important for accomplishing
a set goal!
12. When something is attempted for the first time, it takes courage! Remember
your first attempts at swimming! The same happens to a bird about to leave
the nest and fly for the first time.
WORKSHOP/PLAY
If there is sufficient number of children, make groups. Each group thinks of a

difficult and dangerous undertaking. Then they compose an advertisement, inviting
volunteers to join them.
Here honesty is needed – do not exaggerate, stick to the facts.
Then the advertisements are read aloud and voted for; i.e., children apply for
one of the offers. The advertisement which attracts the greatest number of applicants
is the winner.
Then this advertisements is put on a placard, and decorated with drawings of the
coming events.
COURAGE 111
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: COURAGE
Age: 9-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
A Pirate and Alexander
In his book „De Civitate Dei“, St Augustine writes about a certain Diomedes who,
being a pirate, stormed merchants’ ships, many of which he sank, too. The whole
Mediterranean lived in terror of him.
On king Alexander’s command, commanders of royal fleet launched a campaign
against his pirate ship. After a long chase, they managed to circle the ship and catch
the pirate. Diomedes was arrested and brought before Alexander.
„How dare you storm the seas“? the king asked him sternly.
„How dare you storm the coast“? the pirate retorted. „You consider me a robber
because I am in command of just one galley, and you, who terrorise the whole world
with your mighty armies, are called a king and a victor. If I had had more luck, I
would have been praised and glorified; and if you had had a little less luck, you would
have been called a conqueror and robber of foreign lands“.
Alexander was surprised by what the pirate said. However, as he was wise and
truthful, he did not take offence, but instead extended an unexpected offer to him:
„Then we shall change your destiny, so that your misdeeds are not blamed on your
ill fate“.
He set him free and gave him an honorary title, land and property and took him
into his service; thus the robber was turned into a nobleman and a truthful prince.
(Gesta Romanorum)
Virtues of Truth
1. Let us first retell the story...

2. Say, which of the two was the brave one?
3. And the other one, namely Alexander, wasn’t he in a way brave, too? Why?
4. The pirate said to Alexander that both of them are in a way involved in
disrespectful work – taking away something that was not theirs. According to
the pirate, what did the difference consist in?
5. According to you, was the pirate telling the truth?
6. A truthful person cannot turn a deaf ear to truth, even if it be unfavourable
for him/her. What does show Alexander’s greatness?
7. Beside appreciating the truth, Alexander also appreciated ...? (Courage,
fearlessness).
8. If he wasn’t brave enough to speak his mind, the pirate most probably would
have been put to death?
9. Brave people do not always profit from their frankness, as did the pirate
Diomedes, as there is not always an Alexander to listen to them and respect
them...
10. What do you think: where do brave persons find the courage to speak their
mind and to act in accordance with their thoughts and words?
11. Give an example of someone brave, be they widely-known or only known to
you!
12. Were you ever brave? Did you suffer because of that? How did you feel then?
13. What did the pirate’s courage consist in? How about Alexander’s?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
There are only two common letters in the names of Diomedes and Alexander. They
point to two things which connected these two very different men whose destinies
were also so different. Find these letters and find out which two things they refer
to? Then write each of them on a separate piece of paper. Now count the remaining
letters, which are not common to them: there are nine of those. On eight separate
pieces of paper write nine qualities which make these two men different. Everyone
must think of nine qualities which set the emperor apart from the pirate.
Fold each piece of paper and put them in a basket. Then everyone takes their turn
in picking up a piece of paper and reading it and, if there are different opinions, they
are discussed.
COURAGE 113
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: COURAGE
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO /PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Three Hundred Brave Ones
In 48 B.C., a famous battle at the pass of Thermopylae took place. Then Xerxe,
the king of Persia, started a campaign against Greek cities. The gorge at Thermopylae
was an important pass for Greece, and it was located in Sparta. The king of Sparta
Leonidas defended the narrow pass with a small army, and though in the end they
were defeated by a mightier army, their holding up of the enemy army enabled Greek
cities to organise their defence. Because of this episode, as well as many others, the
name of Sparta stands for bravery in the memory of mankind.
On his way to Greece, the king Xerxe sent his envoys to the said cities, asking from
each city land and water, as a sign of their consent to surrender their sea and land to
the conqueror. Greeks refuted to comply, resolved to defend their freedom.
Thermopylae is a name which means a pass, or „hot gates“. The gorge was known
for its many hot springs. Leonidas, the king of Sparta, confronted the Persians with
an army of only a few thousand. They secured every crack and pass in the gorge.
Then a Persian envoy arrived and asked to be taken before the king. When the envoy
found himself before Leonidas, he arrogantly declared that the Persian army was so
numerous that the afternoon sky would be covered with its arrows which would hide
the sun.
„Good“, Leonidas said, „at least we will fight in shade“.
The battle lasted for two days, but the Persians didn’t succeeded in pushing
Leonidas out. Then something happened. One of the Greeks, motivated by greed for
Virtues of Truth
gold, fled to the enemy’s camp and promised to show a secret round about path to the
Persian army, guarded by just a few Greek soldiers, in exchange for a hefty reward. So
it was done. The Persians poured through the secret pass. A few sentries managed to
escape and bring the news about what happened to Leonidas.
Leonidas knew that he would succumb to the mightier opponent if he didn’t leave
Thermopylae immediately. But he also knew that, by holding back the enemy, he
would give time to the Greeks to prepare themselves for defence. He chose the second
option. He sent his heralds and majority of his soldiers to Greek cities. Only three
hundred of fearless Spartans, prepared to die, stayed in the pass of Thermopylae.
All day long three hundred of brave ones withstood the attacks of the mighty
army. But when the sun turned westward, there was no one alive among the Spartans.
In the beginning they fought with their arrows and spears, then with swords and
daggers, and finally with their feasts.
Xerxe lost a better part of his army. While the battle was going on, the Greek navy
got ready for defence. After a while, Xerxe had to go back where he had come from.
And Greeks put up a monument for the brave Spartans in the pass of Thermopylae,
to be a reminder of the courage of the three hundred soldiers.
(From ancient Greek history)

2. Have you already heard of Leonidas’ reply to the Persian envoy? How is such
a reply called? (Laconic).
3. Did the death of three hundred soldiers championed by Leonidas bear fruit?
4. When is the adjective ’Spartan’ used, to describe what? And what is the quality
that is most frequently associated with the name of Sparta?
5. Is it brave to confront a danger unknown to us? Or... ?
6. Leonidas and his soldiers were aware that they were going to die. However,
their decision was based on a great human virtue. Which one? (Selflessness,
sacrificing one’s own interests for community’s sake).
7. Is courage visible only in battle? Or does it also take courage to make a right
decision? (To have so called ’moral fortitude’).
8. If it weren’t for Leonidas, would the three hundred brave ones had decided
what they had?
COURAGE 115
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Try to draw a map of the narrow pass of Thermopylae with the secret mountain
path around the cliffs.
Then try to imagine what was the password for the secret passage – which word?
Which word would you use as a password? If your country were attacked by a foreign
conqueror, which word would you use at the secret passage through the gorge, the
only access to your country?
Write the secret word on a small piece of paper. Which word would that be, the
best one for success and defence?
Put the folded pieces of paper in a basket, and let everyone take turns in picking
one and reading it. Everyone explains their choice.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: COURAGE
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO /PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Khrushchev’s Reply
When Khrushchev made his famous declaration against the criminal acts of Stalin,
he read it before the full assembly. Then someone from the crowd called out at him:
„Where were you then, comrade Khrushchev, when Stalin was sending to certain
death so many innocent people? Why your voice wasn’t heard then“?
Khrushchev paused for a moment. He looked up, scanning the audience carefully,
and then he said:
„Let the one who said that stand up“!
There was silence.
„I ask the man who has just said these words to stand up and repeat what he has
said! Let him stand up so that we can see him“!
Nobody stood up. Everybody was waiting in suspense.
Then Khrushchev said:
„Whoever you are, you got your answer now, haven’t you? It is for the same reason
my voice was not heard than, that yours is not heard now. I was fearing for my life –
there, that’s the reason. Just as you are fearing for your own now“.
(From historical records, quoted in A. de Mello)

COURAGE 117
1. Let us retell the story...

2. There was a time when Khrushchev was sitting in the audience, while Stalin
was giving a speech. He kept his mouth shut at the time. The man who
reproached Khrushchev and then did not want to stand up in public just
followed in Khrushchev’s footsteps. Is that a brave attitude?
3. There was something good in all this, and what was that? (Admitting one’s
own weakness).
4. If someone admits his own lack of courage, is that a sort of courage, too?
5. Can you understand Khrushchev’s silence at the time of Stalin and the man’s
silence at the time of Khrushchev? Explain!
6. Is the one who acts in spite of being afraid, brave? Or is the one who is not
afraid and acts the brave one?
7. If both are brave, are they equally brave? Who is braver?
8. If Khrushchev were brave at the time of Stalin, would there be this true
story?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Take a big size sheet of paper and make two columns. On top of them write
„courage“ and „timidity“, respectively. Then under the headings write all the things
you think belong there. For example, brave animals and timid ones. Which musical
instrument can best express the feeling of courage? Are flowers brave? Is a mountain
timid? Which fish are brave? And birds? What about the mouse? A dear? A wasp?
Etc.. And which quality is related to fear and timidity? Darkness? Loneliness? Silence?
Some voices or noises?
Those who know of some famous and brave people, such as explorers, military
commanders, sportsmen, acrobats walking on a tight rope, deep divers into see
crevices, climbers, doctors etc., let them write their names.
Later a guessing game can be organised (Is the mouse brave...? And the lion? Etc.)
To score a point, one needs to quickly raise one’s hand. If the answer is wrong, a point
is lost. Finally, all the points are added together and the one who has the most is the
winner.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: COURAGE
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
A Laconic Reply
In ancient times Greece was not one united country, as today. Instead of one
country common to all, there were many state-cities, often at war with each other.
King Phillip Macedon, the ruler of Macedonia in the north of today’s Greece, wanted
to unite all Greek cities and subject them to his rule. For that purpose he equipped a
mighty army and started a campaign Greek cities, conquering one by one and making
them succumb to his supreme authority.
Sparta, however, opposed to this. It was located in the south of today’s Greece,
in the region known as Laconia. Sometimes Spartans were called Laconians. They
were famous for the simplicity of their lives, and their great courage. They were also
known as people who used few words which they always selected with great care;
that’s why till this day a short and concise reply is called „laconic“. (Such was the reply
of Leonidas to the Persian envoy at the time of the Persian attack on Greece).
Phillip was well aware that he had to subjugate Spartans if he wanted to keep
remaining Greek cities. That’s why he brought his army to the border of Laconia and
sent a massage to the Spartans.
The message read:
„If you do not subjugate to me now, I will conquer your land. And if I conquer it,
I’ll rob and burn all that is sacred to you. If I penetrate Laconia, I’ll burn your city to
ashes“.
COURAGE 119
A day passed, and then another one, and Phillip finally got the reply. When he
opened the letter, he found only one word in it:
„If...“
(An anecdote from Greek annali)

2. Describe Laconians! Where was Laconia located?
3. What kind of reply is a laconic reply?
4. Have you ever heard a more laconic reply than the one in the message Phillip
got?
5. Courage does not talk too much and does not boast, isn’t it so? What would
you think of someone who pours his audience’s ears with stories of his brave
achievements?
6. Are loud people as dangerous as they sound?
7. „The dog which barks does not bite...“ – can that be applied to people, as
well?
8. Let us memorise a few facts! The research show the following:
9. 40% of all our fears never come true
10. 30% of our fearful thinking is related to old decisions, which cannot be
altered;
11. 12% is related to objections and criticism, which in most cases are consequences
of other people’s envy and inferiority complex
12. 10% is related to our own health, which deteriorates because of our constant
worrying, and
13. Only 8% of our fears are well founded, and they show that life brings along
problems which we need to face, once we take off the load of unnecessary
worrying.
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Everyone tries to draw a picture of courage. Everyone makes an attempt to draw

fear. Then everyone uses pantomime in order to show the first and the second state
of mind. After this, everyone picks a sound which can represent these two states of
mind.
Virtues of Truth
When we put together colour, sound, and movements of face and body, we get a
more complete picture of courage and fear.
We are select the most successful presentation by public vote. (We name the
presentation Mr. Courage and Miss. Timidity, or something like that)
Then we are make the same selection by a secret ballot.
We want to see whether there will be any difference, namely, whether we were
honest when we raised our hand, or did we opted for something because it was the
choice of majority?
Which vote do we prefer: secret or public?
Thoroughness
THOROUGHNESS 123
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: THOROUGHNESS
Opposite: SUPERFICIALITY
Age: 6-9
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
A day is praised in the evening.

First be, then do, then tell.
(Sathya Sai Baba)
Quick one trips up many times, so the slow one catches up with him.
If left behind, a tiniest bit of fire, a debt or enemy will keep coming back;
That’s why no remains should be left behind.
(Panchatantra)
Put your trust in God, but tie your camel.

(A Persian saying)
If you take stone after stone, even a mountain will get flat.
(An Indian saying)
SILENT SITTING
Form a circle lying on the ground, with feet turned to the circle centre. First
breathe slowly, counting breaths; breath in, hold your breath, and breath out. When
breathing stabilises, close your eyes and start an inner journey. We find ourselves
on a clear patch of grass in a forest. We are sitting in a circle around a fire; we are
watching the fire burning and keeping ourselves warm. We do not talk, but simply
enjoy sitting next to the fire. The fire is making different noises: snapping, rustling,
hissing; it’s dancing and jumping in several tongues. And then it gradually calms
down, getting smaller, going dead. We are still watching. We are watching the flames
going down and going dead. Charcoal in the ash is still red, then it turns dead the
Virtues of Truth
next moment. We know that we must not leave until the last charcoal is put out, and
until everything is turned into ashes and silence.
Now the last one is gone. We can go back to the world with our eyes open.
GROUP SINGING
STORY
King Solomon and an Otter
Word has it that King Solomon was so wise that he could understand the language
of beasts. In the language of all animal world he proclaimed peace.
„I seek justice! I seek justice“! an otter started shouting. „My children were run
down by a weasel while I was out fetching them two-three crabs for breakfast. The
weasel breached the peace treaty! Let justice be done! I want the one who hurt my
children punished“!
When other animals heard this, they shouted in unison:
„Take the weasel to King Solomon’s court“!
And so it was done.
„What can you say in your defence“? the emperor asked the weasel.
„Oh, emperor, it is true what the otter is saying. But I didn’t do it in order to do
harm to her children. I heard the pecker’s war drum beat. I darted to see what was
going on, and in haste I stepped on her children“.
„Bring the pecker“, the emperor commanded.
It was done.
„What have you to tell me“? the emperor assed the pecker.
„Oh, emperor, it wasn’t the war drum beat. I banged the drum because I was
frightened, as I saw the scorpion sharpening its tail“.
Bring me the scorpion“, the emperor commanded.
It was done.
„What have you to say“? asked the emperor.
„Oh emperor, I wasn’t up to any evil-doing. I sharpened my tail for self-defence.
Because I saw the turtle withdrawing into her shell. And that is a bad omen“.
„Bring me the turtle“, the emperor ordered.
So the turtle was brought.
„Oh, emperor“, the turtle said, „my shell is hard, it is intended for defence, not for
attack. I withdrew into my shell when I saw a big crab darting to the shore with open
claws“.
THOROUGHNESS 125
„Get the crab over here“! commanded the emperor.

„So the crab was brought before the king. With tears in its eyes, the crab said:
„It is true, oh emperor, that I rushed to the shore with open claws. I did it in order
to avenge the kidnapping of my little ones. The weasel dived into my place while I was
out; she snatched my kids in order to feed hers“.
King Solomon then asked the otter:
„You are the one seeking justice, aren’t you? And you are the one who committed
a breach, aren’t you? Shall we punish you the way you asked that the weasel be
punished“?
(An Israeli fable)
1. Let us retell the entire story – in which order did the animals appear before
the court?
2. Did the animals defend themselves or did they attack others? Were they afraid
or angry?
3. What about the crab? Was it defensive or aggressive? Why were there tears in
its eyes?
4. Everybody did something to confuse or frighten the other. So a chain of fear
and misunderstanding was created. But who started it?
5. Everything that happens has a cause. When we throw a ball against the wall, it
will rebound, perhaps even hit us. When we hit our feast against a table, it will
hurt. If we put our finger in fire, we will get burned. Quote a few examples of
cause and consequence!
6. In order to break the connection of cause and consequence, i.e. the cause and
consequence chain, it is sufficient that one link does not accept and pass on
that which came to it – fear, sorrow, an unkind word, etc.. Did any of the
„links“ in the story do that?
7. If the turtle hadn’t withdrawn into its shell, would the otter’s children have
been run over?
8. If the scorpion hadn’t sharpened its tail, if the crab hadn’t darted to the shore...
would the small otters still be alive?
9. And if the otter hadn’t run over the baby weasels, would the baby crabs have
been saved?
10. Could the turtle, the scorpion, the pecker and the weasel have saved the crab’s
offspring?
Virtues of Truth
11. So, who was the source of confusion and violation of law, the cause of injustice
and the first link?
12. If King Solomon had judged superficially, and not with thoroughness, who
would have been punished – the culprit or the victim?
13. Has it ever happened to you that you got involved in an accident, and
that you did not exactly know what it was about? For example, a fight on
the playground? Or a gossip about some news which proved to be untrue?
Somebody else’s quarrel? You might not know who started it and why, but you
might get to suffer the consequences!
14. Obviously it takes time, common sense, patience and good will on our part
for things to, one by one, get untangled and clear. So it is not good to jump to
conclusions, but go thoroughly into the matter of things. Otherwise, someone
who is not to blame can come to harm! Do you know of any examples when
a decision was made too quickly and the judgement was wrong? (One man
found his dog with a blood on its muzzle, and thinking that the dog attacked
his sheep and hens, beat the dog; it turned out later that what actually
happened was that the dog was defending the hens and sheep from a wolf,
and struggling with the wolf, his muzzle started bleeding).
15. What stay in your memory most from this whole story?
16. In your opinion, is this a good moral of the story proposal: do not do to other
that which you do not want to be done onto you. Do you know who used to
say this?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Let us draw a big circle using the compasses. Make a cake: slice the circle in as
many pieces as there are „cases“ in this story. Let us see which is the first case –
which link do we start with? We start from the one which initiated the circle of fear
and misunderstanding. Which link is that? That is the moment when the otter has
snatched the crab’s children.
Which one is next? The crab is attacking. Then the turtle withdraws into its shell.
Then the scorpion sharpens its tail. Then the packer strikes the drum. Then the weasel
breaks into run and runs over the baby otters. Then the otter screams seeking justice
and punishment for the weasel.
All in all they make seven slices.
In each field we write the name of the upset animal, or a symbol which can
represent it (a claw, a drum, the scorpion’s tail, the turtle’s shell). We use an arrow to
indicate direction of the circular progress , i.e., the sequence of cause and effect.
THOROUGHNESS 127
There are two otters on top of the circle – the first otter which started the confusion-
and-fear-chain, and the second one, which suffers the consequences of its own action:
one, which snatches the crab’s children, and the other, which raises its voice seeking
justice for the death of its children.
In the centre of the circle we can draw the judge, the emperor Solomon.
We can also draw this circle together on a big size sheet of paper. It can become a
poster or a front page for the story.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Opposite: SUPERFICIALLITY
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Tree of Kimsuka
On the bank of the river Ganges, in the town of Benares, India, there lived three
brothers, three princes. They had heard that somewhere on earth there was an
unusual tree, called kimsuka. Each brother wanted to see this tree. Each brother took
confidence in the king’s coachman:
„I would like to see this kimsuka! Can you take me there?“
„Certainly“, the coachman replied. „I’ll show you kimsuka, it grows in a jungle.
First I’ll take the oldest brother.“
And the coachman set off with the eldest brother. They were driving for a long
time, when they finally reached the place where the strange tree grew. They set off on
foot into the jungle. Suddenly, the prince saw a huge leafless tree. The trunk was dark
in colour.
„Is that kimsuka?“ asked the prince in disbelief. He forgot that it was winter time,
the season when there are neither leaves nor flowers.
After some time, the coachman took another brother on a journey. He saw the
tree with branches sprinkled with young leaves.
Again, time went by. Now the third brother started on a journey. He was enchanted
seeing the tree in full bloom.
Finally, the fourth brother went to see kimsuka, too. He found the tree with its
branches heavy with the ripe fruit.
One day a traveller stopped at the court to enquire about the unusual tree. The
THOROUGHNESS 129
brothers were summoned to describe the tree to the man so that he could recognize
it.
The oldest brother said:
„Kimsuka is a tree with a dark trunk and bare branches“.
The second brother said:
„No, kimsuka is a tree with plenty of leaves“.
The third brother said:
„It is neither this, nor that. Kimsuka is a tree in full bloom, gloriously
blossoming“.
Finally, the fourth brother said that kimsuka is a tree heavy with ripe fruits.
The four brothers almost started quarrelling. Each one was trying to prove that his
description of kimsuka was the right one. The traveller said:
„How can this be – every one of you is saying something completely different.
Whose report is true“?
They decided to go to the king and try to find the cause of this confusion. When
the king heard his four sons, he smiled and said:
„All of you are right, but none is completely right. You forgot that kimsuka needs
to be seen in all of the four seasons, not only in one“.
(An Indian story)
1. Let us first retell the story as it happened...

2. What could have been learnt from this story?
3. Where did the mistake of the four princes lie? (Each of them described only
the thing he saw, without thinking about the experience of the others – they
were even ready to fight in order to prove that their own report was a true
one).
4. What do you think, do we also make mistakes like these four princes, when
we claim that some thing or an even is such an such, our judgement being
based only on our first impression and only one experience? Let us give a few
examples... Have you ever suspected or even accused a schoolmate of taking
your pencil or something else? Only to later discover that it got misplaced?
5. Can we be superficial in mathematics? Can a correct calculation be obtained
if we do not know exactly how to add or subtract, or does not know the
multiplication table?
Virtues of Truth
6. Can a doctor be superficial? What can happen if a doctor hastily examines a

patient?
7. Can an engineer be superficial? What happens if calculations for a bridge are
not carefully done, or if the foundation for a house is not dug deep enough?
8. When at school we learn a poem by heart, is it only the poem that is important
here? Or do we also learn to be thorough?
9. Later in life, will this quality of thoroughness be useful at home and work?
Whose chances to accomplish, discover, prove and do something good are
greater – of a thorough or superficial person?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Drawing four kimsuka trees.

Everyone should write underneath their drawing which prince’s eyes the kimsuka
belongs to.
As we have a tree here, we can try and draw a kimsuka which bears the signs of all
four seasons, i.e., the appearance remembered by all four brothers. How can this be
done? Let us discuss it, give each other some advice...
THOROUGHNESS 131
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
A Little More Knowledge is Asked for
There was a man who found out that there was a huge treasure buried in a far
away land. And whenever he met someone who was coming from that land, the man
would enquire whether the story about the treasure was true. However, no one he was
absolutely sure whether it was true, or just a hear-say.
Then one day, a merchant coming from that very country came by. The man offered
him his hospitality and kept the man in his house for a few days. So one evening, the
host started talking about the thing which interested him the most.
„I’ve heard“, he said „that there is enormous treasure buried in your country. Is it
true, or just an idle hear-say“?
„It’s true“, the merchant replied. „I am among the rare ones who know something
about it. But I do not know everything. And that one who doesn’t know all, cannot
win the treasure“.
„Oh, do tell me what you know“, his host started pleading. „I’m sure that you
know just as much as I need“.
„All right“, the merchant said. „Here is the story: the treasure is buried in such
and such a place, and it is guarded the men armed with naked sabres. The treasure
is intended for a foreigner who can ask the guards to give him the treasure in our
Limburgian language“.
When the man heard this, he thought:
Virtues of Truth
„This man has been sent to me in order to teach me the Limburgian“!

So he asked the merchant to stay for a few more days and teach him Limburgian.
The merchant agreed, warning him that Limburgian cannot be learned even in a year.
The man tried hard to master the language as much as he could, but there was not
enough time. The merchant suggested that he be sent a teacher. But the man, greedily
thinking of treasure, declined. He started preparing for the trip, and in order to travel
fast, he bought a horse.
He rode to the said country and after some time, he found the place where the
treasure lied buried. Indeed, the place was guarded by threatening looking men
armed with naked sabres. He took a bow and spoke a word or two in Limburgian.
The guards shrugged their shoulders, not understanding. The man was persistent in
trying to say in his clumsy Limburgian that he was the stranger who came to fetch
the treasure.
The guards got crossed and, furiously swinging their sabres, chased him away.
Seeing that his trip and effort were in vain, the man sat on the ground and started
crying. The guards looked at him, puzzled. Finally they took mercy on him, put the
sabres in their sheets and said:
„You do not speak our language well, but we will excuse you for that shortcoming.
However, the treasure will be won by someone who got himself informed about
another condition. The man who buried this treasure commanded that this treasure
will be won by a stranger who could speak our language, that’s true. But he particularly
emphasised that he must arrive on foot“.

(A paraphrase of a Sufi story)
1.
3. What does this story teach us?
4. Which shortcomings invite failure? (Impatience, greediness, happy-go-lucky
attitude, superficiality, laziness...)
5. Some quick solutions appear to be attractive, promising an over-night success.
Where have you notice such offers? (Advertisements promising mastering a
language in a month, computer skills in three days, becoming a champion of
martial arts in a blink of an eye, or learning sundry things without any effort
and in no time...) But here we should remember the saying: „No pain, no
gain“...
THOROUGHNESS 133
6. Is the aim mastering a technique, obtaining a diploma, or mastering oneself,

improving one’s character, weeding out one’s own faults, such as laziness and
superficiality?
7. Is it more important to know that the chemical formula of water is H2O, or to
share this water with others when there is shortage of it?
8. Science, research and skill are the challenges for one’s character... Explain!
(Can there be a great piano player without a lot of sacrifice?)
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Everyone draws something according to their own choice. It can also be an abstract
picture, with geometric shapes. When the drawing/picture is finished, it should be
cut into irregular pieces, so that we get a puzzle or jigsaw. Now everyone will take the
jigsaw of the person next to them, and try to put the picture together.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Example of Plinius Senior
Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) wrote a huge work „Naturalis Historia/On
Natural History“, consisting of 37 volumes. They represent a first known western
encyclopaedia.
From the Foreword, dedicated to the future emperor Titus, we find out that in his
work he used 2000 books, from which he took 20,000 data. These were supplemented
by notes and details, supported by personal experience.
This passionate data collector died as he lived: while chasing after more data,
exploring and studying reality. In the huge volcanic eruption of Vesuvius, in 79 AD,
Pliny was trying to help a friend who lived at the foot of the volcano. In this attempt,
he himself perished. But he died as a scholar: writing down his observations about
the great catastrophe.
He was found two days later. His body remained intact, petrified.
The Example of Kyrus the Great
King of Persia Kyrus was an exemplary statesman and conqueror. He lived in 6th c.
BC. There are many stories portraying him as a man who wanted to have a thorough
knowledge about everything. So rumour has it that he knew every one of his soldiers
by name, and his army counted four thousand men.
THOROUGHNESS 135
The Grand Vizier Saheb
In 10 c. AD, there was a grand vizier by the name of Saheb, living in Persia
(today’s Iran). He was a great lover of books and knowledge and he built up a library
comprising of 117,000 books. He liked his books so much that he didn’t want to part
with them even on his numerous journeys.
Most often he travelled as a statesmen and a warrior. On such occasions he took
along exactly 400 camels which carried his treasure. The animals were lined in
alphabetical order, and they were accompanied with numerous librarians who, for
such occasions, were transformed into camel drivers. That was a mobile library which
had never been seen before or after.
When on his way Saheb wanted to read any of his numerous books, the camel
drivers would quickly find them, thanks to the skilfully lined animals. The vizier was
always ready and willing to lend his books to others, and was very friendly with other
passionate readers, often indulging in long discussions about the read. Because of
that trait, he was named Saheb, which means „comrade“. His real name was Abdul
Kasem Ismael.
The Example of Thomas Alva Edison
A great inventor, Thomas Alva Edison, was tireless in his research. He tested about
6,000 kinds of material - one of which was bamboo fibre – in order to find the most
durable fibre for the electric bulb. Finally, in 1879, he succeeded with cotton fibre –
the bulb he made stayed on 40 hours.
His definition of a genius was: „A genius is 1% of inspiration and 99%
perspiration“.
1. Let us retell why we remember Pliny, Kyrus and Edison...

2. What characteristics are required to make a research successful? Also, in
general, for any kind of work, leadership, enterprise?
3. What it is that stands in the way for our work to be successful?
4. What do you think, which areas especially demand thoroughness, patience,
constant checking? (Medicine, botany, biology, physics, chemistry...)
5. And what about archaeology? Or the tailor’s job? Or the shoemaker’s job?
6. What could man learn from an animal such as beaver? Or from birds building
their nest? Or from bees and ants?
Virtues of Truth
7. Name any examples of thoroughness which you can think of?

8. In your opinion, why that quality was named „thoroughness“? What other
word first comes to mind when we say it? („Through“, completely. Actually,
the word thoroughness derives from the word through.
9. Is thoroughness closely related to persistence and perseverance? What is the
difference between these two notions?
10. Can we be thorough without being persistent, determined, reliable,
responsible?
11. What do you think, what is the difference between a lover of books and knower
of books, i.e. a learned person?
12. What do you think, is Saheb’s love for books and his bookish knowledge
greater or lesser that love and knowledge needed for actually writing a book?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Take cardboard or plastic to cut out feathers for making a fan. The feathers
should be of equal shape and size. Decorate each feather in a unique way. When
it is decorated with a matching colour and pattern, inscribe in it a quality which
accompanies thoroughness. Make as many feathers as, according to you, there are
„chaperons“. When all feathers are ready, we fix them together at the narrow end, so
that our fan can open and close. Then we attach this joint end to a handle.
The handle represents thoroughness. Without the handle, the feathers are useless
for the purpose of cooling, i.e., without thoroughness these qualities are not put
together and directed toward the goal. Furthermore, without feathers, the handle
does not make sense. Without other virtues, thoroughness does not reach the goal.
We draw order of importance: a book keeper (librarian), a booklover (reader), a
book writer. All three are connected. What would a writer of the book do without a
booklover? And what a booklover would do without someone to take care of books,
keep them in an ordered manner?
Gradual Progress,
Perseverance, Effort
GRADUAL PROGRESS, 139
PERSEVERANCE, EFFORT
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: GRADUAL PROGESS, PERSEVERENCE, EFFORT
Obstacle: HASTINESS, TACTLESSNESS, NEGLIGENCE
Age: 6-9
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
Quick grinder wears quickly.

The slow and persistent win the race.

(Aesop)
It is said of a hasty man that his harness is quicker than his horse.
Do not carry the burden of a year in one day.

(An Arabian saying)
First clean the strop, then sweep the floor.

(African saying)
What unexpectedly flies in, unexpectedly flies away, too.

Think through, then say.

The one who goes step by step comes a long way.

The smart one moves slowly and arrives quickly.

The one who makes decisions quickly, repents quickly, too.

Virtues of Truth
Grain by grain - bread, stone by stone - palace, drop by drop - the Moracha (The
river in Montenegro)
(A Montenegrin saying)
Where there is effort, God helps, too.

There is no knowledge without effort.

The one who does not get smoked by the fire, doesn’t get warm either.
There are two passwords written on the door of success: “pull” and “push”.
(A Jewish saying)
A genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration”.

(Thomas A. Edison)
SILENT SITTING
There is an hourglass on the table. We sit around the table, and quietly watch
the sand slowly move down in the hourglass. Then we close our eyes and turn the
hourglass up side down in our imagination, and again, now internally, watch the sand
slowly fall down.
Or:
We show a picture of a bee.
The bee stands for hardworkingness and tireless effort.
Besides, the bee is a producer of the world’s sweetest thing: honey.
The bee has 5 eyes and 5,000 nostrils! Its wings go up and down 11,400 times per
minute. In order to collect half a kilo of honey, it has to fly a distance of 50,000 miles
– it means double the distance around the earth!
Its stinger is moved by 22 muscles. The bee can sting only once. As for the queen
bee, her life is 50 times longer than that of a worker.
We focus on a picture of a bee. We close our eyes trying to see its tiny wings
flapping: they seem immovable, transparent, they do not move but they do vibrate.
We are listening to the soft buzz of that vibrating. There are secrets of creation, effort
and success in it.
That’s the bee, an insect which stands for hard work and flies two times
around the earth before it can gather half a kilo of honey.
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Turtle and the Rabbit
There once was a rabbit who was so proud of being quick, that he boasted in
front of everyone of his speedy legs. He mocked others on account of their slowness,
especially the turtle.
“What a weird creature you are”, said the rabbit arrogantly to the turtle. “Look at
you, you hardly move – as if you are crawling. You almost do not need to put in any
effort in crawling”.
One day the turtle got fed up with his mocking her.
“I go slowly, but certainly”, she said to the rabbit. “I am convinced that, if we raced
each other, I would emerge as a winner, even if you were as speedy as you boast”.
“That’s ridiculous”! the rabbit shouted. “I’m as fast as the wind! How dare you
challenge me to race you, you who simply creep”?
In a trice all the animals gathered around the two, to hear what they argued about.
Now the turtle could not go back on her challenge anymore.
“There is only way to settle this matter”, the rabbit declared. “There must be a
race”.
Having said that, he roared with laughter.
“Enough”! the turtle cried out. “Let’s try each other’s speed”!
Other animals decided where the race was to be held and when. The path extended
from the hill top to the foot of a huge oak tree in the valley. The fox was selected to act
as a referee. The fox yelped harshly, and it was a sign to start the race.
The rabbit darted down the hill with its long legs, and soon vanished from the
turtle’s eyesight. And the turtle waddled slowly in its usual pace.
A little bit later, the rabbit decided to wait for the turtle.
“No need to hurry”, he thought. “I’ll win the race even if I just walk briskly. I think
I could have a nap now, until the turtle reaches here”.
The rabbit lowered his body in soft grass and fell fast asleep. The turtle crawled
and waddled down the hill, inch by inch. It didn’t look left or right, and it didn’t pause
for a break.
A little bit later, the rabbit opened his eyes. It was getting dark. He turned back to
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see where the turtle was.

“It’s even slower than I thought”, he declared.
Thus, thinking all the while that he had enough time on his hands, he walked
slowly to the said oak-tree. And how surprised he was when he saw the turtle sitting
under the tree! He arrived to the finish before him! The turtle already received
compliments, as it was officially declared the winner of the race by the fox.
“It’s a fraud”! the rabbit screamed. “What kind of a winner is she”?!
The turtle told him:
“I may be much slower than you, but I never and nowhere stop. I go inch by inch.
You slept all the long, while I waddled, slowly, but surely”!
(An Aesop’s fable)

2. Why do you think the turtle emerged a winner over the rabbit? What was the
secret of its success?
3. Does it mean that a race is not always won by the fastest?
4. Which of the sayings do you think matches this story?
5. Before the race started it seemed ridiculous to bet on the turtle. But now the
race is finished, it does not seem as pointless to put your bet on a slow, but safe
and reliable racer?
6. Among you, who is a turtle-child and who is a rabbit-child?
7. Some of you are able to learn a poem by heart very quickly, and some need
more time. Yet, what do you think, who remembers what has been learned
longer – the “fast” or the “slow” pupil?
8. What do you think, did the rabbit keep boasting after this event? How must
have he felt when he lost the race to the slowest creature on earth?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Let us organise the race between the turtle and the rabbit. A child-turtle moves
slowly crawling, but does not stop. A child-rabbit runs here and there, hopping, and
finally sits for a nap. The rest are viewers, clapping and cheering or booing.
Later the turtle and the rabbit tell the story about how they felt in the beginning,
and how at the end of the race.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-9
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Worm and Cherries
It was bitterly cold January that year. Springs got frozen, everybody sought refuge
in holes and crevices, in trunks and tree bark. The nature was sleeping its winter
sleep, waiting for the sun shine to knock on their door.
However, a worm under the cherry tree bark thought that he heard the sun’s finger
tips knocking. He thought he saw red, juicy cherries in the treetop. It woke up and
peeped out looking at the winder world: there was whiteness, stiffness and coldness
everywhere. But the worm could not go to sleep anymore. He wriggled out from
under the tree bark and started crawling upwards, along the frozen bark of the cherry
tree.
The noise he made woke up a little wasp. She too was having a winter sleep under
the tree bark. When she heard noises on the bark, she woke up and thought:
“What’s this? Who’s knocking? Could the spring have arrived already”?
The little wasp peeped out and saw the bitter cold.
“Alas”! she said, seeing the warm. “Wherever are you going in this freezing
weather”?
“I’ve dreamt of the sun and cherries”, the little warm said, trembling in cold. “Red,
juicy cherries. There – so I started up toward them”.
“You silly boy”! the little wasp said pitying him. “Don’t you know that it’s January
now, and that up there are no cherries, let alone red and juicy ones? They will arrive
in the spring, and now it’s the middle of the winter. It means that we have to sleep a
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long time until then. It means – up there are no cherries”.

“So be it”, the little warm said. “When I reach the top, so will the cherries”-
(Origin unknown)

2. What do you think, will the worm find its cherries?
3. It did not give in to what others said, which means that it was… (determined,
self-confident, courageous, persistent, ready to endure difficulties and
suffering).
4. What gave it the strength? What overpowered the threat of coldness? (The
worm’s dream of cherries and the sun, and its faith that it will reach them).
5. Who reaches the goal – the one who is afraid, lazy and does not put in his
effort, or the one who is fearless and tries his best?
6. What did the warm have in mind when he said to the little wasp, “When I
arrive, so will they”? (Perhaps: never mind, I am coming slowly, just as the
spring? Or did he want to say: my effort will pay in the end?)
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Draw the worm, the small wasp, the cherries…

If there is a garden, a park or a meadow nearby, go for a walk, looking for the
heroes in our story.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-9
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Little Jackdaw
One day a woodcutter saw a she-hawk in the woods. She brought a piece of meet
to the nest where there was a baby jackdaw; she tore the meat into pieces and started
feeding the little bird.
The woodcutter stood in surprise: how come the she-hawk is feeding the
jackdaw?
Then he concluded:
“God does not forget even a new-born jackdaw. He taught the she-hawk how
to feed another bird’s orphan. Obviously, God feeds all his creatures, and we are
thinking only of ourselves. I will stop looking after myself. I won’t look for food or
drink anymore, neither would I cut wood. God does not let down any living creature,
so he wouldn’t let me down, either…
And so he did. He found a small patch of grass in the woods and sat down, looking
at the sky. For three days he stayed like that. On the fourth day he felt exhausted and
incapable of getting up. Weakness made him fall asleep. In his dream, he saw an angel
who told him:
“Why don’t you provide food for yourself? You think that you will please God by
giving up work, but you are wrong. This world is made so that everyone gets what
they need. The she-hawk was ordered by God to look after the baby jackdaw, because
her mother-jackdaw fell pray to a hunter’s net. You are able to look after yourself. You
are testing God, and it’s a sin”.
The man woke up, got up, and started searching for food.
Virtues of Truth

2. Where did lie the woodcutter’s mistake? (He compared himself to a little
helpless jackdaw).
3. Could the little bird in the nest provide food for itself?
4. What it would look like, if everybody sat around doing nothing, expecting
God to protect them and provide their food?
5. Which saying is the best match for this story?
6. Has God given us hands to keep them crossed and legs not to walk? Has God
allowed any being not to work? What is the point of wings, fins, paws, horns,
beaks and teeth? Have you seen a beehive from inside – was it given to bees
or have they built it on their own? Have you seen a cobweb – who weaves
the thread and spins the web, is it anybody else but the spider itself? Have
you seen a bird’s nest? The mouse’s hole? A big termite mole? A dam on the
river, build by the beaver? Do you know how a silkworm spins the cocoon, by
spinning the silk thread around itself?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
A big tree fell down and blocked the traffic in the street. A few children are on
their way to school. How can they manage to get through? One of them wants to go
back. One sits down waiting for something to happen – perhaps a truck to come and
tow it away. One starts crying because they will be late for school.
But one child takes action. He starts asking the passers-by to help him move the
tree. At first all reply that they are in hurry, and advise them to be patient, that the
police and other workers will come. But some of the passers-by respond.
When the other pupils see this, they joined in and help. Soon the tree is removed
and the passage is free.
What is the best choice? To go back, to sit and wait, to become sad, or to try and
do something?
Have the children pantomime the episode.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Wise Servant
A landlord hired a new servant. Not knowing what the servant would turn out
to be like, the landlord decide to hire him for one year only. But the servant, after
thinking the offer through, concluded that it wouldn’t mean a good bargain for him.
“Hire me for ten years. I will work for ten years as long as I am in good health”,
the servant said.
“And how do you want me to pay you?” asked the landlord.
Again the servant thought for a while. Then he said:
“In the first year, give me just as much rye seed as it can fit in a smoking pipe. And
every year give me as much land as it is needed to sow all the rye” .
“You got yourself a deal”, said the landlord.
So at the end of the first year the servant was paid by one smoking pipe of rye seed.
He sowed the seed in the corner of a cabbage lane. Soon the rye shot up and grew in
full, and in due time the servant reaped a full measuring cup of grain. Then he sowed
that seed on a few square meters of soil. The next year he needed one whole acre to
sow his seeds.
The landlord was watching all this, shaking his head in wonder and nodding it in
approval. As he was already an old man and childless, he did not regret loosing this
acre of land.
However, year after year the same story repeated itself, until the servant owned the
whole of the landlord’s property. Soon the land, lush with growing rye, was too small
to contain all of his seed which was growing in quantity year by year.
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“The one who walks slowly, arrives first”, said the old man.
And he did not have any regrets.
(An Estonian tale)

2. Would the servant have got more if he had asked for full wages right away?
3. What was the cause of his success which helped him obtain the whole farm?
4. The servant was not only able to wait, he was also able to …? (Think through,
weigh up things).
5. Which subject in school takes most thinking, time, practice?
6. Which saying would you suggest as a title for this story?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Choose one of the previous games.

Value: TRUTH
Virtue: GRADUAL PROGRESS, PERSEVERENCE, EFFORT
Opposite: HASTINESS, TACTLESSNESS, NEGLIGENCE
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Milch Cow
There was a peasant who had a cow. Every day the cow would give one pan of
milk. That was just enough for the peasant and his family.
One day, they had visitors coming. The peasant asked his wife:
„What shall we do- here there are four of them coming, and we have but a
pan of milk in the house?“
„Let’s think“, his wife said.
The peasant started thinking deeply. Then, suddenly, he slapped his brow
with his hand and said:
„I know! We are not going to milk our cow for a few days so that we can
save some milk. We will milk it on the day our guests arrive, so we will have enough
milk!“
„How clever of you“! the women said in admiration.
On the day of his guest’s arrival, the peasant went to the stable to milk the
cow and get, as he planned, at least a few pans of milk. But the cow’s milk dried up as
she had not been milked for days.
The peasant managed to milk just half a pan.
(Aesop’s fable, abridged by V. K.)
Virtues of Truth

2. What should we conclude from this episode? Can the natural order be
changed?
3. Can we eat and drink for ten days in advance? (An exception to the rule are
camels, which is in accordance with the place they live in, the desert). Can we
sleep more in advance?
4. Some things can be had only if used with moderation and constantly... Name
some of such things! (Studying, mastering the subjects learned at school, for
example).
5. Is it possible to learn half a term curriculum in just a few last days? Can an
illness be cured if we swallow all the prescribed medicines at once, instead of
taking them on a daily basis, as prescribed? Is it possible to attain top results
in sports without constant exercise and training? Can a foreign language be
learned by an instant method, in just a few days? Can ... You name it!
6. We have seen the state of affairs in the human body and in society. Let us see
what things are like in Nature? What happens when forests are cut without
restraint, and whole areas are stripped of woods? (Loss of rain, oxygen,
health... Departure of animals, insects and birds... ) Give some examples
of unrestrained, hasty exploitation of natural resources, such as oil etc..
(Ecology is a good topic for gradual progress and unrestrained behaviour).
Another example are young calves, whose growth is forcibly sped up by use
of hormones.
7. The cow’s udder is a small factory for producing milk. If the machinery is
stopped for a while, then the machines inside get rusty and stuck. What do you
think, is the human head also a small machinery for thinking, memorizing,
knowing?
8. If every day instead of our head we activate our feet, what might happen?
(This question can be asked in reverse).
9. Have you ever watched a tightrope walker? What is balance?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Let us play a game of cooperation.

Go in twos, holding a balloon in between your heads. The goal is to go round the
room three times, by making careful and small steps. On the way, the participants
have to harmonise their movements, trying to keep their balance. Later the same task
can be attempted walking briskly and moving quickly.
Which way is more fruitful?
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Third Floor
There was a man who was very rich, but he lacked common sense. He never
thought beforehand and acted always on the spur of the moment; he never thought
things through, but always wanted to act immediately and snatch something that had
caught his eye as soon as possible.
Not far away from him lived a man whose disposition was completely opposite.
He was slowly and patiently building his house. First his house was a ground-floor
building, then, gradually, he managed to build another story, and then another one.
After some time, this man continued building his house- he added another level,
the third floor. The third floor distinguished itself by beautiful stone ornaments and
specious balconies.
One day, while passing by the three-story building, the rich and rash man felt a
desire to build something similar right away. So he summoned excellent masons and
builders, and told them:
„I want the same three-story building as the one over there. I want the same
ornaments, the same balconies and windows“!
„All right“, said the masons and builders, and put themselves to work.
They first excavated foundation pit, and then, laying brick after brick, they erected
the ground floor. The rich man came by, and rather disappointed, shouted at the
builders:
„Listen, this is not what we’ve agreed upon!“

„And what is?“, said the excellent builders.
„I’ve said I wanted a three-story building with the same ornaments and balconies
as those at my neighbour’s ! But I didn’t say that I wanted the first and the second
floor“!
They stared at him in disbelief.
„But Sir, how can a third-floor be built without the first and the second one?“
„Do not get smart with me! I hired you to listen to me, and not to yourself! I pay
you to adhere to my instructions“! shouted the rich man. „Tear down the first floor,
and immediately put up the third one“!
(A Chinese tale, abbreviated by V.K.)

2. Let us make an attempt to put questions to each other – what is this story
about, what is its message and moral, who does this rash man remind us of,
etc.?
3. Which human fault is ridiculed in this story?
4. At what point in your life are you expected to act as the neighbour, who
gradually built his house?
5. Have you ever resembled the main character in this story? Let us hear what
was it like!
6. Find a saying that is a perfect match for this story!
7. When you laugh at someone, make them look ridiculous, will that have greater
effect on them than if you just reproach them?
8. What do you think, why balconies can not be built on the ground floor?
9. Can the top of the staircase be reached by skipping steps? Can we climb up by
jumping on the third or the fourth step? Let us try!
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Make two houses using building blocks: make a three-story building step-by-step,
and an „instant- house“ without the first and the second floor.
Measure the exact time needed to build them.
Which house takes longer to build?
And which house is a true three-story building, with balconies that make sense,
offering a view of the countryside?
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
An Equal Share of Inheritance
There was a merchant who had two sons. The older one was his favourite, and his
intention was to leave everything to this son. Their mother felt sorry for the younger
son, so she asked her husband to keep quiet for a while about how he was going to
share his property. The merchant obeyed his wife and kept quiet about his decision.
One day, the mother was sitting by the window, crying. A stranger came by, and
seeing her crying, asked her what was the reason for it.
„How can I not cry“, she said. „I love both my sons equally, and their father wants
to leave everything just to one of them, to the older son. I asked my husband not to
talk about his decision, until I find some solution how to help the younger son. But I
do not have any money, and I do not know how to right this wrong“.
Then the stranger told her:
„You can easily get rid of your problem. Go and tell your sons that the older one
will inherit everything and the younger nothing, and both will get an equal share“.
When the younger son learned that he would not inherit any of his father’s riches,
he went abroad, where he learned a craft and other useful things. The older son
stayed in his father’s house and learned nothing, knowing that his father’s riches were
secured for him.
When the father died, the older son, not having learned any craft or trade, spent
all his money and lost all his property, whereas abroad the younger son learned how
to get rich, and so he did.
(Quoted in Tolstoy)

2. What is more valuable: the riches earned or the riches inherited?
3. Do you know what the famous American president Lincoln wrote to his son’s
teacher? („Teach him that one dollar earned is worth five found“).
4. Poverty can often stimulate one to make an effort, to earn his living. Riches
often encourage laziness and negligence. Do you know of anyone who
started modestly and achieved a lot? The emperor Diocletianus was a former
slave; Joseph, also a slave, became the pharaoh’s right hand; vizier Mehmed
Sokolović, the mason of the bridge over the river Drina was a slave; Tesla,
descended from a poor family and attained supreme achievements in science;
the same was true of Edison, Shakespeare, Beethoven...)
5. The father from the story did not act justly in the least when he did not leave
anything to his younger son. But injustice is often a blessing in disguise. Did
the younger son put the injustice to good use to get independent?
6. Did he find the treasure in the chest or within himself? And what treasure
was it?
7. Did the effort and work turn out to be better asset then the inherited
property?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
All are trying to solve the riddle: when is the lazybones quick?
Possible answers: When it’s time to eat. When he falls asleep. When he watches
TV. When sitting in a pub. When driving a car. When he yawns. When staring out
the window. When babbling. When lying in the sun. When lying in the bathtub.
When...
After this, everybody takes one of the lazy bone’s „whens“ and present it using
pantomime, while everybody else is trying to guess which „quickness“ it refers to.
Then, another question: when does a hardworking person get rest? In sleep. When
he is sick. When listening to the music, reading a book or watching a film.
One more question: what colour is laziness? What is the colour of hardworkingness?
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Why? What is the sound of laziness? And what is the sound of hardworkingness?
Why? How does laziness smell like? Is hardworkingness soft or hard? What about
laziness?
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Fisherman’s Catch
There was a fisherman who one day rowed his boat to the high seas, and cast his
net. When after a while he checked his net, there was nothing inside. Neither a brick
nor fish got caught. He cast the net again. When he pulled it out a little later, it was
still empty.
„No luck today“, he thought.
And all day long he was fishing like that, with no results.
„As if there were no fish in the sea“, he spoke to himself. „What should I do – give
up?“
And he cast his fishing net again. And again-nothing.
„I’m not giving up, I may catch something before dark“.
When in the evening he rowed his boat to the coast, his boat was as empty as that
morning, before he started fishing. The fisherman tied his boat to a pole, sat on the
beach and sank into thoughts. He was thinking why his all-day effort didn’t bear any
fruit.
„I am a looser, there’s no doubt about that“, he concluded. „Still, the day is not
over yet“.
And he dropped his hook into the sea to have at least one fish for dinner. The hook
stood still.
And while he was sitting like that, a big fish, chased by an even bigger one, jumped
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into his boat. The fish was so big that the boat started swaying. Stupefied, the fisherman
stood watching the big fish wriggle. It was as big as his best catch of small fish.
(A paraphrase of an Aesop’s fable, abbreviated by V.K.)

2. What does this story teach us? (That we should not get discouraged or give
up).
3. The art of waiting is a very important art. Which ones reach their goal faster
– patient persons or inpatient ones?
4. Which human virtues earned the happy ending to this story? (Patience,
perseverance).
5. His hope in happy ending was the reason for the fisherman’s waiting and not
giving-up. Was that hope justified? Is it grounded in reality?
6. Would it be worthwhile waiting for something which is completely unrealistic
– to wait, for example, for a mermaid to appear? Could such an expectation be
considered desirable and purposeful?
7. Which saying could go hand-in-hand with this story?
8. When was the last time that you were impatient? A minute ago? Yesterday?
9. When was the last time that you were patient?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
A game of cooperation and gradual progress. (See previous chapters)

Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Some Incredible Examples
Gustave Flaubert, a famous French writer and one of the world best stylists (1821-
1880), had difficulty learning to read when he was a child. His parents and teachers
thought that he was mentally retarded.
Albert Einstein did not speak a word until he was four years old, and he learned to
read not until he was seven. He also turned out to be a poor pupil at school. His teachers
thought that he would never become even an average student. His characteristics read:
„mentally slow, unsociable, always immersed in silly daydreaming“. He was thrown
out of school, and turned down by the polytechnic in Zurich. In this he resembled
his great predecessor, Sir Isaac Newton, who was also a bad pupil in his primary
education.
Ludwig van Beethoven was characterized as „a child with no musical talent

whatsoever, clumsy in his handling the violin“. He preferred playing his own
compositions to practicing the tasks set before him.
The same happened to the famous singer Enrico Caruso. His parents insisted
that he should become an engineer, as his teacher of music claimed that Enrico had
neither voice nor a good ear.
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Thomas Alva Edison was proclaimed retarded while in primary school. Truly,
his teachers claimed that he was not capable of following what was going on in the
class.
The famous researcher and doctor, Louis Pasteur, turned out to be a mediocre
student, and on the list of students excellent in chemistry he was listed fifteenth out
of twenty-two.
One of the world’s most famous sculptors, the Frenchman Auguste Rodin, had
been described as the worst pupil of his school. He made three attempts to enter an
art school His uncle considered him incapable of receiving any education, and his
father declared: „My son is an idiot“.
Henry Ford, a famous inventor and manufacturer, failed five times before he finally
succeeded.
Abraham Lincoln passed through all sorts of failures intersecting his life path –
business failures, family failures, failures in candidacy for the Senate and the White
House, until finally, in 1860, he was elected President of the United States.
Winston Churchill is a good example of a man who was repeating the same things
over and over again, and after a series of failures and defeats became a prime minister
of England when he was sixty-two years old. His most famous message during the
World War II was: „Never, ever, ever give up“!
Wilma Rudolph, who was named a „black gazelle“, a multiple Olympic champion
runner, had been a child with severely impaired motor function because of infantile
paralyses (polio) she had been afflicted by.
What do all these biographies point to?

We should not jump to conclusions, no matter what appearances are telling us.
We should not stop in front of an obstacle.
Let us recall that some of the most famous and most successful people had been
misjudged!
So:
Is always everything the way it appears to be at first sight?
What is necessary in order to have a deeper insight into something or someone?
To learn that which is hidden?

What do you think, how many Einsteins and Edisons might have been frustrated
by their teachers’ words? How many Beethovens have been discouraged? What can
we recommend for that purpose?
What does it take to succeeded beyond all expectations? To achieve a result that
no one has expected at first?
We compose our own Declaration of Undiscovered Genii Rights.

Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Bishop Cumberland
There was a bishop by the name of Richard Cumberland, who lived in England
in 17th and 18th centuries. When he was 85, he learned a completely new language:
Coptic.
It was in the year 1716, when the bishop was handed the first copy of the New
Testimony translated into the Coptic language by the printer; this language represented
remains of the ancient Egyptian. Coptic was spoken in Egypt. The translation of the
New Testimony into Coptic was done by a certain David Wilkins. Bishop had an
enormous desire to read the New Testimony in that ancient language. In order to
equip himself for the task, he got down to studying Coptic.,
In a year’s time, he mastered this language so well, that he was able to read the
New Testimony in Coptic, the language known by almost no one in Europe of that
time.
Thomas Alva Edison
Edison descended from a poor family. As a little boy, he worked at a railway station
in Ohio. His supervisor got so angry with him one day, that he pulled him by the
ear with all his strength. That callous act caused the boy’s partial deafness. However,
Edison claimed that this deafness helped him focus on his work, and not to hear silly
gossip. When he was pursuing some of his ideas, he would forget about food, family,
friends – he was able to work with uninterrupted focus for 72 hours. Such a work
and effort bore fruit of 1,100 inventions, many of which are most important for the
modern age.
Today there are eight well-known American scholars who are working on the
unpublished works of the great inventor. It is estimated that these works are written
on three and a half million pages!
1. How long did it take for Bishop Cumberland to master a completely unknown
language – Coptic?
2. Did his age present a learning obstacle?
3. Except for his hardworkingness and effort, what else contributed to his
success?
4. His 1,100 inventions Thomas Edison ascribed the most to his hard work and
the least to his inspiration. What proportion did he set between effort and
inspiration?
5. How many hours was Edison capable of working without taking a break for
taking food, having rest, or seeing his friends and family?
6. What sayings illustrate Edison’s case the best? And how about the case of the
bishop?
The bee, again...!

The bee has 5 eyes and 5000 nostrils!
Bees stand for hardworkingness and tireless effort. Their wings go up and down
11,400 times per minute. In order to collect half a kilo of honey, they have to fly a
distance of 50,000 miles – it means double the distance around the earth!
Her stinger is moved by 22 muscles. The bee can sting only once. As for the queen
bee, her life is 50 times longer than that of a worker bee.
The bee is completely independent from man. It is literally a walkie-talkie. It
can “talk” and send messages to other bees by means of vibration and complicated
geometrical movements; some named these movements the bee’s dance. It is a
supreme role-model for living in a community, self-sacrifice and hardworkingness.
Hexagonal beehive cells are geometrically so perfect, that the famous French
physicist Reamer declared that they could be taken as an ideal units of measure,
superior in their exactness to any anything else.
Virtues of Truth
These are bees, the symbol of hard work, insects of the sun, which fly two times
around the earth, before they can collect half a kilo of honey!
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Walk in pairs, carrying a balloon in between your heads. Make a contest: which
pair can carry the balloon the longest, walking around the room or backyard? In
order not to drop the balloon, the movements have to be harmonized. It is necessary
to be careful not to make a sudden or a too big step and that a movement of your head
or shoulder does not upset the position of the balloon.
This cooperation calls for focus, carefully performed movements, mutual
monitoring of progress, control of movements, balance of observation and movement.
All of this put together represent the necessary effort to achieve success.
Truthfulness, honesty
TRUTHFULNESS, 167
HONESTY
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: TRUTHFULNESS, HONESTY
Opposite: DISHONESTY, LIE
Age: 6-9
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
It is better to have an honest enemy than a dishonest friend.

(An English saying)
Oh God, protect me from false friends,

And I can protect myself from my enemies.
(Che Guevara)
Who speaks the truth, praises the Lord.

A liar is distrusted even when saying the truth.

My soul is my treasure, I cannot say what I do not know.

(A folk saying)
If you tell the truth and are thrown in a dungeon,
It is still better than if you are realised by telling a lie.
(Sheik Sadi of Shiraz)
An honest man needs to buy a good horse

In order to flee away as soon as he has told the truth.
(Walter Lipmann)
It is better to suffer because of truth than to be rewarded for a lie.

(Leonardo Da Vinci)
The truth is, there’s no need to invent it. Only a lie needs to be invented.
(Robert Koch)
Be truthful to yourself in order not to be dishonest with others.

(Francis Bacon)
Virtues of Truth
SILENT SITTING

Sit around a burning candle. Watch the flame for a minute or two. Then close your
eyes and „watch“ the flame behind your own forehead. It’s a small flame, shedding
light on our head from inside. Nothing is hidden or dark. Our head is burning like
a lamp. The flame is „walking around“ – illumining from inside your eyes, ears and
mouth. Everything is alit. It then descends down our throat and into our heart. When
the flame reaches the heart, the heart opens up like a rose bud. Now all of our chest
is alit. Then the flame comes to our hands, first to the right one, then to the left one.
Our fingers are shining like little bulbs. The same happens with our legs. We are now
shining from inside and creating warmth. The flame is going back to our heart, the
heart closes its petals and remains calm.
Slowly we open our eyes. We watch the candle. Now we know that there is a candle
in our hearts, too, visible only to us.
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Boy Who Called for Help
There was a boy who was a shepherd; whenever she was looking after his sheep,
the time seemed to crawl. One day, in order to have some fun and cut long hours
short, he started shouting „here comes the wolf “, and when men from the village
arrived running with bats in their hands, he laughed enjoying his crude joke.
People scolded him, but the boy liked the game, and could not resist repeating it.
So there was another day when he started screaming for help:
„Help, help, here comes the wolf!“
And one more time people came running, hardly catching their breath. When
they saw that the boy tricked them again, they threatened him with beating, if it was
repeated. For a while the boy resisted raising the alarm. However, after a while he one
day again cried out :
„Here comes the wolf! Here comes the wolf “!
The peasants came running, and when they saw that it was a false alarm again,
they gave the boy a good beating, and then left. For a while the boy gave up crude
jokes.
Then again he screamed at the top of his lungs:
TRUTHFULNESS, 169
HONESTY
„Here come a wolf, help me, help me“!

The difference was that this time there was really a wolf among the sheep. The boy
was screaming and yelling, but in vain. The peasants heard him, but did not believe
him. Later, when they arrived, they found a reduced flock and the boy frightened to
death.
(Aesop’s fable)
1. Which of the given saying suits this story the best?

2. What happens when you often tell lies and trick other people? What are the
consequences?
3. Do you have a friend for which you are sure to always tell the truth?
4. What do you think, why someone does not tell the truth? (When they want to
appear better than they are, when they want to boast, when they want to hide
something bad, when they want to escape responsibility and punishment,
when they want to make fun of someone, when they want to have fun at the
expense of the naive ones...)
5. Do you believe others when you are told something fantastic and
sensational?
6. Have you ever done that?
7. What the children who are truthful and honest are like? How do they behave,
are they kind, are they good friends, are they ready to help, are they good-
natured?
8. What is it like when you are caught lying? What is more embarrassing than
that?
9. The flame which has been radiating from within, giving us warmth – is it a
flame of truth?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
We draw a flame of truth within us. We put it where we see it – in our head, our
heart, our throat or our hands.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-9
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Peasant and the Water-Fairy
A peasant dropped his axe in the river. Feeling helpless at this great loss, he sat
down on the bank and started crying. A water- fairy took pity on the old man when
he heard him cry, so he picked out of water a golden axe and asked him:
„Is this your axe, old man“?
„No, it isn’t“, said the peasant.
Then the water-fairy surfaced with another axe, this time a silver one.
„Is this, perhaps, your axe“?
„No, it’s not that one, either“, the old man said.
Then the water-fairy brought his axe.
The peasant jumped with joy, saying:
„Yes, that’s my axe“!
Then the water-fairy gave all the three axes to the old man as a present, because
he was telling the truth.
When he returned home, the peasant showed his axes to his neighbours, and told
them what had happened to him. Then one of the neighbours decided to do the same:
he went down to the river, threw his axe into the water, sat on the shore and started
crying for help.
The water-fairy brought the gold axe to him and asked him:
„Is this axe yours“?
TRUTHFULNESS, 171
HONESTY
The peasant cried happily: „That’s mine“!

The water-fairy did not give him the gold axe, neither did he return him his own,
because he was not telling the truth.
(A Japanese story)

2. Why do people tell lies?
3. If not anybody ever finds out about your lie, somebody does know about it...
Who is that? (You).
4. And if even you yourself forget that you told a lie about something, there
is still someone who has not forgotten... Who is that? (The depth of your
conscience, God)
5. What is conscience? (It speaks in a low voice and won’t keep quiet, even if we
pretend to be deaf). Have you ever experienced something like that, have you
done something that the little voice did not like?
6. How did you feel then?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
A pantomime: „Two peasants, three axes and the water-fairy“

Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
A Lion, a Wolf and a Fox
One day a lion, a wolf and a fox went hunting together. Soon they caught their
prey: a donkey, a gazelle and a rabbit.
Now the fox asked the wolf:
„How shall we share the prey, my friend wolf “?
„There’s no need to dismember the animals“, the wolf said. „We could do it like
this: you lion, take the donkey, let the fox have the rabbit, and as for me, I’d be content
with the gazelle“.
The lion gave out a horrid howl. He killed the wolf on the spot with just one thud/
kick of his paw in response to his advice. Then he turned to the fox, asking her the
same question:
„And what’s your advice, how to share the prey, dear friend“?
„My lord“, the fox said, taking a deep bow, „things are very simple. Take the donkey
for lunch, the gazelle for dinner, and the rabbit can be sufficient to you for a snack“.
„Very good“, the lion said, pleased that all the prey went to him.
„Tell me, who has taught you to speak so wisely and justly“?
„I was taught by the wolf “, a sly answer was provided.
(Quoted in Mother Mira)

TRUTHFULNESS, 173
HONESTY

2. Who was dishonest?
3. Why was the fox dishonest?
4. And still it did tell some truth... What was it? (That the wolf ’s example has
taught her how to deal with a lion).
5. The lion obviously has not even noticed that, indirectly, the fox told the truth
about how to deal with bullies and tyrants...
6. The lion praised the fox that she could talk wisely and justly... Bullies and
tyrants think that wise are those things which are good for them. How do
speak those who are afraid, and what do they say? (They do not say what they
think, but what they are expected to say).
7. What should the ones who have power, strength and money think about?
(About how no one is telling them the truth, nor do they say what they really
think, such as things which they would find unpleasant and embarrassing, or
might hurt their vanity...)
8. But the fox managed to speak her mind and stay alive...
9. Do you feel sorry for the wolf?
10. Who did actually save the fox?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Stand up forming a circle. The circle starts circulating, like in a folk dance. The
teacher is in the circle centre. She throws a balloon to someone in the circle, and
asks a question. Who does not give a quick and correct answer, leaves the circle. The
balloon always goes back to the teacher. The questions are different, they have to do
with the story, as well as with some previous stories.
For example: Who was the foxes’ teacher? What did the fox say that was truthful?
Who was unjust? Who was just? Who is the only one that knows when you are lying
and when you are telling the truth? How do you feel when you are telling the truth?
Why do people lie? How else do we call little flames of truth within us?... etc.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Sea Cucumber
Birds and fish declared a war on each other. They set a date when the war would
begin. On the morning of that day, the fish swam to the coast where there were birds,
waiting and ready for fight.
The battle started and the birds overpowered the fish, by driving them deep into
the sea. Then the sea cucumber shouted:
„Well done, birds, well done!“
But the fish were not ready to give up yet. They gathered together and, one more
time, they charged with all their might. They drove the birds deep into the land. And
again, the sea cucumber cried:
„Well done fish, well done!“
Neither of the two sides knew which side the cowardly sea cucumber was on. It is
because the sea cucumber has two mouths.
The same is with people. If someone is often changing his or her mind, speaking
now this and now that, people say: „He has two muzzles, just like a sea cucumber.
(A story from Polynesia, abridged by V.K.)

TRUTHFULNESS, 175
HONESTY

2. Who has seen, who knows what the sea cucumber looks like? Does he really
have two mouths, two openings?
3. What kind of people are similar to the sea cucumber? Is their resemblance
related to the form, their habitat, or...?
4. Let us assume that you are a fan of a basketball or a football team. And let’s
imagine that you are watching the game with enthusiasm of a big fan. And let
us imagine that „your“ team is defeated. Will you then become the fan of the
other team?
5. If you do that, then you are ...? (Neither reliable nor honest).
6. In that case, can the other team rely on you?
7. Will you be appreciated by other people?
8. Who is respected by others – those who are fickle, or those who keep their
word and stick to their belief?
9. Let us imagine that you have had a fight with a friend, and then you start
slinging mud at him or her. Then you make peace with the person and switch
to praising him or her... What does it look like to you?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Draw the sea cucumber.

Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Black Hen
A ship was sailing toward the South World, and when it came near the coast,
the captain of the ship gave each crew member a $50 advance. However, there was
a theft, and one of the sailors was left without his $50. Although it was not a large
sum, the problem to have a thief on the ship was not a small issue. The robbed sailor
complained to the skipper, and soon enough everyone aboard the ship was talking
about it, trying to guess who could do such a thing. It was the captain’s duty to conduct
an official investigation, so he forewarned all of the crew that if the stolen money was
left in a designated place, all will be forgotten. As the warning made no difference, the
captain forbade the crew to leave the ship and called the police.
Before the police arrived, there was a rumour that the trespasser would be
identified by a black hen. And indeed, detectives arrived carrying a black hen. They
took the hen in a special room, put it in a basket, and put the basket on a table. All the
sailors had to come to the hen, and run their hand along its back. When it is done by
the thief, the hen would cackle.
So all of the crew started passing by the hen, one by one, and it kept quiet. The
policeman asked everyone to show their palm after touching the hen. The hen was
painted with black paint, and everyone who touched it, had a black mark on their
hand.
TRUTHFULNESS, 177
HONESTY
The thief was afraid that the hen would indeed start cackling when he felt its back.
That’s why he did not touch it. His hand was clean. That’s how he was found.
(An anecdote from the Adriatic)
1. Let us, first of all, retell the story...

2. This story, like many others, have been told over and over again in many
countries, and finally reached the coast of the Adriatic sea... What do you
think, why is it that the same story can be found on the coasts of Japan, the
Adriatic coast, the coast of Scotland, and the coast of America? Why are some
stories carried over the seas and told over and over again?
3. What is so interesting in this story that it can be found in different parts of
the world? (People have the same or similar experiences and they like to listen
about them, regardless of the place where they are told, or the language in
which they are told).
4. What is a clear conscience?
5. Why someone whose conscience is clear has no fear? Why is it said that there
is no a pillow as soft as clear conscience?
6. Why do you think some people steal – take something that does not belong
to them?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
The teacher whispers to each child their role in the play, whether they will be a
sailor, the captain, the policeman, or the thief. Only „the thief “ knows that he or she
is the thief. The play starts with a queue of sailors coming to the „hen“ painted in
greasy black colour (perhaps shoe polish), getting their hands dirty when they touch
it. „The sailors“ do not know which one of them is guilty. „The culprit“ does not touch
the hen and so he or she gets caught.
This is followed by a discussion. „The culprit“ talks about how he felt when he got
caught. His „comrades“ tell about how they felt when they found out that there was
a thief among them, and how they felt when he was caught. What kind of feeling is
fear? Shame? Suspicion? Disappointment?
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Emperor’s New Clothes
There was a king who was exceptionally fond of wearing good clothes. He thought
of nothing else but of some new, fancy clothes. One day two tailors approached him
with a suggestion:
„We will tailor clothes for you which no one has ever worn before. Only the dumb
and blind will not be able to see it. And only the wise ones will see it.“
The emperor was very happy to hear this, and he ordered the finest selection of
cloth, silk, velvet and gold embroideries to be brought to the two tailors. A week
passed, and the impatient king sent his minister to the tailors to enquire about the
progress of making of the wonderful clothes.
„The emperor is sending me to enquire whether the clothes are ready?“
„They are ready“, the tailors said and showed him an empty spot. The minister
pretended to see the clothes, as he was aware of the comment that only a stupid
person would not be able to see their product.
„Oh, how lovely“! he cried out.
The emperor gave orders for the clothes to be brought to him. They were brought,
wrapped up in an expensive wrapping. When the paper wrapping was removed -
there was nothing inside. The emperor started pretending to see what he did not see.
He took off his old clothes and commanded that the new ones be put on him. All of
the courtiers and emperor’s assistants were admiring the clothes they did not see.
TRUTHFULNESS, 179
HONESTY
Then the emperor decided to go out on the streets of the capital, so that everyone
could admire his wonderful new robe. And so it happened that the emperor walked
the streets stark naked. Everybody saw that he was naked, but no one dared say that
they did not see the clothes. Everyone thought that only they could not see, and
that everybody else did. The whole town was praising the emperor’s new clothes and
everybody talked of that only.
Among the on-lookers, there was a small child. Having seen the emperor, the
child asked:
„But why is the emperor naked“?
Everyone was shocked, and then a whisper started spreading:
„Indeed, the emperor is naked“!
When the emperor heard this, he realised that he was lying to himself that he
could see what he did not, as everybody else was lying, the whole town. Ashamed, he
took the shortest route back to the palace.
(H. Ch. Andersen, as quoted in Tolstoy)
1. Let us first retell this well-know story...

2. What do you think, which of the man’s faults is particularly stressed in this
story?
3. Is dishonesty the same as a lie? Let us see...
4. Do people who say that they can see things they do not, lie? Are the people
who do not say what they see dishonest?
5. Why are people dishonest? Why do they lie?
6. What faults usually make people lie? What faults make them keep quiet about
what they really think?
7. If there were no fear, vanity, greed, hatred, anger, envy, jealousy... what kind of
world would that be? (The world of fairy-tales, a heaven-like world).
8. Who does not know to be dishonest, who does not know how to lie? (Someone
who is pure of heart, who is unspoiled).
9. We often do not say to others what we really think, in order to keep them
happy, or because it is customary... Give some examples! (You hair looks great!
The cake is very good, I hope we will meet soon...) Are these words lies?
10. How can we tell a lie from a lie? (If a lie benefits us in some way, or if it helps
us hide something which can harm ourselves, our family, our friends, our
community...)
Virtues of Truth
11. Children, and even adults, can tell stories about something happening to them
which had not really happened, something resembling imagination or fantasy,
which to some extent they themselves believe... Is that a real lie, can we call
such persons liars? Have you heard stories about the baron Minhausen? Have
you read the folk tale „Lying for a bet“?
12. Are there any examples when it is better to lie than to tell the truth? Let us
think for a moment... (Let’s assume that there are attackers running after a
man, and he hides behind the wall in front of which you are standing. If the
thieves ask you if you have seen the man, will you tell them?)
13. Let us try to understand what is implied by the expression „naked truth“? (As
opposed to the emperor from the story, who could be named „ a naked lie“.)
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Make two groups. One group speaks the truth, and the other one does the opposite.
The teacher chooses a word or an expression and the „true“ group says the things
known to be true about it, while the other group says something completely opposite.
For example, ’fire’. The ’true’ ones says: hot, glittering, red, dangerous, hissing, burns
down, dancing, whereas the ’lying’ group says: cold, dark, inert, quiet, harmless,
etc.
The groups then change their roles as everyone has to experience both conditions:
the role of a ’liar’ and the role of the ’truthful’ person.
After this, all participants say how they were feeling while telling truth or lies.
What kind of feeling is that, is it clear enough even in when just playing?
TRUTHFULNESS, 181
HONESTY
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
A Cheat in the Orchestra
Once upon a time there was a prince named Wang who lived in the kingdom of
Chi. He was very fond of music played on the flute. He summoned 300 flute players
from all over the country in order to set up an orchestra.
This orchestra was indeed a big miracle. The prince Wang awarded every flute
player with stunning gifts in gold.
Then another flute player appeared at the court; his name was Nan Guo. He
introduced himself as a master flute player. Very happy at hearing this, the prince
ordered him to join the orchestra. However, Nan Guo was no master at all; he wasn’t
even an ordinary flute player. He was only pretending to blow the flute. As there
were 300 wind instrument players in the orchestra, it was difficult to discern whether
someone was blowing their instrument or not.
The things went on like this for a while. Nan Guo, the cheat, was living unrevealed
in the court orchestra. One day prince Wang died, and his son succeeded him to the
throne. That son preferred solo to the orchestral playing. So he called one by one
player to play the flute before him. When it was Nan Guo’s turn, he was cornered and
exposed as a cheat, and then punished and discredited.

(A Chinese tale, abridged by V.K.)
Virtues of Truth

2. Why is it said that „a liar can go round the world but cannot come back“?
3. It is also said: a jug goes to fetch water until it breaks! Is this saying appropriate
for the story about the cheat in the orchestra?
4. Who can sleep well at night, and who has to sneak around, hide, pretend, look
around and jump up se at a slightest noise?
5. Why is a lie by far more demanding and more tiring than a simple truth?
(When a person once tells a lie, it gets entangled in a wider network of lies,
which are interconnected and interdependent; he or she has to take care about
what and where she or he told a lie, take appropriate measures to prevent
the lie from being disclosed, and all this leads into further entanglements.
That’s why it is said that „a liar must have a good memory“. If, however, you
always tell the truth, then you are free from worry where and when you told
something to someone).
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Every child is given a flute. On the teacher’s sign, the orchestra starts playing. All
except one are blowing their flutes; the teacher has previously told this child not to
blow, and nobody else knows who this is.
The concert is stopped and the teacher says:
„There is one among you who is just pretending to be able to play the flute. Try to
find out who this is.“
They start playing again. „The cheat“ fakes playing the flute by just blowing his
or her cheeks. Finally, someone discovers the „cheat“, by putting their ear next to
the cheat’s flute. The false flute player is dispelled from the orchestra. Then the same
experiment is done with another „cheat“.
Afterwards, „the cheats“ tell everyone how they felt when they were discovered
and dispelled.
TRUTHFULNESS, 183
HONESTY
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Abdul Kadir
There was a boy named Abdul Kadir who lived in Iran. His father died while he
was still an infant, and he was brought up by his mother, as she best could. What she
was best at, was telling the boy stories from the Qur’an and other holy scriptures.
The boy turned out to be an excellent pupil. He spent hours pouring over his
books. It was time for the boy to continue his education, and the mother brought
before the boy his inheritance which his father had left him – 40 gold coins. And she
told him:
„My son, it is time for you to continue your studies at the city of Bagdad, because it
is the seat of Islamic religion. This gold is all we have. You will take care not to spend it
on unimportant things. And more importantly, let the truth be your companion and
protector, at all times and under all circumstances.“
Abdul Kadir bowed to his mother, took the forty gold coins and joined the caravan
of merchants which was going in the direction of Bagdad. In those times the land was
terrorised by gangs of robbers who ambushed caravans and robbed and killed their
passengers. The same thing happened to the caravan with which the boy Abdul was
travelling to Bagdad. They were encircled by robbers, shouting that all would be
killed if they did not surrender their money and goods immediately. It was dark,
the area was completely deserted, no help could be expected from anywhere; the
passengers surrendered their everything in order to save their lives.
Virtues of Truth
Not one of the robbers paid any attention to Abdul, as his worn out clothes did not
promise any gain. On their leaving, one of the robbers shouted, almost jokingly:
„You, boy! Do you, by any chance, own any precious things?“
At that moment Abdul remembered his mother’s words. He answered without any
hesitation:
„Yes, I do“.
He took out of his pocket the forty gold coins.
The robbers jaws dropped in amazement. Their leader approached the boy on his
horse, looked at him with curiosity, and asked:
„You are well aware that we are going to take your gold. Why did you say you had
them?“
„My mother told me that truth will always guide me and protect me. She told me
never to lie. Now I had a chance to check whether or not I acquired her teaching. If
you take these forty coins, I know that God will look after me, because by showing my
respect for truth, I showed respect for Him.“
By hearing these words from the mouth of such a young boy, the robbers lowered
their eyes, became quiet and somehow ashamed. The leader then said to Abdul Kari:
„Keep your money, child. You showed so much courage that it would be a sin to
rob you. And as a sign that even we are not insensitive to the voice of truth, we shall
return all of the money and goods to these people“.
The robbers then distributed all they had taken from the passengers.
The word has it that after this encounter the robbers completely gave up their evil
ways.
(A tale from Persia, abridged by V.K.)

2. What do you think, which was the most crucial teaching that the boy Abdul
heard and adopted?
3. Was it crucial only for him?
4. Who else enjoyed the (material) benefits of the teaching of truth?
5. And who enjoyed moral benefits?
6. Except for the teaching that truth is a supreme guide and protector, this story
offers another instruction? Which one? (When you are in the company of a
good and virtuous person, you yourself benefit).
7. In your opinion, would majority of people declare Abdul a fool because he
TRUTHFULNESS, 185
HONESTY
told the robber that he had the forty gold coins?

8. Do such incidents happen only in stories, or do you know of similar things
happening in real life, throughout the world and in different times?
9. Was Abdul truly brave, as the gang leader said? Was he a hero?
10. What do you think, why did he risk his future, his inheritance and his mother’s
hope? What gave him the courage to act as he did?
11. Why did he say that by respecting truth, he respected God?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Make playing cards. We need a firm thin cardboard, a ruler, scissors, crayons and
pencils. We have the cards which make pairs, and one which can’t be paired with any
other. That is truth.
We put the cards in pairs: father – gold coins.
Mother – Abdul Karim.
16 (or more) robbers, whose even numbers are paired with even ones, and odd
numbers with the odd ones. If there are enough children, we can add the passengers,
and pair them together in the same way.
The game is played the way „The Black Peter“ is played.
The winner is the one whose last card is truth.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Bishop and a Robber
There was a long chase after a robber. On one occasion, he entered a town in
disguise. Policemen recognised him and immediately started chasing him. Trying
to escape the robber found himself inside an abbey; the door was open and he was
struggling to catch his breath.
A monk came by and asked him what he wanted.
Not knowing what to say, the robber blurted out:
„I have to see the bishop“.
The monk took him to the bishop. The bishop asked him who he was, and what
was his reason for this visit. The robber replied:
„I am a robber, the chase is after me. Hide me or else I will kill you“.
The bishop replied:
„I am an old man, and I do not fear death. But I feel sorry for you. Go into that
chamber and catch your breath because you look exhausted; I’ll send some food for
you to eat.“
The policemen could not enter the abbey, and the robber stayed there until dark.
When the robber took some rest, the bishop came to him and said:
„I feel sorry that you got so cold and hungry, pursued like a wolf. But I pity you
most for the evil you have done, and the sins you burdened your soul will. Give up
the evil ways“!
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HONESTY
The robber said:

„I am a robber and cannot give up evil ways anymore; I’ve lived as a robber, that’s
how I shall die“.
The bishop left him, opened all the doors and went to bed.
The robber got up at night and started searching the rooms. He found it strange
that the bishop did not lock the rooms but instead left all the doors open. He saw a
big silver candlestick, and thought:
„I’ll take this. It is very expensive. I’ll leave without killing the old man“.
And so he did.
The policemen had not left the bishop’s house, waiting to ambush the robber. As
soon as he left the house, they surrounded him, caught him and immediately found
the candlestick underneath his raincoat. The robber started denying that he took the
candlestick, but the policemen said:
„You can deny you previous misdeeds, but now we’ve caught you with a valuable
thing from the abbey. Let us go to the bishop, and he will confirm your guilt“.
They brought the thief before the bishop, showed him the candlestick and asked:
„Is this yours, bishop?“
The bishop answered: „Yes, it is“.
„It means that this man has stolen from you this candlestick, which proves that
he is a thief “.
The robber kept quiet, rolling his eyes like a captured wolf.
The bishop said nothing, went back to his chambers, took another candlestick
from there, and said:
„Why, my dear, have you taken only one candlestick? Haven’t I given you both“?
The robber burst into tears and said to the policemen:
„I am a robber and a thief, take me away“!
Then he said to the bishop:
„Forgive me, for Christ’s sake, and pray for me“.
(Quoted in Tolstoy, abridged by V.K.)

2. What eventually broke the robber’s hardened heart? What made him repent?
3. Was the bishop’s compassion and goodness greater than the robber’s evil
mindedness, or vice versa?
4. The bishop did not tell the truth when he was asked about the theft... Why?
Virtues of Truth
For what reason?

5. Can we call the bishop a liar, at least in that particular moment?
6. What kind of circumstances make a good and noble person resort to untruth?
Or, is it all right to slightly deviate from telling the true state of affairs in order
to save something or someone?
7. If bullies were chasing an innocent man who hid in your backyard, and you
were asked where he was, what would you say?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Make a short theatre play.

Choose the robber, the bishop, the placemen, the judge and the jury. We are in a
court of law. First speaks the robber. He is to say his closing remarks, i.e. his defence.
He must explain the things he did in his life, who he brought misfortune to, how he
did that. Perhaps he sometimes did some good deeds. Then the robber explains why
it happened so. He can use as his defence anything he can remember, which could
have put him on the path of evil. There is one condition: he must not lie. He can, for
example, say that he grew up without his parents. That he was beaten and humiliated,
that there was no one to protect him. Or that his father was a drunkard and a bully.
That no one from his immediate surroundings never did him any good. That he did
not know that there were good people, etc., etc.
Then the bishop takes his turn as a witness. He must say how he saw the robber –
what was the good he saw in him, and how he saw his evil side.
Then the policemen take the stand. They always have to deal with thieves and
criminals. They think that for protection of the good, all criminals must be imprisoned
or put to death. Because the policemen’s job is to keep law and order.
The jury then decides what they have been most affected by. What has made the
deepest impression on the jury? Has it been the robber’s misdeeds? Or has it been
his misfortune, that he had no love or protection in his childhood? Or has it been
his repentance? Or the bishop’s great compassion? Members of the jury write what
has made the deepest impression on them on a piece of paper, and hand notes to the
judge.
The judge reads the notes and puts them on separate piles according to what they
say. The impression that gathers most notes wins.
Then the judge invites members of the jury to explain their choice.
This drama play can best be performed with more participants. If there are not
many participants, then members of the jury can write more than one impression on
several pieces of paper, but must mark their importance using numbers.
TRUTHFULNESS, 189
HONESTY
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
See the beginning of this chapter)
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Mohammed’s Escape
In the first years of his mission, the prophet Mohammed was the most pursued
and wanted person in his country. His life was constantly under threat and he had
to hide day and night. That was becoming increasingly difficult for those who were
hiding him and were his followers.
One night, Mohammed secretly knocked on the door of a friend.
„Tomorrow morning I’m leaving the town“, he said, „But I would like to spend the
night under your roof, if you will allow me.“
„You are welcome, Mohammed“, his friend replied. „I am your friend, and you are
always welcome in my house. However, tomorrow morning you cannot go through
the town without encountering your enemies. There are guards at every city gate.
Even if you wear lady’s clothes, they will recognise you.“
„I know“, Mohammed said. „I have no intention of disguising myself. But I have
put my trust in Allah to get me out of town alive“.
Before the break of dawn, his friend woke up Mohammed, saying:
„I have an idea“.
„We can do anything except lie“.
„Don’t worry. Here, get inside this basket. I will put the basket on my head, and go
toward the city gate. If they ask me what is in the basket, I’ll tell them the truth“.
Mohammed laughed. He then got inside the basket, and his friend put the basket
Virtues of Truth
on his head and went to the city gate. At the gate, he was stopped by the guards:
„What do you carry in this basket“?, they asked.
„I am carrying the prophet Mohammed“, he replied.
The guards laughed and let him go.
(From Islamic tradition, abridged by V.K.)

2. Did the friend tell untruth?
3. Yet, he knew that the truth would be received as untruth, and allowed it to
remain like that... He had a good reason for this, i.e., a good excuse?
4. Can it be said that his friend, by telling the truth, actually deceived the
guards?
5. When the truth seems not likely or unbelievable, it is perceived as a lie... If we
had a chance to tell the people living in previous centuries that images and
voices are transmitted from one continent to the other at light speed, what
would they say? What would they say about the sheep Dolly? And about the
digital revolution?
6. In some cases, truth seems to contradict logic. What could we conclude about
truth? (That it is often unbelievable, that it is contrary to what we consider
common sense and real). Can you give an example for ’the unbelievable but
true’?
7. What do you think about the saying „both pleasant untruth and unpleasant
truth should be avoided“?
8. What is the most important here? (Motive or intention with which we speak
either a pleasant truth or an unpleasant truth). Explain! If we tell a person
a painful truth at a wrong time, we do not help him or her, but hurt them.
It’s because the purpose of truth is not to defeat someone, or put them to
suffering, but to help them...
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Draw Mohammed in the basket.

TRUTHFULNESS, 191
HONESTY
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
A Piaster for the Camel
One Bedouin arrived in Cairo riding his camel. When he reached the pyramids,
he climbed off the camel and let it take some rest. He went round the pyramids and
sphinx to do some sight-seeing. Then he came back and wanted to ride to the market
and buy some presents for his family.
However, the camel got stubborn and did not want to stand up. She liked to sit in
the send and relax. The Bedouin, sitting in the saddle, started hitting the camel with
a riding cane, shouting:
„Get up, you lazy creature, get up! Now“!
A group of tourists and their guides gathered around the Bedouin and his camel,
laughing at the sight. Some took snapshots.
The Bedouin, full of fury, shouted:
„If you do not get up now, I swear to God I will sell you tomorrow for one
piaster!“
However, the camel did not get up.
„You swore to God“! the on-lookers shouted. „We are coming tomorrow to the
market place to buy your camel for one piaster“!
The Bedouin realised that he made a rash promise. He climbed down and said
without alarm:
„I won’t go back on my word. Come and see“!
Virtues of Truth
Tomorrow there was a crowd waiting for the Bedouin to come with his camel.
Some made guesses that he wouldn’t come though he swore to God; a camel was
worth at least one thousand of piasters. Bets were made: he would come, he would
not come...
Then the Bedouin arrived, leading his camel by the reins. There was a cat tied to
one of the camel’s legs. People rushed to ask if the camel was really being sold for one
piaster.
„Yes, it is“, said the Bedouin, „I do not go back on my word given to God“.
People crowded offering him money, and there was almost a fight over who would
get the camel. There was an enormous crowd and noise around the Bedouin.
„Just a moment, folks“, shouted the Bedouin, „the camel is being sold together
with the cat. Because the camel and the cat are great friends, and can’t live one without
the other“.
„All right, so, we will take the cat, too“! shouted the impatient buyers.
„The cat’s price is one thousand piasters“.
(A story from Egypt, abridged by V.K.)
1. Let us first retell this funny story...

2. Let us see: did the Bedouin keep his word?
3. By keeping his word, did he cheat his buyers?
4. He cheated the buyers, but did he cheat God?
5. Obviously, the Bedouin was very resourceful, but was he truthful?
6. How did he lie – by speaking or by keeping quiet? (he did not say at first that
the camel was being sold together with the cat)
7. How did he lie – by telling everything or by leaving out something, which he
would later add? Did he tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
8. Lying is also when something is not said, but is later added, when not all of the
truth is said... An example?
9. If an unpleasant and pitiful truth is kept quiet about – is it really lying?
10. When did you last time lie? Yesterday? Last week?
11. When did you last time keep quiet about something?
TRUTHFULNESS, 193
HONESTY
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Everyone takes several pieces of paper and write the names of their fellow-pupils
on them. Then everyone thinks what they could say about everyone else, having in
mind that it should be true and pleasant. Dishonesty is not allowed, or writing what
one does not think; if, on the other hand, someone has to say something unpleasant
about someone else, let them not write it down; it is not a real lie but just avoiding
telling an unpleasant truth. Instead of an unpleasant truth, find something nice and
good that could be said about that fellow-pupil.
When these writings are read, there will be experiences of very pleasant surprises.
Later everyone tells what has made the deepest impression on them – what has been
the most important thing for them.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Dionisius and Philoxenus
The ruler of Surakuza, the tyrant Dionysius, wrote poetry, which was but mere
verbosity, devoid of any artistic value. However, as he imagined to be a great poet,
he summoned to his court a champion among poets, Pholoxenus, expecting him to
praise his mind’s creations. Having heard the ruler, who personally read his poetry to
him, Pholoxenus said:
„It is a bad poetry“.
„What“?! thundered Dionysius. „How can the king’s poetry be bad“?!
„I’m judging poetry, not the king“.
Dionysius, maddened with fury, sent for his guards and ordered that Pholoxenus
be put to dungeon. He was thrown into the dark cell in which he languished for years,
without seeing the sun or the moon. Then, one day, the door was opened.
„Where are you taking me“? asked the poet in alarm, fearing the worst.
But he was again taken before the king. In the meantime he wrote an enormous
amount of new poems, counting on the poet’s favourable opinion this time, after
he had been „softened“ by the years spent in prison. Dionysius put Pholoxenus in
a special chair, treated him with fine wine and delicious food, and then he started
reading him his new poems.
„Tell me your opinion, poet“, the king asked.
TRUTHFULNESS, 195
HONESTY
The poet got up without saying a word, and started for the door.
„Where are you going“? cried Dionysius.
„Back to the dungeon, where else“?
(Origin Unknown)
Phillip and Demosthenes
The Greek ruler Phillip was surrounded by flatterers and hypocrite. A few court
toadies went looking for the famous orator Demosthenes with an intention to talk
him into praising Phillip.
„Why haven’t you praised the king even by a word? Why can’t you find one good
word for his many qualities“?
„And which qualities are those“? Demosthenes asked.
„For example, the king is an excellent speaker, a very good looking man, and by
God, he can drink more than anyone“... the flatterers and hypocrites said.
Demosthenes replied:
„The first praise is suitable for a lawyer, the second one is suitable for ladies, and
the third one for a sponge, but none for a king“!
(A Greek legend)
1. Except for honesty and truthfulness, which other qualities were Philoxenus
and Demosthenes characterised by? (Being daring, i.e. ready to make the
greatest sacrifice for the sake of truth).
2. How would you call such people? (Models of bravery, heroes).
3. Are there many like that? Do you know of any examples?
4. What do you think, why the testimony of the people like Philoxenus and
Demosthenes was sought for? (People who have no other values except power,
usually try to corrupt those whose opinion is valued and trusted, and who are
known for their virtues and good character).
5. Do you know of any examples of flatterers and hypocrites who sacrificed their
honour and dignity for the sake of material gain?
6. Can man, in order to be rewarded with money and good status, flatter someone
in power whose qualities are highly suspicious, without inflicting a serious
damage to his soul? Can such behaviour be justified in any way?
Virtues of Truth
7. What do you think, why do people flatter those who are more powerful than
them?
8. What do you think, how do such people feel, and in what kind of trouble do
they find themselves, when the said person looses favour and power, as it
usually happens?
9. Honour and good name take a long time to build and are carefully guarded.
Is it more difficult to attain a high position, or is it more difficult to raise your
status by a good name? In other words, is it more difficult to become a ruler,
or to become a good ruler (a good judge, minister, commander)?
10. What do you think, is Philoxenus remembered because of Dionysius, or is it
the other way round?
11. Can Philoxenus and Demosthenes be considered to be pigheaded and
unrelentless people? Or is the truth and its principle of honesty stubborn and
unrelenting?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Everyone writes on a piece of paper the qualities that distinguished Demosthenes

and Philoxenus from the rest. Except for the letter X, all the letters in their names can
be associated with a certain notion or virtue, which were most likely characterised
by.
A- ability
E- energy
O- openness
I - intelligence
S- self-respect
T- thoroughness, truthfulness
L- loyalty, love
M – moral attitude
N- non-compromising attitude
D- dignity
P- perseverance, peace
H- heart, hardworkingness
TRUTHFULNESS, 197
HONESTY
The same can be done with the names of Dionysius and Phillip, but in the opposite
sense, except for the letter Z, by attaching faults to each of the letters.
D- duplicity, dishonesty
L- lying, low
P- parasite
H- hiding
O- odious
N- narcissistic
U- untrue
I - insincerity, immoderate
E- envy
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
What did the Teacher Say?
One day a Japanese teacher Gasan was answering the questions of his disciples.
They were most interested in sparing lives, non-violence towards their fellow-
beings.
„Certainly“, said the teacher, „the ones who practise non-violence are right, as the
supreme law is „do not kill“.
„Who does this law refer to, teacher“? the disciples asked him. „Only people“?
„Not only people“, the teacher said.
„Then it refers to animals, as well“?
„Certainly, it refers to animals, too“.
„What about birds, insects, snakes“?
„It refers to them, too“.
„And what about plants“?
„Of course, plants are included, too“.
„All right, now we know“, the disciples said. „The law refers to all living beings“.
„No, you don’t“, the teacher said. „There are also things that can be killed. What
about people who kill time“?
His disciples looked at him in amazement.
„What about those who damage their health“?
The disciples rose their brows.
TRUTHFULNESS, 199
HONESTY
„Indeed, teacher, we haven’t thought about that... Does the law of ’do not kill’ end
there?
„No, it does not. What about those who crush other’s people’s hope? Destroy their
faith? Destroy the confidence and joy of their fellow-men?
„Oh, yes...“
„And what about those who are destroying one’s country’s vitality and economy?
Or, on a smaller scale, one’s family money“?
„Oh! The great law refers to them, as well. Is it all, teacher?“
„No, it isn’t. The great law „do not kill“ refers to the things which are subtler than
those that people attach importance to. What about those who think one thing, say
the other thing and do a completely different thing? Who say and preach things they
themselves do not practise- regardless of the religion they belong to? What and who
do they kill?
„We indeed do not know, teacher.“
„Such people are killing Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam...“
(A Japanese story from the heritage of Zen, abridged by V.K.)
1. Let us retell the teacher’s discussion with his disciples...

2. Does it strike you as somewhat out of ordinary? Why?
3. Does it strike you as challenging? Why?
4. The teacher’s conclusions – does they sound true to you? Explain!
5. The teacher makes man responsible for everything that surrounds him, not
only the living beings... Can it be called –responsibility for living?
6. When one behaves a right manner just in certain areas, disregarding others,
what kind of disturbances does it produce? (It produces split personalities,
which behave in one way at home, in another at work, in a third way when they
are not at home or work, and in a fourth way when they are by themselves).
For example, what would you say about someone who spits in the street,
whereas at home he is bothered by the slightest sign of dirt?
7. What is public space and what is private space? What are we like when no
one is looking, and what are we like when we are watched? Describe the
difference!
8. Which of these forms of ours is more true?
9. Truth is always demanding that we respect it in all the areas of our life, be they
Virtues of Truth
public or private. Is it convincing when a teacher-smoker is telling children

about the hazards of smoking? What is the meaning of Jesus’ warning: „Doctor,
cure yourself first“!
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Make rules and regulations for the law DO NOT KILL. We make a list of all the
areas and activities in which this law is to be enforced. Everyone makes their own
poster and has freedom to make additions, decorate it and compose it in any way
they want.
We then open an exhibitions of posters. Which one is the most striking? Which is
made in the most skilful way? Which is the most clear in its message?
When an opportunity arises, we invite other kids to the exhibition. We then
discuss the content of the posters with them.
Openness to reasons,
discrimination
OPENNESS TO REASONS 203
DISCRIMINATION
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: OPENNESS TO REASONS, DISCRIMINATION
Opposite: INDISCRIMINATION
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
Measure three times before you cut

Weigh your words before you speak

(An English saying)
Do not ask a blind man to give you directions.

In order to give up drinking, watch a drunk man while you are sober.
(A Chinese saying)
A man who can discriminate is the one who, before making a decision, takes all
the reasons into account.
Do not put up your house next to palm trees, and you won’t be tempted to drink
palm wine.
(A West African saying)
As long as the sun is shining, do not look for the moon.

(A Russian saying)
Accept the cow’s kick the same way you accept her milk.
(An Indian saying)
Be the truth’s friend until martyrdom.

But do not be its protector until intolerance.
(Jean Paul Sartre)
Virtues of Truth
SILENT SITTING
We „travel“ behind the closed eyes, we climb Annapurna or Dhaulagiri. No one

has ever climbed these mountain peaks, we are on unfamiliar ground. We explore
which direction is better. We try one of them. We have to stop because we come
across a steep cliff. We choose another direction and climb. Alas, the cliffs are too
smooth. We go back, looking for not as steep a side, so that we can grab the rock with
one hand and clutch it with hook with another. We do not give up. We climb one
more time, in a third direction. Oh, it seems the best so far. We finally decide and pick
up the best path to climb the peak – and soon we reach the summit.
GROUP SINGING
STORY
A Puddle Frog and a Sea Frog
There was a frog who lived in a small puddle. She lived there for many years. There
she was born, there she grew up, and her life was very uneventful, though she was not
aware of that. She was convinced that her puddle was the whole world.
One day another frog came hopping to that puddle. She lived at the sea-side.
„Where do you come from“? asked the first frog.
„Me?... From the sea“.
„From the sea? I’ve heard there was sea somewhere. Tell me, how big is the sea“. Is
as big as my puddle“?
The first frog then jumped from one side of the puddle to the other one.
„Oh my friend“, said the second frog, „how can you compare the huge sea with a
small puddle“?
The first frog jumped with fury and asked:
„Is your sea double the size of my puddle“?
„What nonsense are you talking! How can a puddle be compared with the sea“!
„You are lying“, said the first frog, looking offended. „Nothing can be as big as my
puddle. No, there is nothing greater than that. You are a liar, get out of here“!
(An Indian story quoted in Vivekananda)

DISCRIMINATION

2. What was the outcome of the encounter of two frogs?
3. What do you think, are there any children, or even adults, who resemble the
first frog? What do they say when they hear of something they know nothing
of?
4. What is the name of a fault which is characterised by accepting as true only
the things that we think, see or hear? (Narrow-mindedness)
5. When the great inventor, Edison, presented his newest invention of a record
player before the Academy of France, many were convinced that the sound
did not originate from the record, but that Edison was a ventriloquist – that
he could speak with his mouth shut. One of the members of the Academy
got up on his feat and shouted: “And now, can the sound be heard now”?
Of course, the sound was heard. Does this esteemed member of Academy
remind you of the first frog?
6. Which of the stated sayings best suits the case of the puddle frog?
7. When we were discussing thirst for knowledge and truth, we got acquainted
with a very nice saying! (“Lucky is the one that knows that he does not know,
and wants to learn”). The opposite could be said as well: “Woe to those who
do not know that they don’t know, and don’t want to learn”!
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Draw a flower with many petals. Write the word “truth” in the centre of the flower.
Then list all the qualities (virtues) which come under the value of truth. Which are
these virtues? How many have we got to know until now?
When we list all of them, then write their names on each of the petals. Everyone
picks up a colour that, according to them, suits a particular virtue. (For example, what
is the colour of determination? What about curiosity?) Then again: does curiosity
sparkle?
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
A Small Story
Two small caterpillars met on a green leaf, and they both were green, too. They
met to have a small chat.
„Have you heard what the cabbage caterpillar is talking about“? one green one
asked the other one.
„No, I haven’t. What is she talking about“? the other caterpillar asked eager for
some news.
„That one day she will become a butterfly! And the one with white wings, too“!
„It’s nothing. I’ve heard the other day a lie even more stupid that that one. A tadpole
from the puddle talked about him becoming a frog one day! That’s too much“!
(The story from all over the world)
1. Let us retell this small chat on a green leaf...

2. Were both the caterpillars equally funny? And equally foolish?
3. They could not imagine something that...? (That did not happen to them,
because they belong to the kind which always stays a caterpillar)
DISCRIMINATION
4. Indeed, when you look at a butterfly first and then at a caterpillar, you will
immediately find resemblances between the two. What needs to be done in
order to discover this similarity? (Take a look at a butterfly’s body and at a
caterpillar’s body, in a book, for example).
5. Some people find it impossible to imagine that there are things which
are different from those they are accustomed to. They say: „No way, it is
impossible“! Or they say: „They do not exist. Full stop“! We say about such
people that they are...? (That they are not open to reasons).
6. Have you read the story about the ugly duckling? Nobody believed that that
duckling was a swan. But the truth does not depend on whether or not people
believe it or not...
7. Have you ever seen a coral reef, on a photo or in a movie? It has star like, pink
flowers which tremble. It piles up lime, and after many, many years, there
emerges an island, made up of lime residue. What do you think, what would
fish tell coral flowers if they were told that they will become an island?
8. Do you know the form of water in its three states? (Liquid, ice, vapour). Are
these states similar to each other? However, regardless of what eyes are telling
us, the truth is that each time we deal with the same thing – water. Now
imagine a vapour drop encountering an ice crystal. What kind of conversation
would they have?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Draw a caterpillar and a tadpole. Then a butterfly and a frog.

Make a small drama play in which the tadpole and caterpillar talk to each other.
They explain to each other that one day they will become something completely
different, that they will not resemble themselves.
„I know that I will become a frog“, the tadpole says. „But no one believes me.
When I say to someone this thing I know, they laugh at me“.
The caterpillar says something similar.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Daughter of Heaven
One day the ruler of heaven had to go on an important business to a distant part
of his empire. He realised that he would be absent for three days. Because of that, he
entrusted running the heaven in those three days to his daughter. Before leaving, he
warned her:
„In these three days you will have to please all the needs of man. And this is not
easy, I tell you. So now I will show you how to achieve it.“
„That is funny indeed“, said the daughter of heaven. „I’ve seen you doing that all
these years, there’s no need for me to see it again“.
Having said this, she left the palace, climbed a cloud and headed down to the
earth, in order to see if there was any need for rain, sun or wind.
While flying over a river, she heard a human voice saying:
„Heavenly Father, I pray to you to send me some wind. I’ve spread up my sail and
I am waiting“.
The heavenly daughter immediately sent some wind, the sail tightened, and the
ship started down the river. Soon after that, she was above a big orchard, from where
she heard a prayer of another man:
„Heavenly father, please tell the wind to stop. If it does not stop, all my pear fruit
will be knocked down from the trees“.
The heavenly daughter was confused by this, so she rushed back to her palace as
DISCRIMINATION
quickly as she could.

The next morning she started her daily round, and while she was flaying over the
fields, she heard a peasant’s prayer:
Heavenly Father, please send me some rain. If it rains, I will be able to saw the
fields“.
So the heavenly daughter sent him the rain. However, in the evening another
prayer reached her ears, a young girl’s plead for the rain to stop or otherwise all the
ginger, which she was drying in the backyard, would get rotten.
Not being able to stand all this, the heavenly daughter sighed with anguish and
went back to her palace. On the morning of the third day, she did not want to leave
the palace. In the evening of the fourth day the heavenly father arrived; his daughter
could hardly wait for his return. She went out to meet him, saying:
„Father, it was all contradictory – the needs of people, the rain and sun, and the
wind. Please forgive me if I did something wrong.“
Her father generously replied:
„I’ve told you that it wasn’t that simple. It was your mistake to think that you
know something that you’ve never dealt with before. Rivers need a strong wind, and
orchards need just a breeze. It should rain during the night in order for the fields to
be sufficiently watered for sowing, and the next day should be sunny for the roots of
ginger to get dry“.
„Now I understand“, the heavenly girl said, humbled. „I needed this in order to
understand how I acted rashly“.
(A Chinese fairy tale, abridged by V.K.)

2. What mood was the heavenly daughter in when the story started? And in the
end of the story?
3. Sometimes a job seems so easy to us that we don’t even want to check whether
we really know how to do it... Does something similar happen to you?
4. If we do not check and get informed on time, what may happen to us? (We
may get in trouble).
5. Most often young people do not want to admit their ignorance and feelings
of insecurity... Why do they do this? (Exactly because of their feeling of
insecurity... they want to make an impression that they are very confident).
6. People often pretend that they are self-confident... Have you ever pretended
Virtues of Truth
that you know something that you actually do not know? Have you ever
impatiently interrupted a friend, who was trying to explain something to you,
claiming that you already know that? Or your brother? Or your parent?
7. What do you think: what would you do if you were in the place of the heavenly
daughter?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Let us try to remember something which made us manifest the qualities similar
to the one’s manifested by the heavenly daughter; i.e., the qualities of superficiality,
impatience, neglect, and being rash. When you thought that there was no need for
someone to teach you things. When you remember that event, write it down on a
piece of paper. If you remember more, write all of them down.
We then light a fire in a box made of metal or clay. Everyone throws their note into
the fire. This is in order that such thing won’t happen again.
DISCRIMINATION
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Alexander and a Wise Man
King Alexander was going through a forest with his army. In this forest lived a
hermit who was a wise man. One of the king’s soldiers noticed the wise man sitting
on a tree stump. He rode his horse toward the stupm where the wise man was sitting.
He asked him who he was. The wise man replied:
„I’m a servant of ma master. And the one who is a servant to my master is the
master of your master“.
The soldier got furious.
„How dare you say something like that? Do you know who ma master is? He is the
most powerful ruler on earth, Alexander. I’m his servant. Since you’ve said what you
did, I’ll take you to him so that you can tell him what you’ve just told me“.
So the soldier took the wise man before Alexander. Alexander was a wise man,
who cared for truth and he was eager to talk to wise people for he always learned
something new from them.
„My friend“, said the king, „who have you referred to when you said that he was a
servant to his master, and my master“?
„My master is the reason“, said the wise man. „The servant of reason is will. Now
tell me, don’t you run your empire the way your will commands? It means that your
will is your master. But will is the servant of my master, the reason. That’s why there
is no untruth in what I’ve said- you can’t deny it.“
Virtues of Truth
Alexander was surprised at the wise’s man’s spirit and intelligence, and from that
moment on he run his empire following the dictates of reason.
(Gesta Romanorum)

2. What is servant to what?
3. What is Alexander servant to? And what about the wise man, whose servant
is he?
4. Why Alexander did not resent the wise man’s words?
5. Did the king apply that wisdom in his own life?
6. Who is wiser: the one who knows and just instructs others, or the one who
can learn and practise the learned?
7. How is the quality that was manifested by Alexander called? (Openness,
broadmindedness, openness to reasons, tolerance...)
8. What are the faults that stand most in the way of mutual understanding
between people, of accepting the reasons the other has to offer?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Make a table and list all good qualities needed for a true and good life. On reversed
side of the sheet of paper you have drawn the table on, make three additional columns
marked with A, B, and C. Let us assume that the quality discussed is the ability to
understand the other and those who are different. Do we have this quality? Do we
show it here and there, always, or never? These three possibilities are marked with the
three initial letters of the alphabet.
We do the same with the remaining desirable qualities: patience, modesty, honesty,
hard-workingness, thoroughness, determination, etc.. Give yourself a mark: A, B or
C. This way we make our own table, portraying ourselves. Of course, we have to be
honest with ourselves – neither underestimating nor overestimating our condition.
Keep the table. Later, after some time, make a new table in order to check whether
there is any change in our marks, showing either progress or regress.
DISCRIMINATION
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Two Astronomers
There were two astronomers who were very good friends. One of them believed
in God, while the other did not.
One day the unbeliever visited his friend in his workshop where there was a new
model of the solar system standing on the table. His curiosity was aroused and he
asked his friend who had made such a wonderful specimen.
„No one“! was the reply.
„What do you mean, no one“?! said his friend in amazement. „Is this some kind
of joke“?
„No, it’s not a joke“, replied the first one. „As I have said, this model does not have
an author“.
„That is, of course, impossible“, persisted the second one. „It had to be made by
someone“.
„No, it has been made by itself “, said the astronomer believer.
His friend lost his temper.
„Come one, don’t talk rubbish“! he retorted. „How can a mechanical thing, such as
this model, be made on its own“?
His friend then said coolly:
„If this whole universe does not need a maker, if it can come into existence on its
own and continue to function like that, why couldn’t the little model do the same“?
(Origin unknown)
Virtues of Truth

2. What would you say about the astronomer-non-believer – was he inconsistent
in applying principles (logic, laws) from small things to big ones?
3. And what about the astronomer-believer, was he at that moment a good-
intentional teacher to his friend?
4. In your opinion, how did sound the reply of the non-believer? Did he laugh?
Did he start denying his friend’s reasons and supporting his own beliefs? Or
did this make him think? Did he opened the door of his mind a little bit? Did
he at least say: I don’t know...?
5. Knowledge always starts with questions, and with the acknowledgement: I
don’t know... Do you know what Socrates, one of the wisest men that walked
the earth, used to say? („I know that I don’t know“). Knowing that you do not
know is the beginning of knowledge...
6. Are you embarrassed to admit that you don’t know something? Do you enjoy
contradicting the person you are talking to when he or she claims knowledge
about something?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Make two groups. Both groups get the task to discuss the principle “do unto others
as you want others to do unto you”, and “do not do unto others what you yourself
would not like to be done unto you”. Both groups discuss what they can expect from
these two principles- what are the consequences, both material and spiritual?
The consequences are to be listed in order of importance. First, it needs to be said
what is the most important thing that happens when we follow this great principle,
and what happens when we deny it. What is the second most important thing? And
the third? Etc..
Every group is invited to present their conclusions.

When this is done, then the members of both groups are invited to communicate to
the other group their remarks, objections, words of praise, additions and comparisons.
In a friendly discussion, it is decided whether all of the objections are to be accepted,
or just some of them, or none.
DISCRIMINATION
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Family Treasure
There once was a merchant who was as poor as a church mouse. He hardly
managed to make ends meet. Once he came across an egg, and very excited came
running to his wife with a solemn declaration:
„Here’s our family treasure“!
„Where is it“? his wife asked.
„Here it is“, he said showing her the egg. „But it will take ten years before we can
become rich. First I will put this egg under the neighbour’s setting hen. After a month
we will have around fifteen chicken. After two years we will have three hundred of
those. They will bring us in the marketplace around fifteen silver coins. I will use that
money to buy fifty calves. This should bring us a hundred and fifty silver coins. If we
give this money as a loan, in three years we will have five hundred silver coins. Two
thirds of this sum will be enough to buy a house, and the third will be enough to buy
the servants and another woman – that way will be able to enjoy ourselves as long as
we live. Isn’t it wonderful“?
All the wife heard was that her husband was thinking how to buy another woman.
Furious, she took the egg and threw it against the ground, shouting:
„Let us not grown the seed of our destruction“!
Her husband slapped her cheek and took her to the judge.
„This silly woman“, he started complaining, „has just destroyed the family in one
Virtues of Truth
go. I plead with you to punish her the way she deserves“.
„How did this happen“? asked the judge with curiosity.
The husband started from the egg and told the whole story as it happened. The
judge said:
„Your wife has destroyed great treasure. She deserves prison“.
The wife immediately started complaining:
„All that my husband has told you is concerning things that haven’t happened yet.
Why should I go to prison for that“?
„The concubine you were jealous about also did not happen“, the judge retorted,
„and yet you were angry...“
„It’s true“, said the wife, „but one can’t be careful enough when calamity approaches.
I just wanted to prevent the future disaster, and I took measures to ensure that it
would not happen. That’s why I’ve broken the egg“.
(A Chinese story)

2. Each person in the story (the husband and wife) had their own way of thinking.
Was their reasoning valid? Were they both equally (un)reasonable?
3. Explain your choice - who of the two was more unreasonable? (Was is the
husband, who was planning to obtain great wealth and big house from one
egg? Or was it the wife, who accepted his imagination as reality and then
picked just one detail from it, which presented danger to herself?
4. Where and how did they get lost? (They were building castles in the air and
taking them to be real).
5. The wife prevented her husband’s intention. Why? Which were her reasons
and justification?
6. What can come in the way of reasonable decision making and common-
sense? (Disappointment, restlessness, fear, prejudice, naivety...)
7. When was the last time when you were being unreasonable and intolerant?
8. Which from the given sayings best suits this story?
DISCRIMINATION
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Draw a big flower with many petals. Write the word „truth“ in the middle of the
flower. Write one virtue that is a co-value of truth, and that supports it, on every petal.
How many such petals have we dealt with so far? Let us remind ourselves...
Determine which colour suits every virtue (co-value).
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Three Life Boats
A priest was sitting at the desk, writing his sermon about God’s providence for the
next day service. Suddenly there was a big blast. He saw people running in fear. The
dam broke and now it threatened to flood the whole town.
Soon there were torrents of water pouring down the streets. The priest felt his
heart was gripped with fear. However, he thought it was not appropriate to be afraid:
hadn’t he just written a sermon about God’s providence? Here was a temptation,
which would exactly show who had faith in providence .
„I’ll stay here and put my trust into God’s providence“, said the priest. „I’ll stay
put“.
„When water reached the windows, a boat came by, with a rescue-team in it. They
shouted to him to het aboard the boat.
„Hurry up, father“! the rowers shouted. „More water is coming“!
„Oh, no, my children“, the priest said, „I’m staying here trusting God to look after
me“.
The boat was gone, and the water reached eves. The priest climbed on the roof.
Then another boat came that way. The people inside invited him to join them, but the
priest rejected that, too.
The water kept rising. In the end the priest had to climb to the belfry. When the
water already reached his knees, a police rescue motor boat arrived:
DISCRIMINATION
„No, thank you“, said the priest clutching the belfry railings. „You see, I’ve put my
trust in God’s providence- he will rescue me“.
When the priest was finally swallowed by the gushing water torrents, his soul
ascended to the heaven, before the throne of God. The former priest considered it
necessary to complain.
„There, I’ve put my trust into you, but you did nothing to save me“!
„What do you mean, I didn’t“? God retorted. „Haven’t I sent you three rescue
boats“?
(Quoted in A. De Mello)
1. Let us retell he story...

2. Is it funny when someone cannot see a finger before their eyes because they
are looking at something far away?
3. There was a man who was continuously praying to God to give him money.
What do you think, what was God’s response in the end? („Buy a lottery
ticket“!)
4. When an absent-minded professor is looking for his glasses, all the while
hanging on his nose, what does it remind you of?
5. In your opinion, why the priest was unable to recognise a simple God’s help?
(He removed God’s providence from everyday life and simple common-
sense).
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Line up the class in two parallel lines, so that everyone has a partner standing
opposite them. Start from the end of the line, with a question:
“What do you have to offer me”? The partner must reply the best he or she can.
Then the partner asks: “What do you have to give me”? The first partner then replies
the best he or she can. So everyone takes their turn in asking and answering these
questions.
Then draw a conclusion, selecting good and the best replies.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Chain
The King of the state of Woo made up his mind to embark on a crusade against
the state of Ching. He summoned his advisors, communicated his massage to them,
concluding his speech with the words:
„The one who does not agree with my decision is going to die“.
One of his advisors had a young son who deep down did not agree with the king’s
intention, but he did not dare confront the king. He took his sling and went to the
emperor’s gardens behind the palace. The gardens were so big that it took three days
to walk from one end to the other. The young man wondered through the gardens
until his clothes were soaked with dew.
King Woo went out on his balcony and saw the young man in his wet clothes. He
sent for him, and when the boy arrived, the king asked:
„Why do you wonder the gardens in your wet clothes“?
The young man relied:
„There is a tree in the garden, with a singing cricket sitting on it. He drinks dew
and sings making the whole garden echoing. But he does not know that behind his
back there is a snake, waiting for the moment to attack and eat him, while he is still
absorbed in his song. However, the snake is not aware that behind her back there is
an oriole, which has just extended its neck to grab the snake. However, the oriole is
not aware that my sling is waiting for the opportunity to shoot at it.“
DISCRIMINATION
„So“? the king said. „What do you intend to say“?

„Nothing, your majesty. It is self-explanatory. These three: the cricket, the snake
and the oriole – think only of the things in front of them, forgetting about the danger
that is lurking behind their back.“
„Well said“, the king said, and immediately revoked his decision to attack the state
of Ching.
(Liu Hsiang, abridged by V.K.)

2. It is not easy to tell the truth to people who are vain and of violent disposition...
What would have happened if the young man spoke his mind in a different
way?
3. The story is called „The chain“. Explain!
4. How would you express the message from this traditional Chinese story in
simple words? What each of the „links“ in the chain was lacking?
5. What do we need to do before any important decision is made?
6. It is true that the king summoned his advisors. However, was he willing to take
any advice regarding his decision? Which rulers and people do we consider to
be an absolutists and dictators?
7. What kind of advantage do fables and philosophical stories, comparisons and
parables have for conveying the meaning and truth? What do you think, why
did all great teachers and avatars have used this tool in order to communicate
their massage to the people?
8. Which are these teachers and avatars- name some of them?
9. The king of the state of Woo was not a man characterised by common sense
and discrimination. In your opinion, are there many people like that? Do you
know anyone who is similar? Describe someone with these characteristics!
10. Which saying best suits this story?
11. Which of the sayings would you tell to yourself in the morning?
12. Our aim is not to fight those whose opinion is different from ours, but to
express our own opinion – but in a way that will allow them to at least hear it,
and perhaps think about it...
Virtues of Truth
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Use pantomime to emulate disposition and behaviour of the king, his advisors,
and the young man. What kind of gestures correspond to the first one, the second one
and the third one? What kind of facial expressions? Body postures?
The Craft of Teaching, the Craft of
Learning
Virtues of Truth
THE CRAFT OF TEACHING 225
THE CRAFT OF LEARNING
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: THE CRAFT OF TEACHING, THE CRAFT OF LEARNING
Age: 6-9
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
Words nudge, and examples draws.

If you do not know the way to the sea, a river will guide you.
A sheep without a shepherd has neither milk nor cheese.

A wild elephant is captured with the help of a tamed one.

(An Indonesian saying)
When you give fish to a poor man, you feed him once; when you teach him how
to fish, you feed him for life.
(Kung Fu Tse)
The one who can discriminate well, can study well.

(A Latin saying)
The teacher opens the door, and it is up to you whether you will enter.
(A Chinese proverb)
When the disciple is ready, the teacher appears.

(An Indian saying)
A corrupted teacher means corrupted nation.

(A Persian saying)
To teach means to study again.

(Origin Unknown)
Virtues of Truth
SILENT SITTING
Any „walk“ behind the closed eyes.

(A voyage to the ocean bed, a walk in a meadow, climbing a pyramid). However,
in the end of this „walk“ something has to be found.
There is always a guide who takes us on this voyage. At the bottom of the sea
it is fish which takes us to a shell to show us a pearl inside. In the meadow, a scent
is leading us to the most beautiful flower. From the pyramid top, a ray of light is
showing us the way to the top, as there is the desert and darkness all around. The
moment we reach the top of the pyramid, the sun rises.
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Old Gander
There was a flock of wild geese who lived on a top of a big banyan tree. One day,
shoots of an unknown climber emerged from the ground under the tree. It started
growing very quickly, and the geese got worried that the climber might block their
treetop. Then the old gander said:
„This climber is dangerous indeed, and it should be removed while it is still young
and fragile“!
However, the geese did not listen to his advice. The climber grew and got stronger,
and it embraced the big tree and its top from all the sides. One day the geese flew
away in search of food. Then arrived a hunter; he climbed the tree clutching the vine
of the climber, and set a net below the nest. When the geese returned, they all found
themselves caught in the net. Then the old gander spoke again:
„Now you see what misfortune has befallen you because you would not listen to
my words. You are all caught up in this net“!
Feeling repentant and alarmed, the geese said:
„Oh you noble soul. We admit our mistake. If you can give us any advice now,
please tell us, and this time we will listen“!
The gander started thinking, and then said:
„Listen to me now! When the hunter arrives, pretend that you are dead. He will
believe it, open the net and throw you on the ground. While he climbs down the tree,
you can fly away“!
The next morning, the hunter arrived; he climbed up the tree when, lo and behold,
he saw that all the geese were dead! The hunter opened his net, and threw the geese
to the ground, one by one. And the geese, without a moment’s hesitation, soared to
the sky.
(A fable from Panchatantra, abridged by V.K.)

2. Was the gander a teacher to other geese?
3. The geese realised this only when they got in trouble. What do you think, why
didn’t they realise this before, while they were all right?
4. He first warned the geese not to allow the climber to grow, to root it out while
it was still young and fragile. In your opinion, was it a good advice? Why?
5. What turned out to be dangerous later?
6. Some things do not look dangerous at first, but if they are allowed to develop
and blaze into flames, they can do us a lot of harm. A good example are
everyday school work - if do not follow what is taught at school, it gets much
more difficult to learn it later. If we do not make timely visits to the dentist,
but go only when we feel pain, we do ourselves a lot of harm. If we light a
cigarette or two in order to “show off ”, smoking can become a dirty habit, etc.
Are there any more examples like these.
7. The climber from this fable stands for…?
8. The old gander stands for?
9. The hunter stands for?
10. So, what is the message of this fable?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Make the characters from the story out of modelling clay.

Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-9
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Tiger Who Thought that He was a Sheep
It happened so that a hunter killed a tigress when it was out hunting. She left
behind a small cub, alone and helpless. He waited for his mother to return for a long
time, and then he went out looking for her. He came across a herd of wild sheep.
He stopped by a mother-sheep which was feeding her young ones, and he himself
started eating. The sheep fed him and adopted him, and so the little tiger started
living among the sheep, thinking that he was one of them.
Time went by. The little tiger became a big tiger. But this tiger grazed on the
mountain slopes and was not aware of his strength. He was bleating like a sheep, ran
away from any animal which was a little bit braver than the sheep.
One day all the sheep scattered in fear. A horrible roar was heard from the distance.
The tiger hid himself in the bushes, trebling with fear; another tiger appeared in view.
He jumped and in a blink of an eye was standing before the bush in which the sheep-
tiger was hiding. The sheep-tiger thought:
„What a wonderful beast. No wonder that I would become its prey“!
But the other tiger was staring at him in disbelief:
„What are you doing here, among the sheep“? he asked in a serious tone of voice.
„What am I doing among the sheep?! Why, I’m a sheep, can’t you see“, the tiger
bleated.
„You a sheep?! You are a tiger, not any kind of a sheep“! roared the other tiger so
loudly that the tree tops shuddered.
It was the first tiger’s turn to watch in belief now.

„Me – a tiger“?!
„Come with me, I’ll show you who you are“, said the other tiger.
And he lead him deep into the forest, to a clear-water lake.
„Lean over and tell me what you see“, he commanded.
The first tiger leaned and saw himself. But he thought that it was his companion.
„I can see you“, he said.
Now the other tiger leaned over the water as well, asking:
„And now“?
„I see you again“.
The new comer-tiger roared with laughter. Even his laughter sounded terrifying.
„We are the same“, he declared. „You are a tiger – just like me! You are as strong as
me. Come to your senses- you are not a sheep, you are a tiger – just as the little lake’s
mirror is showing to you“!
Then the sheep-tiger got up showing his real size and might, and the forest shook
with his roaring. He realised who he was.
(An Indian story)
1. Let us retell the tiger’s life-story...

2. How was it possible for the tiger to believe that he was a sheep? (He found
himself among sheep, he saw only sheep, he listened the others saying that he
was a sheep, too... he did not take a good look at his fur, his paws, his stature;
simply, he did not ask himself a question whether he was a sheep, or not?)
3. If in the morning everybody is persuading you that you are asleep, and you
know that you are awake, who do you believe?
4. Considering that some people lack self-confidence, they need ...?
5. What does a teacher teach you? (That you are who you are, that you can do
and know the things you think you can’t do and don’t know, that finally you
do not need a teacher at all). It means to help someone stand on their own two
feet – that is the job of a teacher, the craft of teaching.
6. In this story, who was the teacher of the sheep tiger?
7. Is there a greater service someone can do to you but to make you understand
who you are and what you are like?
8. There have been very interesting experiences in India with children-wolfs. It
has often happened in India that small children get lost in a jungle, and get
Virtues of Truth
raised by wolfs. The case of two girls, Kamela and Amala, has been described
and became well-known. They were found by Christian missionaries among
the wolf peck. They behaved like wolfs, running on all fours, eating raw meet,
growling and biting. The only thing that did not happen is that they have not
grown tails and fur. They retained human form, but acquired the awareness
that they were wolves. It took years of work to stand them up on their two
feet and teach them a few words... It proves how important the thoughts and
convictions we entertain about ourselves are!
9. The roar of the first tiger, when he realised that he was not a wolf, but a tiger...
is a voice of discovery. What kind of discovery?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Stage a play. We have a case of an eagle who thinks that he is a hen. While still
in eggshell, he accidentally found himself in a hen nest; he was hatched under a hen
with other chicken. He thought he was a chicken, then a hen. He hopped down the
back yard, cackling, until a big wonderful bird landed on a branch of a nearby tree…
The rest of the story is known to us.
Use pantomime to tell the story of self-discovery (with exception of cackling and
eagle’s shrieks which are allowed).
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Good Manners
A retired teacher, tired from a long day, was slowly approaching the cashier of a big
store. Her left leg hurt and she was thinking whether she had all the pills prescribed
for that day: the ones for high blood pressure, vertigo, food indigestion...
„Thank God I’ve been retired for years“, she was thinking. I wouldn’t have energy
for working with children any more“.
Almost simultaneously, she found herself at the end of the queue with a young
man with four children and a pregnant wife. The teacher noticed a tattoo on his
neck.
„This one has been in prison, no doubt“, she concluded.
She continued inspecting him from a corner of her eye: his shaved skull and baggy
pants made her think that he belong to a street gang.
The teacher offered him the place in front of her in the queue.
„Shift over here“, she said.
„No, you go first“, the young man replied.
„But you are many“, the teacher persisted.
„We respect the elders“, said the young man, stopping in order to let her pass,
making a graceful gesture with his hand.
A light smile lingered on her lips. She stood in the queue in front of the young
man. And then the teacher could not suppress her curiosity any more and asked:
Virtues of Truth
„Please, tell me, who has taught you such good manners“?
„You, Mrs. Simpson, in my third grade“.
(P. Karrer)

2. In this story, what is everyday stuff, and what is exceptional, in your
opinion...?
3. Describe how the teacher felt when she heard the young man’s reply?
4. Do you think that the young man could have said anything nicer to Mrs.
Simpson, instead of what he had told her?
5. Did he do it only by kind words, or did he show in other ways too what he had
learned from her?
6. Usually we jump to conclusions when we form judgements about others,
because we judge by...? (By outer appearance, other people stories and gossip,
newspapers and TV news, as well as our own negative experience).
7. What do you think, how did the teacher, Mrs. Simpson, teach her pupils good
manners?
8. When you sow a field, you might not always be able to see the crops... However,
one day you can be offered the bread made out of that wheat. That way you
would know that you did make a difference in the world...
9. Would you like to meet some of your teachers after many years, perhaps in a
shop like the one in the story?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Form two lines, one opposite the other, so that everyone has a pair. Everyone asks
their partner a question and also answer a similar question.
The first to start is the pupil at the end of his line. He/she asks his or her partner:
„What does God want from you“?
When the other one answers the question, he or she asks the first one:
„What do you want from yourself “?
The next question could be:
„What do our parents want from us“? Or: „What do we want from our parents“?
Then: „What are you most afraid of “? Or: „What makes you angry the most“? Or:
„What is it that you do not like about yourself “? Or: „What is it that you like about
yourself “? Or: „What would you like to learn most“? Or: „What would you like to
have the most“?Or: „Who do you love the most“? Etc.
When everyone takes their turn in asking and answering the questions, there can
be another round of questions, but be careful not to ask the same questions the same
persons. However, the first two questions must be replied by all.
After that, the pupils discuss which of these very important questions was the
most important, and which reply was the most correct, the most honest, the most
...?
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The King Who Had to Die
Once upon a time, there was a king who had to die. He was a very powerful king,
but he got very sick and in desperation he kept asking himself the same question:
„Is it possible that such a powerful king has to die? What do my wizards do? Why
don’t they save me“?
However, his wizards and sorcerers fled in fear that they might be put to death if
they failed. Only one stayed; he was very old and no one listened to him, thinking
him instead a bit foolish. And the king himself hadn’t sought advice from him for
years. But now he sent for the old wizard.
„You can be saved“, the magician said. „But there is one condition: you have to
give the throne for one day to the man who resembles you the most. He will then die
instead of you“.
The whole of kingdom was immediately alarmed:
„Those who resemble the king should immediately come to the court, or they shall
be executed“.
Many volunteered: some of them had a beard which resembled the king’s, but their
nose was a bit longer or shorter, so the wizard rejected them; others were a spitting
image of the king, but they were also refused by the wizard because of a lacking teeth,
or a mole on their back.
„You keep refusing them“ said the king. „Let us try with one of them“.
„That would not do any good to you“, said the wizard.
One evening the king and the wizard were walking along the fortress walls, when
the wizard exclaimed:
„There is a man who resembles you the most!“
And he indicated a beggar, a hunchback, half-blind, dirty, his hands covered in
scabs.
„That’s impossible“! the king exclaimed. „He and I are as different as a doe from a
bobcat“!
Then the wizard said:
„The king, who has death breathing down his neck is resembling the poorest, the
most miserable man in his kingdom. Quick, exchange your clothes for his rags, and
stay like that for one day. And put him on the throne. You’ll be healed“!
But the king did not consent to becoming a beggar. Offended, he went back to his
palace, and died with the crown on his head, and a sceptre in his hand.
(Gianni Rodari)
1. Let us retell he story...

2. In your opinion, what is the name of the fault that made the king refuse the
wizard’s suggestion? (Vanity, arrogance)
3. Others who came as the king’s doubles resembled him only on the outside.
Can we say that they had similar masks?
4. What does it mean? What was the essential resemblance between the king
underneath the mask and his double? (The poverty and misery of their
condition, closeness to death).
5. In this story, who is playing the role of a teacher?
6. Why the king (the pupil) did not accept advice of his teacher? (He couldn’t let
go of his image of himself as a great and powerful king).
7. Was it easier to him to die than to face the truth that he is equal to the poorest
in his kingdom? What do you think, are there many such stubborn people
who would rather die than give up the illusion they believe in?
8. Where does the essential similarity between the king and the beggar lie? (The
beggar asks for alms in order to survive while the king asks for his life to be
prolonged. They are both beggars - one in rags, the other in silk and gold,
under the crown)
9. If the clothes (status, power, fame, riches) are illusion, what is the essence?
(Man and his soul).
Virtues of Truth
10. That which distinguishes the king from the beggar is ...? What makes them
similar is ...?
11. The smartest of teachers is not enough if the disciple is not ready...
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Draw the king and the beggar. They are both naked. Then we draw separately their
clothes- the luxurious king’s robe, with the crown and the sceptre; then the beggar’s
rags. Then cut out both sets of clothes and the two characters.
Then put the beggar’s clothes on the king and the king’s on the beggar. Imagine
that the Creator, or the finger of destiny, clothes people in such a way: no dress is the
same, the clothes are multicoloured, some are torn and worn out, some are ordinary,
some get worn out with time, some are luxurious and unusual. But under their dress,
all are equally naked.
Clothes are illusion, they are just a costume in a play. The illusion changes, it is
put on and off; the essence, the one who gives the clothes, is changeless. We can put
three crowns on the king’s head, but when we remove the clothes, he is as naked as
any beggar. The moral of this story and this activity is that we must not judge others
according to their appearance and get attached to something that is transitory.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Teacher Who Liked Cakes
There was a women who had a child who refused to eat anything but cakes. She
was at a loss how to discontinue this bad habit of his; she took him to many doctors,
but no one could find the cure for this strange condition.
„If I do not give him cakes, he won’t eat anything else, but will keeps crying all day
long“, said the woman. „What should I do“?
Then she was told that she should go to the suburbs where a great teacher of virtue
lived.
„He should be able to help you“, she was told.
So the woman took her child and went to the suburbs. She found the teacher’s
house, knocked on the door, entered and found the teacher surrounded by his
disciples. The teacher kindly offered the woman a chair to sit. The woman then told
him about her troubles. The teacher caressed the child’s head, and then said:
„Good woman, go home and come back in five days“.
After five days, the woman appeared again before the teacher, with her child. He
put the boy in his lap, talked to him a little bit and then said:
„My son, do not eat so many cakes, it’s not good for your health“.
After this, he turned to his mother and said:
„Your child is cured, go home now“.
When they arrived home, it turned out that the teacher had indeed cured the boy.
There was no craving for sweets in him any more.
Virtues of Truth
Puzzled, the woman went back to see the teacher the next day.
„I thank you, great teacher, for curing my boy. But please tell me, why didn’t you
give us that simple advice on our first visit“?
„Good woman“, the teacher replied, „I could not do it then, because back then I
myself was a bit of a sweet tooth. First I had to give up eating cakes in order to be able
to say something convincing against this craving. I cannot teach anyone anything
which I myself do not practice“!
(The story originating from many Asian and the Near East cultures,
abridged by V.K.)

2. How would you interpret the following verse by the poet Mažuranić: „A good
shepherd confirms by his deeds that which he preaches to others“?
3. If a teacher told his students about detrimental effects of smoking for one’s
health while being a smoker himself, would it be an effective example? Or if
he was speaking about damaging effects of anger, while he himself being an
easy prey to such feelings – would he give a convincing example?
4. Perhaps such a teacher could say: „I was not listening to my teacher who
did not smoke, and so I’ve fallen a prey of cigarette. But I’m passing on you
my experience, so that you would not repeat my mistake.“ This would be an
example of what shouldn’t be done in the service of what should be done...
5. Sathya Sai Baba says: „Good teachers = good pupils = good nation“. It means
that if the teacher is virtuous, he is setting a good and convincing example for
...?
6. What would you say about the profession of teachers? Is this profession just
like any other – like a profession of an engineer, a lawyer, an economist, a
courier? Or is it more special than any other profession?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Choose from one of the previous workshop suggestions.

Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Follow an Experienced Wise Man
Some people came to the river bank and started enquiring about how to get to the
other side and where the water was the most shallow for treading. A lame man came
to them limping, and said:
„It can be dangerous to cross the river here, go some distance down the stream,
there is a better place“.
People did not believe him, because he was lame; how could he cross the river?
Then a blind man came by, saying:
„I’m telling you, you can cross the river here, that’s for sure; for a while walk a little
bit to the left, and then a little bit to the right“.
They did not take his advice either – for how could a blind man know where was
the best place to cross the river? He himself needed assistance in order to cross it.
Finally a man came who volunteered to go with them and help them cross the
river.
„I’ve crossed the river here many times“, he explained, „because I live on the other
side, there’s my home and my field“.
They followed this man without hesitation, and safely reached the other shore.
(An Indian story quoted in Sathya Sai Baba)

Virtues of Truth

2. There were three people in this story, who offered their advice. Who of them
said the right thing? Who was a reliable guide?
3. How come that the third man could be a good guide? (Because of his personal
experience)
4. Is the learnedness without experience and knowledge without practice of any
value?
5. What do you think, who is represented by the first two- the man with a limp
and the blind man as „guides“? (Those who had not put their knowledge to a
test – people who resemble a teacher of swimming giving instructions on the
ground).
6. Who said „My life is my message“? And why?
7. What is the meaning of the other side of the river (metaphorically speaking)?
Who wants to reach the other side? Who lives on the other side? (The other
side represents real knowledge and enlightenment, spiritual life and spiritual
world. There are saints and wise men living in it, who now and then come to
„this side“ in order to help others in their passage).
8. What is the role of the teacher of truth?
9. A teacher of geography does not have to visit all of the countries about which
he teaches his pupils. But a teacher of swimming and physical education has
to be a good swimmer and a skilful athlete – he has to demonstrate by his own
example every one of the exercises he teaches. A teacher of wisdom has to be
himself a person who lives a wise life. Think of some people who correspond
to the role-model of a geography teacher and think of those who correspond
to the role-model of a swimming teacher!
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Let us think of a similar story... (there is a thirsty man enquiring about whether
the water in a lake is fit for drinking... A hungry man asks whether the fruits of such
and such a tree are eatable...) Make two groups and let them compose their own
story; then define the roles and let the groups present their stories before the class.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Indian Bird
There was a merchant who kept a bird in cage. That bird descended from India.
When the merchant was about to leave on a business trip to India, he asked the bird
if she would like a present from his trip. The bird asked for freedom.
The merchant refused.
Then the bird asked him to visit the jungle from which she came and to tell her
cousins, the birds who lived there, about her life in captivity.
The merchant did as she wished.
However, no sooner than he uttered the last word of the captive bird’s message, the
wild bird, her cousin, fell to the ground unconscious.
The merchant thought that it must have been his bird’s sister, and that she was so
much stricken with grief that she died on the spot.
When he returned home, the captive bird showered him with questions if he was
bringing her any news from her cousins.
„I don’t carry you good news“, said the merchant. „A bird which was a cousin
of yours instantly died and fell on the ground the moment she heard about your
captivity“.
As soon as he uttered these words, the bird dropped dead to the bottom of the
cage.
„The news of her sister’s death killed her, too“, thought the merchant.
Filled with grief, he lifted the bird and put it on the windowsill. Instantly the bird
Virtues of Truth
came to life and flew off to a nearby tree.

„No you know“, said the bird to the merchant, „that what you thought was a bad
news for me, was actually a message for me. And you know that the message and
instruction how to get rid of the jailer, which means you, was sent exactly through
you“.
(From a dervish tradition, quoted in Idries Shah)

2. Who is the teacher and who the pupil in this story?
3. Does the teacher always have to be near the pupil? Does he always have to
speak to him or her directly?
4. Can a book be a teacher? Or a story? Or something else?
5. The jungle bird taught the captive bird how to regain her freedom, and it was
thousands of miles away. What is the sign she sent? (The sign of false death).
6. Would the captive bird have recognised the sign and got herself free if she
hadn’t been a good pupil?
7. What does the cage represent in this story? How about the birds, the first one
and the second one?
8. Who said that it is first necessary to die for the cage (the world) in order for
us to be born as free?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
In the garden or the classroom, we look for a thing that reminds us of a scene or
a character in the story. Explain why it reminds you of the story, and how. Anything
can be at play – scent, sound, colour, shape, touch, warmth, coldness.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Where is the Answer?
There was a young man who, having just completed his spiritual studies, moved
to the other town yearning to be a teacher. He tried to spread the word about his
teaching skills all over the town, but no one came to be his disciple. The only spiritual
teacher in the town was a certain wise rabbi, who was surrounded by both the young
and old. Annoyed, the young man started scheming in his mind against the rabbi in
order to contest his leading position and attract his disciples to come to him instead.
One day he had an idea how to do it. He caught a little bird, and went to the place
where the teacher stayed, surrounded by his disciples. He hid the hand holding the
bird behind his back.
„Tell me, oh teacher, is the bird behind my back dead or alive“? he asked the
teacher.
His intention was to show the teacher alive bird if he said that it was dead, and if
he said that it was alive, to crush it behind his back and show him the dead bird. In
both instances, he hoped to ridicule the teacher’s faculty of clairvoyance. He thought
that the teacher’s disciples would then go to him, the newcomer.
„Tell me, if you are as wise as the rumour has it, is the bird in my hand dead or
alive“? the young man repeated his question.
The teacher looked at him with great compassion and said:
„Indeed, my friend, the answer is in your hand“.
(A Hassid story)
Virtues of Truth

2. Which is the most fundamental message of this story?
3. Is this a story about responsibility? If yes, why?
4. Is it a story about how we influence events, reality and truth?
5. When the young man was thinking up a plan how to ridicule the old teacher,
he forgot about a very important element... Which one is it?
6. Where is the man’s place in such a question – in which place? (It’s in the
beginning and at the end – the one who asks also gives the answer).
7. Why did the teacher feel compassion for the young man?
8. Did the young man really „graduate in spirituality“?
9. What shows that he did not? And that he needed a real teacher?
10. What the young man did not learn in the spiritual school – which important
thing? (That the truth is most closely connected with us, with our morality
and character).
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Everyone gets a card of a particular colour. Everyone says what this colour reminds
him or her of. Of a natural phenomenon? Of an object? Of a person? Of a thought
or a feeling? Of something with fur or with wings, of something warm or cold, that
smells nice or stinks, of something smooth or rough, old, slippery, something that
barks, buzzes, rustles, of something wet...? Of a human virtue, or fault?
This way we follow our feelings, memories, thoughts. We are completely free to
do it the way we like; and what comes to our mind does not have to be related to the
story whatsoever. We are just following our chain of impressions, and do not ask
ourselves whether this sequence has a story or not.
This way we learn to listen to our thoughts which flow all the time unnoticed to
us.
This way also we start a journey within, whispering to our secret self, to the inner
world which contains the stone of wisdom.
Later we can speed up this game of associations and turn it into a whirlpool (brain-
storming). An object goes around and everyone without stopping to think says the
first thing that comes to their mind when the object finds itself in their hands. If
anyone hesitates or is not sure of their impression, they should give up.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Hawk
Once a man was walking down the river bank.

That man was searching for a teacher who would help him set some things in his
life in the right place. For some reason, the sight he had just seen seemed interesting to
him. He stopped to watch a hawk desperately trying to save the prey he was carrying
in his beak – fish. But wherever he flew, a flock of crows followed him, cawing.
It lasted until the hawk dropped the fish from his beak, obviously aware that the
fish was the reason for this chase. And while the fish was falling down, it was snatched
by another hawk. Immediately all the crows turned to that one and gave chase. The
first hawk by now was hovering peacefully; then it perched on a tree top, watching
the commotion over the fish.
Having seen this episode, the man thought:
„This hawk is my teacher. He taught me that the peace in the world is possible only
when we give up desire to posses. Otherwise, every step of this path is fraught with
danger.“
Virtues of Truth
1. Retell the story...

2. Who and what can be our teacher?
3. When the disciple is ready (… it is said in India, the teacher comes...) Does he
always have a human form?
4. What is the moral of this story?
5. What does the fish stand for? (Worldly goods, things, money, property, various
real estate, everything that man collects as material value).
6. And what about crows? (They stand for unrest, troubling thoughts, worry,
disappointment, difficulties, fear...)
7. What do you think about the saying that „the rich is not the one who has a lot,
but the one who needs little“? How can it fit in this story?
8. All great teachers used parables and comparisons in order to convey their
teaching. Do you know of any such teachers?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
This game is played with a bag of sand which is carried on one’s head. This bag can
easily slip off and fall down. Everyone needs to go three times round the classroom,
with the sand bag on their head. The one who walks, goes slowly and carefully.
However, this person is continually destructed by various „crows“: they either jump
on him , block his way, surprise him with a shriek or breath under his nose – they try
their best to disturb his concentration and progress. If by the end of the third round
they manage to provoke a nervous and uncontrolled jerk of the carrier, the bag will
slip off and the „crows“ win.
If after the third round the bag is still on the „hawk’s“ head, the „hawk“ himself
throws off the bag and so marks his victory.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
All the Things That Can be Our Teacher
„Everything can be our teacher“, a rabbi was telling his disciples. „Everything can
teach us something – not only everything created by God, but even the things created
by man“.
The disciples wriggled in their seats, in disbelief. (It was the time of many
breakthroughs in science and new invention at the turn of the century).
„All right then – what can be learned from the train“? one of them asked with
suspicion.
„That because of one second all can be missed“.
„Hah, and what can be learned from the telegraph“?
„That every word counts and is paid for“.
„Indeed! And from the telephone“?
„What is said here, is heard over there“.
(M. Buber)
1. Let us retell this conversation...

2. Now let us remember which new inventions have appeared since?
3. Make two, three or more groups, according to the number of pupils there are.
Virtues of Truth
Each group tries to find out what are the new inventions of technology and
science teaching us. When the debate is finished, each group presents their
findings.
4. One moral is selected as the best.
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Draw a comic book, presenting various new inventions, and writing morals that
have been recognised in them.
Or: repeat the experiment from the previous chapter.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Merchant Teacher
There was a rich merchant who lived in Krakow; his name was Meizlish and he
was a great knower of scriptures as well as the teachings and biographies of great
saints. He ran a business of timber exportation from Poland to Germany. He sent the
timber down the river all the way to the buying up post. There the timber was sold at
the price which was two or three times higher than the one at home.
Except for running the business, Meizlish had also a circle of disciples who he
taught philosophy and theology. His erudition and eloquence was matchless, so
many Jewish schools invited him to teach as an associate professor, which he gladly
accepted.
One day news arrived that a huge delivery of timber was drowned in a storm;
namely, that the merchant’s business went bankrupt then and there. The bad news
had not yet reached the merchant’s ears, and as his disciples already found out what
had happened, they decided to chose one among them who could break the news in
the most gentle manner. So they selected the teacher’s favourite. He found suitable
chapters in the Talmud, approached the teacher and said:
„Here it is said that a man should rejoice, even be grateful to God when ill fate
balls him, and not only for good and pleasing things. How is it possible, teacher“?
The teacher-merchant first explained the hidden meaning of this sentence, and
then its direct and theological meaning.
„I’m not quite sure if I have understood you correctly“, he said. „I’d like to have an
Virtues of Truth
example. What if, for example, my teacher found out that all his goods were destroyed
in a storm, would he dance and rejoice“?
„Of course“, said the teacher.
„Then feel free to dance, teacher – all your goods are at the bottom of the river“!
When he heard this, the merchant fainted. When he came to his senses, he
declared:
„I must admit that I don’t understand this chapter of the Talmud anymore“.
(A Hassid story)

2. Is the path from words to deeds a long one?
3. Ivan Mažuranić wrote: „A good shepherd confirms by his deeds that which he
preaches to others“. What does it mean?
4. What do you think, did the merchant continue to teach about equal-minded
acceptance of good and evil?
5. And if he did not, why is that?
6. If a deed does not confirm one’s words, how do we call it? (Disharmony
between words and deeds, unreliable character, or we may even use harsher
words...)
7. There are people who never say anything which is not true, but still it cannot
be said that they respect the truth because...? Is the teacher from this story
such an example?
8. Do you know Sathya Sai Baba’s definition of good character? (It is a harmony
of thoughts, words and deeds).
WORKSHOP/PLAY
We have a pack of cards or scraps of paper. Each one has a name of a virtue written
on it: patience, courage, hard-workingness, determination, etc.. Each pupil draws a
card and then thinks for a while how to explain three dimensional character of the
quality he got in thoughts words and deeds.
Let us take patience, for example. What does a patient man think, and how does
he think? Is he quick, hasty, slow, restless or peaceful in his mind? Then: how does a
patient person speak? (Does he interrupt the person he is speaking to, does he raise
his voice, etc.) How does a patient man act? What are his movements like? What
about an impatient one? Does he get entangled in his job, are his movements nervous
and hasty, does he wriggle on his chair, does he scrape his legs against the floor, does
he shout, make noise, interrupt others?
Everyone has to explain how a particular virtue is reflected in all the three aspects
of human behaviour.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Tree Won’t Let Me Go
There was a man who got fed up with his life and decided to find a spiritual adviser
who could help him. His friends directed him to a teacher and without a moment’s
hesitation the man went to the town where this person lived.
„What trouble has befallen you“? the teacher asked his visitor at the doorstep.
„The revered one, the trouble is that I do not have any real troubles in my life,
like hunger, poverty or disease. My trouble is that the world and its traps hold me so
tightly that I can’t set myself free“.
„Oh, I see“! said the teacher. „We will set you free from that. But first let us go for
a walk in the woods, so that you can tell me some more“.
They walked through the woods and the fields, talking about this and that. After a
while, the teacher started walking faster. The man could hardly keep pace with him.
He wanted to ask him what was the reason for such hurry, when the teacher shifted
to such a speed that he finally disappeared from view. The man stopped, confused. He
did not know what to do. Whether to wait for the teacher, or to look for him.
While he was standing like that, unsure of what to do, he heard moans and cries
from the distance. He recognised the teacher’s voice. He ran as fast as he could in the
direction of shouting. On a meadow he saw the teacher pressed against a trunk of a
tall tree. With the tree embraced with both his hands, he screamed for help:
„Help me! The tree won’t let me go“!
Dumbfounded, the man thought that the teacher lost his mind.
„But, teacher, how can you say that the tree is not letting you go? It is you yourself
who is clutching against it! Ease your grip and you’ll be free“!
„That’s exactly what I wanted to hear from you“, said the teacher, laughing. „It is
the same thing with you and the world. It’s not the world that is holding you – you are
holding to it. Ease your grip and you’ll be free“!
(Origin Unknown)

2. What is experiential training? How is it different from ordinary training?
3. Would it be more convincing if the teacher just said to the man what needed
to be done?
4. What was the most convincing part of this experiential training? (That the
man himself found the solution for his problem).
5. What do you think, do many worldly people (businessmen and those craving
fame and power) have the same sort of complaint about the world, which,
allegedly, is keeping them in its thrall? What would they say if they were in
the man’s place?
6. Can one’s way of life be radically changed if his or her way of thinking has
not changed? If the desires and expectations are not changed?
7. In your opinion, how desires and attitudes can be changed? How can man get
detached from the desire for money, family, fame, pleasures and desire a peace
of mind, freedom from all attachments, a chance to help his fellow-men, and
to act according to his conscience? (He first needs to learn some truths – for
example, he needs to find out whether man dies when his body dies; is the
universe an accidental phenomenon; what is the soul, etc.).
8. It is man’s right and duty to seek the truth. Who helps him on this path?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
We play the game „The Falling Star“.

Discrimination between
important and unimportant
things
DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN IMPORTANT 257
AND UNIMPORTANT THINGS
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN IMPORTANT AND UNIMPORTANT THINGS
Opposite: INDISCRIMINATION BETWEEN THE TWO
Age: 6-9
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
A good archer is not recognised by his arrows but by his target.

(An English saying)
Who wants a nail, loses the horseshoe.

The wise man’s shame is the foolish man’s pride.

The one who does not take God into his calculations, cannot do calculations at
all.
(An Italian saying)
A teaching without wisdom is a load of books on a mule’s back.

(A Japanese saying)
It is better to have a wise opponent than a foolish friend.

(An Arab saying)
Deer hunters do not shoot their arrows on rabbits.

(A Chinese saying)
There is no doubt that there is a master above man, which scholars call energy and
saints God.
(Albert Einstein)
SILENT SITTING
We watch a candle flame. We then close our eyes and „place“ the image of the
flame behind our brow. The flame sheds light on the inside of our head – all is light,
there are no dark corners. Then the flame is moved- first to the eyes, then the ears,
Virtues of Truth
then the mouth, and then it goes down our throat to the heart. When it is lowered to
our heart, it opens like a flower, shining and giving us warmth. Our lungs are alit, our
waist is shining, our stomach, legs and hands. We stay in silence like this.
We then open our eyes again and watch the candle flame before us. We now know
that inside us there is also a flame which gives us light and warmth.
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Diamond
There was a boy who lived at the edge of a big forest. He collected dry branches and
kindling and this was enough to feed him. He was given clothes by good people.
The boy didn’t have either parents or brothers. However, he was not unhappy. He
hung on with birds and squirrels, talked to butterflies and crickets. All of the forest
loved the boy, and the boy loved them back.
One day he thought:
„What could be there underneath these dry leaves and twigs, is there anybody
living underground“?
So he started digging a hole. He didn’t find anything. Nevertheless, he continued
digging. There was nothing. Again, he continued digging. This time he found a big,
shining stone: diamond.
„You are so wonderful“! said the boy to the diamond.
„You are wonderful, too“, he heard the diamond speak back to him, sparkling.
„I am just an ordinary boy“.
„You are not an ordinary boy. You are a very special boy. That is why you could
find me“.
„Hmm. Would you like to come with me to my house, or do you prefer to stay
under ground“?
„I’d rather go with you. You found me and now I belong to you“.
The boy took the diamond and went home. On the way home, he met a man who
used to bring him dry branches.
„Let me introduce you to my new friend“, exclaimed the boy. „Look how wonderful
it is“!
And he showed him the diamond. The man looked at the shining stone and said:
„Yes, it is diamond, a very precious stone. Are you going to sell it“?
„Of course not“! the boy said hastily. „How could I sell a friend? From now on it
will live in my house and sleep in my bed. When I touch it at night, I will remember
that I sleep with my friend. When I see it in the morning, my heart will be happy“.
„Very nice, very nice“, the man said. „However, a diamond which is not exhibited
in a jeweller’s shop window, which is not put in a golden frame, has really no value.
Like this it is as good as an ordinary stone“.
„You would think high of me only if I were stuck in a ring or a pendant“? the
diamond asked.
„Yes“, the man replied.
„Then you do not appreciate me“, the diamond said, sparkling. „You appreciate an
ornament, jewellery, and not me. I’ve been waiting for someone who would appreciate
only me. And I found this boy, though he thinks that he found me“.
„What a silly story“, the man said, and went away.
The boy and the diamond also continued going home. When they arrived, the boy
put the diamond in front of him, and said:
„You know, it doesn’t matter for me that you are not on a ring, or in a necklace, or
a king’s crown, or in a jeweller’s shop window. Wherever you are, you are a diamond,
because it is you who gives value to a ring, or a necklace or a king’s crown“.
The diamond sparkled with pleasure.
„I’ll tell you a secret, dearest friend“, it whispered.
„Wait a minute! Can I tell your secret to crickets? They always ask me what’s up“?
„Yes, you can. But only to the crickets. So listen carefully: you are a diamond“.
(From „Satwic stories“, slightly changed by V.K.)

2. Now, let us ask ourselves a question: what does it mean to be a diamond?
3. What do you think: are you a diamond?
4. And what about other children, are they diamonds, too?
5. Diamond is always diamond, isn’t it so? Its value is within and does not change.
What is it within us that is always valuable and does not change? What is it
that allows us to call ourselves diamonds? (Our soul, love, goodness).
6. Did the man from the story also have diamond within him? Perhaps he wasn’t
aware that he had one?
7. What do you think, why did the boy have to dig and dig in order to find the
Virtues of Truth
diamond? Is it easy to obtain something of great value?

8. That man appreciated diamond only as an object, which can be shown to
others and had its market place value. Which are the things that do not have
price?
9. Do not forget: you are a diamond! When you wake up at night and feel your
chest, you know that you sleep with a friend!
10. What do you think – who, what and where is the greatest diamond, the one
from which all other diamonds have come?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Draw a diamond.
Draw yourself as a diamond. What does a human being look like as a diamond?
How would you recognise it?
Draw the largest diamond – the way you think it looks…
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-9
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Ugly Prince and the Heartless Princess
Once upon a time there was a prince by the name of Kussa; he was famous for his
goodness and wisdom throughout the kingdom. However, it was his ill fortune that
good and wise Kussa had an ugly face, almost disfigured. Despite his ugliness, he was
respected and loved by everyone.
When his father told him one day that it was time for him to get married, Kussa
replied:
„Do not ask that from me, father. Which beautiful princess would consent to
marry an ugly prince“?
But the king persisted in his idea.
Then prince Kussa, a skilful sculptor, made a golden sculpture with a face of great
beauty, took it to the king and said:
„Father, if you find a princess looking exactly like this, I’ll accept to marry her“.
The king sent his emissaries and envoys all over many kingdoms. They took with
them the golden face, but wherever they arrived, were that a town or village, and
enquired if such a beauty lived among them, everyone shook their head.
„No, such a one we have not seen yet“.
When the envoys reached the kingdom of Mada, it turned out that the local king
had eight daughters, and that the oldest daughter, Prabhavati, looked amazingly
alike the golden face. When the envoys saw her, they immediately went to the king,
Virtues of Truth
her father, and asked for her hand in marriage to prince Kussa. The king knew that
the kingdom of prince Kussa was wealthy and powerful, so he happily seized the
opportunity. When the emissaries returned with good news, prince Kussa got very
depressed.
„Father“, he said, „what would the beautiful princess say when she saw the freak
like me? She will run away the moment she sees me“.
„Don’t worry, my son“, the king replied. „I’ve been reminded of an ancient custom
which will protect you. According to this custom, the bride is not supposed to see her
husband’s face until one year of their marriage is gone. For a year you will meet her
only in dark chambers“.
„But my appearance will not change in a year“, said the prince. „What shall I do
then“?
„Then...“, the king said, „your bride will come to love you so much by then, that in
her eyes you won’t be ugly any more“.
With a heavy heart, prince Kussa consented. The wedding was celebrated with
a lot of pomp and joy, and the wedding ceremony was done in a dark room. The
princess, somewhat surprised, was told that such was the custom in the kingdom.
„What a strange custom“, thought Prabhavati.
Every day and night prince Kussa visited his wife and his words, softness, goodness
and love did the trick. However, the young woman was burning with curiosity to see
the face of her husband. He enquired about his looks among the courtiers. However,
no answer pleased her. Then one of the maids told her that on such and such a day a
procession, lead by prince Kussa riding an elephant, would go round the town . The
maid showed her a window from which she should be able to see the procession. The
moment the procession was passing by the castle, prince Kussa turned his head up
toward the window, and Prabhavati screamed in horror and disgust.
„That cannot be my Kussa“! she cried out.
„That’s him, my lady“, said the maid.
Then Prabhavati cried that a couch and consorts be ready for her, as she intended
to go back to her father. She forgot all the goodness and gentleness of her husband,
and could remember only his ugly face.
The prince with the ugly face could not forget the beauty Prabhavati. Nothing
brought him joy anymore. The only thing that kept him alive was hope that she
might change her mind and consent to come back to him. As she was neither coming
back nor did she send any message that she was going to, Kussa decided to go to the
kingdom of Mada himself, as a sitar player.
Although his father beseeched not to do that, the prince started his journey on
foot, carrying his instrument in one hand. One night around midnight he reached
the walls of the capitol of Mada. Under the windows of the royal palace he started
strumming the strings on the sitar, softly and with great yearning. He played so
enchantingly that the sleepers smiled in their sleep. Only the princess Prabhavati
woke up restless.
„It must be that freak, Kussa“, she whispered. „If my father found out that Kussa
were here, he might force me to go back to him“.
But Kussa had no intention of bringing her back by force. He would have rather
lose her forever than take her home by force. He decided to make his stay in the royal
city secret to all, except the princess.
The next morning, he went to the best pot maker in the city, asking him to take
him as an apprentice. When he showed him the way he could mould the clay, the
potter was truly amazed.
„These should be exhibited at the court“, he said. „I’m convinced that the king will
buy these beautiful pottery for his daughters“.
And that’s how it happened. The king was thrilled with the offered goods. He
bought eight exquisite pots for his eight daughters. Seven daughters happily accepted
the present, only Prabhavati frowned, as she knew whose hands had moulded them.
She returned her pot to the potter, saying:
„Take this pot to the one who made it, and tell him that it is as ugly as he is“.
When, confused, the potter told this to Kussa, he just sighed deeply.
„How can I soften her heart“? he thought.
The gold coins which the potter was given by the king for the pottery Kussa left
to the potter and then went to the royal kitchen to ask the royal cook to become his
assistant. It was immediately evident that the assistant was better than all the cooks.
The meal he prepared was sent to the king. The king was amazed once again. When
he was told that the food had been prepared by the cook’s assistant, he ordered that
the next day the meal be prepared by that outstanding master.
When tomorrow at lunch time Prahbavati saw her husband dressed in cook’s
clothes, she felt almost sick. Kussa showed no signs of recognizing her; nevertheless,
she started screaming:
„I don’t feel like eating this food! I want food prepared by another cook“!
Her sisters started convincing her that the dishes were tastier than anything they
had tasted before, but Prabhavati did not want to even try them. Now finally prince
Kussa was sure that there was no hope that he could win the princess’s heart. Grief-
stricken and miserable, he started getting ready for return to his kingdom.
And when he was already leaving the palace, a sudden commotion and noise
reached his ears. The news had just arrived that seven kings with their armies were
riding toward the kingdom of Mada, and that each of the seven kings intended to take
Prabhavati for his wife. This was a result of the rumour about her great beauty which
had spread all over.
Virtues of Truth
The king was dumbstruck. He knew that he could not give Prabhavati’s hand to
any of the seven kings without provoking the six remaining kings to declare war at
both him and the old king himself. When Kussa heard this, he returned to the palace
and asked to be received by the king.
„Your Majesty“, said Kussa, standing before his father-in-law, „entrust me
leadership of your armies, and allow me to settle accounts with the seven kings“.
„How can a cook lead my army“? the king sneered at him.
„I’m not a cook, I’m prince Kussa, the husband of your daughter. Though she
abandoned me, I still love her. For that reason, let me win this battle for you“.
The king was astounded by this discovery. He immediately called Prabhavati.
„Is this man your husband“? he asked sternly.
When she confirmed it, her father got furious.
„Shame on you for allowing your husband be treated like a common servant“!
thundered the king. „Leave now, you are not worthy of him“!
Then Kussa headed the army toward the advancing seven kings. Though he was
faced with a much mightier opponent, he managed in scattering all of the seven
armies, and make the kings lay down their arms and surrender. Kussa brought the
captives before the king.
„Do with them as you wish“, Kussa said.
„They are your prisoners. So you should do with them what you think would be
appropriate“, said the king.
Then Kussa said:
„Why don’t we marry them to Prabhavati’s sisters“?
The king and all others were amazed at the young prince’s wisdom and generosity.
When the seven king’s saw the seven sister’s of Prabhavati, a miracle happened: all the
seven fell in love with all the seven sisters. And there was a great celebration.
Meanwhile Prabhavati was sitting alone in her room, shedding tears of remorse.
It was not until then that she realised the value of the man she so cruelly abandoned
and humiliated.
Prince Kussa did not want to take advantage of his victory in order to win Prabhavati
back. He was getting ready for his return home. At that moment Prabhavati ran to
him, fell at his feet, and cried out:
„Can you ever forgive me? Will you take me with you, even if I am to be treated
like a slave“?
Kussa stood her up, gently.
„Do you really want to go back with me, and live with me? Look at me, Prabhavati.
I’m still as ugly as on the day when you ran away from me“.
Prabhavati looked at his face. She looked and looked, but instead of disgust she
used to feel, she felt love and thrill.
„You’ve changed“! she cried out. „You are not ugly any more“!
„No“, Kussa said. „I haven’t changed. You’re the one who has changed“.
(From the Indian collection of stories „Jataka“)

2. Which of the characters in the story is the most dear to you?
3. How come, when he is ugly?
4. What was the princess from the story unable to see at first? (His heart and
soul).
5. What would you prefer – a beautiful face or a beautiful heart?
6. It is not easy to attain real beauty. What Prabhavati had to experience in order
to reach it?
7. Is real beauty visible only by the eyes? What has to happen to us in order to
see it?
8. Which of the prince’s acts is most dear to you? When he played underneath
princess’s windows? When he made beautiful pots? That he was the best
cook? That he agreed to be a servant, even the servant’s assistant? That he
championed one army against seven great armies? That he forgave his wife,
without saying a harsh word?
9. In your opinion, were Kussa and Prabhavati happy after this?
10. What is the most important thing in life – to be beautiful, rich, good or
wise?
11. When were you at least a little bit similar to Kussa?
12. Who was harsh to you? Was it painful?
13. Who were you harsh with? Were you hurt? What hurt you more- when others
were harsh with you or when you were harsh with others?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Make drawings of characters from the story.

Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Building of a Temple
In Madurai, India, there is a temple of an enormous size. When it was being

built several centuries ago, hundreds of stone cutters and masons took part in that
endeavour.
At that time, the king of this Indian state used to go to the building site to check
on the work. He once stopped by a mason and asked him:
„What are you doing, good man“?
„Here, I’m earning my living“, the mason replied. „I break and cut the stone, and
thus I feed myself and my family“.
The king was slightly surprised by this reply.
He went to another mason, and asked him the same question. This one replied:
„What am I doing? Here I’m using my knowledge and craft, strength and skill in
order to give this stone a required shape. It is an important job.“
This replied seemed even more interesting to the king.
Walking around, he came across another mason. Sweat was dipping from his brow
while he was cutting the rough stone with all his might. Once more, the king asked
the same question:
„What are you doing“?
The third mason relied like this:
„I’m building a house of God, that’s what I’m doing! May the Lord me praised for
giving me the chance to take part in this sacred enterprise“.
(An Indian story, quoted in B.G. Pitrie)

2. Which answer did you like best, and why?
3. If someone works only to earn a living, if they have no other reason or motive,
isn’t such work too tedious?
4. If someone works in order to employ their knowledge and skill, in order to
enjoy the work which enables them to manifest their talents, such a work will
bring more satisfaction than if they worked only to buy bread. Can you give
some examples of such work? (That is the way many artist, builders, women
who do embroidery, stoke-brokers work... That is the way good teachers
work).
5. If someone works because that work aims at more than just individual glory
and satisfaction, then such a man has its share in a much greater satisfaction,
even if he were underpaid. Are for such a man money and glory of greater
importance than awareness that he takes part in something significant and
great?
6. What was important for the third mason, and what was of less importance?
7. What was of less importance for the second mason, and what was important
to him?
8. What about the first one?
9. Do we come across such attitudes everyday? In your opinion, what do they
depend on? Why someone is the first, the second or the third mason?
10. The third mason had a difficult job. Was it more important to him to have an
easier job or just to take part in this work?
11. Is this in accordance with the words of Sathya Sai Baba, when he says that
man should do not what he likes, but that he should like what he does? What
does this mean, explain?
12. Do you like all the subjects at school equally? Which subject do you like most,
and what would you study most readily? And which subjects do you like less,
or do not like at all?
13. When you like something, then you do it well, isn’t it so? However, when you
Virtues of Truth
simply like to work, doing your duty, then it is not so important which subject
is in question...
14. When at home you are given some chores to do, such as vacuum cleaning,
how do you do it? Willingly, with enthusiasm, or...?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Working together and using building-blocks, we make a temple, a pyramid or a

tower.
Then the „king“ comes and starts putting his questions.
Three masons reply and explain their attitude. The first attitude is „I am just a
worker who is earning his leaving“. The second is „I am an excellent craftsman, an
artist, and I use my knowledge and skill“. The third attitude is „ I am a happy man,
because I am God’s instrument, doing God’s work”.
What is the tone of voice of the first one? (Depressed, slightly indifferent). What
is the tone of voice of the second one? (Self-conscious, somewhat proud, with desire
that everyone else should hear him).
What about the third one? (He speaks with joy, not paying attention whether
anyone is listening, happy that he knows what he does).
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Dogs and a Cook
While the cook was preparing dinner, his dogs were lying at the kitchen door,
waiting for their meal. When he prepared lunch, the cook threw into the backyard
cow’s intestines. The dogs grabbed them, ate them and said:
„Our cook is good, and he cooks well“.
After that the cook started shelling peas and pealing turn ups and onion. Again, he
threw the pods and skin into the yard. The dogs gathered, and turning their muzzles
away, said:
„Our cook got spoilt – he used to be good, and now he is not worth a damn“.
But the cook did not listen to his dogs, he prepared the lunch as best as he could.
The lunch was eaten and praised by his masters, not by the dogs.
(A fable quoted in L.N. Tolstoy)

Virtues of Truth

2. What was important to the cook? Whose praise or reproach?
3. Find examples in everyday life which remind you of the cook in the story!
4. Who is our master whose praise we want to earn? Give several possibilities
who this person might be! (An estate manager, a teacher, our conscience,
God).
5. Do you know which book says: „No one can serve two masters“?
6. Who do you want to be liked by the most? Who do you want to please the
most? Your parents? Your teachers? Your friends? Or...?
7. How did you feel when you were praised for a well done job?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Working individually, everyone picks up their own „master“ which they want
to please. Also, they select their own „dog“. On a piece of paper everyone writes
down the qualities which are liked by the master, and on another piece of paper they
do the same for the dog. On a third piece of paper everyone writes the name or a
description of the master, and on a fourth one the name and the description of the
dog. (The master can be a being from our dreams, a film hero, a character from a
book, a comic book or history, but it must be someone we would like to impress with
our behaviour).
All the pieces of paper are folded and put in a basket. Later everyone draws one.
For example: a piece of paper with someone’s „master”is picked up, and the qualities
needed to please such a master are read aloud from another piece of paper. The same
is done with the „dog“ notes. This can give rise to a lot of joy.
One such piece of paper is picked up, it is not open but the question is asked:
„What qualities are needed for this master“? And then again: „Which master requires
these qualities“? Etc.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
A Frightened Parachutist
A lot of people were invited to a garden party. One young lady took a liking to a
good looking young man and started a conversation with him:
„What do you do“? she asked.
„I’m a parachutist“, he replied.
„Oh, that must be horrible“! the lady cried out. „And dangerous“.
„I admit, there are frightening moments“.
She took him into a garden corner, to a bench, and asked him in whispers:
„Please, tell me about such a frightening experience“!
„I think it happened when I landed with my parachute on a lawn, and saw the
sign: „Keep off the grass“!
(Quoted in A. De Mello)
Virtues of Truth

2. Is this a funny story? Does it look almost like a joke? What is funny in it?
3. Did the lady and the parashutist understand each other? What did she expect,
and what, according to him, was important?
4. In your opinion, what was the parachutist supposed to say? In this story, what
is a nail and what is a horseshoe?
5. You have a friend. You meet with him/her, go to the cinema, to birthday
parties, make long telephone conversations, exchange e-mails, you quarrel
and make peace again... What is that which is important in your friendship,
which does not change, and which is present most of the time?
6. What is more important – a good mark or knowledge?
7. What is more important – good looks or a good heart? Who would you prefer
to walk the Sahara desert or the Antarctica with – someone goodlooking or
someone who is a good travelling companion?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
The teacher speaks aloud some statements which claim that something is a rule.
For example: “Grass is green”, “mice like cheese”, “cows feed on grass”, etc. If they
agree, the children raise their hands.
If someone notices that there is an exception to the rule, they shout “Stop”! The
game is paused and that child gets to explain what sort of exception it is. For example,
grass is not always green, it is sometimes yellow. Sea is not always blue- it can be
gray on a cloudy day, or emerald-turquoise if the sand at the sea bed is white. Even
cherries are not always red, there are white cherries, too.
However, it is necessary to explain that most often cherries are red, and that most
often grass is green, and that is why we say in general that they are red and green.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Stone of a Wise Man
One day a wise man stopped at a house of a poor merchant. For years this merchant
has been trying to profit from trade, but it somehow always slipped through his
fingers. When he saw the wise man, the merchant started crying in desperation and
pleading with him:
„Oh you esteemed servant of God, help me please, help me put an end to this
poverty and get myself out of misery forever“!
The compassionate wise man then put a miraculous stone in the merchant’s hand,
telling him that it could turn iron into pure gold.
„Here, good man“, the wise man said, „take this stone and make as much gold for
yourself as you want. Keep it for three months. After three months I’ll come to take
it back“.
Having said this, the wise man departed.
Alarmed, the merchant was thinking about how to go to the marketplace tomorrow
and buy some scrap iron in order to turn it into gold. He could hardly wait for the sun
to rise to go to the market place. When he arrived there, he enquired about the price
of scrap iron. He was told that the price had just gone up from five rupees per kilo to
seven rupees per kilo.
„What a pity“, the merchant thought. „If I had only come yesterday! But it’s better
not to buy it today, but to wait for a while – the price will most probably go down
again“.
Virtues of Truth
And so he waited day in and day out, going to the market place, enquiring about
the price, and leaving without buying the iron. A month went by. Then one day he
was told that the price went up again, and that it was not seven rupees any more, but
nine.
„What a fool I’ve been“! cried the merchant. „I should have bought iron while it
was seven rupees. But never mind, I’ll wait a little longer, the price is bound to drop
again“.
And he went home, convinced that he was doing the right thing.
And so he was coming and going, but never managing to drive a bargain. In this
waiting and indecision three months passed by, and one day the wise man appeared
on the doorstep – he came to fetch his stone.
And the merchant remained as poor as he had been before.
(The story circulating in Asia)

2. Where did lie the merchant’s mistake? (He was bargaining about a trifle,
while he had a real treasure in hand; he was preoccupied with unimportant ,
marginal details).
3. The wise man’s stone, gold and iron are but symbols. What do they stand for?
(The wise man’s stone = a precious teaching, gold = spirituality, enlightenment,
spiritual wealth, happiness, iron = ignoble life, a life devoid of light and joy).
4. Who does the poor merchant stand for? Is it only about material poverty?
(The merchant is a man lacking spirit – he needs help).
5. When the real goal is at hand, what needs to be done?
6. Have you ever missed something important for the sake of something
unimportant?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Everyone answers the question: what is my stone of a wise man?

Also: when do I behave like the poor merchant from the story?
When everyone has given their answer, on a piece of paper they write down
everything that comes under the stone of wisdom. (These are all the values, ideals,
good achievements, principles, teachings, virtuous acts, good habits, success). Then
on a different colour sheet of paper they write the things because of which the good
ones do not get accomplished or are neglected. (For example, we waste our time by
watching cheap movies, or spend money on things that are thrown away the next day;
we are lazy to think and do things, etc.).
The folded sheets of paper are put in two baskets, and then they are randomly picked
up and read. What is read is discussed and added to. Finally all the characteristics that
make up the stone of the miser man are narrowed down to just the essential ones.
We answer the question: what could the stone of the wise man be represented by
– by what form or sign?
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
King Charles and his Friend
Charles V, the king of England, had an associate and a friend he cared about very
much. One day the said friend fell ill, and fell into bed never to get up again.
The king was desperate. He summoned the best of doctors, but no one was able
to restore the king’s friend to good health. His friend was fast disappearing, like the
snow in the March sun.
Soon the news was received that the king’s faithful friend was at his death bed.
The king climbed his horse and hurried to his friend’s house without waiting for
the coach and escorts. When they saw the monarch, the dying man’s cousins were
dumbfounded. They took him to his friend’s bedroom and left them alone. As white
as a sheet of paper, the king’s associate was lying on his bed, unable to either get up
or move.
The king leaned over the dying man.
„How are you, my dear friend“? the king whispered, and tears filled his eyes.
„I’m not very well ... Your Majesty“! his friend hardly managed to speak. His breath
raced, his eyes glassy with effort.
„You’ll recover soon“, said the king. „Tell me, what can I do for you? What would
you like me to give you“?
„Just another... day... of life...“
„Oh, my friend, that can only God give you!“

„I should have ... served God instead“! the dying man whispered.

(From „Bal Vikas“ magazine)

2. What are both kings and beggars equally unprotected from?
3. What is the only thing that God can give, and that man can take away from
another man? (Life).
4. What it is that cannot be secured by power and money? (Good health,
happiness, real friendship, beauty, long life, intelligence, love, harmonious
family life, progeny...)
5. Can the most important things in life be secured by power and money?
6. In your opinion, do majority of people consider money and power to be an
important goal and a sign of success in life?
7. What does it mean when it is said that people serve money? That they are
slaves of money? How come, rich and powerful and yet servants and slaves?
8. In your opinion, are the rich on average happier and more peaceful than the
poor? Do rulers sleep more peacefully than an ordinary man?
9. When was the last time you repented, knowing that your choice was wrong?
10. Have you told anyone about it?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Put each folded scrap of paper, with questions like:“what is the most important
thing in life”, “what is happiness”, “what would you seek from the gold fish if you met
it”, “would you rather be rich or healthy”, etc., in a deflated balloon. Then the balloons
are inflated, tied up and all the children stand in a circle, passing every balloon from
hand to hand. The music is played and when it suddenly stops, the child who has
the balloon in her or his hands sits down on the balloon and keeps sitting until the
balloon bursts. Then the folded note is picked up, the question is read aloud and
answers are given.
The game lasts until all the balloons are finished.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
How Nasrudin Fed His Overcoat
The rumour that in a nearby town a great feast was being organised and that
everyone was invited reached Nasrudin. He hurried to be there on time. When the
maitre d’ saw Nasrudin in his ragged coat, he put him in a low place, far away from
where the honorary invitees were seated.
Seeing his position, Nasrudin concluded that it would take at least one hour before
the servants with food and drink reached him. So he got up and went home.
There he dressed in a beautiful overcoat with luxurious fur border, embroidered
with gold thread, and put a matching turban on his head. Then he headed for the
feasting hall again. As soon as the servants saw him, they sent the word to the emir,
the host, that a distinguished guest arrived. Drums and trumpets blasted to his
welcome.
The maitre d’ came to greet Nasrudin, took a deep bow before him and took him
to an honorary place, right next to the emir. Immediately a plate with delicious dishes
was placed in front of him. Without a moment’s hesitation, Nasrudin started rubbing
pieces of food against his hat and overcoat.
„Your highness“, said the emir, „I’d be quite interested to hear about your customs
which to us seem quite new and unfamiliar“.
„It’s nothing special“, said Nasrudin. „It was my overcoat that brought me here,
and provided me with this selection of delicious food. It has certainly deserved its
share, hasn’t it“?
(A Sufi story quoted in Indries Shah)

2. What lesson did Nasrudin want to give to the emir and his company?
3. What was the maitre d’ guided by when allocating seats to the guests?
4. It is folk wisdom that produced the saying „man is what his clothes make him
to be“, which aims exactly at the superficial society which judges a person
according to the clothes he or she wears...
5. Nasrudin made fun of such society and such a criterion of assessing one’s
value. What did he show? (That even expensive clothes do not guarantee
that they are worn by an important and powerful man – so he ridiculed the
society of his time which bowed to the clothes). How did Nasrudin perform
his mocking?
6. Do you think that the emir found it funny, too? Or did he get angry?
7. Can an unpleasant truth be told in a way which does not offend the person it
refers to?
8. This is about discrimination between important and unimportant things.
Let us remind ourselves: what is important and what is unimportant in this
story?
9. The emir and his company had a chance to understand that they invited to
the feats and honoured a cloak and a hat, not a person. The way Nasrudin
did it was irresistibly funny. However, another way would probably not be as
effective?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Draw a comic strip about Nasrudin and his clothes. Let everyone draw in red
pencil the scene which they consider the most important. Then all the red pieces are
cut out and put together. We have a look and check whether all agree about what is
the most important thing!
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Me or my Clothes?
Once the vice-roy of India invited Tilak to a reception in his palace in New Delhi.
At the time many Indians adopted English clothes, fashion and manners. Tilak, the
famous fighter for Indian independence, was completely different. He went to the
reception in his usual clothes.
At the entrance of the royal palace, he was stopped and was not allowed to enter.
When Tilak asked why he was not permitted to go in, he was told that his clothes
were not in accordance with the requirements of the reception.
Then Tilak took out his card and wrote a note to the vice-roy. His note consisted of
just one sentence: „Have you invited me, or my clothes“? When the vice-roy received
the note, he hurried to the entrance to apologise to Tilak, and took him inside the
reception hall.
On another occasion, one of Tilak’s admirers asked him:
“Sir, you have done so much for the independence of India. When India is once
freed from the British yoke, as a minister of the future government, which department
would you choose“?
Tilak answered in a soft and calm tone of voice:
„I’d like to go back to my old profession – to carry on as a teacher of Mathematics.
As it is the teacher who must shape the leaders and politicians of tomorrow“.
(From the biography of B.G. Tilak)

2. In these two episodes, which virtues have been disclosed by Tilak?
3. What did Tilak indicate as important in the first case? (He himself).
4. What did he consider important in the second case?
5. Did Tilak also joke when in the first story he wrote that concise question?
6. In your opinion, was the viceroy embarrassed?
7. In your opinion, where is the insignificant and superficial most apparent in
human communication?
8. Be honest and say when are you superficial? And when are you the most
superficial?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
The teacher utters aloud some words and terms, and the children quickly give
answers saying which one is important and which is not. For example: an orange, a
torch, sugar, a pencil, friendship, studying, a bird, a dog, man...
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Hero’s Reply
The fame of the great warrior Amir Ibn Mahdikerib and his sabre was fast spreading
all over the Ottoman Empire. The courage of this great hero and his invincible weapon
was the subject of many stories and poems told and sung in his glory.
The rumour about Amir reached the caliph, who immediately wanted to see this
famed sabre. He sent the word to Amir asking him to, if possible, send his weapon to
him. Amir did as he was asked.
When the sabre was brought to the caliph, he started inspecting it carefully,
looking for a special sign which would be an undeniable sign of its invincibility. But
he couldn’t find it. Slightly disappointed, he wrote a letter to Amir:
„The sabre does not do justice to the rumour about it...“
When Amir received the letter, he sat down to write his reply. He wrote a similarly
short note, saying:
„I’ve sent you the sabre, and not the hand that holds it...“
(An Arab story, abridged by V.K.)

1. Do you remember what kind of reply is a laconic reply?

2. People who act usually do not talk much... What do you think, why is that?
3. There is a verse in the Montenegrin poetry which reads: „It is not the invincible
arms that fight and win a battle, but the warrior’s brave heart“. What does it
mean? And: „In the hands of Vuk Mandushic any sabre is a lethal weapon“...
4. Who was being superficial?
5. What could the caliph have said after such a reply?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Choose one of the previous games.

Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Banished Prince
Once a king’s son organised a rebellion against his father which ended in failure.
That is how the prince was banished from the kingdom.
Time went by and the king was moved by his son’s ill fate, so he sent his envoys to
all the corners of the globe to find him.
The envoys were searching and searching, but in vain. Finally, a very persistent
king’s man found him in a God forsaken village, far away from the capitol and his
father’s kingdom. He recognised him, though the prince looked completely different
by then. He was dirty, with an untidy beard and ragged clothes. He turned into a
homeless village fool.
The king’s man approached him. It happened in a village inn. The prince was
dancing barefeet before a drunk bunch of men who were clapping. The king’s herald
got hold of his hand and whispered in his ear:
„Your Majesty, Prince...“
The ragged man gave him a blank look, not showing any sign of recognition.
„Prince, remind yourself, you are the king’s son, an hair to the throne. What are
you doing here, in this smoky and noisy pub, in this unbecoming atmosphere? Come
out with me for a moment, I need to tell you your father’s message...“
The herald took the unfortunate man out of the inn. He took a bow and said:
„Have you forgotten who you are“?
The Prince was still looking at the herald with a blank, insane gaze.
„Your father has sent me to ask you what you need. Tell me what you need, he is
ready to fulfil any wish you might have“.
The drunkard burst into tears.
„Oh“, he said through sobs, „if I could have warm clothes and a pair of good
shoes“!
(M. Buber, abridged by V.K.)

2. What have you been most surprised by in this story?
3. What have you been most saddened by in this story?
4. Is this a story of a special man, a prince, or is it a story about any man, about
people in general?
5. What does this story say about people? What have they accepted as their real
environment? What have they forgotten?
6. And when God reminds man that the kingdom of heaven is in him and
for him, man still chooses something unimportant and transitory... For
example...? (People most often prey for material things: a house, property, a
status in society...)
7. Was the prince being modest? Or blind?
8. What do you think, what was his father ready to give him?
9. In your opinion, how his father must have felt when he heard about his son’s
wish?
10. Which saying do you find fitting for this story?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Make two groups, and make them sit facing each other, so that everyone has a
pair. The teacher starts with the first pair, saying „patience“. Each pair has 10 seconds
to give their answer.
When the teacher says: „Go“!, the pair has to simultaneously, in one voice, give a
word with the opposite meaning; in this case it is „impatience“. It is important that
the reply is given in one voice, at the same time, as if it was spoken by one person.
The teacher proceeds with more words: obedience, selfishness, insecurity,
Virtues of Truth
abandonment, fight, joy, dream, truth, love... Each time the reply consists of a word
with the opposite meaning said at the same time and as if in one voice, and everyone
has ten seconds to think of the reply.
If the pair gives different answers or at a different time, they drop out or are put at
the end of the line.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Guru Nanak
Once a great spiritual teacher Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, stopped at a musk. In
every musk it is a rule that believers bow facing the direction where Mecca is located,
the town on the Arab peninsula, where lived and taught the prophet Mohammed.
For most countries in the West, Mecca is in the East. For Arabic countries, Mecca is
in the west.
Guru Nanak lived in India. Instead of bowing in the direction of the west, where
Mecca was, he bowed toward the north. The dumbfounded priest approached him
and said:
“Don’t you know where Mecca is, the abode of God? How can you be so ignorant?
God lives in the direction of the west, remember that“.
„Show me the direction in which He is not“, replied guru Nanak to the priest,
taking a bow to the south, west and east then.
Embarrassed, the man realised that God was omnipresent.
(An Indian anecdote)

Virtues of Truth
1. Let us first retell this episode...

2. Nanak said to the man by his actions that which is written in the scriptures.
And what is that?
3. Can the notion of the absolute be tied to one direction in space? To just one
point on the map? To just one religion?
4. What else in the world is omnipresent?
5. Is there anything that is not present in space?
6. Is there anything that does not exist in time?
Albert Einstein
In one of the interviews the famous Einstein was asked how a discovery is made.
He said:
„Oh, that’s easy. First a forum of distinguished scholars and scientists is organised.
They gather together in order to harmonise, put together and check all the results of
the latest achievements. When this is done, then they strive to make a conclusion, to
see what is clear and what is not, what is possible and what is not. However, it happens
that one of the scholars is late. Because of this, he is not aware of what is possible and
what is not possible, and not knowing this, he makes a discovery“.
(From his biography)
1. First repeat the famous scientist’s words!

2. To the question „how“, he responded with a funny story. But there is a grain
of truth in this story. Who could say something about the serious aspect of
this story?
3. The one who is late is lucky... What does that luck consist of? (The one who is
late is not burdened with the already made conclusions and beliefs, there is no
sign „no entry“ or „dead end“ for him...)
4. In other words, what is important for a scientific or any other kind of
discovery?
5. What the person who makes discoveries has to be like? (Open minded,
without prejudice, creative).
WORKSHOP/PLAY
On a sheet of paper, everyone draws the outline of their hand.

In the centre of the palm write the word „truth“. On each of the five fingers write
virtues which you think are significant in order for the truth to be realised. Out of
all the virtues studied so far, choose five which seem the most important to you. But
before writing them down, let us remind ourselves of all the virtues „covered“ so far.
Then compare the „hands“.
We repeat the game. This time we write values in the five fingers. The value that we
are studying at the moment (truth) we write in red pencil.
Discrimination between
reality and illusion
DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN 293
REALITY AND ILLUSION
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: DISCRIMINATION BETWEEN REALITY AND ILLUSION
Opposite: INDISCRIMINATION BETWEEN THE TWO, CREDULITY
Age: 6-9
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
The one who asks questions is not idly wasting time.

Do not bite if you are not sure whether it is bread or rock.

Do not try to cross the water you don’t know its depth.
Hear-say is usually not said as it was heard.

(A Serbo-Croatian expression)
The eyes that shed tears over the world, dry up quickly.
Eat the fruit and leave the others fight over the basket.
(Swami Vivekananda)
Dreaming means suffering, and God is the truth)

Everything that glitters is not gold.

The deaf heard the numb talking about the blind who saw the crippled taking part
in a race.
(A Jewish saying)
How can the one who is asleep wake up the sleeping one?
(An Indian saying)
Virtues of Truth
Oh traveller, do not throw away the water from your bottle because of the mirage
of an oasis!
(An Arab saying)
SILENT SITTING
Imagine you are silence.
We are silent.
We feel voices, noises and heartbeat diving in and merging with us. Everything
merges into our silence, becoming silent, becoming silence.
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Something Rustled in the Bushes
There was a man who said that in such and such a place he saw ten wolves. When
those who were listening to his story started claiming that it couldn’t be true, he
reduced the number to nine, then to eight, until he finally was left with only one.
When the others did not want to believe him for even that one, but instead claimed
that even this one was an illusion, he said:
„Something rustled in the bushes, it seemed to me like ten wolves“!
(A Montenegrin story)
The One whose Fingers got Burnt Once...
The word goes that an Albanian got his fingers burnt with a fried pumpkin, which
he had neither seen nor eaten before; so when the next time he saw it in the field, he
blew onto it over the fence.
(A Serbian folk story)
Dear me, I’m Dead!
A mother and father-in-law were very embittered against their son-in-law because
he had not written to them at all since he went abroad where he was stationed as a
soldier. They waited and waited, but there was no sign of a letter. His wife and their
daughter waited, too. This made the father write an angry letter to his son-in-law. The
letter said:
„For me, for my wife and for your wife, you are dead. And because you died, your
wife cut her hair short and wears the clothes for widows“.
When he received the letter, the soldier started crying his heart out. He was
mourning his wife’s widowhood. He did not understand that his wife could not be a
widow as long as he was alive.
(Quoted in Sathya Sai Baba)
1. Let us retell all the three stories...

2. There is a saying in Serbo-Croatian which says: „The eyes go big in fear...“
What does it mean?
3. It could be said also: „The ears grow big in fear“. Which story does this refer
to?
4. What would have happened if the people resembled the man who was
frightened by the rustle? What would have happened if they had accepted his
report about ten wolves without checking it first? (The whole village would
have got alarmed, perhaps men would go out in search of the peck of wolves,
armed with bats and rifles; perhaps children would not be able to sleep,
perhaps...)
5. What is the message of the first story?
6. What does the second story tell us? Have you already heard the saying „He
blows even onto cold“ this or that?
7. Imagine that in our town the word is spread that a fatal contagious disease
broke out, such as the plague, cholera, etc., which took many lives in the
past. If this reached the ears of a fearful person, what would have happened?
(Perhaps his stomach would go in a knot, perhaps he would start vomiting
because of fear? Then someone else watching this, could feel cramps in his
stomach and the third person might perhaps faint? And by the time the proof
that there was no disease whatsoever arrived, perhaps many people would get
really sick...?)
Virtues of Truth
8. Have you heard the story about cholera which was going to some country to
take one thousand lives? (On the way there, it met a man whom she told that
her intention was to kill one thousand people. Later this man met her again,
and asked her why she lied to him when she said that she was going to kill one
thousand when three thousand died. Cholera said: „As I have said, I killed
one thousand; the remaining two thousand died of fear“.)
9. In order not to be afraid or entertain false hopes, we first need to...?
10. What is the message of the third story? (What is important is our own
experience- we need to think with our own head).
11. If someone is telling you something, be it frightening or amazing, we first
need to ask ourselves whether the story is trustworthy, are the data correct
and where they can be checked? There is a saying: „Measure three times, cut
once“. What does it mean?
12. What is the best friend of a wrong judgement? (Credulity, fear, not trusting
our own good judgement).
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Make three pantomimes for the three stories.

Make three groups. Each group picks up one story to present. Before presentations,
each group discusses among themselves the best way to present the content of their
story.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-9
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Monkeys Trying to Get Hold of the Moon
A pack of monkeys lived on a hilltop.

In the night of a full moon, the monkeys came down the hill to play in the valley.
One little monkey came hopping to a well, leaned over and saw a reflection of the
moon inside. The little monkey got frightened, and broke into a run, crying as loud
as he could:
„Help! The moon has fallen into the well“!
When the oldest monkey heard this, he approached the well and had a look
himself. Indeed, there was the moon in the well. The old monkey summoned all the
monkeys and declared:
„Something terrible happened! The moon has fallen into the well. We have to get
it out immediately“!
The little monkey added:
„Let us climb that tree next to the well, and hold each other forming a chain, all
the way down to the water. That’s how we can take out the moon“.
His idea was greeted with enthusiasm, and they immediately climbed the tree.
The old monkey clutched a branch with his legs and let his body hang down, and
the biggest monkey clutched his arms with his legs, and the next biggest monkey
clutched his legs with his hands, and so on, one monkey after the other formed a live
chain all the way down to the water surface. The last one to go was the little monkey.
Virtues of Truth
The others heard him shouting from the bottom of the well:
„Great! Now I can reach it“!
He reached out toward the reflection of the moon, but all he grasped was a little
water. When again he extended his paw toward the moon, there were water ripples,
and the moon broke into tiny pieces which floated in the well. The little monkey got
frightened and cried out:
„Dear me, I’ve broken the moon“!
When the old monkey heard this, he became furious.
„What“, he shouted, „aren’t you capable of doing such a simple task as taking the
moon out of the water?! There, you’ve broken the moon – what is to be done now“?
And all started scolding the little monkey.
In the meantime the water calmed and a clear shining reflection of the moon
appeared again. The little monkey, head over heels with joy, yelled happily:
„It’s all right! The moon is here again“!
The little monkey tried to catch the moon once again, but again he caught only a
few drops of water. He was trying and trying for a long time, but could not get hold
of the moon. He lost his patience and started complaining:
„Dear me, I’m so tired. The moon gets broken as soon as it is touched“.
Then the other monkeys started complaining that their legs and arms hurt and
that can’t endure hanging on like that in this chain.
At that very moment, the old monkey looked up, and saw a big, round, shining
moon. He screamed:
„Look! Can’t you see that the moon is in the sky?! It’s only its reflection that is in
the well! Come on, you fools, climb out of the well and look where the moon really
is“.
Having heard this, the little monkey, the biggest monkey and all the rest started
climbing up the big branch. They sat up there, gazing at the wonderful and shining
moon, laughing at themselves.
(A Chinese fable)

2. They first called for help, and then they laughed at their mistake. Has it ever
happened to you, too – that you first got frightened, and then you laughed at
what frightened you?
3. The reflection of the moon in the well was an illusion, a mirage. What was the
truth?
4. An illusion can be very convincing. How to find your way faced with an
illusion and reality? What should be done first? (Enquire, explore, check).
5. An illusion is often revealed by accident- just like in the story when the old
monkey looked up in the sky. Who can think of a similar example?
6. When you are asleep and dreaming, it seems to you that the dream is true, that
it is reality. If it didn’t look like it you wouldn’t cry, laugh, be happy, frightened
or angry... But what happens when in the morning you open your eyes?
7. People say that „a dream is an illusion, and God is truth“. What do you think,
why it wasn’t said that „a dream is an illusion, and being awake is truth“?
(Because we can be deluded even when awake, just like in a dream. When we
are awake, we can laugh and cry over things which are neither sad nor funny –
so wakefulness is not always reliable. What is the only reliable thing, the only
sure and real thing?
8. Which truth is always and completely true? Is folk wisdom right in what it
says?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
We take a thin cardboard or thick coloured paper and cut out bookmarks (if
available, thin wooden boards and sticks can be used as well). On each bookmark
inscribe a saying (from the beginning of this chapter), which you like the most. The
sigh can be decorated with shiny dust or adhesive coloured paper, decorative bands,
etc. We can also draw a character from the story, if we wish – the moon, a monkey...
Take these bookmarks home and give them as presents to your parents.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-9
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Death of a Donkey
Once upon a time a king and queen lived in a beautiful castle which was in the
wonderful capitol of their kingdom. They lived happily, pleased with their subjects,
and their subjects were pleased with them.
One day one of the queens courtiers came to the court in tears. The queen,
accustomed to a peaceful and comfortable life, got very upset because of her courtier’s
tears.
„What has happened, my dear“? she asked.
But, drowning in tears, her courtier could not utter a word of explanation.
Having seen this, the queen herself stared crying. She was afraid that her courtier
was stricken by some great calamity. Now other courtiers and maids came, and seeing
the queen crying, they also started crying and lamenting. Soon the whole female wing
of the castle was crying inconsolably and lamenting so loudly that the noise reached
all the way to the male wing of the castle. Having heard the crying and wailing, the
king’s servants joined the wailing and hurried to the king to inform him of the terrible
misfortune.
The king stopped with his kingly duties and hurried to the queen’s chambers,
followed by his escorts. He found the queen suffocating in tears. Now the king too
started crying. When his advisors and generals saw this, they themselves started crying
and lamenting. The woe soon spread to the streets of the town, to all the squares and
all of the houses. Yes, the whole town was shuddering and drowning in tears.
Nobody asked why they were crying – they just cried and cried ever more loudly
and desperately. Finally, a person with common sense appeared, who wanted to find
out the reasons for this misery. This person asked the person standing next to her:
„Please tell me, why are you crying“?
He stopped for a moment, thought for a while, looked at the next person and
asked this person:
„Just a moment, please. Tell me why are you crying“?
This person also stopped for a moment, wiped her tears and asked the next
person:
„Indeed, will you tell me why are you crying“?
So the question went from one person to the other until it reached the doorstep of
the castle, and up the stairs to the ladies’ chambers, and finally it reached the queen
herself. The queen regained her composure and replied that she was crying because
her good courtier that day came to the court crying bitterly. Then this lady, whose job
was washing clothes, was asked for the reason of her sorrow:
„Tell us, why are you crying“?
Sobbing and sighing, the washerwoman answered that she was inconsolable
because that morning her favourite donkey suddenly died.
When this word spread from mouth to mouth, crying was replaced by laughter,
and the whole town was soon reveberating with laughter.
(An Indian story, quoted in Sathya Sai Baba)
1. Let us retell the story, what was the sequence of events...

2. Is it funny? Is it sad?
3. What is the moral of this story?
4. Should we do some things only because other people do them? Or: should we
not do some things only because others do not do them?
5. What should be done? (Check, enquire, see whether it suits us to do or not do
some things).
6. Rumours and hear-say are not enough in order for good judgement. And
these often influence so much both the public and an individual opinion. Let’s
say: there is a new boy in the class. All of a sudden, somebody spreads rumour
that this boy is a very bad pupil, that he, allegedly, repeated class and that
Virtues of Truth
was the reason why he was transferred from some other school to this one,
in order to get rid of a bad name. Would many pupils believe this story? And
some other pupils, what would they conclude? (“We will soon see, until we see
for ourselves, we don’t want to make a judgement”).
7. Which saying would you choose as the most appropriate one for this story?
Explain!
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Pantomime: we show the whole town crying and then the whole town laughing!
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Escape from Ghosts
A legend says that a long time ago many ghosts and apparitions haunted people
in the vicinity of a certain bridge in Hang Chou. Nowadays, however, people mostly
laugh at the story as a superstition.
One day a lonely traveller was caught up in a strong wind and heavy rain when
he was just about to cross the bridge. While he was hurrying to cross the bridge,
he bumped into another man, coming from the opposite direction. This one was
carrying an umbrella and was not aware that someone was approaching him. When
he bumped into the first traveller, he hit him so hard that the fellow fell over into
the river. Frightened, the traveller with the umbrella started running, looking for a
shelter. He saw in a distance the lights of a shelter. He started running as if possessed,
and entered the inn soaking wet. He was given a place next to the fire and some hot
wine to drink.
Soon after this, the other traveller, who almost got drowned, flang the door open.
Gasping for air, rolling his eyes, he said:
„A ghost pushed me into the river with an umbrella, it is a miracle that I’ve
survived“!
„I’ve seen the same ghost“! shouted the other traveller.
And so the two of them started recounted their spooky experience with the ghost
on the bridge, without realising that they were the ghost from the bridge to each
Virtues of Truth
other.
On another stormy and misty night, there was another man who was just crossing
the bridge. He did not have a lamp. He heard the noise of wooden clogs behind
him. When he turned around, he saw a big head on a body of small stature. He then
stopped in order to have a better look . The head stopped, too. He continued to walk,
but the head started following him. By now frightened, the man started running, and
the head started running after him. The man was absolutely terrified. As if possessed,
he ran toward the shelter lights he saw in the distance. He did not stop to knock, but
flang the door wide open. However, before he could close the door, there was the
same head on the doorstep, looking at him.
Weak with fear, the man picked up a candle and he saw a boy who on his head had
a large jug in order to protect himself from the rain. As he was afraid of ghosts, he
followed the man to the shelter.
(A Chinese story, abridged by V.K.)
1. Let us retell these funny stories...

2. Have something similar happened to us, too – that we could not make out
what was going on because we were afraid? Give some examples!
3. Why is it said that „fear has magnifying eyes“?
4. What should be done when we are caught up by anxiety, or even fear? (Keep
composure and check whether the reason is something real or an illusion).
5. We are sometimes frightened by our own shadow...
6. The sailors and travellers from the past wrote reports of dragons and
apparitions, which they allegedly saw at certain spots? In your opinion, did
they make them up, or did it seem to them that they actually saw these?
7. Why did it seem to them that they saw something? (Because when most
people talk that there is something – we see it).
8. If it wasn’t for the legend about the ghost on the bridge, would any of them see
the ghost in each other?
9. Many conclusions are based on unchecked hear-say. Can you give an
example?
10. Some children who get easily frightened, like to frighten other kids...
WORKSHOP/PLAY
These stories are perfect for pantomime.

We can elaborate the story and change the ending.
The play starts with the stormy night on the bridge. Two passengers from both
sides of the bridge are pushing their way through the wind and rain to the other side.
One of them has an umbrella. Then they bump into each other and one of them falls
into the river while the other one runs to the shelter.
He tells everyone there that he has seen a terrible apparition – describes its huge
jaw, huge wings, claws, strong muscles, etc. Everyone is shaking with fear. Then
the other one, who got pushed into the river, arrives. He also tells about meeting a
horrible apparition- presenting it as something most terrible, hides under the table
and covers his head with the tablecloth. The two of them compete in giving a better
description of the ghost.
They then get tired of their story. One of them sees the umbrella of the other.
He starts watching it closely – opening and closing it, as if he has remembered
something... The two of them start looking at each other and recognising each other.
Finally, they burst into laughter, and the whole inn laughs with them. They sit at the
table, drink wine making a toast to „the ghost“.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
A Fight
In a small town a young man lived who loved his parents very much. He got
married and soon after this, his father died. The young man was very sad.
One day he had to go to a slightly bigger town on business. Wandering through
the town, he run across a shop which was selling mirrors. Curious to see what was
there inside the shop, he went in. When he looked in one mirror, he saw the face of
his father while young. Taken by surprise and enchanted, he thought:
„Who would think that my father was in this little object“!
And so he bought the mirror and took it home. There he put it at the alter, next to
the statue of Buddha, in front of which he prayed every day.
One day his wife found it strange that her husband spent so much time in front of
the altar. She also noticed the new, shining object at the altar. When she approached
to have a better look at it, she saw in it a female face. She got very angry and cried at
her husband:
„Who else, but you, would bring home a concubine and put it at the alter, too“!
„What are you talking about“? her husband was dumbfounded. „That’s my late
father“!
And they got into a fight which all the neighbourhood could hear. They casted
swear words, slurs and threats at each other. The wife claimed that there was her
husband’s concubine at the altar, and her husband that it was his late father.
At that particular moment, a Buddhist nun was passing by the house. Hearing
the noise, she entered the house to enquire what was the matter. When both of them
offered their views and reasons, the Buddhist nun asked:
„Will you allow me to see it“?
„Yes, have a look! Have a look!“ cried both the wife and husband.
The nun approached the mirror, looked in it and saw a nun.
„Oh, the concubine repented and took the nun’s vow, therefore she can be forgiven“,
she concluded.
And so the fight ended.
(A Japanese Buddhist story)

2. Do you feel sorry for these people? Do you find them funny?
3. Wise people say that most people resemble these two – they take the unreal to
be real and get happy, sad, angry and desperate over it... Can you think of any
thing which is unreal but is taken to be real?
4. Do you know what a mirage is? (Passengers through a desert see a shadow
and water, they can hear the ripple of water, but cannot drink it).
5. A mirror is always reflecting back the image of the person which is looking at
it. How would you say this in simple words? (Everyone sees their own image,
what they are like. He or she then takes this picture to be a reality, wondering
why the others see it in a different way, fighting and trying to prove their point
of view with all the pros and cons they can think of).
6. People, uninformed about the illusion they get caught up with, get into funny
and sad conflicts. If someone claims that the world is dark and terrible, and
someone else claims the opposite, these are just different mirrors. And this
means that neither of these pictures is true. In your opinion, what should be
done in a case like this – when we have opposing views about something?
Should we get at each other’s throats or...?
7. Henry Ford, one of the most successful businessmen in the car industry, said:
„The one who thinks that he is a winner, is right; the one who thinks he is a
looser, is right, too“. What does this mean?
8. What is my mirror? (Perhaps my company, my books, my dog, my room – all
of these reflect at least a part of myself).
Virtues of Truth
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Stand in a circle. We have a ball or a balloon. We throw it to someone in the circle,

saying something nice and true about him or her. Then this person sends the ball to a
third person, with the same sort of remark. This is repeated until all take their turn.
This game of good remarks can be played also with a skein of wool. As the skein
is being thrown from one person to the next, the whole circle is being wrapped up in
the same woollen yarn – becoming one big skein of yarn.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-12
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Stolen Axe
There was a man who misplaced his axe and could not find it. He got suspicious
that the neighbour’s son had stolen it.
He started stalking him in order to find the axe.
„He walks in a strange way“, the man started murmuring. „He walks exactly like
thieves walk“.
He was eavesdropping while the young man was talking to his friends. Even their
conversation sounded strange to him.
„That is not the way honest young men talk“, he concluded. „That is the way thieves
talk. I would say that they laugh too much. And that they are too loud. Those are bad
manners“.
He noticed that the young man was wearing a new shirt.
„He sold my axe and now is wearing a new shirt“, the man mumbled, embittered.
„As clear as daylight. I will report him to the police“.
However, that very day the axe was found. The owner found it in the same place
where he was cutting wood.
He met the neighbour’s son again. Now his walk seemed completely normal. And
the way he talked and what he talked.
„Well, it is normal for young people to laugh loudly“, the man thought. „I do not
see anything bad in that. In fact, he is a good young man“.
(The story of many nations, abridged by V.K.)
Virtues of Truth

2. When suspicion arises, you start noticing things you haven’t noticed before,
or you interpret the things you used to see as quite normal in a different way...
Can it be said that our thoughts, i.e., our beliefs give a particulate tone, colour
and characteristics to a particular thing?
3. The man in the story first got suspicious about his neighbour’s son, and only
after that he started noticing suspicious details about him... Where does the
mistake lie?
4. The judgement which is based on our own belief formed without the facts
having been checked first is called... ?
5. Let us assume that someone says: „Native American Indians are cruel and
wild people...“ Is this judgement a prejudice? Why?
6. When you are told something bad about someone else, your duty is to be ... ?
(Careful, reserved, to check things first).
7. Let us assume that you’ve been told ... find examples!
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Let us explore what does a person, who is suspected to be bad and gossiped about
by all, feels like. We make two or three groups of gossips. They talk in whispers. When
the victim arrives, they point their finger at her or him, nod their heads, whisper and
tell the gossip to each other.
At first the person who is the target of gossiping does not notice that something
is wrong. Then he/she notices that he/she is being watched in a strange way. He/she
tries to find out what it is about. He/she approaches one group, and they disperse
without a word. Then they join the second group and continue to gossip with added
flare.
The target of their gossiping feels nervous, confused, uncomfortable. Finally,
he attacks someone, or attracts the attention of others by some other uncontrolled
action. The gossips are very pleased, they victoriously say: „See, haven’t we been right
all along“?
After that the target of gossiping tells everyone how he/she has felt and what he/
she has experienced.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
A Merchant and a Prince
While hunting in the woods, a merchant encountered a hunting equipage of a

prince. Seeing the handsome, tall and strong prince, the merchant thought:
„By God, this man has been endowed with all the best – beauty, courage, strength,
skill, riches, power... is this just“?
The prince approached him and started a conversation. While they were speaking,
the merchant saw that beside the mentioned qualities, the prince was also endowed
with wisdom, politeness and good-nature. The merchant was green with envy.
The prince kindly invited him to be his guest. The merchant accepted. When they
arrived at the castle, there was more to see: expensive carpets and rugs everywhere,
precious objects of great value, many servants; the castle itself was surrounded with a
lot of land. But it was not all. That night at the table, the merchant was introduced to
the prince’s wife, a lady of extraordinary beauty and elegance.
The merchant’s vision was blurred with envy.
„Oh, this is too much“, he thought. „Some people get just luck and more luck, and
the fortune showers them with all sorts of blessings, and others get just a crumble or
two.“
Then the servants brought in the dishes made out of game they killed that day.
To the merchant’s horror, the dishes were served in human skulls. Disgusted, the
merchant thought:
Virtues of Truth
„This indeed is a spooky custom“.

He didn’t eat anything, making an excuse that he was too tired and had a
headache.
At night he was taken to his bedroom. As soon as he entered a luxurious bedroom,
the door was locked behind him. The merchant looked around and almost fainted
with terror: there were two bodies hanging from the ceiling, their hands fixed to
the ceiling beam. That gave him so much fear that he could not go to sleep all night
long.
In the morning the door was unlocked, and he got out, hardly alive:
„Perhaps they are going to join me to those corpses, as well“ the merchant was
thinking in franzy, looking around for a chance to flee. „I wish I didn’t come here at
all“.
Right then the prince sent a servant to bring the merchant to the reception hall.
„Dear friend“, the prince started a conversation, „tell me, what part of my family
glamour and riches has made the greatest impression on you“?
„All is wonderful“, the merchant said hastily, „except for the food served from the
human skulls, so that I couldn’t eat anything. Neither could I sleep because of the two
dead bodies hanging from the ceiling in the bed room. That’s why I’d like to thank you
for your hospitality and go home“.
„Dear friend“, the prince replied, „the skull you were served the food from, and
which was placed right opposite my wife, used to belong to a certain nobleman, the
lover of my wife. In order for her not to forget her sin, I’ve decided to put in front of
her that horrible reminder, so that her repentance and punishment could surpass her
shame. The son of this nobleman murdered my two cousins, whose bodies you saw
in the bed room. Every day, at the same hour, I visit their dead bodies in order not to
forget that terrible crime, and to revenge that cruel murder. When I think about my
wife’s adultery and the murder of my cousins, I feel there is no more joy in this world
for me. Now leave in peace and from now on do not make judgement about someone
before you get to know them really well.
Now the merchant felt compassion for the handsome prince. He parted with him
and happily returned to his everyday life.
(Gesta Romanorum)

2. This story starts in a romantic style, which soon changes unto a horror. In
your opinion, why the author of this story needed such a shocking and cruel
turn of events? (In order to warn us about our errors – what is hidden behind
a pretty mask, a beautiful front...)
3. In this story, what was delusion and what was reality?
4. Which saying would you select as appropriate for this story? („Not all that
glitters is gold“? Or something else?)
5. If it wasn’t for the outside signs of terror, would the merchant be able to
understand how terrible the situation of the person he envied was, just from
talking to the prince?
6. At first the merchant was a prisoner of his envy and the feeling that God
favoured some people at the expense of others. However, he was liberated of
this feeling the very next morning. And the prince, what kind of feelings was
he a prisoner of? And would these feelings be easily and quickly pacified?
7. Who was richer with healthy spirit – the merchant or the prince?
8. There are many people who are envied by others. But perhaps they would not
change places with them if they understood something that cannot be seen
– the other side of their situation. Merlyn Monroe was so envied by millions
of women. Elvis Presley was envied by so many people... Who else do you
know who was envied by others, while they actually lived ruined lives devoid
of happiness?
9. Celebrities and the rich are often subject to depression, boredom and loneliness.
Many take to drugs and alcohol in order to cope with the desertedness of their
hearts. That is the truth about many of them; and what is the delusion because
of which they are adored by many, and are accepted as model roles and idols?
(The delusion is fame, money and looks).
WORKSHOP/PLAY
How could we make playing cards based on the characters and scenes from this
story? Let us first make a list of characters and feelings: the merchant, the prince, the
princess, the corpses, the scull, grief, envy, punishment, the castle, servants, delusion,
shame, riches, courtesy, wisdom, anger, beauty, adultery, fear, compassion...
We now think of a game. We put three cards on the table – the merchant, the
prince and the lady.
Virtues of Truth
Then we put the cards belonging to these three around each one of them. For
example, the merchant has envy, fear, compassion, delusion. The prince has the
greatest number of cards: anger, grief, beauty, riches, servants, castle, wisdom,
corpses, strength, courtesy. The princess has the cards depicting adultery, shame, the
scull, punishment...
After this we may decide which cards can be paired with other cards.
For example: the prince’s cards can be paired with the prince’s cards, except for
the prince. The cards that cannot be paired are the cards of the prince, the merchant
and the princess. However, at the end of the game, when all the cards are paired, the
prince and the princess can be unified in peace again. The last remaining card is the
card of the merchant – he is the witness of this story and has no pair. The one who is
left with the card of the merchant in the end is the winner (as in The Black Peter)
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SAYING/MOTTO/PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Troubles with Rumours
In the kingdom of Fei lived a peasant named Zeng Zi. In this same kingdom a
robber lived with the same name, Zeng Zi. On one occasion this robber killed a man,
and the king sent out a wanted circular for him.
An acquaintance of the first Zeng Zi, the peasant, saw the wanted circular, attached
to a tree by the road. Not quite understanding what it was about, he concluded:
„Look, look, our Zeng has killed a man“.
He went to Zeng’s place and found there his mother, who was sitting at the loom.
He asked her:
„Where is your son“?
„He is in the field, I suppose“, she replied.
„Do you know that he killed a man and that a wanted circular has been sent out
for him“?
„That’s simply impossible“, his mother replied. „My son would have never done
something like that“.
The man left. But another one, who also saw the wanted circular, came by.
„Zeng Zi has killed a man“, he brought news to Zeng’s mother.
„That’s impossible“, the mother replied.
After a while, another man came.
„You are still sitting here, weaving? Don’t you know that your son is a murderer“?
Virtues of Truth
Since three persons came with the same news, the mother finally believed that it
was true. She pushed her loom aside and fled as quickly as she could.
(A Chinese story)

2. When many people claim the same thing, is that a sure sign that what is being
said is true?
3. What should have been done before the news was brought to Zeng’s mother?
4. Many people fall an easy prey to rumours, especially when there is war,
pestilence, a fatal contagious diseases or another great calamity. Why are then
people more prone to readily believe unchecked rumours?
5. In your opinion, what spreads faster, good news or bad one?
6. Why?
7. Which from the sayings could be an alternative title to this story?
8. What colour is bad news?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
We decide to draw a portrait of this rumour. How could the rumour look like?
What are its qualities, appearance, characteristics? For example - is it thin, big, black,
hairy, pointed, wearing moustache, with wings...? Does it have a face? Does it have a
body and hands? What about the eyes? Is it old, or is it ageless? What does it eat?
Then we make something like its personal ID: we write down when it was born,
and where. (Indeed: when did it happen, and where?) Its nationality, the country it
belongs to. Where is it travelling? What’s in its luggage?
Then we can explore how does the person that rumour is about feel. Two or three
people are sitting, whispering, watching the person passing by. There are several such
whispering groups. The whispers become louder and louder. The person who is the
subject of the rumour starts listening, feels uncomfortable, gets confused and scared,
runs away. After that this person tells everyone how he/she felt.
Value: TRUTH
Opposite: INDISCRIMINATION, CREDULOUSNESS
Age: 12-15
MOTTO/SAYING/ PRAYER
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY TELLING
The Angel and the Shepherd
There was a shepherd who got tired of shepherding sheep and goats, and decided
to see the world, so he set off on foot for the mountains. It was winter time, bitterly
cold, one’s heart could burst, yet he cloaked himself in a woollen overcoat and paid no
heed to it. Going down the road, he met a poor man. Almost naked and barefooted,
he was sitting by the road, shivering and shaking with cold, his teeth chattering.
“What are you doing?” asked the shepherd.
“Here I’m sitting and waiting to die, as I cannot make a step further.”
The shepherd mercifully took off his woollen overcoat and cloaked the poor man
in it, whilst remaining only in his shirt and trousers. When the poor man felt a little
warm, he asked the shepherd:
“And where are you going?”
“To see the world. I have no luck, I’ve been looking after other men’s sheep and
goats all my life, so I’ve decided to leave and find something better…”
“All right”, said the poor man, “I’m also on my way to see the world, so we can go
together…”
The shepherd agreed and they started together.
They travelled for a long time, through the mountains and more mountains, eating
the food from the shepherd’s bag, and it was not before several days that they finally
arrived at a landlord’s house, to seek shelter overnight.
Virtues of Truth
“Can you put us up for the night at your house, two poor men like us?” asked the
shepherd.
“Yes, I can” said the landlord. “My door is always open for good people”.
So he let them in his house and started talking with them as with brothers. He told
them about how for years he had not spoken with his own brother, and how on that
very day they reconciled, and his brother gave him as a present a valuable goblet with
a handle. He got up and even showed them the cup, which was made of solid gold,
and told them that tomorrow he would make a feast and get drunk drinking from
that goblet.
The next morning they said goodbye to their host, and continued their journey.
As soon as they got far enough from the house, the poor man took the golden cup
from underneath the woollen cloak, and showed it to the shepherd.
“What have you done?” asked the shepherd in wonder.
“I’ve stolen it”, said the poor man. “And don’t ask me anything else, as I won’t tell
you…”
The next evening they arrived at a house of a miser, who refused to let them in
the house. Only after the poor man showed him the golden goblet and said that he
would have it if he let them stay in the house overnight, he gave in, but he did not
let them in the house, sending them instead to the stable, to sleep with the cattle.
Nevertheless, the poor man kept his word and the next morning gave the golden
goblet to the miser.
On the third night, they arrived at a house of a peasant, who had no-one in this
world except his wife and a son. The peasant welcomed them, gave them the food he
had, and when they were to leave, he sent his son to show them the way through a
thick wood, which lead to a town. When they were in the tick of the forest, crossing
a spring, the poor man pushed the boy and he got drowned.
“Enough is enough! I shall not travel with you any more!” screamed the shepherd
at his travelling companion. “Such lawlessness I have never heard of! You’ve stolen
a golden goblet from an honest man and given it to a miser, and you’ve drowned an
only child of those good people.”
The poor man smiled and said:
“That cup was poisoned, and the one who drank even a drop from it, would drop
dead. That is why I’ve stolen it from the honest man and given it to the miser. The
miser has made many a poor man miserable, and he will die of poisoning, because
of which the poor will breathe a sigh of relief. And this child which I’ve drowned is
good, but if he has lived on,
he would have ruined his father and his mother, and do much harm to them. It’s
better for them not to have him, than to have such a one!”
“But who are you”, asked the shepherd incredulously, “to know all these things?”
“I’m an angel and I look after good people”, said his travelling companion. “I’ve
taken you with me to show you that God takes care of all good people, even if they
sit at home, not pursuing good luck in the world, as you do. And you should go back
to your sheep and live peacefully, and when your landlord dies, he will leave all his
fortune to you. He has a daughter, and she will lose her heart for you, and marry
you.”
Having said that, he disappeared, and the shepherd went back to the place
from which he had come”.
(A Serbo-Croatian folk tale)

2. Does it sometimes happen that things are completely different from what
3. most people think, including us? An example?
4. Ordinary, everyday examples: an injection- it’s painful at first, but later it
solves the problem…
5. Sometimes we could swear someone is good or bad, but in the end it turns
out… That’s why it’s good to be…?
6. What did the shepherd learn from his travelling companion – the angel? (To
put his trust in God, not to be directed by an illusion, not even when it looks
like the most real reality and the most true truth).
7. There is a saying in Serbo-Croatian: “Honey on the tongue, anger in the heart”.
Can it be otherwise? What’s better? And what will we be deceived by more
easily – the first or the second case?
8. There is a similar English saying: Don’t judge a book by its cover. What does it
mean? (Don’t judge the value of a thing simply by its appearance.)
9. Why?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
We take a piece of cardboard and draw the angel, the shepherd and the boy. Then
we cut out the drawings and attach each piece to a string. We draw and cut out scenes
from the story, i.e., the background scene – the mountains, the first house, the second
house, the third house, and the bridge. Then we set the scene in as much detail as
possible (torches, music from a tape or CD, noises)
We make a play in which every character has their own presenter and director, the
way the puppeteers do in a puppet show.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Concubine’s Pay
Once a wise man found himself at a market place. Wandering about, he came
across a great commotion and fighting. A crowd gathered around two people who
were fiercely fighting: a merchant’s son and a concubine. The day before the merchant’s
son offered the concubine one hundred gold coins to spend a night with him. She told
him that that night she was busy, as she had already promised herself to someone else,
but that she would receive him the following night. The merchant’s son got very angry
as he felt great lust for that woman.
On the same night he had a dream in which all night long he played love games
with the concubine, which were so various and imaginative, and so passionate, that
in the morning he woke up more content than if he had really spent the night with
her. The concubine, having sent away the visitor from the previous night, went to
the market place again in order to meet the merchant’s son. When he came, she
approached him and said:
„Sir, here I am to offer you the magic of love“.
„Thank you“, the merchant’s son said. „But last night I played so many love games
with you, so enchanting and for so long, that I do not need your services any more“.
The concubine said:
„If you spent the whole night playing love games with me, sir, than you should pay
me the promised one hundred gold coins“.
„But at the same time you were spending the night with someone else – and I
should pay you“?!
„It doesn’t matter, you had pleasure with me“, the concubine protested.
Again a crowed gathered around them, and everyone volunteered advice, but
nothing could really solve the conflict. Then someone from the crowd ran to the
wise man, who the previous day saw the fight between the merchant’s son and the
concubine. He was brought and asked:
„What do you think is the right thing to do? Should the concubine get or not the
promised one hundred gold coins“?
„Of course she should be paid“, the wise man answered.
He was asked what it meant.
He ordered that a big mirror be brought. Then he asked the merchant’s son to put
one hundred gold coins in front of the mirror. He did it. The wise man turned to the
concubine:
„Come, madam, and take the reflection of these one hundred gold coins in the
mirror. That’s your pay for the dream about you!
At hearing this solution, the crowd roared with contentment.
(From Jataka)

2. Which two unreal situations correspond each other?
3. Try to deepen your own experience of the story by more questions!
4. What would you like to ask a wise man most if you happened to meet one?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Everyone writes a delusion of theirs on a piece of paper. It could be about when

they wanted something that was unrealistic or inappropriate. Or when they said
something that proved to be incorrect. Or when they believed something that was
not based in reality. And when this delusion was the cause of pain and suffering.
The pieces of paper are folded and put in a metal basket. Then they are burned.
We watch them burning and pray inside that all our delusions and our proneness to
delusion, also be burned down with these pieces of paper.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: All age
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Snake in a Cup
One day two friends met to have a chat over a glass of wine. They were sitting in a
living room, sipping the drink from porcelain cups. The visitor looked at his cup and
suddenly saw a tiny snake curled up at the bottom of the cup. In order not to offend
his host, he said nothing, but instead drunk up the wine. Immediately after this, he
felt his stomach turn and as soon as he reached home, he lied in bed with nausea,
feeling quite sick.
Soon his friend found out about his illness. He visited him and learned about the
cause of his disease. He got worried, but he could not understand how could a snake
be in his cup that way.
On his way home, he was thinking intensely about the whole event.
„No, it can’t possibly have been a snake“, he was speaking to himself.
He entered his living room, turned around and took a good look at the place
where they were sitting. And then it dawn on him: there was a decorative arch on
the wall. The shadow of this arch was falling exactly on the place where his guest was
sitting.
He immediately ran to his friend’s house to tell him what it was all about: an
illusion. As soon as his friend heard this, he was relieved and all of a sudden his
health was restored.
1. Let us first retell the story…

2. What can be learned from this story? (That the power of belief is very
dangerous, that it can get us into trouble).
3. And how about the power of belief being able to actually get us out of
trouble?
4. The shadow in the cup is a symbol… Try to interpret its meaning!
5. How are we to get free from illusion, delusion, judging by appearances? (By
pondering, researching, exploring, discriminating).
6. A convict dropped dead when a firing squad started shooting – above his
head. With the blindfold on his eyes, he was sure that he was shot. What did
this convict die from?
7. Another man who was blindfolded was told that his palm would be put over
a burning candle. There was no candle, but the man‘s palm was burned after
this. The question is: what caused the burn?
8. Tell a similar story about something that has happened to you.. Having to do
with your own belief based on illusion, which caused you to suffer…
9. In your opinion, can whole communities, groups of people, even nations
succumb to a shadow? Have you already heard or seen something like that?
Describe what it looks like!
10. We watch movies, theatre plays, tell stories… Are these illusions, too? (Yes,
but we retain a healthy attitude toward them, we take them to be the signs
of reality, symbols, and not actual reality – we do not take a dragon from a
fairytale to be a terrible beast, but take it as a sign of dangerous and frightening
strength… etc..)
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Make an experiment.
Put a blindfold on one of the pupil’s heads and tell him/her that his cheek will be
touched very lightly with a feather. He has to say when it happened. We do not touch
him with a feather at all. But we do everything to make him believe that we did it – we
get close to his cheek so that he can feel our breath, we whisper next to his ear, then
we say something like “Now“!, etc.. We say for this that our acts our suggestive of
what we want him to belive we are doing.
Virtues of Truth
Do not tell the others the secret of the experiment (that the participant in the
experiment will not be touched at all); try to show them the tiny dividing line between
what actually happens and what our senses are telling us is happening.
Where is the Truth? Enquiry and
Self-enquiry
WHERE IS THE TRUTH? 327
ENQUIRY AND SELF-ENQUIRY
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: WHERE IS THE TRUTH – ENQUIERY AND SELF-ENQUERY
Age: 6-9
The Kingdom of Heaven is in you.

(Jesus Christ)
When God had created this world, he wanted to take some rest. He was looking
for an optimal shelter. And He found it in human soul.
(From the Vishnu Purana)
All I learned, I learned from myself.

(Heraclitus)
SILENT SITTING
Relax, lying on the ground, with your legs turned to the centre of the circle or a
semi-circle.
We “travel” – we find ourselves in front of a huge, golden door. The door is heavy
and wonderful, decorated with numerous shapes and golden ornaments. We know
that there is something beautiful behind this door. We also know that we need to
open the door.
We come closer and press the handle of the door with our hand: it is locked. We
know that we cannot go back, we can only go forward. We need to find the key. Yes,
the key. We look around: where could it be? We look for it near the door, in the sand.
We go through the piles of leaves lying on the ground. Huh, it may be under the rock.
We lift the rock, then the next one, and another one. There is no key. But we know
that the key is around, it is near, we will find it any minute.
Then we put our hand into our pocket. We feel something hard: it’s the key! It
was in our pocket all this time. Very excited, we approach the door. We put the key
in the hole, press the handle: the door opens. We stop for a moment. There is an
intense light – it has enveloped us from all sides, like something alive with hundreds
of hands. There is no door anymore, there is no inside and outside: there is only one
place: here and everywhere. We have encountered the truth.
Silence…
Virtues of Truth
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Chasing the Donkey
Once the khoja Nasrudin was riding the streets of Baghdad on his donkey at a
neck breaking speed. He was shouting and calling for help, waving his arms. People
were watching him in amazement, thinking that he had lost his mind. Nasrudin kept
kicking his donkey forcing him to run as quickly as he could.
“Obviously, he is chasing something or someone”, the passers-by concluded.
“Hurry up, hurry up”! Nasrudin howled. “It must not escape me”!
People stuck their neck out of the windows enquiring what chase was that and
who was Nasrudin after. Finally, a bunch of people managed to stop him in a narrow
street.
“What is this about, khoja”? people asked him. “Who are you after”?
Very upset, khoja managed to blurt out:
“Oh, people, why did you stop me? Can’t you see that I’m chasing my donkey? If
you hadn’t stopped me, I would have surely got him”!
“But Nasrudin, you are riding the donkey you are looking for”, people said.
(A Persian story from the collection about the adventures of Nasrudin)
1. Let us retell this funny story…

2. The story does not say what Nasrudin’s answer to the people was. In your
opinion, what could he have said? Did he feign surprise?
3. Could one of his replies have been the following: “All right, I know that I am
riding the donkey, which I’m claiming to be chasing. I’ve done it in order to
show you something”… In your opinion, what did khoja want to show to the
people? (That something that is under their very nose they are trying to find
somewhere else – i.e., that they are not looking for the golden key in their own
pockets, but somewhere else, where it is not).
4. Perhaps we could say it this way: the truth is something that is carrying us,
that we “ride” on, that is supporting us. If we look for what is supporting us
somewhere else…
5. Nasrudin was a teacher who imitated foolish human behaviour in order to

make people see in the clearest way possible their funny mistakes and illusions.
That way they were able to understand his teaching about truth far more easily
than if he preached and talked to them. Could the inhabitants of Baghdad
understand the senselessness of searching for something you already have
and which is helping you go chasing, if they hadn’t seen this funny scene?
6. Did the witnesses of this scene ever forget what they saw that day on the
streets of Baghdad?
7. Once Nasrudin went walking down a narrow and high wall, without watching
to the left or right. Of course, he fell. When he was asked why he had done
that, didn’t he know that walking in that way could be very dangerous, he
replied: “Of course I did. That is precisely why I did it – to show that it is not
good to walk down a narrow and high path, without watching left and right.”.
In your opinion, who did he have in mind, and who was this show put up for?
(For rulers, their administrators, dignitaries…)
8. What is this story telling us – where is the truth? Where is it hidden? Where
is the Kingdom of Heaven?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Draw the scene.

Then play a fun game: someone plays a donkey, someone is Nasrudin riding on
the donkey’s back. Nasrudin drives the donkey shouting: “Help me! My donkey ran
away”!
The donkey can throw him off in the end and bray. Who stays in the saddle longer,
looses, because he/she is looking longer for what they already have!
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-9
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
A Star and a Fish
A star came down from the sky and headed to the river bank. There she met a fish
and asked her:
„Hey you, when will the moon come out“?
The fish replied:
„Come on, don’t bother me, I don’t have time now for your questions. Can’t you
see that I’m thirsty“?
The star told her:
„You are thirsty – and you live in water“?! What kind of foolishness is that“?
The fish replied:
„You’ve descended from the sky and yet you don’t know when the moon comes
out. Why should it be strange that I’m thirsty in water“?
(An African story)


2. Who turned out to be foolish – the star or the fish?
3. And who pretended to be foolish?
4. Why did the fish pretend to be foolish? (In order to show to the star her
foolishness. The foolishness consists in asking someone else about something
that you yourself should know best).
5. When you live at such and such address, do you need to go and ask others
where your street is? Can a stranger know better than you where you live, and
what is being prepared for dinner today in your house?
6. In your opinion, how can we say, what is the message of this story?
7. Is the truth far away from someone who is looking for it?
8. In your opinion, where is God?
9. What do you think, what is the Kingdom of Heaven?
10. What is the closest thing to us, closer than our arms and legs?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Draw the fish and the star on a piece of cardboard. Paint them and cut them out.
Then attach them to a piece of thread. Make a small stage – using a card box, for
example. Then draw the river and the starry sky.
Stage a short play – describing the conversation between the star and the fish.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 6-9
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
A Thief and a Passenger
A thief boarded the train. He went from one compartment to the other looking
for a well-dressed and rich passenger, who he could rob. And finally he found a
compartment in which a well-dressed man was sitting.
„This fellow must have a thick wallet“, the thief thought. „I’ll go in here and wait
for the night to fall, so that we lie down. Night time is perfect for my business.“
And so the thief entered the compartment, started a conversation with the
passenger putting on an appearance of a humble and decent fellow. Soon the night
fell, and the two passengers started preparing their bed. The passenger put his clothes
aside on a chair and lied down. After a while the same was done by the thief. The
passenger soon fell asleep, and the thief was waiting for the right moment to do his
job. When he thought the passenger was fast asleep, he started searching his pockets.
But there was nothing in his pockets. Then he checked his bag. There was nothing
inside it, either. Slightly nervous, he started searching the compartment, every inch
of it. There was nothing.
The thief was dumbstruck. He knew that a gentleman who looked so nice did
not travel without any money. He pushed his hand underneath his blanket, and than
even underneath the passenger’s pillow: nothing. Depressed, he sat on his bed, lied
down and tried to fall asleep. But he could not fall asleep as much as he tried, for he
was banging his head with the question where the passenger could have hidden the
money?! He couldn’t have swallowed it!
In the morning both wished good morning to each other. The passenger smiled
seeing the thief who after having spent a sleepless night, was in a bad mood.
„You are wandering where could I have hidden my wallet“, the passenger said.
„Indeed, I’ve put it in the safest place. Where you would never look for it“.
The thief was shocked.
„So you knew, sir, that I was a thief “?
„Of course I did. I’ve seen you checking every compartment, looking for a victim.
At night I watched you through my eyelashes searching the compartment, trying to
find the thing I hid under your own pillow“.
The thief slapped his forehead.
„No, there I would never look“!
(The story of many nations)

2. What is the message of this story?
3. Where is the thing we are looking for just as the thief is looking for money?
4. How come that people are not looking in the place where the thing looked for
can be found?
5. This story is about money. Money is just a symbol. A symbol of what? (The
Kingdom of Heaven and Earth, the sign of value, truth, God).
6. What is there in the person who is searching for something? (The very thing
he/she is searching for).
7. St. Paul used to say: „God is nearer to you than your hands and feet...“ Try to
interpret this!
WORKSHOP/PLAY
This story is ideal for a good pantomime..

How shall this pantomime be called?
Write down the suggestions and select the title. („Do not look where you cannot
find it“?, etc.)
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: WHERE IS THE TRUTH- ENQUIERY AND SELF-ENQUERY
Age: 12-15
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Fool’s Conclusion
A fool was driving ten donkeys to a nearby village. Along the way he often counted
the donkeys to make sure all were there. When he got tired from walking, he climbed
one of the donkeys and proceeded riding. Then it crossed his mind that he could
count the donkeys again. However, instead of ten, there were only nine!
„How come“?! the man was alarmed. „Just a moment ago there were ten of them,
and now there is one less“!
Upset, he climbed down and started counting them again.
„Here, there are ten of them again“, he said happily. „I’ve probably suffered a
sunstroke“.
Again, he climbed the donkey and continued. After a while, he again decided to
count the donkeys. And lo and behold, there were nine again! He counted several
times, but they were nine and that was that.
Furious, he jumped off the donkey and started counting the donkeys again. Now
they were ten.
„I’ll go on foot“, he concluded, „for it is better to go on foot and have ten donkeys
than to ride and have nine“.
And that’s how he reached the village, exhasuted from a long walk.
(An Indo-Persian-Arabian story)

1. Let us retell this funny story...

2. Have you already heard a similar story or a joke?
3. Where did lie the donkey driver’s mistake? (He was not able to notice that
which was closest to him).
4. Who does the hero of this story remind you of? (Of those who do not see that
which concerns them, which is right before their nose, but are judgemental
about other people’s problems and lives). Why is it said: „The shoemaker wears
the worst shoes“ or, „The tailor wears the worst clothes“?
5. Preoccupied with others, man often does not see his own ... Sometimes it
is because of lack of time, being busy always; however, what we see here is
simply the blindness for the things closest to us.
6. How can this be related to the question where the truth is?
7. Can we make a „saying“ for this story?
8. If each donkey’s given a number, which number would wear the donkey the
man rode?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Children line up facing a finish line.

We have two dice; the teacher (or every participant) casts the dice and adds the
numbers: all the odd results represent donkeys, and if the result is ten, it is the donkey
driver. The odd number allows us to make a step forward, and the number ten forces
us to make a step back – or to stay in the same place (this could be negotiated by the
participants).
Let us see who will reach the finish first!
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Dream of Pope John Paul the Twenty- Third
It often happens that I wake up at night, thinking about some very serious problem.
I immediately decide that I must talk to the Pope about it. Then I wake up completely
and remember that I am the Pope.
(Pope John Paul the twenty-third)
1. This is a very short story, a statement of the chief of the catholic church. And
yet, it contains a revelation about...?
2. Where do the solutions to serious questions lie?
3. What is there underneath the symbol of the Pope? (Consciousness,
knowledge)
4. What kind of a „saying“ can we make in this case?
5. While man is dreaming, while he is half-awake he is thinking one thing...
6. And when he is awaken, he remembers...?
7. Is this story just a statement of a pope, or any man who is looking for answers
to „serious questions“ could and should sign their name underneath it?
8. Man most often sees himself as a being with limitations, in need of help
coming from some superior being and power. What are for us the „moments
of enlightenment“?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Everyone thinks about their own serious question. They write this question on a
piece of paper, sign their name and write a P.S. „I pray for answer“.
When all the questions are written down and the pieces of paper folded, we light
a fire in a metal container, and via the fire „send“ all the pieces of paper to the Pope,
i.e., or someone else who we expect to answer them.
Everyone is advised to watch their mind in those days (and the next night, or
during the day), to pay attention to their dreams, the moments when they wake up
and various events during the day. For the request has been sent to the „pope“ and he
will most probably answer it, sooner or later. Next class perhaps someone will like to
share with others the answer they received.
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: WHERE IS THE TRUTH – CHECKING AND SELF-EXAMINATION
Age: 12-15
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
One of You Is the Messiah
In 17 and 18 c. Hassid monasteries got run down. Persecutions took their tool,
and increasing preoccupation of people with worldly desires brought about decrease
of spirituality.
In one of the monasteries only a handful of monks remained. They were already
quite aged. The abbot was worried: soon the monastery will be empty and become
a ruin. There were no young people coming to the monastery, and the villagers
who lived in the area did not come to the monastery for advice and moral support
anymore.
One day the abbot left the monastery and went to the forest looking for a hermit,
the wise man who lived there. He wanted to seek his advice. After wondering for a
long time, he finally found the wise man’s hut.
The hermit was sitting in the doorway. When he saw the abbot, he gave him a
worm welcome.
„What brings you here“?
„Trouble“, was the abbot’s short reply. Then he told him all about how the monastery
got deserted, and how people have neither desire nor faith to approach them.
„Ah“, said the hermit, „I’m truly sorry about that. But it is everywhere like that.
The faithless times have come. I cannot do anything about that; nothing I said or did
could change it.“
The abbot got even sadder. Then the two of them sat and prayed together, and read
a few lines from sacred books. Then it was time for the abbot to leave. The hermit
walked with him to the edge of the forest, and then he said:
„Unfortunately, I can’t advise you how to prevent the dissipation of the monastery,
but instead I’ll tell you one thing: one among the five of you is the Messiah“.
The abbot was very surprised: „One among us...?“
„Yes“, the hermit confirmed, parting. „Do not doubt my words“.
When the abbot returned to the monastery, he told his brothers-monks what the
wise man revealed to him. They all looked at each other’s eyes in disbelief.
„One of us, can it be true...“?
From that day on, something unusual started happening under the roof of the
monastery. All got lively, thinking about who might be the Messiah. The abbot? Or
the brother cook? Or the quiet brother Phillip? Or the good brother Thomas? Or ...?
Thinking like that, the monks started seeing themselves in a different light. The
question: „Could it be me“?! often emerged as an urgent issue. At first it seemed
blasphemous, but gradually the monks started feeling new respect, both for
themselves and for others. And joy returned to their lives. For there was a Messiah
among them...
One day a group of picnickers came to visit the old monastery. They were
welcomed with care and love. When they returned to town, they told everyone that
they found a wonderful spirit of zeal and joy in that monastery. Soon others started
visiting the monastery, and all felt an extraordinary attraction to that place, as well as
goodness of the monks.
Not a long time after this, a young man started enquiring about whether he could
join their order. After him, another one came. And another. And after a couple of
years, there were more young people in the monastery than the old ones. The spirit of
light and joy transformed the old monastery into a miraculous place.
(A Hassid story, abridged by V.K.)
2. Why do you think the monastery got run down? Was it only because of the
known reasons- man’s estrangement from faith and his spirit?
3. Obviously, the reason was in the monks themselves... What do you think, why
the wise man did not simply say that the reason was in themselves, i.e., that
their status depends on themselves alone?
4. For, what would have happened if they had been told something like that?
Virtues of Truth
Would it work for them?

5. Perhaps it wouldn’t have even be accepted? Perhaps it would have produced
an opposite effect?
6. In a nutshell, the moral could have been expressed like this...?
7. Where is the Messiah? Who or what is he?
8. Have you ever worked with a lot of enthusiasm? What does such work „taste“
like? And what is the taste of the work you do without enthusiasm? And what
were the results? Share with others some experience of yours!
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Everyone makes a list of the names of their fellow-pupils. Some space is left after
every name. Then everyone writes a quality, behaviour, an event related to that person,
which tells something good about that person. So: everyone writes down something
nice that he/she has noticed about that particular person, and remembered as their
trait of character. It is important here to be honest, not to exaggerate and not to make
things up. Later, when the opinions are read we can see whether there is agreement
and how others see us when they are looking through the eyes of love.
Value: TRUTH
Age: All age
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Necklace
A husband has given to his wife as a present a lovely and very expensive necklace.
The woman was so fascinated by his gift that she did not want to part with it even for
a moment – except before going to bed. Then she would take off her necklace and put
it under the pillow in order to keep it as close to her self as possible. The next morning
the first thing to do was to take the necklace from under the pillow and put it round
her neck. On any occasion - in the kitchen, in the garden, in a walk, in a visit, at the
market place, in the cellar, in the bathroom – the necklace was always around the
women’s neck.
One night the couple came back from a party very late. Feeling very tired, the wife
forgot to take off her necklace, but lied down with it and fell asleep. When she got up
in the morning, she immediately reached under the pillow to get her necklace, but it
wasn’t there. Shocked, the wife jumped out of bed and started searching the house in
order to find it. When she couldn’t find it, she decided to go down the same route her
husband and she came home last night. Searching the street, she murmured prayers
to all gods, took vows that she would go on a pilgrimage, share her money with the
poor, light a candle at the alter, offer a reward to whomever found it, even the reward
which exceeded the real value of the necklace. But she did not find the necklace.
When she got home, desperate because of her failure, she found her younger sister
there waiting for her.
„What’s the matter with you, you look like a bear with a sore head“? her sister
asked.
Virtues of Truth
The older sister burst into tears, telling her about having lost the most precious
thing.
„Can you imagine“ she sobbed, „last night I still had it round my neck. On the way
back home, I lost it somewhere. I feel so unhappy“!
The younger sister burst into laughter. Offended, the older sister showed her the
door. Then the younger sister found a mirror and put it in front of the crying woman.
Still in tears, she gave a happy cry:
„Look, it’s here“!
And she grabbed the necklace hanging around her own neck.
(Quoted in Keshavdas)

2. Have you ever heard of something similar happening in daily life?
3. This message seems to be very clear. How else could it be expressed (Look in
the right place, do not look for something you have, try to remember where is
the thing you are looking for in some other place, etc.)
4. The necklace is a symbol of ...?
5. According to this story, the kingdom of heaven is within us. In order to be
able to understand this, we need to ...?
6. What does the mirror symbolise? (learning, getting to know ourselves, the
process of getting to know ourselves).
7. Thanks to the younger sister, the process of searching unexpectedly had a
favourable turn. Does it happen to us that when we are most stuck, blinded
by ignorance, someone appears indicating to us an obvious solution, which he
haven’t noticed before? Give an example from your own experience!
8. Once the source of knowledge and truth is realised, is there any need to look
for it somewhere else?
9. The wise and self-realised people are those who ...? Related to this, how
does Heraclites’ words sound to you, which to other people may seem
unintelligible?
10. When we are upset and annoyed, angry and depressed, nervous and desperate,
are we able to remind ourselves where the thing we are looking for may be?
11. When was the last time you got angry? Or frightened?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
We play a fun game of hopping on one foot.

Everyone jumps on one foot, shouting: „Dear me, where is my other foot? Where
have I put it“?
We jump like that until the teacher walks in, shouting: „Why do you hop on one
foot, when you have two“? Then everyone stands on their two feet, laughing and
asking aloud: „Where has it been, really? We haven’t seen it“!
Another possibility is with a teacher who is running all around the room, looking
for his spectacles, complaining that without them he can’t see anything. The glasses
are, naturally, on his nose. He keeps running like that until the glasses fall off his nose
or until someone tells him where the glasses are. Another possibility is a pencil stuck
behind one’s ear. Or a hat on one’s head, etc.
Perhaps the most hilarious game would be the one with Nasrudin and his donkey.
We pick a Nasrudin and a „donkey“. Nasrudin drives his donkey to run around the
room as quickly as it can, shouting all the while:
„I’m chasing my donkey! Make way, help me find it“!
We decide for ourselves how Nasrudin will find the donkey. The donkey can throw
him off its back, or it can give a horrible bray, or it is stopped by people…
Virtues of Truth
Value: TRUTH
Age: All age
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Job of a Silversmith
A few friends met regularly in order to read the Bible together. Thus once, while
reading Malachi, they came across and interesting statement in the third verse of the
third chapter:
„And He would sit and do as the silversmith does in order to purify and refine the
silver...“
One of the women decided to pay a visit to a silversmith in order to find out how
silver is purified. She stopped at the first shop, and asked him to describe his job
to her. He readily agreed, explaining the procedure to the minutes detail. Then the
woman asked him:
„And while the process of purification is going on, are you sitting, sir“?
„Oh, yes, madam“, the silversmith replied, „I have to sit by the furnace and monitor
the process carefully. For if I prolong the purification time even for a moment, I’ll
damage the silver“.
The woman immediately understood the beauty and comfort this comparison
carried. God, dedicated to the delicate job of a silversmith, is sitting keeping an eye
on the purification fire and the silver in it – not a moment longer or shorter than the
proscribed time is allowed.
Before leaving, the woman asked the silversmith one more question:
„Tell me, how do you know that the process of purification is finished“?
„That’s very simple“, the silversmith replied. “When my face is reflected in the
silver, then I know that the purification is completed“.
(Origin Unknown)

2. Is this story clear to you?
3. Does this story speak about all of us? Or just about some of us?
4. What kind of encouragement do we find in this story?
5. Let us imagine to be lying in the surgery, waiting to be subjected to a surgery
which is not completely painless. Are we mad with the surgeon then?
6. How do you understand the words of the silversmith „until my face is
reflected in the silver“? What does it mean? Who is the silversmith? What is
the silver?
7. Our real form is the form of God. When God can see Himself in us, the process
of our purification is finished... What does it mean that God is mirrored in
us?
8. Silver may have collected some impurities. But the silver as such is not impure.
What does this mean- can man identify with his faults and bad behaviour? Or
is the man’s essence, as in the case of silver, pure?
9. The procedure of removing impurities is painful... The procedure of becoming
what we really are is neither quick nor easy. Think of a caterpillar in the
cocoon.
10. Relate its uncomfortable stay in the cocoon to our story!
11. This story should be told to all who are suffering, or are burdened with worries
and problems! Tell it to someone like that, and tell us next time how this
person reacted to the story and understood its message!
12. If you have e-mail, e-mail it to your friends!
13. Let us suggest another title, or a subtitle. For example: „God knows what he
is doing.“ Or...
WORKSHOP/PLAY
This game is called a race with small steps.

All line up. The teacher utters aloud some statements, and those who these
statements concern can make one step the length of their foot. The one who arrives
first to a set destination, is the winner and gets a prize.
Virtues of Truth
I do not like chocolate. I like watching movies with shooting and fighting.
I am a caterpillar, not a butterfly (yet). I like when the silver is thoroughly cleaned.
I do not like to fight. I do not like my face in the mirror. I am always the first to give in.
I’d like to be a better person. I’d like to have a dog. I pretend that I do not care when
I make a mistake. I think that I do not have a true friend. I think I have a true friend.
I do not like ice-cream. I like going to the cinema. I do not have anyone to confide in,
because I think that no one really understands me.
Direct Personal Experience
DIRECT PERSONAL EXPERIENCE 349
Value: TRUTH
Virtue: DIRECT PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Opposite: INDIRECT EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE THROUGH OTHERS
Age: 6-9
It is easy to gather live coal with someone else’s hands.

No one has got drunk from the word ‘wine’.

(Anthony de Mello)
You do not learn how to swim in the gym.

(Origin Unknown)
Great Spirit, do not let me judge my fellow-man without walking at least a mile in
his moccasins.
(An Indian saying)
Knowledge gained from experience is worth two times more than the knowledge
gained from books.
(An Irish saying)
It is not the same thing talking about the bull and finding yourself in the arena
with it.
(A Spanish saying)
The mouth does not get sweet by talking about honey.

(A Turkish saying)
No one gets wise through his father’s experience.

(A Spanish saying)
Virtues of Truth
SILENT SITTING
We are lying on the floor, quiet. We close our eyes, monitoring our breathing.
We then go down to the bottom of the sea. All around us there is blue light, the
silence is occasionally interrupted by ripples. We feel light, weightless. We watch
fish, coral stones, octopuses and sand around us. We then come to a sparkling open
oyster. Inside it a pearl is sitting – a tiny shiny grain of light. We watch the pearl,
focusing all our attention on it. The pearl seems alive, its shine is slightly vibrating.
We then extend our arm, touching it. The touch fills us with mild and pleasant light.
Filled with this light, we come back to the surface. We surface. We are here. But we’ve
brought the light with us; it is inside us.
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Blind Man and Milk
There was a man who was born blind and who one day wanted to know the colour
of milk. So he asked another man:
„My dear friend, can you tell me what is the colour of milk?“
„Hm“, said the man, „Milk is the same colour as a sheet of white paper“.
„Oh, I see“! said the blind man. „It means that milk rustles just as paper does“?
The man tried to explain:
„No, it doesn’t. The colour of milk is just as the colour of white flour.“
„Oh, I see“! said the blind man. „That colour is as loose as white flour“?!
„No“, the man protested. „That white colour is ... let me think. Oh, yes, it is just like
the colour of a white rabbit“.
„Now I know“, said the blind man happily. „It is as fluffy and soft as a rabbit“!
„No, no“, the man cried. „The white colour of milk is the same as the white colour
of snow“.
„And is it as cold as snow“? asked the blind man.
Here the man gave up trying to explain. The blind man, who has never seen white
colour could not know what it looked like.
(Quoted in L.N. Tolstoy)


2. Is it possible for a blind man to know any of the colours?
3. Why isn’t it possible?
4. The blind man was seeking to find out about something that was not possible
for him to know and which other people knew about. He tried to do that by
means of ...? (The sense of touch and sound)
5. Let us assume that someone among you has never tasted sugar. Will he/she
be able to know the main characteristic of sugar (its sweetness) if he/she was
told that it was white, produced from sugar beet, and that it came in a shape
of cubes or fine grains?
6. Let us think of some more comparisons for whiteness! (White cloth, salt, a
goose feather, a white rose, a white stone, a white herd of sheep... ) What
would the blind man say if he was offered further explanations for the colour
of milk?
7. What does this story tell us?
8. Does a small child know what the colour of fire is before it touches it with a
finger and gets burned? Find some more examples like this! (Can swimming,
skiing, playing the violin etc., be learnt only from books)?
9. Why is it said that a man with a full stomach does not believe a hungry one?
Why do the North American Indians say that it is necessary to first walk a
mile in another person’s moccasins before making a judgement about him/
her? (In order to experience his/her situation in life).
10. When a rich man gives away a golden coin, and a widow just a coin, who has
given more?
11. Who says that the widow has given more?
12. Isn’t a rich man blind when he cannot see the troubles of his fellow beings?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Someone is the blind man. Someone else is his friend who can see.
„The blind man“ touches a red pencil and asks which colour it is. When he hears
it is red, he enquires what the red colour looks like in order to be able to recognise it.
His friend explains that the red colour is just like a red rose. The blind man asks does
it mean that the red colour smells like a rose. His friend continues to explain – red is
the colour of wine. „Does it taste like wine“? the blind man asks. Then, it is like a red
apple. Red velvet. Red blood. Red fire. A red flag. A red poppy.
Virtues of Truth
Then there is a blue book. Its colour is explained with reference to the sea,
knapweed, a blue sapphire.
Etc.
We think about other explanations for different objects and notions.
Value: TRUTH
Age: All age
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Doll of Salt and the Sea
There was once a doll made of salt which came to the sea front. She has never seen
an ocean before, so she was stunned by its enormous size.
„Who are you“?! she asked it with curiosity.
And the ocean said:
„I cannot explain to you who I am. But you can find out if you come inside me“.
The doll was hesitant, and instead it continued walking down the shore. She was
afraid a little. Then she could not resist anymore. She dipped her big toe into the sea.
It immediately melted away. The doll screamed in terror and withdrew her foot.
„You sneaky creature“!, she screamed. „I don’t want to have anything to do with
you anymore“!
And she turned her back to go. But she was stopped by the words of the ocean:
„Here, you are offered a chance to find out what is the greatest thing in this world.
But you have stepped back“!
The dolled changed her mind and returned to the edge of the shore. She walked
and walked, casting glances at the ocean, thinking about what to do. There was indeed
some so far unseen miracle.
„Promise that you won’t hurt me“, she said at last. „I’ll go inside you in order to
find out what is the greatest thing in the world“.
So she walked into the ocean up to her joints... up to her knees ... up to her waist...
Virtues of Truth
up to her throat... up to the top of her head ... And above her head!
And there were no questions any more. By means of her own body she found out
what was the greatest thing in the world.
(The story of many cultures, abridged by V.K.)
1. As usually, let us first retell the story...

2. In what way did the doll find out what was the greatest thing in the world?
3. She found out by paying with her own skin i.e., her life... But she did not only
get to know what it was, she also ...? (Became it).
4. When she became the ocean, was there any need to ask what the ocean was?
5. What can you say about the ocean? It symbolises...? What? (The greatest
truths, realities, God...)
6. What would you say about the doll made of salt? What does it stand for? (The
limited mind, ignorance, an ordinary man, also the thirst for knowledge).
7. How can a limited mind understand something unlimited? How can a blind
man imagine red colour? How can the taste of sugar be known without tasting
it?
8. What does it take, then? (A direct, personal experience)
9. What do you think: why is the doll made of salt, and not some other material,
like wood or stone? (Because salt indicates that it is part of the ocean, that
the ocean is something close to her, in which the doll immediately recognises
herself).
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Children are shown photos of various fruits and flowers. Can a photo give us an
idea of taste and smell? We put a blindfold. Then everyone takes turns in trying to
guess the name of a fruit when just a drop from it is squeezed on everyone’s tongue.
The same way, they try to guess the name of the flower when they smell it.
It is a competition. The one who scores most points gets the first prize.
Value: TRUTH
Age: All age
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Moon and Its Reflection
There was a poet who lived in Persia and who was known for spending whole
nights watching in ecstasy the reflection of the moon in a vessel filled with water.
During the day he wrote poems about his night-time experiences. His neighbours
and fans often sneaked up to watch in admiration the poet absorbed in the reflection
of the moon.
„We are so lucky to have such a man in our midst“, they whisperingly confided
in each other.
The word about the poet enchanted with the moon spread all around the country.
Many went on a pilgrimage to reach the poet’s doorstep and cast a glance at that
miracle: there it is, the poet sitting on his doorstep, his head lowered, his vision
absorbed in the reflection of the moon on the water surface.
One night a homeless monk came by the poet’s house. Seeing the man with a
lowered head over a vessel of water, he asked:
„What are you doing, my friend“?
„I am being enchanted by the beauty of the moon“, the poet answered, without
holding up his head.
„What do you need that vessel for? Have you broken your neck? Why don’t you
hold up your head and watch the moon in the sky“?
(A Persian story, abridged by V.K.)
Virtues of Truth

2. What does this story say...?
3. This story is slightly ridiculing ... whom?
4. Some people think that they will understand the Niagara Falls if they are
brought the Niagara water in a bottle... How can you relate this to the story
about the poet?
5. Let us think of more funny examples... Some people think that the stone
brought from the Himalayas is enough for them to know what the Himalayas
are... Some people think ...
6. Looking at the photo or looking at someone’s face... Which is a direct and
which is an indirect experience?
7. When someone is describing to you a countryside, a person, a dish, a painting...
Whose is this direct experience- theirs or yours?
8. What do you think, did the moon in the sky laugh every night at something
admired by everyone?
9. When you wake up in the morning, you know that you are awake. And if you
are told by someone that you are still sleeping, who would you believe, who
knows better?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
We have a nice little notebook, which belongs to all of us. Let everyone write down
a saying they remember as the best one, and let them sign their name underneath.
After that everyone can explain – if they want to – why they like that saying the
most.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 9-12
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Entangled Limbs
There were seven insane people who were hospitalized in a nearby town. When
their treatment was nearing the end as they recovered and regained their composure,
they were discharged from hospital. They set off for home the same night. On the way
home, it started raining.
They hurried to find a shelter under a big tree, hiding from heavy rain. In order to
keep warm, all seven of them sat next to each other. The next morning they concluded
that their limbs were so entangled that that they did not know which leg and arm
belonged to whom. They burst into wailing.
„What happened“? a passer-by asked them.
One of the crazy men explained:
„We lied down last night, holding our hands and legs in order to keep warm. But
this morning, alas, we don’t know whose is which limb“.
„I’ll tell you“, volunteered the passer-by. „I can see which leg belongs to whom“.
So he got busy indicating legs and arms, saying:
„This one here belongs to this one, and those over there, to that one ...“
But the seven silly men continued wailing, claiming that such help was not
enough.
„We’ll settle that easily“, the passer-by said angrily. He took out a big needle and
pricked the nearest leg.
Virtues of Truth
„Ouch“! cried out one of the seven men.

„So we established that this leg belongs to you“, the passer-by declared. „Let’s see
whose hand this is“.
So he pricked someone’s hand. The owner of the hand immediately gave out a
cry.
„You see“, the passer-by said. „We’ve found your hand. And a moment ago you did
not believe it was yours“.
He continued pricking until all were sure about their limbs.
The seven crazy men continued their journey.
„We we’ve been so lucky“, they said. „If it wasn’t for that men, we might have
stayed entangled forever, and we would not know which legs to use for walking“.
(Origin Unknown, abridged by V.K.)

2. What is this story talking about?
3. Can words and a reasonable explanation convince someone of the truth,
without him personally experiencing it?
4. Our personal experience is irreplaceable… When you were told about the
contents of a movie or a theatre play, and then you went to see it yourself, did
you notice a great difference?
5. Remember a similar episode, when your personal experience was a decisive
factor for you to understand and (not)accept something?
6. When your friends tell you completely different things about the same subject,
what do you usually say?
7. Have you got a friend who never has had dreams? Can you explain to him
what a dream is?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
We try and entangle our limbs, forming a bundle in which it is difficult to say
which leg belongs to whom. Then we re-enact the play with the seven silly men and
the passer- by. Instead of using the needle, pinching is recommended.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Blow
A dervish was sitting on a river bank. He was deeply engrossed in thinking about
the truth. At that moment, a man came by. The dervish’s back was bare and glistened
in the sun. The passer-by could not resist the temptation to slap him on the back, so
he gave him a loud slap on the naked flash. He wanted to see what kind of sound the
slap would produce.
However, the dervish was not in the mood for such an experiment. He jumped to
his feet, ready to strike back.
„Wait a minute“, the attacker said. „You can hit me if you want. But tell me first:
does this juicy sound come from my hand or from your back“?
The dervish replied:
„You may entertain yourself with trying to find the answer to your question. As
I’ve felt the pain of your blow, I am not in the mood for theoretical questions. You can
afford to deal with them because you are not feeling the pain I do“.
(A Sufi tale, quoted by many spiritual teachers)

Virtues of Truth

2. The one who has his own experience, obviously does not care too much for
theoretical explanations. In this story, who has had personal experience and
who has not?
3. The difference between the dervish and the passer-by consists in ...? Is it a
great difference? Is it a difference that makes people differ in their attitude,
judgement, relationships?
4. Find some more examples! (Someone can orient the map perfectly, and
someone else has travelled the places on the map. Someone trades fine wines
he has never tasted, and someone else is acquainted with their taste for he has
drank them, etc.)
5. Who has the advantage in crossing the river on a raft – the rafter or an educated
teacher of geography who cannot swim?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
The game consists in describing something that cannot be understood without

directly experiencing it. For example, a lemon is being described to an Eskimo.
What is there in an Eskimo’s surroundings which resembles the lemon? The Sun?
All right, the lemon is as yellow as the sun. But is it as hot as the sun? No, it isn’t. Next,
the lemon resembles an egg. But does it break like an egg? No, it doesn’t. The lemon
has a thick rind. Does this rind resemble the bark of a tree? No, it doesn’t. The lemon
is juicy inside, full of liquid, it grows on a tree, its taste is sour, but mixed with water
it becomes an excellent drink. What is the most important characteristic of a lemon,
which makes it easily recognisable? Its taste and smell. The trouble is, the Eskimo
has never tasted the lemon. Someone else will guess it is lemon even with his eyes
blindfolded, if he is given the chance to taste it or smell it.
We can think of some more games of description and some more comparisons.
Let us assume that we are describing ice to a black man from a Congo rainforest?
These are the games of empathy, solution-finding, imagination, resourcefulness.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Moral About the Finite
Long time ago in Japan people used lamps made of bamboo and paper, with a
candle fixed inside. Once a blind man, who one night went to visit his friend, was
offered such a lamp to help him find the way home.
„I don’t need a lamp“, said the blind man. „There is no difference for me whether
it is night or day“.
„I know that you don’t need the lamp to find the way home“, his friend said. „But
if you don’t take it with you, someone else might bump into you. That’s why you have
to take it“.
The blind man took the lamp, and after a short while someone bumped into him
on the road.
„Watch out“!! shouted the blind man angrily. „Can’t you see the lamp in my
hand“?
„Your candle has burned down, my friend“, said the man in the dark.
(A Japanese story from the heritage of Zen)

Virtues of Truth
1. Let’s first retell the story...

2. The blind man can be aware that he needs a lamp because of others. Knowing
this, he takes the lamp. But he cannot know if ... ?
3. What does this mean? What is the message of this story? (Man can learn this
and that indirectly. But without direct experience, this knowledge will prove
to be insufficient).
4. Find some examples from daily living! (What a driving teacher should be
like? Is it enough if he is well acquainted with the engine structure and the
traffic signs?)
5. What is the difference between the teacher of physical education and the
teacher of geography? (The teacher of geography did not have to travel to
Samarkand in order to explain what kind of city it was, but the teacher of
gymnastics has to demonstrate the exercise he is teaching himself).
6. If we say that the chemical formula of ordinary table salt is NaCl, will that help
us to know what salt is, and what it is like?
7. Can a picture of water quench our thirst, or a photo with lots of food on it
appease our hunger? Etc.
8. Back to the story... What does the candle stand for?
9. How can the end of the candle be interpreted? (When the truth does not
correspond any more to the place, time and occasion, then it should be
rechecked or the clash in the darkness of ignorance is inevitable)
10. Knowledge that you have received from someone else will not last for long, if
you do not test it yourself in your daily living).
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Let us choose from previous suggestions and make a workshop.

Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
Crazy Dancers
A great Hassid teacher, Baal Shem, provoked strong disapproval among orthodox
priests (rabbis). They considered him simply an outcast. Some even said that he defiled
the Sabbath (Saturday, a whole day of the week) by allowing singing and laughing on
that day, and generally, by disrespecting the set code of conduct. Many called his ways
weird and crazy.
Once a man visited Baal Shem and asked him:
„What’s your opinion of scholars – of the learned rabbis, who think your teaching
false“?
Baal Shem replied:
„Once a wedding ceremony was held in a certain house. In one corner of the big
hall sat musicians and singers singing and playing, the guests danced in the rhythm
of the music, happy and joyous, and the whole house resounded with joy. Then a deaf
man came by. He looked through the windows of the house and saw many people
who danced, holding up their hands, hopping and jumping, making pirouettes,
laughing...“
„Look at them jumping and moving in such an uncontrollable way“! he cried out.
„There’s no doubt that the house is filled with madmen“!
“For, you see, he could not hear the music that made them dance“, the teacher
completed his story.
(A Hassid story)
Virtues of Truth

2. Great teachers usually explained things by means of comparisons. Have this
comparison helped explain why Baal Shem was gossiped about by the rabbis.
3. It was about their mental deafness for joy and freedom in Baal Shem’s
expression of love and closeness to God. They were watching, but they didn’t
see. Does it remind you of another fatal misunderstanding between the Son
of God and the scholars, i.e., between living religion and the words that had
been written down long ago?
4. Can another be judged by just appearances, i.e., by just “looking through the
window, without going inside”, without partaking of the experience of the
other?
5. What does “music” stand for in this story? (“They simply did not hear the
music…”)
6. And, in your opinion, what is the meaning of the wedding here?
7. How would you put the message of this story in a nutshell?
8. What kind of danger is contained in the attitude which fully relies on
other people’s instructions, without putting them to the test of one’s own
experience?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
How would you paint joy? Paint whatever first comes to you. How would you
paint freedom? And what about wisdom? Everyone is working with their back turned
to the others.
Next, how would you paint suspicion, fear or restlessness?
When the paintings are finished, they are put one on top of the other, with their
back side up. Then they are shuffled and picket out, one by one. Each painting needs
an interpreter – someone to „read“ which concept is represented. The author is the
only one who cannot interpret his/her own picture. The interpreter must explain
what they feel like while watching the painting-drawing, what do its colours, shapes,
and composition tell them, as well as the painting as a whole.
Value: TRUTH
Age: 12-15
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
The Professor’s Finding
A very learned professor, an American, was not a very good speaker. One day he
thought of a solution to this shortcoming of his. He recorded his next lecture on a
tape, and after listening to it, he inserted corrections which he found necessary.
The next morning he brought a tape-recorder into the classroom. When the
students calmed down in order to listen to the lecture, he turned on the tape with the
recorded lecture. The students listened carefully and the professor was very pleased.
The next morning, when he turned on the tape, he concluded that now he had one
hour at his disposal; so he left the classroom and went to the university coffee bar.
There he had a cup of coffee and a little chat with his colleagues. He came back into
the classroom just in time to turn off the tape.
He liked this innovation, so he repeated it two or thee times. He would walk into
the classroom confidently, turn on the tape and leave the classroom in order to have
some chat with his colleagues in the university coffee shop.
One day there was no one in the coffee shop, so he returned to the classroom
somewhat earlier. To his utmost surprise, he found the classroom empty. On each
student’s desk there was a small tape-recorder, which was recording his voice!
The knowledge was going from tape to tape, instead from head to head.
(Quoted in B.G. Pitre)

Virtues of Truth

2. What have the students really learned from their lecturer? What have they
acquired from him?
3. What could the professor learn from his own „discovery“?
4. What qualities should the teacher of your choice have?
5. Can knowledge be separated from the knower or the medium from the
message?
6. In the process of learning, what is the share of love and what is the share of
learnedness?
7. The „mouth“ which is present, even if sometimes stammering, or the perfect
speech of an absent „mouth“ - which would you prefer?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Make greeting cards, or postcards.

Decorate them with drawings, shimmering dust, coloured stickers, petals and
also write on each one a saying or a message, either from the chapter on personal
experience or some other chapter – the saying that remained in our memory.
Then write the names of persons you want to send the card to in the place left for
the name and address. We all sign our name on each postcard.
Someone from the group is assigned the task of buying the stamps, sticking them
on the cards and dropping them in a mailbox.
Value: TRUTH
Age: All age
SILENT SITTING
GROUP SINGING
STORY
A Crazy Man is Buying a Pair of Shoes
There was once a silly man who decided to buy a pair of new shoes. Before leaving
the house, he measured his feet. He then picked a rice-stem and made a notch on it
to mark the length of his feet. However, as he was in a hurry to get to town as soon as
possible, he forgot to take the measuring tool with him.
While the salesman was looking for suitable shoes, he was going through his
pockets looking for the stem. But it was not there.
„Ah“, he said, „I forgot to take the measure with me. I have to go back to bring it.
I’ll be back“.
And he ran away before the puzzled salesman could say anything . He needed a lot
of time to go home and come back. When he found himself again in front of the shoe
shop, it was late and the shop was closed. Then someone asked him:
„Did you want to buy shoes for yourself or someone else“?
„For myself “.
„Aren’t your feet on your own body? Did you really need the measuring stick“?

Virtues of Truth
1. Let’s retell the story...

2. Is this a funny story? If so, what is funny about it?
3. If the man has had the measuring stick with him and chosen the shoes
according to it, would it be enough without putting the shoes on his two
feet?
4. In your opinion, why some people trust more everyone else than their own
experience?
5. Find an example similar to the one in the story! (Let us assume that you have
never tasted chocolate. Everyone says: chocolate is sweet. But so is honey. And
cherries. But is chocolate anything like cherries or honey? Is it enough to say
that chocolate is sweet and dark, to know its taste?
6. Or... The teacher of swimming demonstrates what kind of movements you
need to make in order to stay afloat. He is demonstrating this in the gym. Is
it sufficient for you?
7. When you wake up in the morning, you know that you are awake. If someone
comes telling you that you are still asleep ...?
8. Can everything be checked based on our own personal experience? (For
example, how would you know that there is thick ice in the North Pole unless
you accepted other people’s opinion – those who were actually there? Find
some more examples when we cannot have our own direct experience of
something?
WORKSHOP/PLAY
Children form a circle. One child makes a particular movement. He/she „sends“ it
to the next child. The neighbour has to accept it exactly in the way it was sent: repeat
it and sent it on. When the movement reaches the first sender, it should be exactly the
same. This game is suggesting that when we cannot have our own experience about
something, we accept the experiences of others.
Another movement is made and „sent“ to the neighbour on the right. He/she
accepts it, but does not copy it entirely, rather he/she adds something to it. This
slightly changed movement is sent on in the same way – the movement is added to,
slightly changed – leaving a particular signature of each person who has received it.
It finally reaches the first sender. He sends the movement thus changed along in the
opposite direction, and the same thing happens.
This game is a reminder: we add to each thing our own experience.
Appendix
Prayers and Hymns
Prayer is the road down which God walks to us and we walk to Him.
(Baba)
PRAYERS AND HYMNS 373
The Prayers from Bhagavan Baba
THE PRAYER FROM BHAGAVAN BABA
Oh Lord! Take my love,

And let it flow in fullness of devotion to Thee!
Oh Lord! Take my hands,
And let them incessantly work for Thee.
Oh Lord! Take my soul,
And let it be merged into one with Thee.
Oh Lord! Take my mind, thoughts, words and deeds,
And let them be in tune with Thee.
Oh Lord, take my all,
And let me be Thy instrument to work.
EVENING PRAYER
Oh Swami, oh Bhagavan!
I wake up at dawn with You, and I spend the day with You.
And now I’m making a bed for You to rest – but where?
I’m making a golden bed out of my love for You.
And where am I making it? In the peace of my heart.
There I’ve spread sweet and soft petals of my heart,
To be your bed.
Rest, oh Bhagavan, in the cradle of my heart.
Virtues of Truth
(The following prayer was given to N. Kasturi by Bhagavan Baba on 23 November

1959, with the instruction: „Start with prayers, and blessings and gifts will come in
abundance...“)
Will Your, my God, leave me without Your support?

You won’t, You won’t,
You won’t leave me,
No matter how bad I may be.
Will You, my God, allow me to waste my years?

You won’t allow me to waste them,
No matter how careless I may be.
Will You, my God, let me keep running away and ruin myself?
Your won’t, You won’t,
You won’t let me keep running away,
No matter how reckless I may be.
Will You, my God, avert Your eyes from me?

You won’t look away from me,
No matter how prodigal I may be.
You can’t help but rush to the rescue of Your own,

You can’t hesitate weighing pros and cons,
You can’t help but answer the prayers of the needy.
Hindu Prayers
TAKE ME
Take me from untruth to truth,

Take me from darkness to light,
Take me from death to immortality.
Aum, Peace, peace, peace.
O NOURISHER
O Nourisher, the sole Seer, o Controller,

O Sun, offspring of Prajapati,
spread forth thy rays!
Gather thy brilliance!
What is thy fairest form - that of Thee I see.

He who is yonder, yonder Person -
I myself am He!
(Isa Upanishad, 16)
MAY ALL THE BEINGS FROM ALL THE WORLDS BE HAPPY
May all the beings from all the worlds be happy (3x)
Aum, peace, peace, peace!
Virtues of Truth
THE ONE GOD OF THE MANIFOLD WORLD
The One who, himself without colour,

by the manifold application of His power
distributes many colours in His hidden purpose,
and into whom, its end and its beginning,
the whole world dissolves -
He is God!
May He endow us with clear intellect!
---
His form is not to be beheld.
No one so ever sees Him with the eye.
They who thus know Him with heart and mind
as abiding in the heart become immortal.
(Svetasvatara Upanishad, 1. 20.)
THE LORD’S INCANTATIONS
May the Supreme Lord who, devoid of name,

form, or end, yet took,
for blessing those who adored His feet, names and forms
through incantations and exploits,
be gracious unto me.
PART OF THE HYMN
Wealth, men, women, poesy -

none of these, O Lord of the universe,
do I desire;
in every birth of mine,
may there be unmotivated devotion
to You, the Lord.
A Sumerian Prayer
Who is the Supreme God of heaven? Only You are Him.

Who is the Supreme God of earth? Only You are Him.
Your Will is proclaimed in heaven

And the spirits of heaven deeply bow to You.
Your will is made known on earth,
And the spirits of earth kiss the ground under Your feet...
Your mighty word administers justice,
And commands the mankind to walk along the righteous paths.
Your powerful command reaches
the furthest corners of earth and heaven.
Who can learn Your will and disobey?

Oh Lord, You rule heaven and earth with majestic grace!
Virtues of Truth
An Ancient Egyptian Prayer - Hymn

(by the pharaoh Akhen-Aton)
How numerous are Your deeds!

And they are hidden from us.
Oh, One and only God, whose powers surpass anybody else’s,
You created the earth according to your own heart,
While you were alone.
You put everyone into their own place,

And take care of their needs.
You’ve given everyone what they have,
And everyone’s days are numbered.
Human tongues are different,
Just as bodies and colours of skin differ;
It is you who created this diversity among people.
You create millions of forms

Through Your own Self;
Towns and villages, tribes, roads and rivers.
And all the eyes while looking see only You,
For you are the Aton over the earth, the Master of the Day...
THE HYMN TO THE SUN FROM EL-AMARNA
Beautiful is Thine appearing in the horizon of heaven,

Thou living sun, the first who lived!
Thou risest in the eastern horizon,
and fillest every land with thy beauty!
---
How much is there that Thou hast made,
and that is hidden from (me),
Thou Sole God,
to whom none is to be likened!
---
How excellently made are all Thy designs,
o Lord of Eternity!
Thou art alone,
but Thou in thy forms as living sun,
appearing, shining, withdrawing, returning.
Thou makest the millions of forms
of Thyself alone.
Virtues of Truth
Taoist Prayers
HOW GREAT GOD IS
How great God is, the Master of people under the sky!
And how adorned with terror He is,
When many things deviate from His command.
Heaven has given birth to many people,

By our nature is not reliable.
All are good at first,
But few remain good in the end.
ETERNAL TAO
There is one thing, inherent and natural to all,

Which existed before the heaven and earth.
Immovable and bottomless,
It stands alone, and never changes,
It pervades everything, and never diminishes.
It can be considered Mother of the universe.
I don’t know its name.

If I have to name it, I’ll call it Tao,
And I’ll call it supreme.
To be supreme means to go forward; to go forward means to go far;
To go far means to return.
Therefore, Tao is the supreme; the heaven is supreme; the earth is supreme;
And man as well is supreme.

There are four supreme things in the universe, and one of them is man.
Man obeys the laws of the earth;

The earth obeys the laws of the sky;
The sky obeys the laws of Tao;
Tao obeys the laws of its own nature.
Virtues of Truth
Hebrew Prayers and Hymns
SHEMA ISRAEL!
Yahweh is our Elohim,

Yahweh alone.
You shall love Yahweh with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your strength.
Let these words I urge on you today

be written on your heart.
PSALM 11
In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul.

Flee as a bird to your mountain?
For, lo, the wicked bend their bow,
they make ready their arrow upon the string,
that they may prevail shoot at the upright in heart.
If the foundations be destroyed,
what can the righteous do?
The Lord is in His holy temple,
the Lord’s throne is in heaven: His eyes behold,
His eyelids try, the children of men.
The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked
and him that loveth violence His soul hateth.

Upon the wicked He shall rain snares,
fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest:
this shall be the portion of their cup.
For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness;
His countenance does behold the upright.
PSALM 61
Hear my cry O God: amend to my prayer.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee,
when my heart is overwhelmed:
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For Thou has been a shelter to me,
and a strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Thy tabernacle for ever:
I will trust in the covert of Thy wings.
For Thou, O God, hast heard my vows:
Thou hast given me the heritage of those
that fear Thy Name.
Thou will prolong the king’s life, and his years
as many generations.
He shall abide before God for ever:
O prepare mercy and truth which may preserve him.
So will I sing praise unto Thy Name for ever,
that I may daily perform my vows.
Virtues of Truth
A Peruvian Prayer-Hymn
Virakocha, Lord of the Universe,

Be You male or female,
In any case, You are the master of warmth and fertility,
The one who can make miracles even with His saliva;
Where are You?
When I am in front of You, My eyes fail me

Even though I yearn to see You.
For by watching You, getting to know You,
Learning from You, understanding you,
I’ll be seen by You,
I’ll be understood by You.
The Sun and the Moon, day and night,

Go their way, in orderly manner,
To the places set by You
Toward the goal chosen for them.
And they reach it whenever You raise
Your royal sceptre.
Zoroastrian Prayers
GOD’S WILL
Just as the will of the Lord of the Universe is sublime,

So is the spiritual teacher sublime in his virtue.
The gifts of a Noble Mind are given to those,

Who do noble deeds in the name of Mazda;
The strength and might of Ahura are given to the one,
Who helps his fellow man and offers shelter to the poor.
FIND YOURSELF WITHIN ME
Find Youself in me, oh Ahura,

And give me divine wisdom so that I can yearn
For the perfection of devotion to You.
Oh Mazda, impart to me goodness through righteousness, as a reward for my

prayers.
Strengthen my soul and give me all encompassing love,
Through the gift of good thoughts.
Virtues of Truth
OH MAZDA, SINCE YOU ARE IN EVERYTHING THAT IS TRUE
Oh Mazda, since you are in everything that is true, the way you are,
Lead me by virtue and good thoughts through all the stages of this earthly life,
So that I can go back to you through my prayers and devotion,
And find refuge in the depth of my soul.
A Prayer-Hymn from Ancient Greece
Zeus is the first, Zeus is the last, Zeus of bright lightning.

Zeus is the head, Zeus is the middle, everything has come from Zeus.
Zeus was born as a man, Zeus was an immortal virgin.
Zeus is the foundation of heaven and earth.
Zeus is the king, and the Father of all is Zeus.
Virtues of Truth
Buddhist Prayers and Hymns
Amitabha!
Thou who liveth within my heart,

awaken me to the immensity of Thy spirit,
to the experience of Thy living presence!
Deliver me from the bonds of desire,
from the slavery of small aims,
from the delusion of narrow ego hood!
Enlighten me with the light of Thy wisdom,

suffuse me with the incandescence of Thy love,
which includes and embraces the darkness,
like the light that surrounds the dark core of the flame,
like the love of the mother that surrounds
the growing life in the darkness of her womb,
like the earth protecting the tender germ of the seed.
Let me be the seed of Thy loving light!

Give me the strength to burst the sheath of selfhood,
and like the seed that dies in order to be reborn,
let me fearlessly go through the portals of death,
so that I may awaken to the greater life:
the all-embracing life of Thy love,
the all-embracing love of Thy wisdom.
A HYMN IN PRAISE OF THE BUDDHA
Hail the feet of the hero, the victor over Mara***!

Hail the feet of Him who destroyed the path of evil!
Hail the feet of the Great One, setting men on the road of Righteousness!
Hail the feet of the All Wise One, who gives others the eye of wisdom!
Hail the feet of Him, whose ears are deaf to evil!
Hail the feet of Him, whose tongue never uttered untruth!
Hail the feet of Him, who went down to purgatory
to put an end to suffering...
My tongue cannot praise You duly - all I can do

is to bend my body
to Your feet!
PRAYER TO TARA
O Mother! If I be engaged in the rightful contemplation

of Thy lotus feet,
what matters it if I know not other sacred places?
May Thy lotus feet be ever present in my mind /

Thy feet which are the wealth of our wounds!
O propitious Mother! do Thou forgive me.
FROM A HYMN TO TARA
O Mother! salutation to Thee!

May Thou conquer!
Whosoever, meditating upon Thy lotus feet
utters this Thy hymn,
in the palms of the hands of all such
are forthwith wealth, fulfilment of desire,
and liberation.
*** Demon, temptation

Virtues of Truth
Christian Prayers
EARLY CHRISTIAN HYMN
Who subsisting in the form of God did not cling

to his equality with God but emptied himself,
to assume the condition of a slave, shema
and became as men are;
and being as men are, even to accepting death,
death on the cross.
But God raised him high

and gave him the name which is abode of all names,
so that all beings in the heaven, on earth and in the underworld,
should bend the knee at the name of Jesus,
and that every tongue should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
OUR FATHER
Our Father, Who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Glory be to the Father
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.
Christian Prayers - Catholic
The Hail Mary
Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.
Amen.
JESUS’S PROMISSE
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,
and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that
seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
THE PRAYER / SONG OF THE LAMB FROM THE REVELATION BY JOHN
“Great and marvellous are your works, Lord God, the Almighty! Righteous and
true are your ways, you King of the nations.
15:4 Who wouldn’t fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy.
For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have
been revealed.”
Virtues of Truth
St. Francis of Assisi’s Prayer of Peace
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light; and
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to
console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive---
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Christian Prayers - Orthodox
THE KING OF HEAVEN
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, present in all places

and filling all things, Treasury of Goodness and Giver of life:
come and abide in us. Cleanse us from every stain of sin
and save our souls, O Gracious Lord.
Holy God, Holy and Good, Holy and Immortal,

Have mercy on us. (Three times)
THE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty,

maker of all things, visible and invisible,
and in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
the only-begotten of the Father,
that is, of the substance of the Father,
God from God, light from light,
true God from true God,
begotten not made,
of one substance with the Father,

through Whom all things were made,
those things that are in heaven,
and those things that are on earth,
Who for us men and for our salvation
came down and was made man,
suffered, rose again on the third day,
ascended into the heavens
and will come to judge the living and the dead.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit.
(The Version of Athanasius)
VIRGIN MOTHER OF GOD
Virgin Mother of God, rejoice benevolent Maria,

The Lord is with You.
Blessed you are among women,
And blessed is the fruit of your womb,
As you have given birth to the Saviour of our souls.
Amen.
EVERYDAY PRAYER (FROM AKATIST)
Lord, give me strength to bear peacefully anything that this day may bring,
And to completely surrender to Your sacred will.
Direct me and help me any moment of this day.
Teach me to accept calmly any news that might come, with a firm faith that
anything that happens according to Your sacred will.
Rule my thoughts and emotions, and all my deeds and words.
Do not allow me to forget that everything happens with Your permission,
When something unexpected befalls me.
Teach me to treat my parents in the right way,
As well as my fellow-beings, so that I may never make anybody angry or sad.
Lord, give me strength to bear the effort this day brings and everything that may
happen during this day.
Rule my will and teach me to pray, to have faith,
To have hope, to be tolerant, to forgive and love.
Amen.
Virtues of Truth
Prayers from Islam
Fatiha Prayer
(The opening words of the Qur’an)
In the name of Allah,
Most gracious, Most merciful
Praise be to Allah,
the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds
Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Master of the Day of Judgement
Thee do we worship, and Thane aide we seek
Show us the straight way
The way of those on whom
Thou has bestowed thy Grace, those whose portion
Is not wrath, and who do not go astray.
The prophet’s prayers
Prayer in the morning and evening
O God ! Behold, I beg of Thee peace in this world and the hereafter. O God ! Behold,
I beg of Thee forgiveness and safety in my faith, in my world, in mine household and
in my wealth. O God ! cover my defects, and give me peace from mine apprehension.
O God ! protect me from my front and from my rear, from my right and from my
left also from above me; and I seek refuge in Thee lest I be surprised from beneath
me !”.
O God! Let the light enter my heart, let the light enter my grave,
Let the light enter my ear, Let the light enter my eyes, Let the light enter my hair,
Let the light enter my skin, Let the light enter my body, Let the light enter my
blood,
Let the light enter my bones, Let the light be in front of me, Let the light be behind
me,
Let the light be under me, Let the light be above me, Let the light to my right, Let
the light to my left!
O God! Expend my light, give me light, make me light,
O the light of lights, by Your Mercy, Oh the Merciful One!
SURA 74: THE ENWRAPED
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful -

O Thou, enwrapped in Thy mantle!
Arise and warn!
Thy Lord - magnify Him!
Thy raiment - purify it!
The abomination - flee it!
And bestow not the favours
that thou mayest receive again with increase;
and for thy Lord wait thou patiently.
SURA 93: THE BRIGHTNESS
By the morning brightness,

by the night when it is still,
Thy Lord hath not taken leave of thee,
nor despised thee.
The last is better than the first;

assuredly in the end thy Lord will give thee
to thy satisfaction.
Did He not find thee an orphan and give thee shelter?

Did He not find thee erring and guide thee?
Did He not find thee poor and enrich thee?
Virtues of Truth
So as for the orphan, be not overbearing;

and as for the beggar, scold not;
and as for the goodness of thy Lord,
discourse of it.
Sufi Prayers
SUFI PRAYER
Now I have known, O Lord,

what lies within my heart;
in secret, from the world apart,
my tongue hath talked with my Adored.
So in a manner we
united are, and One;
yet otherwise disunion
is our estate eternally.
Though from my gaze profound

deep awe hath hid Thy face,
in wondrous and ecstatic grace
I feel Thee touch my inmost ground.
Virtues of Truth
Sikh prayers
HE IS ONE
He is One – the formless form,

His name is eternally true, permanent and pure,
The first male, the only doer
The Creator, Preserver and Destroyer,
The divine teacher who knows no fear,
The only pure Love, which knows no evil,
The Self that transcends time – unchangeable and eternal,
Unborn and immortal,
Self-illumined, its own source of light and existence,
Let us adore Him according to the will of an enlightened teacher.
O the loving King of Kings,

All the mighty oceans, with all the mountains and their treasure,
Are not up to an ant whose heart does not forget you.
Hear! all the corners of earth and planes of heaven sing your glory,
And all the universe that you sustain the same way you made it.
Oh Lord, only those who you love sing your Glory,

Your bhaktas, devotees absorbed in divine love,
Made one with your Mercy.
African Prayers and Hymns
AFRICAN PRAYER (YORUBA)
The lion never allows anyone to play with his cub.

Ogun will never allow His child to be punished.
Ogun, do not reject me!
Does the woman who spins ever reject the spindle?

Does the woman who dyes ever reject the cloth?
Does the eye that sees ever reject the sight?
Ogun, do no reject me.
Virtues of Truth
North American Indian Prayers
THE PRAYER OF THE BLACK DEER
Let us realise that all that exists are creations of the great Spirit, Manitou.
We should know that He is present inside everything:
Trees, grass, rivers, mountains, all animals with four legs,
And all the creatures with wings;
And what is even more important is that we should understand this deeply, with
our heart;
Then we will fear, love and realise the Great Spirit,
And then we will become, act and live according to His will.
HARVEST SONG OF KEKCHI INDIANS (NORTH AMERICA)
Thou, o God my Lord,

Thou my Mother, Thou my Father,
Thou Lord of hill and valley.
Now, after three suns, after three days,
shall I begin to gather my maize
before Thy mouth, before thy face.
A little of Thy food and drink give I to Thee.

It is almost nothing, that which I give to Thee,
but I have plenty and good of my own food and drink;
Thou hast revealed it to my soul and to my life;
Thou, my Mother, Thou my Father.
I begin therefore the harvest,

but I am not this day ready for the harvest
without Thy word, and without Thy countenance.
Who knows how many suns, how many days I reap?
It is no quick matter to harvest from among the weeds.
I can only complete it slowly.
Who knows till when I can speak to Thee,

Thou my Mother, Thou my Father,
Thou celestial one, Lord of hills and valleys?
I will again speak to Thee;
wherefore not, my God?
Virtues of Truth
Ancient Gallic Prayers
PEACEFUL I AM
Peaceful I am, for I know that You love me.

And because You love me,
Nothing can disturb my peace.
And because You love me,
I am like someone,
Who is given two good things in abundance.
TRAVELLER’S BLESSING
May the road come to meet you.

May the wind always blow into your back.
May the sun always warm your cheeks.
May the rain always water your fields.
May it be so until we meet again.
May God carry you in the safety of His palm.
The Prayers of the Saints of All Religions
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO LIVE (WRITTEN AT THE ENTRANCE OF ’SHISHU

BHAVAN’, THE ORPHANAGE IN CALCUTTA, FOUNDED BY MOTHER THERESA)
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

...Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
...Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
...Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

...Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

...Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

...Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

...Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
...Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
Virtues of Truth
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;

It was never between you and them anyway.
PRAYER OF SAINT RABIA
O God! If I worship Thee in fear of hell,

burn me in hell;
and if I worship Thee in hope of paradise,
exclude me from paradise.
But if I worship Thee for Thine own sake,
withold not Thy everlasting beauty!
RAMAKRISHNA’S PRAYER
Oh Mother, who are the embodiment of Bliss,

You have to reveal Yourself to me!
Mother, I’m Your instrument,
And You are the one who uses the instrument.
I’m a house, and you are the tenant,
I’m a sheath, and you are the sabre,
I’m a vehicle, and you are the driver.
I do as pleases You,
I speak what You want me to speak,
I act the way You want me to act –
Not me, but You.
A prayer of the saint Teresa of Avila
I’ve given my heart to the God of Love,

And all my life has become so transformed,
That my Beloved has become mine,
And me, beyond doubt, His.
When the gentle heavenly hunter

Shot His penetrating arrow at me,
My wounded soul fell into His embrace;
And all of my life has become so transformed
That my Beloved became mine,

And me, beyond doubt, finally, His.
He pearced my heart with the arrow of Love,

And let me merge with the God that created me,
And my life has become so transformed,
That my beloved became mine,
And me, beyond doubt, finally, His.
Ansari’s prayer
In the name of God, the Merciful One,

the Graceful One.
Give purity to our mind,

Zeal to our hearts, light to our eyes.
Give us what you consider best
From your grace and abundance.
Oh God, from Your grace,

Give faith and light to our hearts,
And heal the troubles of our life
With the balm of truth and constancy.
I don’t know what to ask from you.

You are the One who knows,
Give me what you consider best.
Oh God, let my mind be caught in a whirlpool

of thought about you,
Let my heart get drunk with the secrets of your grace,
Let my tongue utter the words in your praise.
I live only to do your will,

My mouth opens only to praise you;
Oh God, the one who has become aware of You,
Will renounce everything but You.
Virtues of Truth
Oh God, give me ability to discriminate real from unreal,

So that the attractions of the world do not lead me astray.
Give me strength so that my faith does not darken ever again.
AN INSIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE OF ANGELUS SILESIUS
I KNOW
I know that without me

God can no moment live;
were I to die, then He
no longer could survive.
I am as great as God,
and He is small like me;
He cannot be above,
nor I below Him be.
Songs and Music Sheets
Music and lyrics:

V. Krmpotić
for monophonic and polyphonic group singing arranged by

Srđan Barić
SONGS AND MUSIC SHEETS 409
The Song for our School
Two boys and two girls,

we are welcome to each other,
You to us and us to you.
Two boys and two girls,

And Swami with us.
Let us reach out to each other,
Our school is a school of light,

The school of sunshine.
Our school is a school of love,
And we are its pupils fine.
We will be many for we have come

From future days.
And we are not alone
As our Teacher
Is always with us, face to face.
Let us reach out to each other

Two girls and two boys
And Swami with us, too.
Remark: Depending on the number of children and the number of SSE hours, the
numbers in the song can be changed, for example „seven boys and five girls... on the
eighteenth day“. Similarly, the children’s names can be mentioned in the song – if there
are but few. For example, „Tom and Mark and one Jasmine“, or something like that.
Virtues of Truth
Baba Loves You
Baba loves you, and so I do

And you can love us, give us your heart.
Where is our Baba, and where are we?
In love, in love in love with Him.
Never ask who and never ask why,
But love the way that loves us Sai.
Love without wishes, love with no end,
Let me and Baba be your friend,
Be your friend, Baba’s your friend...
Angels are Here
Angles are here, walking with us,

Angles are, angles are, angels are here.
,
Angles are here talking to us
Angles are here, singing with us,
Angles are here, dreaming with us...
Angles are here, walking with us,
Sai Ram, Sathya Sai
Sai Ram, Sathya Sai

Sai Ram, Aum Sai Ram.
Sai Ram, Sathya Sai
Sai Ram, Aum Sai Ram.
All the world, Sathya Sai,
Will sing your name, Aum Sai Ram.
All the hearts, Sathya Sai,
Will beat in tune, Aum Sai Ram.
Sai Sathya Sai Ram, Sai Ram,
Aum Sathya Sai Aum, Sai Ram.
SONGS AND MUSIC SHEETS 411
Darkness is Lifting
Darkness is lifting, a new day has come, oh Swami, oh Bhagavan.

Oh Bhagavan, oh Bhagavan, oh Sathya Sai Ram.
Darkness is lifting, a new day has come, oh Swami, oh Bhagavan.
Give us strength to wait until tomorrow, in which you will be our light.
Give us strength to stay awake alone in the solitude, of our soul.
Oh Bhagavan, oh Bhagavan, oh Sathya Sai Ram.
The Song for Shiva
Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, Aum,

Hara, Hara, Hara, Hara Aum.
Listen to His steps in your sleep,
Listen He is saying He’s there.
Oh, He is there, He is there.
Let every heart hear the voice,

In it there’s a massage for all.
Oh, His voice, for us all.
Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, Aum,

Hara, Hara, Hara, Hara Aum.
Plays
PLAYS 415
The Baby Frog and the Baby Snake
DRAMTIS PERSONAE
Baby Frog
Baby Snake
Mother Frog
Mother Snake
A marsh. On the one side of the marsh there is a frog’s house, and on the other there
is a snake’s house. In front of the marsh there are grass and bushes. In both houses
everyone is still asleep. The sun rises. Everyone wakes up.
Baby Frog: (stretching her legs and arms, hopping around):

Croak, croak, good morning everyone, good morning to all!
Mother Frog: What do you mean, to all!?
Baby Frog: To all... what do you mean? May everyone be welcome to a new day,
not just reed, butterflies and water lilies!
Mother Frog: Even snakes?!
Baby Frog: Croak, croak, even them!
On the other side of the marsh, the baby snake is stretching her body, wriggling and
dancing around a log. Mother snake is lying coiled up, watching her.
Baby Snake: Sss, sss, good morning to one and all! Sss, sss, may everyone feel
warm, nice and cosy! May everyone be happy! May everyone eat their fill! May I
enjoy playing with my neighbours’ children!
Mother Snake: And may we catch a big frog!
Baby Snake: Sss, sss, I’m off to play in sedge!
Baby Frog comes hopping to the grass, and plays with flowers. Baby Snake comes
wriggling to the grass, pauses for a second, watching Baby Frog. Then they start sending
signs to each other – Baby Snake starts swaying and dancing, and Baby Frog jumps
up and down a few times. They repeat this several times, with more and more ease
and skill. They come closer to each other, peering into each other, starting to imitate
each other. Baby Snake starts trying to jump and Baby Frog starts trying to dance in a
snakelike way. They both laugh and obviously enjoy themselves.
Virtues of Truth
Baby Frog: I do it like this...

Baby Snake: And I do it like this...
Baby Frog: No, this way! Croak- croak- croak!
Baby Snake (imitating Baby Frog): Sss, sss, sss! Look at me!
Baby Frog: Croak-sss, croak-sss ... uh-oh!
The Baby Snake: Sss-croak, sss-croak, sss!
Baby Snake and Baby Frog are dancing, playing a game in which their motions and
voices mingle. They are giggling and having a lot of fun. Then they get tired, sit next
to each other, look at each others eyes, touch each other and finally fall asleep leaning
against each other’s shoulder.
Mother Frog: Baby, where are you? Croak-croak, don’t go far away from the house,
there could be snakes around!
Baby Frog: Here I am Mom, with a friend!
Mother Snake: Little girl, where are you, what are you doing?
Baby Snake: Leave me alone mother, I have an important discussion with my
friend!
Both mothers: Croak-croak, sss-sss, come home right away!
Baby Frog and Baby Snake: Will we meet again? Hush, we will! Okey-doke! Don’t
forget! I won’t! I’m your friend! I’ll keep in touch! Bye!
Baby Snake wriggles away, Baby Frog hops away. They both keep saying their croak-
croak and sss-sss. At home, Baby Snake is trying to jump. Baby Frog is attempting to
make wriggling motions of the snake-dance.
Mother Frog: Look, what is the matter with, child? Be careful not to sprain your
lovely frog hips. They are the pride of us, frogs.
Baby Frog: I learned that from my friend. And this, too: sss-sss-sss!
Mother Frog: You’ll spoil your lovely green croak! What will other frogs say, our
neighbours and cousins? They will say that you hang around with some crude folk
who have neither class nor good taste! Anyway, what kind of friend is that when she
teaches you such manners?
Baby Frog: A new one, mother. The best, I would say.
Mother Snake: Oh, child, what funny movements are you making? Have you
forgotten who is your kit and kin?
Baby Snake: Mother, mother, look! (She is trying to hop and croak)
Mother Snake: This is blasphemy! Who do you keep company with when you
PLAYS 417
come home with such bad manners? Stop at once!

Baby Snake (she stops and starts wriggling again, like a snake):
Mother, today I’ve met a new friend. The best one, I’d say. I’ve learned it from her.
I like her very much, mother. And she can do all sorts of things.
Mother Snake: Hmm. I have to see this new friend of yours! Do you at least know
who her parents are? What’s her name?
Baby Snake: Her name is friend - she does not look like me, but I like her very
much.
Mother Snake: Nonsense! How can she be dear to you if she isn’t anything like
you? That’s nonsense. We like that which resembles us.
Mother Frog: No more playing today. Stay at home and I’ll catch a couple of flies
for lunch.
Baby Frogs goes under the table and starts practicing the little snake’s hissing. At
the same time, Baby Snake takes shelter under a green scarf and starts quietly croaking
underneath it. Mother snake wriggles away somewhere carrying her hunting basket.
Mother Snake: (from afar) I’m off. I’m not coming back without a well-fed frog.
And you, make sure that you do not leave the house.
Baby Snake: All right, mother. Croak-croak-sss!
Baby Frog: (lifting her head as if she has heard something. Baby Snake is still
practicing her croaking.)
Hey, sss-sss-sss! It’s me, croak-croak!
Baby Snake: Look. It’s my friend! Oh, I’m so happy! Hey, croak-croak, sss!
They start this croaking-hissing conversation. Baby Frog and Baby Snake have
seated themselves next to the windows of their houses, looking like two radio operators.
They make gestures, laugh and show each other that they can hear what the other is
saying. When the noise gets really loud, both mothers appear and the „conversation“ is
interrupted. Mother Snake is carrying a dead frog in her basket. She puts it on the table.
Baby Snake moves away from the window and starts endearing herself to her mother.
Baby Snake: What is there in the basket, dear mother? Lunch? Should I try and
guess? Have you brought something that I like?
Mother Snake: Yes, my child, exactly. But be patient... Don’t be foolish, let me rest
for a while. It is scorching outside, I can hardly catch my breath.
Mother Frog: Who were you shouting to from the window? You know that it is
not a decent thing to do.
Baby Frog: To my friend, mother. Can we ask her to come for lunch? I didn’t know
Virtues of Truth
that she lives next door. Indeed, how about inviting her for lunch, mother? You would
have a chance to meet her and see how clever and pretty she is.
Mother Frog: Mmm, we may just do that.
Baby Frog: (jumping with joy)
Oh, mother that would be great! You’ll see, my friend is lovely, though she looks
completely different!
Mother Frog: What?!? Lovely, and completely different from you? That’s impossible!
I’m sure now that this friend is some riff-raff that should better be avoided! Don’t you
ever mention her to me anymore!
Baby Frog starts weeping, first quietly and then louder and louder. Her mother tries
to comfort her, but Baby Frog weeps ever more loudly, hopping around the table. The
mother is hopping after her, trying to make her sit and calm down. Just then, Baby
Snake peeps into the basket. She gives out a cry of horror and faints, falling flatly on the
ground; then starts coiling in pain.
Baby Snake: Oh, no! You haven’t killed my best friend, I hope! SSS, hush, hush,
croak-croak! I don’t’ want to live without my best friend!
Mother Snake (shocked):
What’s going on here? We snakes do not cry! How can these ugly frogs be our
friends?
Baby Snake (sobbing):
Dear me, dear me, croak-croak, sss-sss! That’s not a frog, that’s my friend!
Baby Frog: Dear me, dear me, she’s being attacked!
Mother Frog: What is going on here, croak-croak? I wish somebody explained to
me what is going on under this good frog roof?! My child is sick. It has fallen in love
with a snake! Croak-croak, can anyone help me?
She runs out of the house to edge of the marsh. Croaking loudly, she invites other
frogs. They respond with deafening croaking noise.
Mother Frog: Help! My baby-snake is shedding real tears! I can’t understand how
she could have fallen in love with a frog! Help, snake sisters, sss, sss, sssk!
Mother Snake wriggles to the marsh edge where hissing she invites other snakes.
They respond with deafening hissing noise. There is cacophony of hissing and croaking
on the two edges of the marsh. The summoned snakes and frogs gather on their side of
the marsh, a worried, noisy and frightened crowd. Meanwhile, Baby Snake and Baby
Frog peep out, dumbfounded by the uproar. They look at each other, approaching each
other shyly.
PLAYS 419
Baby Frog: Look what I can do... (She is making tiny hops)
Baby Snake: Now look at me ... (she is slowly making wriggling movements)
Baby Frog: I can do that, too. She is making an attempt at dancing movements)
The Baby Snake: Look at me. (She is trying to hop). I’m so happy to see you. I’ve
thought .. oh, that’s terrible!
Baby Frog: Hey, am I anything like you now?
Baby Snake: Yes, you are! But, is it us they are talking about?
Baby Frog: Why, no, they are talking about snakes and frogs. It’s not us. We are
friends.
Frog and Snake Choir (for themselves):
We cannot allow this. This is a serious warning for all of us! From now on, we
must be very careful about who are children hang around with... Sss, sss, croak,
croak! Otherwise, our spices will lose its own inherent traits and virtues, which will
definitely jeopardise our future. I’m asking you: are we snakes or frogs?
Are we frogs or snakes, dear ones? (There is an uproar of hissings and croaking in
support)
Baby Frog: And check out this! (She is rolling over). Croak-croak, sss, sss!
Baby Snake: It’s a piece of cake! Check out this one! (She is spinning around,
trying to catch her tail). Sss, sss, croak, croak!
(V. Krmpotić)
Virtues of Truth
The Little Lion and the Little Antelope
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Antelope
Doe
Lioness
Lion cub
Savannah at the break of dawn; the sun is slowly emerging. On one side of the
savannah live a mother antelope and her cub. A lioness and her cub live on the other
side. When the sun comes out, the antelope wakes up and gently calls her doe; the lioness
and her cub are still asleep.
Antelope: Come on, baby, wake up. Get up, the sun has already risen.
Doe: Why so early, mother? We are not the sun to be getting up so early.
Antelope: We are antelopes, my child, we belong to the tribe which loves sunshine,
clear air and green grass. And the wind. We like the wind, because it always warns us
when danger is approaching. It brings us the scent of that danger.
Doe: What danger, mother?
Antelope: My dear, we are a peace loving tribe, we don’t attack anyone, violence is
not in our blood. That’s why many attack us. We are the food of wild beasts.
Doe: Which beasts, mother?
Antelope: (whispering and looking around)
Lions, my child.
The Lioness growls in her sleep. Alarmed, the Antelope listens attentively, sniffing the
air.
Doe: Aren’t we among the fastest ones, mother? Don’t we have horns and hoofs?
Why don’t we use them?
Antelope: (still whispering)
We are simply not like that. Our horns are purely decorative. With our hoofs we
hit only the ground. Our only defence is our speedy legs. Then, again, lions are speedy
too, especially when they are hungry.
Doe: We are the lion’s food?
Antelope: Yes, my child.
PLAYS 421
The doe gets lost in thought. It then gets up, stretches its legs and starts hopping
and playing. It chases a butterfly. Birds squeak and fly off the near-by branches. The
Antelope is watching her baby with affectionate but worried eyes.
Antelope: Don’t go too far, baby, and do not frighten the birds. Perhaps someone
is lying in ambush near by. Birds can give away our shelter.
Doe (stops playing, comes back):
Doe: Mother, are lions also someone’s food?
Antelope: No, my child. The lion rules thanks to his strength. Everyone gets out of
his way. All run away, for they are weaker. No, the lion is no one’s food.
Doe: And why am I an antelope, mother?
Antelope: Why are you an antelope? Obviously, because your mother and father
are antelopes.
Doe: No, I am not asking you that. I’m asking you... Why did I have to be born as
an antelope? Why wasn’t I born as, for example, a lion?
The lion cub is smiling in sleep.
Antelope:
Oh, my child, what strange questions you ask! It is so, and no one can change that.
There are lions, antelopes, eagles, singing birds, and everyone knows their job: ones
wake up in the morning with fear, others wake up full of strength. From dawn till
dusk we are the first kind. From dawn till dusk lions are the second kind.
The lioness is waking up. The little cub is stretching up.
Lioness: Come on, my dear baby, get up. The sun has risen up in the sky long
ago.
The cub: So what, mother... let it be. I am not the sun. I don’t have to get up.
Lioness: We’ll soon go hunting antelopes.
The cub: Antelopes?
Lioness: Yes, my child. Antelopes are our food. I’ll take you hunting with me today
so that you can learn what it means to be a lion.
The cub: What does it mean to be a lion, mother?
Lioness: It means to be the king of animals. It means that all other animals get
out of your way. It means that everyone is afraid of you. It means that you are the
Virtues of Truth
strongest.
The cub: Mother, is anyone afraid of the antelope?
Lioness: Bah! It’s true, they are big and fast, have hoofs and horns, but they are not
fighters – they are afraid of any rustle, any noise. Bah, antelopes...
The cub gets up, stretches his legs and starts playing: swings his paw at butterflies and
flies, disperses birds...
Doe: You know mother what I would like to be when I grow up? The lion!
Antelope: Oh, oh, my doe! Then I would have to run away from you! Then I would
be your food! Is that what you want?
Doe: No, no, I would spare you! But I would have to feed on other antelopes,
wouldn’t I? Perhaps I would have to eat even my own brother...
Antelope: You see...?
Doe: For as you’ve said: things are as they are, and no one can change that.
Everyone is doing their job... don’t they?
Antelope: Doe, would you like to become a lion just to fill your stomach with the
antelope’s flesh?
Doe: Oh no, mother! I would like to be a lion just in order not to be afraid anymore!
To the contrary, others would be afraid of me, then! I would like to be powerful, to
be the king, to know what it means to be strong. As an antelope, I’ll never experience
that.
(Stops playing and comes back):
The cub: Why are the things so arranged that I have to be the lion always?
Lioness: What kind of questions do you ask?! A lion is always a lion, because he
was born to mother and father lions.
The cub: You don’t understand me, mother! Why the things were such so that I
had to be born as a lion?
Lioness: It can’t be helped, my child. That is the way the world goes round. Everyone
is someone, and has their own job to do. Tell me, where did you get such thoughts
from? Have you perhaps kept company with the elephant children, they are inclined
to philosophical thinking?
The cub: No, I’ve been thinking about what I would like to be when I grow up.
Lioness: And?!
The cub: When I grow up, I’d like to be an antelope.
Lioness: You are talking nonsense, my child. What antelope? Then you would
PLAYS 423
become my food.
The cub: I hope you wouldn’t eat me mother, would you?
Lioness: Will you stop this nonsense? You’re worrying me. But, it is time to go
hunting. Let’s go, hunting will cure you from these thoughts. These are not lion-like
thoughts at all.
The cub: Mother, I don’t want to go hunting. I’d rather stay at home and think.
Lioness: (growling slightly):
Now it’s enough! Let’s go, the wind is bringing me some interesting news...
The cub: Mother... I think I’m not the lion....
Lioness:?
The cub: Yes... Perhaps I’m not the lion at all. For, as you can see, I don’t have any
lion-like thoughts. Actually, I think like an antelope.
Lioness: By my two eyeteeth... what’s got into you, my child? Have you perhaps
grazed?! God forbid that you have tasted that poison!
The cub: If I were an antelope, no one would be afraid of me.
An antelope! Bah, what a wretched fate!
The cub: It’s not a wretched fate. It is a wretched fate when everyone is running
away from you. I’d rather be loved than afraid of.
(In a threatening voice, running after him):
Lioness: What have you just said? Don’t you dare repeat it! You bring shame to
your kind!
The cub: (running away):
I’d rather be loved than afraid of, I’d rather be loved than afraid of...
They run away from the stage. The antelope and her doe have been hiding in the
grass all the while. They come out of their shelter, looking around, sniffing the air.
Doe: Was it a lion, mother...?

Antelope: According to the smell I would say it was. But... just according to the
smell. Doe: Could I play with him? He is not frightening at all. I’m more frightening
than him. Perhaps we could become friends?
(V. Krmpotić)
Virtues of Truth
The Little Fairy
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Narrator
Prince
Little Fairy
Narrator: Once upon a time, a King and his Queen lived in a kingdom by the river
Una, together with their only child, the prince. The Prince was lovely, and everybody
liked him. When he turned eighteen, there was a big celebration in the palace – it was
resounding with song and laughter; the finest wine was drunk, there was joy, dancing
and giving of gifts all around... and, yes ... many princesses came from all the corners
of the world to congratulate the prince entering adulthood.
The Prince, however, was somewhat timid and shy, so he could hardly wait for the
festivities to be finished. And when the midnight came, and when all the guests went
to sleep, our Prince came wondering to the garden by the river Una, in order to enjoy
the peace of moonlight.
Prince: At last! It’s so good to be on your own! This moonlight is like a balm to
me! What bliss and peace all around. I’ll drink this silence as if it were an intoxicating
wine...
And so our Prince was walking up and down the garden enjoying the peace of
solitude. The peace, however, was not destined to last that night. On the contrary, a
miraculous surprise was in store for him. Indeed! A little fairy wished to wish him a
happy birthday. She climbed an iris flower, lovely and shy. The prince rubbed his eyes
in amazement, thinking that he must be dreaming.
My dear prince, forgive me for interrupting your peace at this lonely, tardy hour.
But to us fairies, night is day. That’s why I wanted to wish you a happy birthday while
your folks are asleep.
Prince: What...?! How...?! Who are you?

Am I dreaming? Are my senses cheating me, saturated with the meetings of the
daytime?!
Fairy: Oh no, no, my Prince. Your senses see me quite well, but it is your mind that
is rejecting to accept me. And yet, I’m here.
PLAYS 425
Prince: No, you are not there, it can’t be and I must be dreaming...
Fairy: Trust me, it’s me and no one else.

Prince: Who „me“?
Fairy: I.
Prince: Hmm. All right. Have it your way, it’s not me who said it but you. I suppose
you know what you are talking about.
Fairy: (singing)
I can see you, I can hear you, and I know you,
Your thoughts think that I am a dream
But I’m not, no I’m not a dream
I am I am I am your I.
Prince: (accepting the song):
I can see you, I can hear you and I know you
My thoughts think you’re just a dream.
But you’re not, no you’re not a dream
You are, you are, my I.
Prince: Well... Thank you.. .. for your good wishes. But tell me now, be this
deception or something real... how come you’re so tiny?
Fairy: I belong to the family of dwarf fairies.
Prince: Oh, what a pity!
Fairy: But we can grow. Especially when someone is looking at us... well... in
admiration...
Prince: It’s not a problem to look at you in admiration!
Fairy: Are you serious?
Prince: I’m wondering, can it be otherwise at all? I could spend the rest of the
night watching you in admiration, without blinking – of course, if you’ll allow me.
Fairy: Oh!
Prince: Have I, perhaps, hurt you? No? Oh, good. You know, I’d rather be here
with you, so dreamlike, than have a whole bunch of grown up princesses around me!
Listen... If only you knew how wonderful you are!
Fairy: You mean it? You are not joking, right? You really think what you are
saying?
Prince: Oh, you bet I do! Do you know what is the only thing I’m afraid of? To
find myself in my bed, to wake up and lose you, you dream-like beauty. And you are,
you know, so lovely...
Narrator:
Virtues of Truth
And that’s how our Prince spent the rest of the night in the company of the little
fairy. Something strange, however, started to happen. As the night was growing
thinner before dawn, the little fairy was not so small any more – she has grown! So
when they said good bye at the break of dawn, they promised each other to meet
again; her height already reached his heart. The prince was enchanted.
He truly fell in love with the little fairy. His day turned into a nightmare – how can
he wait for the break of night? Impatiently, he was walking the halls and corridors of
the palace, daydreaming about her unearthly charm. He did not wonder anymore if
the fairy was made up of the dream stuff. She was more real than all the inhabitants
of the day. He was telling the sun: „The Moon is a thousand times more beautiful
than you“. He was telling the bees: „Go to sleep, can’t you hear crickets waking up“?!
He was telling to the Una: „Speed up your flow!“ He was telling to the time: „Get
confused, loose track of your counting, forget about the hours and minutes, and I’ll
will give you years!“
When finally the night came, the prince ran straight to the garden, and running
through the garden, he was calling the little fairy. She was not there. He asked the
irises where she could be. The creeper was numb. A boat on the Una swayed from
side to side, empty. Was it possible that the little fairy was just a mirage made by
raging senses?
And then he heard her voice, ringing like golden bells. She was standing leaning
against a ray of moonlight, two inches taller than before.
Prince: You are not a dream, after all... I am not sleeping, and I’m looking at you.
Fairy: I’m growing taller from your look, becoming like you.
Narrator: So, as you have suspected, the inevitable happened: the fairy grew and
reached the human stature; she was growing in front of the prince’s amazed eyes. One
night, she was standing next to him, side by side, like any other mortal girl. Only the
moonlight veil was remindful of her fairy descent. The prince took her hand then,
and said:
Prince: Now I have to ask you what my heart has been long telling me to do.
Would you merry me? Would you live with me not only in night time, but also during
the day? Would you share the life with me in the palace and kingdom? I can’t live
without you- my days are just waiting for the night...
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Fairy: Oh, my prince, but you don’t know what you are asking. I can live only
on your love. Will you always have it for me? Are you sure you will always love me,
you won’t neglect me because of another, mortal woman? Are you sure that you will
always watch me with eyes full of admiration?
Prince: Oh, what a question, what a question...
Fairy: For, if you stop watching me with admiration, I’ll lose my human height,
and I’ll go back to my fairy size! Are you sure that you will always be watching me
with admiration?
Prince: Oh, what a question, what a question! Come, you angel of the moon, and
let us celebrate the wedding yet unknown to the world.
Narrator:
And so it happened. Flutes, kettledrums, carriages and merriment – they went on
and on around the palace for days! Their celebration was resplendent with so much
joy that everyone present was shining in resonance! Their laughter filled sighs with
music. From their joy children grew faster, from their tenderness flowers smelled
more sweetly, birds sang more pleasantly, harvest was richer. The country was growing
rich and abundant because of their joy. And the time flew by like the river Una, fast
and never to return.
Then, one day...
Yes, you are right, it was the day when the old king was buried. It was the day when
the new king was crowned. There came people from all corners of the world to pay
last respects to the deceased ruler. The funeral was majestic.
Behind the coffin, there walked the king-to-be, his wife and the old queen. And
what crowds poured to the funeral procession! And all were walking quietly, with
tears in their eyes. For the old king was a caring father to his people.
Yes, your guess is right. There was a new face among the crowd. It was a woman
from some foreign land; her hair was red and she was very, very attractive. Unusually
looking. Nobody knew who she was. People started whispering: „Who is she? Who is
she?“ Someone said: „It must be some distant relative of the king.“ „A princess from
the north“. „From oversees“. „Her eyes are green like two emeralds“.
The foreign lady did not exchange one word with anyone. She had eyes only for
the future king. And he...
Strangely attracted by her look, he looked at her once, then again, and again. He
Virtues of Truth
first looked at her in wonder. Then with admiration.

He did not notice that his wife, the fairy, started stumbling in her walk. He did not
hear when she exclaimed:
Fairy: Oh, how strange! Has my skirt become too long for me?
Narrator:
But no, the skirt did not become too long, but instead the fairy started getting
smaller. However, the enchanted prince did not hear what his wife was saying.
Fairy: Oh! I’ve lost my shoes, even they are too big!
Narrator:
But the prince kept looking at the red-haired beauty. He didn’t hear or see anything
else.
Fairy: Look, the ring slipped off my finger, my wedding ring!
Narrator:
The prince was totally engrossed in the mirage of his senses. There were red flames
in his eyes. He did not notice that his world was burning down to ashes.
Fairy: My crown has slipped down my shoulders, all the way to my feet... And it
remained on the road.
Narrator: When the funeral rites were finished, the prince’s wife was no more
standing next to him. There was only her dress left.
Of course, as you suspect, the inevitable happened. The new king married the
red-haired foreigner. But during the wedding the people did not dance so merrily,
the flutes did not play so heavenly. All was quiet, and there were bad omens in the
air. From the garden next to the river Una an owl was hooting, and the moon was
hanging in the braches, like a blood streaked orange.
Soon the new king realised his mistake. The red-haired proved to be his terrible
and insatiable nightmare. She was always demanding more and more expensive gifts.
Nothing ever was to her liking. If the king gave her a necklace with green emeralds,
the colour of her eyes, she would snort in anger because they were not rubies. When
he gave her a golden comb, she reproached him because it wasn’t decorated with
diamonds. When one of her desires was fulfilled, it was multiplied by ten. Finally,
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coming back to his senses, the king banned her out of the kingdom, and ordered the
guards never to let her return.
Many a gray hair streaked the king’s head, and many water was carried by the Una
to the sea, but the little fairy did not come back. Every night the king went to the
garden by the river, quietly calling his good luck charm:. Sobbing, he was imploring
the moonlight, silence, and the irises to find her and bring her back. The silence
replied in echoes, in which he sometimes recognised the sound of the golden bell.
The song:
I can see you, I can hear you and I know you
My thoughts think that you’re just a dream.
But you’re not, no you’re not a dream
You are, you are my I.
The Fairy (from afar):

I can see you, I can hear you, and I know you,
Your thought think that I am a dream
But I’m not, no I’m not a dream
I am I am I am your I.
The Fairy and the King: (duet):

I can see you, you can see me, and I know you
My thoughts think that you’re just a dream... just a dream.
But you’re not, and I’m not, I’m not a dream ... not a dream
I am, I am, I am your I.
I am, I am, I am my I.
Narrator:
Here we will stop and leave our story unfinished, open. For this is a story whose
happy or sad ending depends on us. We are the prince. We are the little fairy, too. We
told a story about ourselves. The narrator is parting with you now, reminding you
once more that the end of this story is in hands of every reader, every viewer.
(Written by V. Krmpotić according to a folk tale)

Virtues of Truth
The Sky and Earth Watch
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Igor
The Old man
The Taxi driver
A tram stop. Igor comes, carrying his schoolbag on his back. He is whistling. Then he
looks at his watch. The buzz and squeak of the tram wheels are heard, then they fade
away. Igor stretches his neck, gazing into the distance; his impatience is obvious. He is
casts a glance at his watch again.
Igor: What’s the matter with them? The tram should have been here already. My
watch is punctual. And theirs is obviously late.
An old man comes. He is wearing a ragged winter coat, despite the warm weather.
They give each other a sideways glance. Again there is a distant sound of rails singing
and squeaking. When the sounds fade away, the boy shows signs of impatience and
worry. He is stamping his feet and glancing at his watch several times.
Igor: What does this mean?

Old man: (Giving him an inquisitive but calm look)
Igor: I’m in hurry to get to school, I suppose it’s obvious.
Old man: Yes, it is.
Igor: They are late today.
Old man: (Looking at his wrist – but there’s no watch on it):
Old man: Yes. They are late.
Igor: (watching in distrust):
What time do you make it?
The old man: It’s seventeen minutes more than on yours.
Igor: What?! Seventeen minutes... Ha! Ha! Please, how can you say that? You don’t
even wear a watch?! Where have you got those seventeen minutes from, then?!
Old man: (pointing in an undetermined way to the sky):
From there. I do wear a watch. It’s just that you can’t see it.
Igor: Ha! If I were not polite, I would have told you that you are drunk.
PLAYS 431
Old man: You’ve already said that. It means you are not polite.
Igor: Well, all right. You’re not drunk. Perhaps you can tell the time from the
position of the sun. But I’d like to know what is the time on your wristwatch?
Old man: Your watch says it’s seventeen minutes to eight. Mine says it’s eight
o’clock sharp. Your watch is slow by seventeen minutes. And because your watch is
slow, the trams are running late as well.
Igor: I bet my watch is not slow. It’s true that it is seventeen minutes to eight on my
watch. You could see it with a naked eye, obviously. But my watch is the make Rambo
and works according to the central European time, and it’s not slow even by a second.
I’ve checked on the radio this morning.
A drawling sound of rails and wheels is heard again. This time it sounds unusual
– as an instrument out of tune – and the rhythm is somewhat broken. Igor and the old
man lean forward, gazing, listening. The boy is confused, he is shaking his head.
Igor: Nothing, again. I don’t understand.
Old man: You don’t understand.
Igor: I don’t understand.
Old man: I do understand.
Igor: You do understand?
Old man: Yes, I do.
Igor: Perhaps I could make a phone call. (going through his pockets). Have you got
a chip? (irritably) Yes, a chip. Do you know what a chip is? Have you got ...
Old man: I’m sorry, I don’t have one.
Igor: And do you know what else you don’t have, and what I do not have?
Old man: I know. I don’t have a chip, and you don’t have any understanding for
an old man.
Virtues of Truth
Igor: Hmm. Maybe. Who should I call, anyway? My folks are not at home. And I
don’t know the school phone by heart. But someone else is bound to come, so I will
ask them the time. Everything is strange this morning. There is no one. Normally
there is crowd, you know. As if the town is extinct. Or as if I were dreaming.
Old man: Now it is fifteen and a half minutes to eight on your watch. (Looking at
his „watch“).
Igor: Please, sir, don’t get cross with me, I was upset a moment ago... Can you
explain to me... where do you see it?
Old man: Why, on my watch, where else?
Igor: Aren’t you ashamed of making fun with me like this? You got me really upset.
I tell you. And I have homework in Math today. Huh! I hope not all of this is ...
Old man: What?
Igor: I hope it’s not real.
Old man: So, it’s not.
Igor: Here you come again! You get me confused again. Frightened, actually. The
best thing to do for me is to go home. From there I’ll phone the school to say that I’m
sick. They will think that it’s because of the homework in Math. So stupid.
Old man: It’s all because your watch is slow by seventeen minutes compared to
mine. Seventeen minutes is not a trifle.
The old man and Igor are watching into each other’s face. Again, there is a distorted
sound resembling the sounds of a coming tram. The old man and the boy do not stretch
their necks anymore. They stand motionless, looking at each other.( Igor, shrugging his
shoulders):
Igor: It seems it is not coming at all.
Old man: You have to set your watch to my time.
Igor: What make is your watch?

PLAYS 433
Old man: It’s the sky watch. That’s its name. And your Rambo is the watch for the
earth time. They don’t match. That’s why the tram isn’t coming. That’s why the rails
got bent and squeak so much. That’s why you get upset.
Igor: You’ve been drinking this morning, Sir, haven’t you?
Old man: That’s why there’s no one else here but the two of us. I came to tell
you that. The school will be waiting for you. And the Math homework. When you
adjust your time to mine, you’ll be at school in time and you’ll be able to solve all
mathematical problems accurately. And I know that you didn’t learn your Biology
lesson. When you adjust your watch, you will know your Biology lesson as if you were
studying all night long. The one about mono-cell organisms.
Igor: How... how do you know that? This about mono-cell organisms. Does your
watch says that, too?
Old man: Yes, just as everything else.
Igor: Wait. Where have you bought it?
Old man: Igor, it can’t be bought. It has to be made.
Igor: I don’t recall telling you my name.
The old man shrugs his shoulders, walks up and down the bus stop, and then sits
on a bench. He rolls a cigarette. But there’s no paper or tobacco to be seen. He smokes,
exhaling invisible smoke-hoops. Igor is looking at him. He’s trying to see the smoke the
old man is exhaling. He sits next to the old man on the bench and takes off his school
bag.
Igor: Oh, this is too much for just one ordinary morning! Are you a wizard?
Old man: Yes, I am.
Igor: You are!?
Old man: Yes, I am. But so are you. It’s just that you don’t know that. You don’t
know that you are a wizard. You don’t know that you could have a sky watch.
Virtues of Truth
Igor: But how? Really, I’m asking you...
Old man: I’ve come just to tell you that you can have it. Also, to ask you if you
want one. And also...
Igor: If I would like?! Of course I would! But, how?
Old man: And I’ve come to tell you that your ’how’ you have to find out for
yourself.
Igor: Ah, it’s useless! I’m wasting my time. It seems I won’t go to school today after
all. And the tram is nowhere to be seen. If I had this watch, I wouldn’t have to study,
you say. I would know everything, that is. Do you know everything?
Old man: The old man keeps quiet and throws the „cigarette“ end to a rubbish bin.
Igor: This butt wouldn’t leave a trace if you have thrown it on the floor.
Old man: I’ll tell you a secret: one of the ways to earn the sky watch is to throw
rubbish into a rubbish bin instead all around. The same applies to the school yard.
The same applies everywhere and always.
Igor: Hurrah! There’s someone coming, at last! He is crossing the street, coming to
us! I can’t see him well. Here, this way!
Old man: Watch out. It is a task, not a person.
Igor: It’s not a person, it’s a dog. With a limp. His paw is hurt. It’s bleeding. Come
here! Who did this to you?
The dog is approaching Igor, limping and whining. It’s waving its tale, cuddling up
to Igor.
Igor: Now what? Wait... I’ll bandage you paw somehow. You should be taken to an
animal’s doctor. But you won’t be admitted there, you’re too dirty and full of flees for
that place. Give me your paw.
Igor finds a handkerchief and bandages the dog’s paw. Then he takes out his snack
and feeds the dog.
PLAYS 435
Igor: Look how hungry he is! It must have gone without food for days!
Old man: The hands moved forward.
Igor: (cuddling the dog): What hands?
Old man: On your watch.
There is the sound of rails and wheels from afar. Igor is not paying attention, he is
preoccupied with the dog. A cab arrives. It stops. The cab driver puts his head out the
window.
Cab Driver: Trams are not running today. You’re waiting in vain. I’ll give you a lift
if you want, I’m going to the South Quarter, anyway.
Old man: Thank you, I prefer my legs.
Igor: Sir, I’m going to school. I am late for the fist class, but I’ll be in time for Math
if you give me a lift.
Cab Driver: Pop in.
Igor approaches the cab, with the dog.
Cab Driver: (yelling)
No scoundrels in my car! What’s the matter with you?!
Igor: It’s not a scoundrel. It’s a fine dog, just a little bit neglected. It’s wounded.
Someone hurt his paw on purpose. I can’t leave him. Please, Sir...
Cab Driver: Are you nuts!? Get in the car and leave the scoundrel where it came
from!
Igor: Then I can’t come, either...
The cab squeaks and disappears. Igor looks at the old man. They both shrug their
shoulders.
Virtues of Truth
Igor: What is the time now?
Old man: I don’t have to look in order to see. It’s almost accurate. Listen, have you
got any change, I’m going to need it later, for the train. I don’t live here.
Igor: I knew you were not. Who knows what kind of a tramp you are. Perhaps you
work in a circus. Yes, it must be it. If you tell me how you do your tricks, I’ll give you
the money I got for the cinema. „Rambo IV“ is on.
Old man: Rambo of the fourth dimension. Rambo the master of time.
Igor: Yes, indeed. But no, it doesn’t work anymore. I mean – your tricks with time.
Only if you reveal to me what you’ve learned in the circus, I’ll give you the money for
the Rambo IV.
Old man: It’s a blackmail. And I’m in hurry, someone is waiting for me. But you
do as you think is best.
Igor: You are not a wizard. If you were, you would not wheedle out money from
strangers. You would just create them. You are a bum. You are actually a beggar and
cheat.
Old man: (keeps quiet and watches him)
Igor: I haven’t believed you for a second. The cab driver actually opened my eyes.
He said that there were no trams today. Of course! It must be that there’s no electricity.
Or the tram drivers went on strike. Or there’s been a crash. But not what you are
saying about the sky watch. I’ve seen through you, and if I were not a decent boy, you
would have heard from me more.
The old man slowly gets up, shrugs his shoulders and is about to leave.
Old man: All right, then. All the best. I’m glad we’ve met.
Igor: I am not. You’ve disturbed my day, confused me, upset me, did a snow job on
me. Wait! What’s the hurry? Why are you in such a hurry, all of a sudden? You need
money for the train?
(pauses)
PLAYS 437
Old man: Yes.

Igor: And how much is the train ticket?
Old man: As much as the cinema ticket for the Rambo.
Igor: You are leaving indeed? You need it, indeed? You won’t go to a pub, later?
Huh?
Old man: I won’t – I promise.
Igor: All right then, here it is. (He takes the money out his pocket trousers and gives
it to the old man).
Old man: Thank you. I’ll go to the train station. And you – to school?
Igor: I can’t go to school. Because of the dog. I can’t leave him. I have to take him
home. I’ll try to talk mom and dad into adopting him. (Putting his school bag on his
back). We have to go on foot. So let us say good-bye! Tell me now, but seriously, no
kidding – what is the time on your watch now?
Old man: It’s eight thirty.
Igor: How come?! On mine too!
Old man: It means that your watch is not slow anymore. Because of the dog and
because of me, it is not slow any more. You’ve passed your test. You helped your
fellow-beings when you yourself needed help. You’ve earned the sky watch.
Igor: Perhaps you ARE a wizard! And I insulted you! Look, now... Rambo,
the sky watch! Hey, I know my Biology lesson! I know what biocenosis is! And
parthenogenesis! It’s wonderful that we’ve met, Sir, it’s wonderful that the trams did
not come, it’s wonderful that I did not have any chips, and that this dog came, and
that the cab driver wouldn’t take me, all is wonderful!
Old man: (erecting his body, and speaking in a deep voice):
You have not met an old man! You’ve met the time. Or a dog. You’ve met your
heart. Go to school now, we’ve put them a little bit behind there so that you arrive
on time, mathematically accurate, in the moment when the hour hand reaches the
number twelve again.
Virtues of Truth
The old man and the dog suddenly disappear. Igor is looking for them in amazement,
checking under the bench, down the street.
Igor: Hey, old man, Sir! Mister wizard! Mister Sky Time! Where are you? (He
makes sounds as if calling the dog. Then he looks at his watch. ) Aha! There you are,
both of you! And it’s not crowded?! No? (takes the watch to his ear). Aha! All right!
Not a word to anyone! Scout’s honour! Don’t worry! Not a word! Hey, there comes
the tram!
There is a distinct sound of the coming tram. The tram stops. Igor gets on. The tram
leaves and the sounds fade away. The bus stop is deserted. Silence.
A tired dog comes by, and sits under the bench. He is yawning. Then the old man
appears. He sits on the bench and glances at his „watch“. He then slowly takes out his
cigarette case, rolls a cigarette and „smokes“. He exhales smoke-hoops. The dog sniffs the
smoke-hoops.
Old man: It seems that trams don’t run again. What do you think, whose turn is
it now?
The lights go off.
(V. Krmpotić)
PLAYS 439
How Much Does a Snowflake Weigh?
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
First snowflake
Second snowflake
Titmouse
Crow
Snowflakes fall, hover, flatter, meet, spin around each other, dance. There comes the
sound of the wind blowing, the movements are more fierce and whirling.
First snowflake:
(landing on a twig, breathless):
Oh! This wind can really go too far!
(Sees another snowflake on the twig).
Look who is here! I hope I’m not interrupting?
Second snowflake:
You’re welcome. Are you interrupting anything...? Well, you should ask that the
twig you’re sitting on. She is the hostess of this place. I’m a newcomer, like you.
First snowflake:
Have you asked her?
Second snowflake:
Yes, I have. I’ve asked her if I am too heavy for her.
First snowflake:
And what has she told you?
Second snowflake:
She said that we snowflakes had no weight at all, and therefore I could stay.
First snowflake:
It means I can stay, too?
Second snowflake:
Nothing plus nothing equals nothing. The twig has probably not noticed that you
have landed on it. Don’t worry, you are as heavy as I am. You mean as much as I do.
If a thousand and seven snowflakes joined us, it would be the same.
First snowflake:
What do you think, how many of us are there?
Second snowflake:
I have no idea.
Virtues of Truth
First snowflake:
Does anyone count us? There are probably millions and millions of us?
Second snowflake:
Second snowflake:
And why would anyone count us if it makes absolutely no difference if there is one
of thousands of us?
First snowflake:
I’d like to know which is my number. That’s like having a name. I’d like to know
which is my ordinal number – at least on this twig.
Second snowflake:
You really waste your time on nonsense. Can anyone count us while there’s a
blizzard? And it reaches, let’s say, three thousand twenty one, and in the meantime,
half of us just melts away!
First snowflake:
Still, still... Perhaps someone knows how many of us there are. Perhaps someone
somewhere is taking note. And thus, our number is written down. And then, when
we melt away, our number stays. It cannot melt. Numbers are something else.
Second snowflake:
Where did you get such weird thought from? About numbers and taking notes...
You know what, I feel just fine when I don’t think. Don’t spoil my good mood.
First snowflake:
Sorry, I won’t talk about it anymore.
Silence. The twig sways slowly. The second flake is dozing off. The first one is turning
around. She sees a Titmouse.
Titmouse: Hall, snowflake! I’ve listened to your conversation. I’d like to add
something, can I?
First snowflake:
Oh, thanks God that there’s someone who wants to talk to me! I’ve already thought
that there won’t be anyone like that.
Titmouse: I find your thoughts familiar. The more so that I’ve been sitting here
half the day, counting the flakes which fall on this particular twig. I’m not saying that
I’ve counted them all. But from the moment I started until the wind brought you
here, I’ve counted ten thousand and one.
First snowflake:
(happily):
It means that I am the ten thousand and first?!
Titmouse: From the moment I’ve started counting – yes, you are.
PLAYS 441
First snowflake:
(joyously):
So, you see, when I melt away, you’ll remember my number. It will be awesome.
For you, I am the ten thousand and first snowflake. Tell that to other birds, as well,
will you? Tell it to the wind, too. For me, it is so very important. Don’t laugh at me.
Titmouse: I’m not. I’m sure many others would consider it important. Pine needles.
And sand. And ants. Grass blades. Stars.
First snowflake:
Oh, how happy I am to have met you! Will you be my friend?
Titmouse: I am already your friend.
The first snowflake is hopping on the twig, unable to contain her joy. The twig is
swaying again.
Second snowflake:
(grumbling angrily):
Will you calm down and let me sleep?
First snowflake:
(still hopping with joy):
Yes, I will, I will. Go to sleep! Listen, dear Titmouse, I’d like to ask you something...
Very important, too. Do you think that it all the same whether there is only one
snowflake or ten thousand? My friend, the one who is sleeping here, says that nothing
plus nothing equals nothing. Am I really nothing?
Titmouse: How can you be nothing when we are talking about something this
important! Nothing about something – that can’t be! Oh, I know an impolite crow.
She laughed at me while I was counting the flakes. She said it was unnecessary and
worthless – to find out how many flakes there are on one twig.
First snowflake:
And is it all the same to the twig how many flakes there are on it?
Titmouse: I think it’s not all the same for her.
First snowflake:
When the ten thousand and first snowflake landed on her, she was a little burdened
by it, wasn’t she? Still, I am, aren’t I, a little bit of something... am I not?
Crow: (the crow, perching on a higher branch):

Caw-caw! You are bubbling nonsense, baby. How can you mean anything at all
to a pine tree branch, or even a twig? Take me, who are indefinitely more heavy
than you, and it does not bend underneath me. How can your twig then feel your
ridiculous weight? It would be the same as if loading a camel with one straw and
Virtues of Truth
wondering if it can feel the weight of the straw?

First snowflake:
But, if there were more straws...? If there were a hundred?
Crow: It would be the same as just one.
First snowflake:
But if there were a thousand?
Crow: Again, the same.
First snowflake:
Ten thousand?
Crow: Hmm. Almost the same.
First snowflake:
And a million? Two million? Three...?
Crow (keeps quiet)
First snowflake:
Yes, now I know, that’s it! There are many of them, and then it takes one, just one,
to rack havoc! Oh, crow, I’m so grateful to you!
The first flake laughs happily and claps her hands. The second snowflake wakes up,
protesting. The titmouse and Crow start swaying. The branch underneath them starts
moving. Both the branch and the twig start swaying.
First snowflake:
Wake up, we’ve found the solution! Oh, if only you knew! You and me have our
number! We have it forever! And it does matter how many of us sit on this twig! We
are not snowflakes, then. We are – snow! Yes, snow! Then one, only one, snake falls
on the snow and all of a sudden, the roof goes down, the fence goes down, the Brach
breaks! Isn’t it lovely? Oh, I knew, I knew it was so!
Second snowflake:
Oh, stop for God’s sake, I want to sleep.
First snowflake:
How can you sleep now, when you’ve found out that you are not nothing,
insignificant?!
Second snowflake:
Help, oh wind, take her away, take her wherever you will!
The wind blows, bringing new snowflakes. The dance around, bump into each other,
swirl. Some of them fall on the twig. The twig sways more and more.
Titmouse: Ten thousand and two... Ten thousand and three... Ten thousand and
PLAYS 443
four There are so many all of a sudden! Slowly, I’ll get confused! Ten thousand and
fifth... Ten thousand and sixth... Hold on, branch! Ten thousand and seven! Ten
thousand and eighth!
The branch breaks. All the snowflakes fall down. The crow flies away.
(happily):
First snowflake:
Haven’t I told you! The branch broke off! It took ten thousand and eight snowflakes
for her to break down! Please titmouse, remember this... tell to others ... especially to
the first one which falls anywhere... that it is something small ... and plus ... something
else small ... something ... and ... then...
Snowflakes mix together and fall asleep.
Titmouse: (lands on the pile of snow, looking for the first snowflake)
Hey! Where are you? Ten thousand and first, where are you? Don’t tell me you are
not there. You are just not responding, that’s it – I suppose you can’t. Or I can’t hear
you any more. I am sorry we can’t carry on with our conversation. You were a gentle,
curious little snowflake. Now you are snow. White, silent snow. Here, I know what to
do. I will write your number on the white, silent snow ... the number which is yours
only, and no one else’s.
(V. Krmpotić)
Virtues of Truth
Where Do You Come From
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
First snowflake
Second snowflake, Third snowflake
Wind
Lake
Ice
Sun
Earth
The Figure
The scene is covered in snow. Snowflakes fly in from all directions, spinning, whirling,
flying away, returning, laughing. There is the sound of wind blowing. Two snowflakes
bump into each other.
First snowflake: Where do you come from?

Second snowflake: The same as you.
First snowflake: It means from the clouds?
Second snowflake: Why is it important for you?
First snowflake: What do you mean, why? I want to now where I come from. Who
are my parents and kit and kin. I want to know where I am going to. Yes, I want to
know that, too.
Second snowflake: There is the Earth underneath. You are going nowhere. You are
falling, just like me. We are falling down to the earth.
All the snowflakes are caught up in a mad whirlpool again, and mix together.
First snowflake: Is that all? Just like that? I don’t want it to be like that! I’ll make
it otherwise!
She bumps into the third snowflake.
First snowflake: Hey, you! Where do you come from?
Third snowflake: Everyone knows that we come from clouds.
First snowflake: And where do clouds come from?
The third snowflake makes faces at the first one and flatters away. The first one
carries on with her questions about where the cloud comes from, and all make faces at
PLAYS 445
her, smile and fly away.
First snowflake: Oh, am I asking something indecent? Something funny?

Something boring? Why no one in interested in where clouds come from? I’ll have
to ask someone else. Little hill, oh dear little hill! Tell me, where do you come from?
Oh, it keeps quiet.
The wind blows and the snowflake spins around like a ballerina.
First snowflake: Dear, dear wind, does it make any difference to you where you
come from?
Wind: I’m too busy blowing, my dear, to bang my head with such questions.
Anyway, no one has ever asked me that question before. But, all right, if you insist,
I’ll tell you: we the winds, come from air. There are many of us, and our nature and
direction is different, but by birth we are all one.
First snowflake: And the clouds, where do they come from?
Wind: They come from water, that’s for sure. As all of us, the winds, have come
from air, clouds must have come from water.
First snowflake: What do you mean, water?! Oh wind, wind, wait a minute. What
is water? Where is it?
Wind: Oh, don’t you know that even you are made of water? But now I must be off
to the pine forest, to have fun shaking the snow off the tree-tops. Have a nice day!
First snowflake: Bye, you lunatic, bye! Me, made from water?! Nonsense!
The lake shimmers in the sunshine.
First snowflake: Look, look, there’s something big and wonderful and calm down
there. Hey, you down there! Yes, you, who are you?
Lake: I’m a lake.
First snowflake: Where do you come from, lake?
Lake: I am water. I am filled by creeks and rivers.
First snowflake: What, you’re water?! Oh, you crazy wind! Come and see – who is
water and who is not! But tell me, lake, if you happen to know: where do creeks and
rivers come from?
Lake: They come from springs.
First snowflake: And springs?
Lake: I’ve been told that springs come from rain. Where there’s no rain, springs
go dry.
First snowflake: Rain? What is rain?
Lake: Rain is drops of water falling down from clouds.
Virtues of Truth
First snowflake: How can that be! For I come from clouds. But I’m a snowflake.
Forgive me, I haven’t introduced myself on time. I am one of billions of billions of
snowflakes which are flattering through the air right now.
Lake: You are water, too. You’ll see soon – when you melt. Then from millions like
you a creak will well up, and in the spring I’ll be full to the brim.
First snowflake: I don’t believe that I am water. I am a snowflake. My sisters are
snowflakes, my mother is a cloud. Why do you keep confusing me?
Lake: Look at my surface. Can you see it is shimmering, like a diamond? Do you
know why it is so clear? That’s your brother, ice. Yes, ice. It is frozen water. And can
you see the white veil on the other side? That’s your sister, steam. Sometimes we call
it mist.
First snowflake: Here I am, close to you. Look at me, do I look anything like
that ice? Or you? Perhaps a little bit like mist, I’ll allow that. I am light, gentle and
white, and I’ve been made like a piece of round lace, and none of all the billions of
snowflakes has the same pattern like me. And never, never, never, will two snowflakes
which look identical meet. And water drops are always the same. How can then you
and me be the same? Here I am, I’ve landed on you, lake!
Ice: It’s me, ice.
First snowflake: What a resounding voice you have! Like a crystal bell! Tell me
know, but tell me the truth: how can you be me, when we are so different?! Me, so
gentle and soft, and you so firm and heavy. Me so gentle, and you so stiff. No, we are
not only different, we are completely opposite. So there’s no chance that we are the
same. But I have an even more important question. I can’t get it out of my mind since
I started falling down from the cloud. Tell me, how do you know: where does water
come from – that which claims to be a lake, a cloud, a snowflake, rain, mist... Where
does water come from?
Ice: Little sister, water comes from the same place from which air comes. I wouldn’t
know more. The rumour has it that this place is out of reach and unreal.
First snowflake: Is there anyone who could tell me about it?
Ice: The Sun is powerful – it can transform me into a puddle with just one of its
rays! Perhaps it knows the answer to your question.
The sun appears from the clouds. The snowflake looks up and claps her hands with
joy.
First snowflake: Oh, my shining sun!

The Sun: I’ve been listening to your questions, snowflake, from the moment you
started asking. Who does not ask, won’t find out. Before you ask me anything, I’ll tell
PLAYS 447
you that I come from fire. Just like all the stars.
First snowflake: My dear sun, tell me just one more thing: Where does fire come
from? Where does air come from? Where does water come from?
The Sun: (keeps quiet)
First snowflake: Don’t tell me that you’re not interested.
The Sun: Oh, little snowflake. You, who lasts only until I reach out for you! You ask
the same questions as me, the huge, fiery sun. Know that I yearn for the answer just
as you do. But I’ve never met anyone who was there – in that unique, invisible and
unreachable place from where water, air and fire come.
First snowflake: I’d like to go there! To that place. Then I would no longer ask
questions. I would know. And I’d let you know, too. So you would know, as well. You
see, I have to go there because of you, not only because of me. Here I go!
The whistling of the wind is heard. The snowflake jumps, soars, rolls down, dances in
the air full of other snowflakes. Slowly all fall on the ground.
First snowflake: It seems that this is the end of the journey. This is the earth. How
quiet it is! It’s asleep...
Earth: Have some rest, my child. Sleep on my chest. You need sleep. I am the goal
of your journey which started high up in the cloud.
First snowflake: You are not my goal. My goal is the place where I come from. No,
I can’t rest. I have to go to that unreal place from which all have come. You too, earth,
you come from there, too. Indeed, there’s no time for sleep. Oh...
The snowflake yawns, rubs her eyes, her head lowers on her shoulders, then she coils
down on the ground. The countryside falls asleep. It stops snowing. All is still, like a
frozen scene in a movie. Then it starts shining – light comes from all the sides. One of
the rays falls on the sleeping Snowflake. She sits up, rubs her eyes, looks around. A tall,
shining figure approaches her. It extends her hand to her. The snowflake gets up.
First snowflake: Are you the place?

The Figure: Yes. I am that place.
First snowflake: Am I dreaming?
The Figure: No. You are awake.
First snowflake: Oh, why were they telling me that you are unreal?
The Figure: Because they were talking in their sleep.
Virtues of Truth
First snowflake: Why were they telling me that you were invisible?
The Figure: Because they forgot how to open their eyes.
First snowflake: I have really fallen in love with you. I won’t go back to sleep.
Please, answer just one more question, the last one. For I have to find out, and I’ll
find out from you. Tell me: where are you, place? Where are you located? Up, above
the clouds? Down, underneath the earth? East to the moon? West to the sun? On a
distant star? Where are you, my place, the place from where I come? From where
everyone comes?
The Figure: (dancing with the snowflake and disappearing in the light with her):
Now I can tell you: I am in you. I am in you. I am in you.
(V. Krmpotić)
PLAYS 449
The Mirror
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
Rabbit
Crow
Badger
Bear
A meadow in the woods, with a clear, round pond.

A rabbit comes hopping. He hops around the pond. Then he sits down to take some
rest. He leans over the pond. Flabbergasted, he steps back. He leans over again. He looks
up. Then he looks to the water again.
Rabbit:
Look, why, that’s me! I recognise myself because of the long ears. There’s no doubt
– it’s me. But, what am I doing in the pond?
If I drowned, I wouldn’t be wondering now if that was me. No, I haven’t drowned.
Here I am, on the dry land. Yet, I am also there, in the wet. Wait, wait! No one can be in
two places at the same time. Neither can they be in two times at the same place! Well,
I better ask! He leans over the water keeping his head low). Please, rabbit, You down
there, tell me if You are me? Yes? You are? No, you are not? Hmm. Don’t interrupt
me, please. I am politely asking you... And you are asking me the same thing! Am I
to you someone you should ask something?! You must be joking! (Confused, he sits
in the grass)
Or, perhaps, you are indeed, me? You are me, most likely. Yes. Now what?
A crow arrives. She hops around the pond, too. She leans over the water, looking at
her reflection.
Crow: Caw-caw! It’s me! It’s me!

Rabbit:
No, it’s me.
Crow: Caw! Caw! Me! Me!
Rabbit:
Huh! You crazy crow, I’ll show you now that I am this I!
The rabbit leans over the water, looking at his face, waving his ears. The crow
filches.
Virtues of Truth
Have you seen now? It’s me! No one else but me!
The crow comes to the edge of the pond again, looking at her reflection in the water.
Crow: No, it’s me!

Rabbit:
Oh, you crows are such slow learners! Can’t you see...
At that particular moment the rabbit notices the crow’s image in the water. The crow
stops mesmerised looking at the rabbit’s reflection. They are both flabbergasted. They
look at each other, they look at the images in water, then again they look at each other.
A badger comes by.
Badger: What is the matter, why are you so dumbfounded, you look like someone
who has just seen a ghost! What – you’re watching your reflections in water? So what
– of course, the pond reflects back everyone’s picture! Mine, too! Here! Look!
You have encountered a mirror, i.e., a clean lake in a day without wind! Am I
clear? Ok, good-bye!
The badger leaves.
Rabbit:
Have you known, you crow, that a lake can be a mirror?
Crow: Caw-caw!
Rabbit:
This is just our picture?
Crow: Caw-caw! My picture! My picture!
Rabbit:
Look at her, now! Her picture! No, it’s mine!
Crow: My mirror! My mirror! My mirror!
Rabbit: It’s beyond a rabbit’s comprehension! It makes his legs confused! It makes
his ears go into a knot! Can’t you see that more of me is seen in the pond than of you!
Simply because I am bigger than you! That’s why I can rightly say that the mirror, i.e.,
the pond, is more mine than yours!
Crow: Caw! Caw! Mine! Mine! I! I!
Rabbit: Is there a saying „as stupid as a crow“, I wonder? It there isn’t, there should
be one. Here, I send it to the world, so that all can learn and be warned – not to keep
company with crows – for stupidity might be contagious, who knows. Don’t you see,
the crow, how big I am? (The rabbit stands up, throwing out his chest) You are not
PLAYS 451
on a par with me! I can hardly fit in this mirror! Therefore, it is mostly mine! And it’s
yours – this much...
A bear comes by. The two go silent. The bear drinks water. He washes his face and
paws.
Bear: Is something wrong?

Rabbit: Everything’s fine.
Bear: Why are you so quiet, then? You were talking just a moment ago.
Rabbit: You majesty, the bear, we would like you to explain something to us... For
example, now you are looking at your self in the mirror...
Bear: I beg your pardon, I am washing my face. This my morning personal
hygiene.
Rabbit: Hygiene?
Bear: Hygiene.
Rabbit: Oh, hygiene. Here’s the thing... What do you think... obviously you occupy
the greatest part of the mirror, i.e., the pond, since you are the biggest... First you,
then come I, then this crow. Whose is the mirror, then, I mean the pond – namely,
whose is it most, and whose is it next, and whose is it the least?
Bear: You are talking nonsense, kid. The mirror belongs to everyone who looks at
themselves in it.
Rabbit: Are you serious? To everyone? Even an ant?
Bear: Of course, to the ant, too. Whoever comes before it, the mirror reflects their
picture back to them, faithfully. Be they small or big, ugly or handsome. It does not
care who is reflected! If it were worried by it, it wouldn’t be a mirror! All right you dull
company, off I go to pick some pears!
The bear goes staggering to the forest. The rabbit and crow give each other a sideways
glance.
Rabbit: Yes, indeed, the nature of the mirror... What’s your opinion, crow?
Crow: Caw! Caw!
Rabbit: Yes, I would think so. It’s not right, it’s not just! Don’t we know that bigger
and stronger get more than smaller and weaker! Why a mirror would breech the
order of things? Why should it be all the same for it if someone is big or small, or
strong or week? No, I can’t agree with that! The bear took it for granted. Anyhow, he
was not really looking at his picture, he was just doing his morning personal hygiene.
I would still say that mirrors belong to those who cast a bigger picture on them!
Virtues of Truth
The crow starts jumping, strutting, puffing her feathers, flapping her wings and
cawing. It is checking her reflection in the pond.
Rabbit: It won’t help you. Big is big and small is small. It can’t be helped. The pond
is mine. I’ll put a notice here so that everyone knows: The rabbit’s mirror. Yes, it’s a
good idea. Those who want to see their image will have to ask for a permission, or
indeed, to pay for the ticket, for this pond is a private property.
Crow: Caw! Caw! It’s not! It’s not!
Rabbit: I can see that I’ll have to put a fence around the pond. Urgently.
Crow: Caw! Caw! I! I! Mine! Mine!
Rabbit: I am sorry, but now I’ll have to chase out imposters! Shoo, you black bird!
Shoo, get out of here! This is the rabbit’s private mirror! You have no right to look at
your reflection in it!
The rabbit starts chasing the crow around the pond. Crow caws, flaps her wings,
jumps and runs. The rabbit runs after her, shouting „Shoo, shoo!“ In the middle of this
noise, they both fall in the pond. Splash of water. The crows flaps her wings on the water.
The rabbit tries swimming but instead swallows water.
Crow: Caw! Caw! I! I! Mine! Mine!

Rabbit: Mine! Gurgle! Mine...
The badger comes by. He stops for a second, watching them quarrelling while
drowning.
Badger: Hey, where’s your picture now, you big shot? What did you say? Hrk?
Have you perhaps fallen into it? Are you perhaps drowning in your own picture?
Rabbit: Hrk! Grgl! My picture is bigger!
Crow: Caw! Caw! Mine! Mine!
Badger: I’d say there’s no more either big or small picture.
(V. Krmpotić)
PLAYS 453
Vesna Krmpotić
The Three-eyed
The play in seventeen petals
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
The Sun Twinkie Smarty

The Three-eyed Centipede Antsy
Smoky Goldy Destiny
Lively Moonlight Poppy, Burdock
Spinner Little Dark Powder Bomb
Scene I
The Three-eyed’s Descent
The sky, the earth, clouds, the sun behind them. Silence. A cloud slowly drifts away.
The sun opens its eyes. It blinks, sending off sunrays in all directions.
The Sun: (calling):

Three-eyed! Where are you? Wake up, little girl!
A lump of sunshine emerges from the sun, with a face with three eyes. She opens her
eyes, yawns and twitters. She is just like a small sun. She then goes round the parental
sun, keeping all the while very close to it. Then it rolls further and further away, and
happily, lively shouts in joy.
The small ball: How lovely it is to go round the sun! Dance round the sun! Sing
to the sun!
The Sun: Yes, it is. Wouldn’t you like Three-eyed, to have a play mate?
The small ball – the Three-eyed:
Oh, I’d love it so much! So that we can dance together around you! So that we
can together dance around you! And all the stars could be watching us! And all the
clouds! It would be a real theatre in the sky!
Then, Three-eyed, go down to the earth. You’ll find there many children, many
flowers, many squirrels, little creeks, and many, many others earnest to play with me,
Virtues of Truth
the sun, and with you, a small sunray.

The small ball – the Three-eyed:
Oh! But how can I descend to the earth? It seems to me that the earth is very, very
far away from you...
The Sun: Here, go down my sun beam.
The sun extends one of its sunbeams, Three-eyed rushes at it to catch it and succeeds
in the third attempt; she sits on the beam and slides down it to the earth. When she
touches the ground, she becomes a little girl. She looks in wonder at her legs and arms,
her dress and shoes.
Three-eyed: Look, look, I’m a little girl now, just as any other little girl...
She wants to make a step, but she looses her balance and stumbles.
Three-eyed: Oooh, how hard the ground is. It’s not as soft as a cloud, and it does
not sway me like the wind. I’ll have to learn how to walk on the hard ground, just like
any other kid.
She makes a couple of still very clumsy steps, stumbling here and there, and finally,
she manages to catch the rhythm of human walk.
Three-eyed: (singing): ...

There comes a small sunshine from the sky,
And that’s a child among children, that’s me.
I’m a miracle like any other, don’t forget
I am, I am, I am, I am I.
The Sun: Three-eyed, Three-eyed, never forget where you descended from! Never
forget who you are and whose you are.
Three-eyed: I’ll never forget you, my dear sun.
The Sun: Listen to me, Three-eyed, and listen well: you’ve descended from the sun,
that’s where you’ve come from. Who are you – you are the light of the sun. Whose
are you – you are the child of the sun. In order not to forget, I’ve left a small, invisible
eye on your forehead, between the eyebrows. That small eye is a small sun. Whenever
you open it, you’ll see all that is in the sky and all that is on earth, and all that is in the
heart. Good luck to you, my little girl!
Three-eyed: One more thing, my dear sun. What if I forget that I have the third
eye? What if I never open it?
The Sun: Oh, my child, I’ll tell you what. Whenever you come to love something,
PLAYS 455
be it even the darkness, your third eye will open up by itself. All you have to do is to
love, Three-eyed. And don’t you worry about anything, it is enough that I look after
you.
Three-eyed slowly leaves, waving to the sun. The sun waves back with its rays. The
third eye on Three-eyed brow sparkles like a small lamp.
Scene II
The Cottage
Three eyed arrives before a small cottage with a fence around it.
Three-eyed: Hallo, cottage! Are you alone? Can we keep each other company for
a moment?
The cottage nods in consent, happily. The little smoke called Smoky on the chimney
almost falls down.
Smoky: Hey! Watch out! I am here, too! I’ve almost fallen down!
Three-eyed: Oh, how lovely you are, cottage! What a lovely eyes you have!
The house lights up, blinking its „eyes“, smiles and waves its chimney like a tail.
Smoky grabs the chimney.
Smoky: Someone has gone nuts here, and it isn’t me!

Three-eyed: (looking at the cottage, and then leaving):
I’ll tell the sun about you. Indeed, I have never seen such a charming cottage! The
only thing you’re missing is a small pond with lotuses. Perhaps also a windy path and
a small bench. But it’s time now to leave – stay well, my dear cottage!
The cottage is at the verge of bursting into tears because Three-eyed is leaving, so she
pulls herself out of the ground and starts following her, waddling. Smoky on the chimney
loses his balance, grabs the chimney, grumbling.
Smoky: Hey, can’t you walk as God commands? You are waddling like a tub! Think
of me a little!
They leave.
Virtues of Truth
Scene III
I’ve Come to Love You
Lake shore, water-lilies, a willow. Three-eyed comes. She is followed by the cottage.
Smoky is still grumbling. Three-eyed stops.
This is a magical tiny little place. How shimmering the lake is, and how lovely the
water-lilies are!
The lake starts rippling and ruffling, the water lilies sway and bow. Three-eyed
crouches at the shore, staring at the water-lilies.
Three-eyed: I’m telling you, there’s no such beauty anywhere, not in the sky,
even!
The cottage tries to crouch, too. Smoky screams. The cottage gives up, it digs in,
puts the fence around, straightens the chimney. Finally, it marks the path with a little
bench.
(without turning around):
Three-eyed: All is here now, isn’t it?
The cottage nods in approval.

Smoky: Hey, where are we? It’s a strange neighbourhood. Hey you down there –
are you a fairy?
Three-eyed: I am not a fairy, I am Three-eyed.
Smoky: Sounds the same. My name’s Smoky, a small smoke! Am I lovely, too? And
what are my eyes like? Ha?
Three-eyed: Oh, you are the most beautiful, the loveliest smoke under the sky. But
come down, let me take a better look at you, Smoky!
Smoky: No, no, it’s difficult for me to part with my chimney. I am smoke, I soar
up and go everywhere, but I like permanence and loyalty – and not to have the wind
take me where it wills.
Smoky: (singing):
Smoke, smoke, smoke, smoke, smoke,
Chimney is my home,
PLAYS 457
And I’m always with it, never parting for a bit!

Three-eyed: What a lovely song! Will you teach me this „smoke, smoke, smoke?“
Smoky: Hmm, we’ll see. Now you tell me, on what business have you come to us?
And from where?
Three-eyed: I’ve come from the sun. And I’ve come to love you, Smoky.
Smoky: What nonsense! From the Sun?! You can give that to our cat, Lively. And
to love – what kind of job is that?
Three-eyed: That’s the best thing. And the most important. Something unique.
Her third eye shimmers. Smokey’s both eyes start sparkling, imitating Three-eyed’s
one. The sun from the sky resounds with extra shine. The whole scene glitters.
Three-eyed’s song.
There comes from the sky a little light, a small sunshine...
Scene IV
Yes, I’ve come to Love You
Three-eyed: Cottage, look, the sun is going down, the night is coming. Can I spend
the night inside you?
The cottage hops with joy, nods her head, and dances with delight. Smoky claps his
hands, sways, holds his head and performs stunts.
Smoky: Hey, watch out! I’m here, too? I have a say!

Three-eyed: Please excuse me. Can I, Smoky?
Smoky: Hmm, we’ll see. We have to ask the cat Lively – she is the guardian of the
house. She lights the fire. Lively! Where are you? Come here! We have visitors!
The door on the house opens, and the Lively, rushes out. When she sees Three-eyed,
she stops in her tracks.
Lively: Who is she and what is she doing here?

Smoky: Hush, Lively. She has come from the sun. She has come to love you. She
loves me already. Her name is Three-eyed.
Lively: She to love me!? Me?!
Smoky: Yes, you.
Lively: Why me?
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Smoky: That’s the custom on the sun. Everybody loves cats there, as well as little
smokes, water-lilies, cottages...
Lively is going round Three-eyed, scrutinizing her.
Lively: Hm. She has no moustache. No hair. Does not mew. What’s the use for me,
then? Anyhow, I’m loved by the tomcat Spinner. I don’t need any more than that.
Three-eyed: I’m sorry lively, but I already love you.
Lively: Meeeewww, Spinner! Come over here at once, it’s urgent!
The tomcat Spinner rushes in.

Spinner: Mew! What’s the matter, my dear Lively? Have you been attacked by a
dog?
Lively: No, Spinner. But this person here says that she loves me. And I don’t want
her to.
Spinner: She loves you?! By what right? She first needs to get permission from me,
Spinner, to love Lively. I’ll fix it now. Just watch me!
Spinner stops before Three-eyed, assuming a threatening look, pretending to be huge

and dangerous. Three-eyed laughs, her third eye sparking. Smoky sways and hovers
around them.
Spinner: (offended):
Why are you laughing? Can’t you see that I’m dangerous?
Three-eyed: Oh, no, you are cute, Spinner.
Spinner: Huh! I am not cute. I am terrifying! Meew!
Three-eyed laughs so much that Smoky, Spinner and Lively finally join her, and all
four laugh and laugh, like a silvery blizzard.
Then Three-eyed yawns. All yawn. Laughter fades away. Three-eyed starts to the
door of the cottage.
Smoky: Three-eyed, don’t forget. I’m little smoky, and my place is on the chimney.
I’m already cold and hungry. Light the fire in the house so that I can get warm and
have some food.
Three-eyed: Don’t worry, Smoky. I’ll do that right away.
She enters the house and waves to them through the window. She then lowers the
blinds. Then there is a big smoke coming from the chimney. Smoky claps his hands in
delight, jumps up, lies on the chimney and swings on the cosy smoky cushion.
Spinner and Lively enter the house. It’s getting dark, the night comes.
PLAYS 459
Scene V
Moonlight and Little Dark
The moon appears in the braches of a tree. There in the moon and the face of the
moonlight can be discerned, like in a medallion. The moonlight wakes up. She is all
transparent and sparkly. She has a long, silvery hair and diamond slippers. She holds a
big comb in her hand. She starts brushing her hair. Sparks break off and dance around
her.
Moonlight: Those folks in the cottage have no idea that I am Moonlight, Three-
eyed younger sister. I wake up the moment she goes to sleep. That’s the sky schedule.
The day for the sun, and the night for the moon. When she sleeps, I am awake.
Moonlight: (singing):
When she’s asleep, I’m awake,
When she’s awake, I’m asleep.
The day is gold, the night is silver,
The earth is alight, the sky is aglow.
From a hole in the willow trunk comes the sound of someone crying.
Moonlight: Who’s crying?

Little Dark: I’m crying. Me, Little Dark. A small dark.
Moonlight: Little Dark? Where are you, I can’t see you?
Little Dark: I’m in the cavity of the trunk. You are on a branch. We are on the same
willow. But you couldn’t see me, even if went out. I would fade away immediately
before you. I would just disappear, Moonlight.
Moonlight: Oh, I see. Then don’t come out, for I don’t want any evil to befall you.
We can talk even if we can’t see each other. Tell me – why are you sad?
Little Dark: Oh, can’t you guess?
Moonlight: No.
Little Dark: I’m sad because I can’t keep your company. Where you are, I can’t
be.
Moonlight: Come out, little dark, let me see if it’s true.
Little Dark: No, no, I’m afraid of light – I’ll go even deeper into the hole...
Moonlight: Oh, little dark, I’ll fall sick if I can’t see you!
Virtues of Truth
Little Dark: Please don’t fall sick. I couldn’t bear that.

Moonlight: I will, I’ll fall sick – I’ll go very pale.
Little Dark: Do you really care so much to see me? I’m not much of a sight! Do
you really think that I could help you...? All right then, here I come!
Moonlight: Wait, I am just kidding. Don’t do that, little dark, don’t do that to
yourself!
Little Dark comes out of the cavity. Moonlight still sits on the branch, looking around
and shedding light all around with her big comb. Her ray pears through Little Dark,
„erase“ him, he fades away and droops down on the willow’s roots.
Moonlight: I’m waiting for Little Dark to get out of the cavity. But he’s not coming
yet.
Little Dark: (in a feeble voice):
Moonlight, my tribe can’t take well the proximity of light. And yet, I’ve fallen in
love with you- you, the only one I was obliged not to. I’m here, but you can’t see me.
Even I cannot see myself well, anymore.
Moonlight: (leaning over the branch, looking down the willow’s trunk):
Dear me! Little dark, little dark! Where are you? Go back to the cavity, quickly!
Look, he isn’t there, and yet I heard his voice!
Little Dark: (sighing):
I’m little dark, and you are a daughter of light. Is it possible, can they keep each
other company? But I love you even more than I love myself, and that’s why I’ve come
out of the tree trunk – so that you don’t get sick.
Moonlight: Little dark, little dark! I love you, too, I love you more than anyone!
Where are you...? He is not there. I’ll wait for him all night! I’ll wait for him every
night! We will think of something, how to actually meet! And stay together!
Little Dark: (disappearing, melting, merging into light):
Oh, I’ve fallen in love with the only one I was not suppose to... But I don’t regret it.
Farewell, the most beautiful one...
Moonlight: Little dark, little dark, don’t go... We’ll think of something... Oh! Is it
already dawn?
The night starts fading away in the east. Moonlight drops her comb and it falls on the
grass. She droops on the branch and falls asleep.
Song „When she’s awake, I’m asleep...“
PLAYS 461
Scene VI
The Centipede with a Wooden Leg
Morning. Three-eyed gets out of the cottage. Spinner and Lively hop up joyfully after
her, getting themselves tangled in her feet. Smoky flaps around the chimney.
Three-eyed: What a lovely morning! I have never seen such a beautiful morning!
And the sky so blue! And the sun so goldenly majestic! And the clouds so white! And
the cats so cat likely catlike! And such a friendly cottage!
The cottage blinks her eyes with content.
Smoky: Hey, and not a word about me! I am here, too!

And never have a seen a creature, so charming...
Smoky flies down to the ground, before Three-eyed, and takes a bow.
So – a creature as charming...
Smoky: As charming as me...?
Smoky: (taking a bow):
As charming as you.
Smokey’s song. „Some, smoke, smoke...“
The three of them – Smoky, Lively, Spinner – crowd together around Three-eyed. She
sits on the bench.
All: Now you could tell us a story!

Three-eyed: Stories are all around us. Both sad and happy. The comprehensive
ones. And those beyond comprehension.
All: Tell us one that is beyond comprehension!
Three-eyed: Incomprehensible? You really want an incomprehensible one?
All: Yes, we want an incomprehensible one. The comprehensible ones are boring.
Three-eyed: All right, then. Did you know that there are such creatures among us
which prefer not to feel than to feel good?
All: Huh! How come? That is really beyond comprehension! But, of course, it’s
just a story!
Three-eyed: As I’ve said, there are stories all around us. When you call them, they
appear. They become real. And true.
Virtues of Truth
There is noise and clatter, syncopic heavy thuds. Thump, thump, thump – thump.
There comes a centipede.
All: Oooh! Aaah!
The centipede comes closer, thudding.
Three-eyed: What’s that noise, centipede, at this early morning hour?

Centipede: Oh, it must be my ninety-ninth leg! I’ve sprained it while playing,
so my friends bandaged it with a wooden stick, a crutch. Here- tap, tap! And they
even coined a puzzle – what is that which is heard ninety-eight times as tap, and the
ninety-ninth as bump?
All: We don’t know.
Centipede: It’s me, the centipede with a crutch!
Smoky: How interesting! I would never have guessed.
Centipede: Here, you can see it – my wooden leg... Bump!
Three-eyed: But Centipede, your leg is quite all right. I’d say there’s no more need
for the crutch...
Centipede: You think so?
Three-eyed: Let me take off this wooden leg of yours... It’s only bothering you.
She takes off the reed. The centipede moves her leg a bit.
Three-eyed and All:
You see, it’s all fine now! You can even dance!
The centipede starts walking but then it stumbles. She tries again, and she stumbles
again.
Centipede: Dear me, I don’t know how to walk with a good leg, any more. I’ve got
used to the wooden leg. I’d like you to give me back the crutch.
All: But centipede, you’ll walk better with your own leg...
Centipede: I don’t know how to walk without a crutch any more. Besides, no one
would notice me anymore. I wouldn’t be interesting. And that riddle, you know, about
the tap and bump... wouldn’t work any more. Please don’t think bad of me, and give
me back my crutch.
Three-eyed: All right, centipede, if you insist.
She fixes the crutch. The Centipede leaves with a characteristic clamour. The sound
is fading away.
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Three-eyed: See? I’ve told you! The stories are all around us, and they come when
they are invited. Even the incomprehensible ones, when someone prefers to feel bad
to feeling good.
Smoky: Hm. Are we in a story, too?
Lively: Of course, mew! We are keeping company with someone who loves us!
Spinner: We are in a story, too! There’s someone with us who is not afraid of me!
Smoky: And who came from the sun! And who made me climb down from the
chimney!
Three-eyed: We are not in a story. We are a story. Let’s go on, let us be told!
They leave, holding one another’s hand.
We are a story that is being told,

We are a book, that is being leaved through,
There’s nothing prettier than us.
Scene VII
Crazy Fish
A bridge over a creek. There is a kite Goldy standing on the bridge, watching the
water attentively. Three-eyed, Spinner, Lively and Smoky come to Goldy. He does not
look up. Then all look at the creak.
(extending her hand to Goldy):
Three-eyed: My name’s Three-eyed.
Goldy: (without looking up, he extends his hand):
Goldy. The kite. Nice to meet you.
Three-eyed: These are my friends.
Lively:
(extending his paw):
Lively.
Goldy: (without being distracted, he extends his hand):
Nice to meet you. Goldy. The kite.
Spinner: (the same):
My name is Spinner.
Goldy: (the same):
Virtues of Truth
Yes, yes, of course. Goldy.

Smoky: It’s sort of difficult to shake hands with me. For I am a little smoke. Smoky,
I’m honoured. You must be very wise, staring at the water like that, which is just
flowing, flowing and flowing...
Goldy looks up and shakes hands with Smoky.
Goldy: I’ll be damned! What an interesting company. Like in a fairy-tale. I’m
honoured.
Three-eyed: What are you looking at so intently, Goldy?
Goldy: I’m watching the fish. I’m trying to hear what they are talking about. But
I’m not very successful. Has any of you got a good ear for the language of the fish?
All: Hm. For the language of the fish... The fish don’t talk, do they... ? It’s a tough
job.
Spinner and Lively: We, for one, adore the fish...
Three-eyed: I’ll try.
Presses the ears with the tops of her fingers and leans over the water. She starts
laughing.
Goldy: (shouting at her ear):

What? What? Why are you laughing?
Three-eyed: (still laughing):
Oh, my friends, I’m laughing at the foolishness of the fish!
All: Speak, speak, what do you hear?
Three-eyed: Can you see those two fish over there? Do you know what the first
one is saying to the second one? Ha-ha!
All: What is she saying? What is she saying?
Three-eyed: (giggling):
„Sister, I’m so thirsty... I’m so very thirsty. I’m so terribly thirsty.“
All giggle over the foolishness of the fish.
Goldy: And what is the second fish saying?
Three-eyed: She is shedding tears! Now even the first one is shedding tears! Now
again the first one, and again the second one!
Spinner and Lively: They deserve to be eaten for breakfast! Mew!
Goldy: I can see the third one, as well! What is she saying?
Three-eyed: (presses her ears)
The third one is asking them why they cry, because she feels like crying, too! They
both reply: „We are thirsty, and there’s no one to offer us some water! It’s terrible, I can
hear the third one saying. Look, there comes the fourth one! They explain to her why
PLAYS 465
they are crying! Now the fourth one is crying, too.

All: Are they all completely nuts? Perhaps the fifth and the sixth one will be more
clever?
Three-eyed: Here they come. They don’t even ask anything, but start crying
immediately. And now the whole school of fish is coming, crying bitterly.
Goldy: The stream will well up from all those tears! It will carry away the bridge!
Lively: I feel like crying too – because I can’t swim!
Three-eyed: Now they are all wailing: „If anyone would give as but a sip of water.
Just a small sip. If someone would give us just a drop of water. Oh, but there’s no one
around! We are so very unhappy, for we are so terribly, terribly thirsty!“
All choke up with laughter, the bridge is shaking.
Goldy: Isn’t there anyone to tell them...?

Three-eyed: Attention, I can see a small crab coming.
Goldy and All: What does the small crab say?
Three-eyed: The small crab is not silly. He says: „When I’m thirsty, I just open my
mouth. I can’t say for sure, but I’ve been told that all around us there is water only?!“
All stop laughing, staring at the Three-eyed.
All: This fish talk, it’s a story, isn’t it?
Three-eyed: Yes, it’s a story. But a true one. Haven’t I told you that there are stories
all around us? This story is telling us: all we need is around us. But we don’t see it. We
are just like the crazy fish, convincing each other that we don’t have what we have...
Goldy: And then comes the small crab... I know. You are the small crab from the
story, Three-eyed. You can see things. And that is the continuation of the story. For
any story always has a continuation in us and with us, isn’t it so?
Smoky: (solemnly):
I’ll put an important question. Silence, please. So: do you, Three-eyed, love those
stupid fish as well? And the dull centipede?
Three-eyed: Oh, Smoky, it’s a fish question, indeed! Of course I do! Of course I
love the centipede, as well! (Her third eye sparkles). I’ve come in order to love all! Not
just some, but all, not just something, but everything! But let us continue unfolding
stories! To have a full book of stories!
Goldy: Can I come with you? I am all alone in this world, and I need company.
All: You’ve been made for us! We need such a terrifying kite. But you haven’t told
us where you come from?
Goldy: It happened so that I slipped out of a boy’s hand, and then I flew up and
up, among thunders and lightening! If you could only imagine how mighty and
glorious it was! Boom there and tress here! But when the wind subsided, my strength
Virtues of Truth
disappeared, too, so I landed on this bridge. So, I can come with you? I like stories
very much.
They leave.
The song „We are the story...“
Scene VIII
Who Thanks to Whom
A playground. There is a school building in the background. There are Smarty and
Antsy standing in front, ready to start competition in jumping on one foot. There are
children all around.
Smarty: My name’s Smarty. I have all top grades. If there were grades higher than
A, I would have them, too. And even higher than the higher, I’d have them... It’s a pity.
There aren’t any. There’s no one smarter than me in the class, you should know that.
Antsy: I’m Antsy. I fidget and wriggle in the class more than anyone... But my
marks are just C’s... However, there’s no better jumper and climber on the playground!
Now Smarty and me will compete in jumping on one foot in circles. It’s a game
of endurement. The winner must tell a story in which all of us will be the main
character.
All: That’s right! Let’s begin!
Smarty and Antsy start hopping on one foot. Others stand around them cheering
now Smarty, now Antsy.
Three-eyed and her company come.
Three-eyed: Can we watch?

All: Yes, just don’t cheer.
Three-eyed and the company sit and watch. The competition is in progress. There’s
an uproar, shouting.
Three-eyed: But you said cheering was not allowed!
There is even louder uproar. Antsy wins. Smarty stumbles. All cheer ’Antsy’ with
clapping; Antsy puts an air of importance and struts before others.
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Smarty: But I have the best marks.

Antsy: Bah, it’s of no use on the playground!
All: Tell a story, Antsy!
Antsy: You over there – where do you come from?
Smoky: Some are from the chimney, some from the sun, some from the clouds...
This is Three-eyed, I’m Smoky, this is Spinner, this is Lively, and this is our domestic
kite, Goldy...
All: Tell a story, Antsy!
Antsy: Can’t you see that I’m talking to the newcomers...
Smoky: Three-eyed knows all sorts of stories. She will tell you one right away, if
you want. And another one, if you want. And the third one, and the fourth one. Tell
what would you like – a comprehensible or incomprehensible one, a happy or a sad
one?
Antsy: I’d like one in which all of us are the main characters!
Smarty: What kind of name is that, Three-eyed?
Smoky: (whispering confidentially)
She has a third eye which can see everything!
Antsy: Is it true?
Three-eyed: Yes, it is. But you have the third eye, too, it’s just that you don’t know
that. But let me ask you: have you thanked Smarty on your victory?
Antsy: What nonsense is that? I suppose if I needed to thank someone for my
victory, it would be me?
Three-eyed: No, but Smarty. It’s him you competed with. If he hadn’t lost, you
wouldn’t have won.
Antsy: Oh, I see. Hm. Interesting view.
All: It’s really interesting. Tell us a story, Antsy!
Antsy: I’m empowering Three-eyed to tell my story. All right, Smarty, here’s my
hand, I thank you for my victory.
They shake hands.
Smarty: Not at all, Antsy, any time.
School bell.
All: What about the story – when will we hear it?
Three-eyed: Go to the class now! Your story will be waiting for you.
All run to the school building.

Virtues of Truth
Scene IX
The Pearl or the Shell
The school-bell sounds. All run toward the school playground. They sit in a circle,
around Three-eyed.
Smarty: And now, Three-eyed, I’d like you to tell us something smart.
Antsy: I’d like a story, too. But it doesn’t have to be smart, it’s enough if it’s fun.
All: But we all must be main characters!
Smoky: I’m dying to know, Three-eyed, what kind of story it would be where all of
us are the main characters?!
Three-eyed: All right. I’ll please both Smarty and Antsy, because both of them
are equally charming. And I also accept the requirement that everyone is a main
character – for all are equally, equally dear to me.
All: No exception?
Three-eyed: No exception. So: there was a shell which lived in the depth the
Indian ocean. It was a smart shell, for it knew that it would never see the day light, if
she first did not give birth to a pearl.
Smarty: I’m telling you- it is the brains that is the most important thing.
Three-eyed: The shell asked every small creature which wondered into her jaw:
would you like to become my pearl? But no one wanted to. Then a tiny grain of
sand agreed to become her pearl. The shell started putting layers of mother-of-pearl
around it, and the pearl was getting bigger, day by day. Then it wished that it finally be
found. „I want to be found!“, it complained. „I don’t want to stay here, where no one
knows about me“. And the shell, in order to calm it down, put another layer of mother
of pearl, and it became bigger and even more shiny. One day, a diver saw the pearl. He
grabbed it and put it in a bag. „Hey, don’t forget me!“ the pearl yelled, thinking about
her encounter with the sun. „Who is interested in you?“ the pearl shouted at her at
their parting. The shell felt dejected. But she soon cheered up. „What is important
is that my pearl can surface and see the sun“, she said. „If I were to surface among
people, they would not be so happy to see me, as they would be when they see my
pearl – perhaps they would even ridicule my shell. That’s why I’m sending them my
pearl, my heart, so that can see how shiny my love is.
All: This is a sad story. No, it is a happy story. It’s a little bit incomprehensible. And,
does it really finish there? And how come all of us are part of it?
Three-eyed: The story is sad, and happy, and somewhat incomprehensible, and
somewhat comprehensible. And it is not completely finished. And here’s how all of us
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are in it. It finishes with a question which all must answer.

All: Let’s hear it! Let’s hear it!
Three-eyed: Would you rather be a pearl or a shell?
Silence. Noise.
Antsy: It’s better to be the pearl, by all means. And because it is better, I decided to
choose the pearl, though I appreciate the shell more.
Smarty: There’s no doubt that it’s better to be a pearl.
All: Pearl! Pearl!
Spinner: Mew, I choose the shell. There would be no pearl without the shell.
Goldy: The shell can produce many more pearls.
Mixed voices: Shell! Shell! Pearl! Pearl! We vote for the shell. We vote for the pearl!
What about you, Three-eyed?
Three-eyed: I... prefer to make something beautiful than to be beautiful myself.
Antsy: Very interesting, I’m telling you. Let us count how many we are, and lets
split into pearls and shells. Let’s see which are greater in number, and which are
stronger! Pearls to this side, and shells to the other side!
All start taking their side. All are on the side of the pearl, except for Three-eyed and
her company. Pearls rejoice triumphantly.
Pearls: We win!
Lively: And why have we lost?
Three-eyed: Who says that we’ve lost?
Goldy: We’ve chosen the shell, and didn’t do well!
Smoky: This is a sad story, Three-eyed. And completely incomprehensible to me.
Spinner: Mew! We are minority! We are weaker!
Three-eyed: Who says this is a sad story? And who says that we didn’t do well? All
of those over there have found a pearl! Look how many they are! And we let them go,
because we are shells! Oh, do you see how many pearls we have, and how beautiful
they are!
Her third eye sparkles.
The sun’s ray sparkles in response. Three-eyed’s song.
Three-eyed: Hurry up, our cottage is all alone, waiting for us!
They leave. All the children hop on one foot, and wave to them.
Children: Bye shells! Come to see us again!
Three-eyed and her company: Bye pearls! We will! There will be more pearls!
The school bell sounds.

Virtues of Truth
Scene X
Saving Little Dark
Cottage. Dusk.
Smoky: (on the chimney, leaning on his elbow)

Here we are, home at last. There’s no place like home. My little chimney, my happy
little bed. I wouldn’t trade you for a royal feather quilt. I’m a little smoke, smoke...
Puffing little smokes from his pipe. On the branch of the willow, Moonlight is waking
up, crying.
Smoky: Who is crying at this hour? Who is spoiling my good mood?

Moonlight: It’s me. Moonlight. I’ve lost my comb.
Smoky: So what? We’ll get you another one.
Moonlight: There’s no other.
Smoky: What a fruitcake!
Smoky jumps off his chimney, comes to the willow, finds the comb in the grass and
gives it back to Moonlight, who is lying bent over the branch, like a forgotten shirt.
Moonlight: Thank you (still crying).
Smoky: What is it now – why are you crying again?
Moonlight: I’m crying because of Little Dark. He perished last night, and it was
my fault.
Smoky: Get a grip, come on. Who is this Little Dark you are crying for? And
where is he?
Moonlight: I don’t know where he is.
Smoky: Do you want us to look for him?
Moonlight: Oh, yes!
Smoky: All right.
Whistles. Lively and Spinner come in no time. Goldy and Three-eyed come from the
other side.
Smoky: This is serious. Little Dark is missing.

Lively : Is it a cat?
Smoky: No, it’s a little dark.
Moonlight: Little dark. My dearest friend.
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Three-eyed : Moonlight, little sister... you are grieving... (helping her find a more
comfortable position on the branch). It is not possible that darkness, being it even a
little one, is your best friend. Your friends are on the light side of the world. Be patient
and the moon will soon appear.
Moonlight: (sobbing):
I don’t need the moon. I need Little Dark.
Goldy: She’s fallen in love with Little Dark. Women!
Smoky: It is still daylight. Where could Little Dark be hiding?
Goldy: At the bottom of the lake. In grandmother’s box. Behind the wardrobe.
(inverting his pockets).
Moonlight: Perhaps he is still in the willow’s trunk. He is now asleep. But I’d like
to see him. And he would like to see me.
Three-eyed : Sister, the daughter of light, you two belong to two different tribes. It’s
not possible for you to be together. You would mean death to each other.
Moonlight: (crying)
But I’ll die any way if I don’t see him. Why shouldn’t I die then because of seeing
him?
Smoky: That’s what I call love. (strides in, with an air of importance )How can we
help them, Three-eyed?
Three-eyed : Let us think of some plan. I’ll forget everything about the children of
darkness and the children of light. I’ll remember that there’s nothing that is impossible.
And that that which is impossible I like best.
All keep quiet, thinking, keeping their forefinger on their brow. Moonlight moans
quietly. Goldy gets up and enters the cottage. He returns with a butterfly net.
Smoky: We’ll catch him with this net.
Three-eyed and others: Little Dark can escape through even the smallest of the
meshes on the net.
They all keep quiet, think, with their forefinger pressed on their brow. Spinner gets
up, goes to the cottage and returns with a black bag.
Spinner: We’ll put him in this bag. Black Little Dark in the black bag. He will feel
comfortable here.
Moonlight: (sobbing):
But I’m not allowed to hold anything black in my hands. My hand would burn
immediately.
All keep quiet, thinking, with their forefinger pressed on the brow.
Virtues of Truth
Smoky: (clapping his hands in delight):

Ha! I know!
Goes to the house and returns with a white bag.
Smoky: When the bag is closed, it is black inside, which suits Little Dark. On the
outside the bag is white, which suits Moonlight. There you go – she can hug him in
the bag. That way they can be together without being exposed to any danger!
All: Good for you! It’s such a good idea, indeed, Smoky!
Smoky sneaks to the cavity of the willow. He spreads the bag at the entrance.
Smoky: Come Little Dark, come!
Silence.
Little Dark: Go away. I’m not going anywhere.
Smoky: But would you like to see the Moonlight.
Little Dark bursts into sobs..
Smoky: Here, I’ll put a shirt on you so that I can take you to Moonlight. Come in,
Little Dark, to the bag, the shirt. Moonlight is waiting for you on the branch, she does
not want to comb her hair, until she meets you!
Little Dark: Not even to comb her hair! That’s terrible! All right then, here I
come!
Little Dark gets in the bag. Smoky closes it skilfully, and brings it to others. All cuddle
the bag. Little Dark inside keeps sobbing.
Lively: Still, it sounds like a cat to me.
(leaning over the branch):
Moonlight: Are you there, my little dark, my best friend?
Little Dark: I’m here, Moonlight. In the bag.
Smoky: (in a solemn tone of voice):
I hand to you Moonlight, this small white bag, to guard it as the apple of your eye.
There is in it something that is very dear to you. Will you always love him, for better
and for worse? Be faithful to him, share every moment of your life with him, every
joy and every strife, so to say?
Moonlight: (glowing and trembling):
Yes, I will, I will, I will. Just give me, give me, give me the bag.
Smoky: All right. And do you Little Dark...
Little Dark: Yes, I do, I do, I do. Just give me, give me, give me to her.
Smoky: Then we give you to each other. We are your best men and maids of
honour. We sign under this willow that love is an all powerful force. Old animosity
between darkness and light is cancelled. We bear witness to that. We bear witness that
there is nothing that is impossible. We will tell the sun this story
about love between Little Dark and Moonlight.
PLAYS 473
Moonlight embraces the bag. She is whispering to it, babbling. The bag is in the shape
of Little Dark. Then Moonlight blissfully combs her hair. There are sparkles everywhere.
Three-eyed’s third eye sparkles. The sun responds while going down. The moon emerges,
sparkling, too.
Moonlight’s song. Three-eyed’s song.
Scene XI
Twinkie
The cottage. Smoke is raising up to the blue sky. Smoky swings on the smoke like on
a feathery quilt. He grows bigger and bigger.
Smoky: Hey, what’s up? (knocking on the chimney)

Goldy sticks his head out the window.
Goldy: Who’s knocking?
Smoky: It’s me. Stop this fire immediately or I’ll join the giants, and what are you
going to do then, dwarfs!
Goldy: Yes, Sir. (Shuts the window and leaves).
Smoke stops pouring out abruptly, and Smoky is reduced to dwarf size.
Smoky: Hey, I haven’t told you to make me a dwarf! Hey you, inside! Hey! (knocking
again)
Goldy: (peeping out again)
What’s the matter now?
Smoky: I don’t want to be a dwarf, and you to be giants! Add some fire to that
furnace!
Goldy: Yes, Sir.
Now the smoke is in proportion. Smoky is pleased. He is swinging, stretching,
yawning, dosing off.
Smoky: There’s nothing more enjoyable, I’m telling you... than to be a smoky
smoke, in the right proportion!
The day passes by quickly – clouds go by, the sun goes down, dusk... Stars. Moonlight
Virtues of Truth
climbs down the tree, carrying in her hand the white bag in the shape of Little Dark.
Three-eyed comes out of the cottage and sits on the grass; she is lost in thought while
watching the stars.
Moonlight: Can you see, Little Dark, the stars are scattered in the sky, the sky is
purple.
Little Dark: Yes, I can see. There’s no moon tonight.
Moonlight: True, it’s not there.
Little Dark: But there is a very, very shiny star.
Moonlight: True. A very, very shiny star.
Little Dark: What is Three-eyed doing?
Moonlight: Looking at the star.
Little Dark: Oh! She’s not only looking. Listen, Moonlight. She is talking to it.
There’s someone very dear to her living on that star. His name is Twinkie.
The scene becomes dark; only Three-eyed can be seen, and opposite to her, quite close,
the big star. A small door can be seen on the star.
Three-eyed: Twinkie! Twinkie!

Twinkie: Here I am, Three-eyed.
The door opens, Twinkie comes out. There comes, through the door, Twinkie’s
high and pointed hat, sparkling in many colours. Three-eyed claps her hands in
delight.
Three-eyed: What is that hat you have, Twinkie?
Twinkie brings out a small tripod, and sits on it. Three-eyed lowers herself at his
feet.
Twinkie: My hat is a secret. Tell me, how are our friends on earth?
Three-eyed: Oh, they are very well, healthy and happy! But you are here all alone. You
would be happier down there with us.
Twinkie: (with an air of a preacher)
It only seems to you that I am alone. I often descend on earth and play with you,
and you don’t know it. I know everything that is happening on earth. With the help
of this little hat... Oh, now I’ve spilled the beans!
He giggles and shakes his head, the colours on the hat mix together, and a small
mirror sparkles on its top, which starts emitting sound signals...
Twinkie: These are the earth news. I’ve just been informed that there is a black
cloud above the Red Sea. And trees are screaming, too.
PLAYS 475
Three-eyed: Trees are creaming?!

Twinkie: Yes, they are being torn down by big, toothy, steal beasts. Every second
hundreds and thousands go down this way! Oh, I feel so sorry for the trees! No one
can hear them except for us.
Three-eyed: Twinkie, I’ll tell the people about the trees crying... They don’t know.
So perhaps they will stop tearing them down.
Twinkie: Don’t bother, little sister. Humans can hear animals crying, but they kill
them anyway. And you want me to come on earth? No, Three-eyed, living on earth
is painful.
Three-eyed: Don’t say that, little brother. What hurts on earth, hurts here, too.
Twinkie: Hush! Can you hear this sound, sounding like a harp? That’s waters
crying. It is not drinkable any more. And can you hear this other sound, like a crystal
bell? It’s the air. It is crying, too. And that muffled drum? That’s the earth. It is ill and
pleads for help.
Little Dark: Can you hear it, my dear Moonlight?
Moonlight: It’s important that you can hear it, my little dark.
Three-eyed: Pleading for help? How can earth be helped to heal? Teach me,
Twinkie!
Twinkie: (assuming the air of importance):
Now listen and you’ll see what kind of brother you have! Open your third eye and
watch!
Twinkie opens his tripod, switches on his torch and directs it to the small door of the
star-cottage. The door becomes a screen. There is a big blue sapphire on the screen – the
Earth. There are dark patches on her surface.
Three-eyed: (holding her nose):

It stinks.
Twinkie: It’s rot, Three-eyed. The Earth has been affected by a disease. And now
look who is helping her!
Two winged beings approach the blue sapphire, carrying a white bandage.
Twinkie: These are our brother, angels. They look after the earth, though they
won’t be born on it.
Three-eyed: How lovely to have brothers all around the universe. Oh! It smells
nice now!
Twinkie: That’s the balm. It’s some healing herbs from this shiny star of ours.
Virtues of Truth
Two angels put a bandage with balm on a sore spot of the Earth. Then they fly away.
The screen switches off. Three-eyed kisses Twinkie in delight.
Three-eyed: Oh my Twinkie! Thank you for showing me all this. Now I won’t
bother you with the plea to come down among us. I can see that you are looking after
us, and our mother earth. That’s what really makes us brothers.
Twinkie: (seriously, with the air of importance):
Yes, yes, there are many like us. We can’t all be at the same place. Some of us are
on very remote stars. But sooner or later we will meet and recognise each other. Like
you and me, Three-eyed.
Three-eyed: I have to go, little brother. But I’ll come again.
Twinkie: You don’t have to come. Just think of me and we’ll be together.
The picture of Three-eyed and Twinkly disappears. There is Three-eyed on the grass,
still gazing at the distant star.
Little Dark: (whispering to Moonlight):

We were on that star, too. I was there thanks to my white bag.
Scene XII
The Story of the Story
Smoke is gushing from the cottage to the blue sky; Smoky is swinging on the smoke like
on a feather quilt. Antsy and Smarty come along with schoolbags on their backs. They
lay them aside on the grass and sit under the willow. There on a branch sit Moonlight
and Little Dark in the bag. They are asleep.
Antsy: What lovely stories can Three-eyed tell. They are lovelier than the ones our
teacher tells.
Smarty: Would you like me to try?
Antsy: Try what?
Smarty: A story.
Antsy: Come on, how could you... All you know is Math.
Smarty: No, no, I know many things. Three-eyed said that there are stories all
around us, and they are told by themselves, whenever we want to tell them. Here,
listen. There is a story which now wants to be told. Once upon a time there was a
small dark, Little Dark...
Antsy: A dark cat?
PLAYS 477
Smarty: No, Little Dark. It’s a little dark.

Antsy: Aha.
Smarty: He fell in love with someone he wasn’t suppose to. For this someone was
made of light. From moonlight... And even she, this Moonlight... fell in love with
someone who was made from darkness. With Little Dark.
Antsy: An interesting plot, I’ll give you that. I’ve heard such things from the pupils
in higher grades. They call them Romeo and Juliet. And then what happened?
The story continues voicelessly. Moonlight and Little Dark slowly climb down the
branch and sit next to the two boys. They listen. Then they protest. Little Dark is kicking
in the bag.
Little Dark: It wasn’t like this! It wasn’t like this!

Smarty and Antsy: What do you know?
Little Dark: I know, for I am Little Dark!
Smarty and Antsy: That’s your problem. Little Dark from our story isn’t you.
Little Dark: Yes, it’s me! It’s me! You have sat underneath our willow, that’s why
our story came to you. It wasn’t Little Dark who has gone back to the cavity, Little
Dark is in the bag, talking to you!
Moonlight: That’s right.
Antsy: I’m telling you, Smarty, you’ve got it wrong. There is a cat in the bag!
Spinner rushes in, strutting with an air of importance in front of all.
Spinner: Mew, it’s about me! There is not a story without me! Now I’ll tell you how
it happened. There was a Lively in this world... She fell in love moustache over paws
with a cat called Spinner...
Spinner is talking silently, gesticulating. Lively comes.
Lively: No, it wasn’t like that at all. It wasn’t Lively who has fallen in love with
Spinner, but the other way round.
Spinner: And how do you know?
Lively: Well, I’m Lively.
Spinner: That’s your problem. You are not the Lively from my story!
Lively: (furious, jumps on her four feet, bristling):
Mew, mew! What do you mean? I’m Lively! The story is about me!
Spinner: It’s my story!
Virtues of Truth
The crowd fall silent, there’s silence again.

Antsy: We better get out of here. This place must be under a spell. You see, everyone
has their own story, and ours is just ours.
Moonlight and Little Dark: And ours is just ours.
Spinner: I can see what you are saying. I’d agree with you. My story is only mine,
and no one has the right to change it!
Smoky slides down the roof and joins them. He smokes the pipe, puffing the hoops
of smokes.
Smoky: There are at least a hundred different stories in this pipe of mine, and
every one is about me, and about us, and them and everyone!
There is noise – tap, tap, bump. There comes the Centipede.
Centipede: I’m telling you, crutches are by far more convenient than our own legs!
That’s my story, and you can say whatever you want!
There is the sound of laughter and song. Three-eyed and Goldy appear. They pick
flowers.
All: Oh how we all got entangled! Tell us, Three-eyed, do you have a story of
yours? And Goldy? What ’s your story? And is it any different than ours?
Three-eyed: Smell!
She outstretches her arm holding flowers to everyone so that they can smell the roses.
All breath in and show that they enjoy it. Including the Little Dark in the bag.
Three-eyed: Do roses smell nice? Is their scent pleasant?

All: Oh, yes.
Three-eyed: And now...
Three-eyed goes from one to the other, pricking them with a torn. They all give a yell
of pain, including the Little Dark in the bag.
Three-eyed: Have you enjoyed the pain? Is the thorn pleasing?
All: Oh, no.
Three-eyed: Here’s my story: I enjoy what you enjoy, and I don’t enjoy what you
don’t enjoy. I’ve come from that story. I’ve come to be that story. Together with you!
The scene ends with a dance.

The third eye sparkles. All the eyes sparkle.
PLAYS 479
Scene XIII
Destiny
There is the path along the lake. There is a bench on it. Three-eyed comes, carrying
a basket. She picks flowers. A tall woman with a high towering bun of hair on her head
comes to meet her. She wears high-heeled shoes and carries a net for catching butterflies
in her hand.
Destiny: I am destiny.
Three-eyed: Good morning, esteemed lady.
Destiny: Everyone is afraid of me.
Three-eyed: I think that you are a good, reasonable lady, and that your heart beat
is on my side.
Destiny: Hm. We’ll see whether you will continue to think like that when I tell you
what I have to say. There in the cottage a small kite, called Goldy, is asleep. I came to
take him with me.
Three-eyed: Oh! Please madam, bypass our cottage, please.
Destiny: The time has come for him to be taken to the other side of the hill. What
do you think, why am I wearing the butterfly net? The soul is a butterfly.
Three-eyed: It’s better that Goldy stays with us. Without us, he would be all alone
in this world.
Destiny: It’s no use fighting me.
Smoky: (from the top of the chimney):
What is destiny?
Three-eyed: Something like a law. Sometimes it can be said: departure. Coming.
Death. Can’t you come tomorrow. Today is such a lovely, sunny day.
Destiny: Indeed, that suits me most.
Three-eyed draws a line with her finger across the path.
Three-eyed: You can’t cross this line, Destiny.
Destiny: You are a wise child, and you’ve got a big heart. However, I have to take
Goldy with me anyway. It’s been written down.
Three-eyed: I know many stories. Would you like me to tell you one? Please sit
down.
Destiny sits on the bench. Three-eyed sits next to her. Lively and Spinner run to them.
They are frightened by the sight of Destiny and withdraw to the cottage. Smoky on the
chimney shakes with terror.
Virtues of Truth
Destiny: I’m not crazy about stories, but if you really feel like telling one...
Three-eyed: There was a mother lioness, and a mother antelope. Mother antelope
asked her little antelope: What you would like to be when you grow up? I’d like to
be a lion, the doe said. Then I would not be afraid of anyone and everyone would be
afraid of me. Then mother lioness asked her cub: Little cub, what would you like to
be when you grow up? And the cub replied: I’d like to be an antelope. I’ve seen how
much fear a lion causes in everyone. I’d prefer to be loved. – And in your opinion,
madam Destiny, is it better that you are loved or feared?
Destiny: I’d say it is better that I’m loved. But what has been written, has to
happen.
Spinner: Don’t you ever make concessions?
Lively: Aren’t there any exceptions?
Destiny: No.
Smoky: She’s lying. All have to make concessions, even she. That’s life.
Three-eyed: I know another story.
Destiny: (glancing at her watch, waving with her butterfly-net):
There are only a few minutes left. But speak – you are good at telling stories.
Three-eyed: here were two weavers who always used to knit together. They both
used the same thread, knitted at the same rate, and they both had the ball of thread
of the same size.
Smoky: And?
Three-eyed: But one of them knitted a curtain, and the other a bag. The curtain
was big and lace-like, and the bag was small and hard. The second weaver did not
trust the first one. How could you knit the whole curtain while I managed to knit only
a bag? The first one said: We used the same ball of thread and used all of the thread,
haven’t we - you for this bag, and me for the curtain. It’s impossible, the second said.
There is nothing in common between the curtain and the bag. Except for the thread,
the first one said. – In your opinion, Madam, are you the first weaver or the second
one?
Destiny: It’s an interesting question?
Three-eyed: Please, tell me.
Destiny: All right, look: I look at life and death the same way, as well as to health
and disease. I know they’ve been woven from the same thread.
Three-eyed: If you were watching with the same pair of eyes, if you were ... then
you would take me instead of Goldy, because it would make no difference to you.
Smoky claps his hands and hops with joy on the chimney.
Lively: Destiny, you must admit you’ve been caught in that net of yours.
PLAYS 481
Spinner: And you are not a butterfly.

Destiny: (glancing at her watch):
Oh, I’m running late. Still, I can afford to be late even by two minutes. I have to
admit that I feel fine. Come on, you can tell another story, but make it the last one.
Three-eyed: It was the winter time, and everyone was cold. The bear was hibernating
in his den. Under the earth, bulbs were also sleeping, hibernating. Under tree bark,
bugs and warms were also in their winter sleep but one warm woke up. Look, Destiny,
and tell me isn’t this story true?
Three-eyed outstretches her hand and there in front of them appears an image of the
cherry tree. It’s winter time, and all is covered in snow.
Little Worm: Oh, I’ve dreamt of cherries. I’ve got to climb up and take some.
Little Wasp: ( waking up, and coming from underneath the bark):
Where are you going in such freezing cold weather?
Little Worm: I am dying for a cherry.
Little Wasp: Oh, you silly boy. Don’t you know which season is now? It’s winter.
It means that you’ll freeze to death. And do you know which month it is? January. It
means that up there are no any cherries yet.
Little Worm: There will be by the time I climb up.
The scene fades away.
Destiny: Well, I don’t know... I’m shaken, Three-eyed. It’s up to God. But I’d
personally like the worm to win.
Three-eyed: Oh! Why? Why do you care about that poor worm?
Destiny: (stammering):
I’d like him to win his cherries, because everything is against him, and because he
is a worm, and because it’s winter...
Three-eyed: Let him climb up, then. He won’t jeopardise your law and order by
that in the least.
Destiny holds her chest. She give a moan.
Destiny: I don’t know what’s going on with my heart. Something’s moved inside
it.
There’s an explosion.
Spinner, Smoky, Lively: What was that?
Destiny: I think it’s a band around my heart that broke off. My heart is expending
now everywhere – to my hands, legs, head. I’m not the one I was a moment ago...
Now I am... different...
Virtues of Truth
Takes out her mirror and looks at her face.
Destiny: Well, of course. I look younger. Now everyone will love me, and no one
will fear me any more! I agree, it’s better to be an antelope than a lion! Come, Three-
eyed, I’d like to award you for you lovely stories. Tell me, what do you want? To be
the richest in the world? The smartest? The most famous? The most beautiful? Speak
up – what do you want?
Three-eyed: I just want our little kite to stay with us, that’s all.
Destiny: That I’ve already granted.
All clap their hands and shout in joy. Goldy comes out of the cottage, rubbing his
sleepy eyes.
Goldy: What’s that noise? Who is this strange lady?
Destiny: This is a very, very noble lady. She has just given you a big and wonderful
present, it’s just that’s it’s still invisible. She is just about to leave, thank her.
Goldy: Thank you, madam.
Destiny: (gets up and waves her butterfly net):
You’re welcome. I’ve had a nice rest here, with you. I’ll take all the three stories
with me in my heart. And I may come by again, to hear more.
Scene XIV
What about the roof?
Three-eyed and Smoky walk through a wheat field. Spinner and Lively hop behind
them. At the end of this small procession jumps the small kite, Goldy, deep in thoughts,
holding his forefinger pressed against his forehead.
Goldy: I’m thinking. How can wheat grow in a field in which there’s more weed
than wheat? Or at least as much as?
The wheat field sways rustling, as if in response.
Goldy: (lending an ear):
Oh, yes. I’ve heard you, wheat. You need to be freed from the weed.
The wheat rustles even louder.
Goldy: I’ll call my friends, now! Hey, you, Three-eyed, Lively! Smoky! Spinner!
Get busy! It takes time to weed out all this weed!
The wheat rustles even louder.
Goldy: What are you saying? No? Why not?
PLAYS 483
Three-eyed: Who are you talking to, Goldy?

Goldy: To the wheat. She says she is fed up with weed. It’s suffocating her.
Something needs to be done.
Spinner: We’ll pluck out all that brazen weed, that’s what.
Goldy: (listening to the rustle):
But the wheat says „no“.
Spinner: Who says „no“? Here, I’ll show you how to do it.
Spinner gets down to work, plucking the weed. However, with the weed he plucks out
the wheat, too.
Spinner: It can’t be helped, their roots are entangled...
Three-eyed: Neither work nor good will can be of any help here. For – by plucking
out weed you pluck out the wheat, too. Their roots are closely interwoven.
The wheat rustles loudly in response.
Goldy: What to do? Indeed – how to rescue wheat from corn cockle, when there’s
as much corn cockle as the wheat?
All pause, knitting their brows.
Three-eyed’s third eye sparkles. She claps her hands.
Three-eyed: I’m telling you, it’s not just about strength or effort. Sometimes it
takes wisdom. How to rescue the wheat from the weed, when there’s as much weed
as the wheat?
By transforming weed into wheat!
All: Weed into wheat?! But how – how can it be done?
Wheat rustles as if in agreement. Gold listens.
Goldy: The wheat says that that’s the only solution.
All: But how – how?!
All pause, knitting their brows. Again the third eye sparkles.
Goldy: And when they believe they are wheat...
All: They will become wheat! (Clapping their hands).
Three-eyed: It’s so simple, isn’t it?
Burdock (big, among the wheat):
What have you said? Me, to become wheat? Never!
Poppy(peeping out):
Me, neither, never!
Three-eyed: (approaching the burdock, feeling his leaves):
Ah, you have such a lovely pink flowers. All see your thorns, but few see your
flowers.
Burdock: (flattered, cheered up)
Virtues of Truth
That’s true. Very few.

Smoky: It’s really unjust, you being called by such a spiteful name, weeds. You are
a flower nation, just as anybody else.
Poppy: I agree that’s unjust.
Smoky: Bah, that’s life.
Three-eyed: We’ll rectify this injustice. From now on you won’t be called weeds
any more. You are lovely plants, and we like you!
Burdock: Hey, folks, have you heard? We are lovely plants! It’s a miracle! Here, at
the edge of the field, there are sitting a few of them, telling us nice things. Simply, nice
words. They love us. That’s truly unbelievable! Who, except for the donkey, has ever
loved me, the burdock?
The Weeds: We are lovely! We are liked just as wheat! We are as welcome as wheat!
We are precious! Perhaps we are something similar to wheat!
The lights go off. The voices fade away. The company leaves. Dusk, night. Dawn.
Birds chirping. Morning.
Goldy: Three-eyed! Spinner! Lively! Look! Look!

They all stop to watch. The field rustles.
Goldy: Don’t look at me, watch the field! Can you see any burdock? Can you see
any poppy? Goose grass? Grass?
All: No! There aren’t any of them! Where have they gone? There are no our friends!
For God sake, where are they?
Three-eyed: They are here. It’s just that they are no different from wheat any more!
They’ve all become wheat!
Poppy, Burdock: Here we are! Here we are! Find us, if you can! How can you find
wheat in the wheat!
The field keeps rustling. Goldy hovers above the crops.

The song „We are a story...“
Scene XV
The Secret arrangement
Three-eyed is seated on the grass, looking at the distant star.
Little Dark: (inside the bag, whispering):

She is watching the star again.
PLAYS 485
Moonlight: She’ll go to the star again.

Three-eyed is in front of the star. The little door is closed.
Three-eyed: Twinkie!
Twinkie: Here I am.
Coming out of the door, bringing his tripod. Sits down, adjusting his hat.
How are our folks on earth?
Three-eyed: They are fine, little brother.
Twinkie: And how’s the earth?
Three-eyed: Oh, my little brother, the earth is having a difficult time. There are all
sorts of inhabitants. Many of us are a burden to the earth. They make her exhausted.
Twinkie: I know, I know. Sister, let us do something to lighten the burden of the
earth. I’ll show you a secret place... It’s a very dangerous place.
Twinkie switches on the lamp and there is a picture of a big bomb on the screen.
Three-eyed: What’s that?

Twinkie: It’s a bomb, a terrible bomb, which can destroy half the globe. It is waiting
to be switched on and launched. And there are many who dream about it. About
burning down half the world.
Three-eyed: My God, Twinkie! Can you do something about it?
Twinkie: I can’t. But you could.
Three-eyed: How Twinkie, how?
Twinkie: Talk to the bomb. You know how. I’ll show you where it is. But, hush! No
one knows of that place, except for a few blind people. They will not see you, because
the evil can never see the good.
Three-eyed: Twinkie, I’m... a littlie bit... scared.
Twinkie: Nonsense! Is the sun beam afraid of the dark? Or is it the other way
round?
Three-eyed: No, the dark is afraid of light.
Twinkie: Then – will you pay a visit to the bomb, Three-eyed?
Three-eyed: Of course.
Twinkie: All right. And I need to tell you – the bomb is very lonely and confused,
and she does not really know her purpose. Talking to you will do her good.
Three-eyed: Poor bomb. I am on my way.
Lights go off.
Virtues of Truth
Scene XVI
Powder-bomb
The secret place. The big bomb is leaning against its firing range. Three-eyed comes
in dancing. The bomb is looking at her, dumbfounded.
Powder-bomb: From where...?

Three-eyed: Me, from the sun.
Powder-bomb: No one can enter here. – Look at me how powerful I am!
Three-eyed: My poor thing. It must be terrible to be a bomb which can burn
down to the ground so many cities and people. It must be horrible to be waiting like
this, hidden, like an evil deed.
Powder-bomb: Hm. I haven’t thought about it.
Three-eyed: You’ve been made to serve that purpose.
Powder-bomb: What purpose? And who made me?
Three-eyed: That purpose. Them. Do you understand?
Powder-bomb: No, I don’t. Bur really, why am I here? Why do I exist?
Three-eyed: To destroy and burn down?
Powder-bomb: Then it would be better that I am not. (sobbing)
Three-eyed: It’s terrible, indeed. My dear one, it’s not your fault. Don’t cry. Here’s
the handkerchief.
Powder-bomb: (crying):
They will throw me one day on some city in which people today live not suspecting
anything.
Three-eyed: (wiping her tears off):
But me dear and good bomb, you and me must not allow this.
Powder-bomb: What do you mean – not allow? What can we do?
Three-eyed sits on the bomb, swaying her legs, knitting her brow. Her third eye
sparkles. She communicates with the sun, encoding its massage.
Powder-bomb: (woefully):
It would be good that I am destroyed before being launched. I hope that you, little
wizard, manage to do that. I can see that you can do many things. So please, destroy me.
I don’t want to be the bomb anymore.
Three-eyed: No, I won’t destroy you. The sun says it can be fixed, if you accept.
Powder-bomb: Of course I do!
Three-eyed: You’ll be turned into a bomb full of powder. How do you like it?
Powder-bomb: Powder?!
PLAYS 487
Three-eyed: Yes, powder. When you are launched, you will just make a puff, puff.
Oh, yes, if you could only see their faces under the black berets.
Powder-bomb: Come on, do that, don’t waste a moment. Turn me into a powder-
bomb. For they can come any minute.
Three-eyed leans her cheek against the cold metal body of the bomb.
Three-eyed: If you only knew how much I loved you.
Powder-bomb: Oh, I’m so happy. I’m so happy that I’ll burst.
Three-eyed: What? Burst?!
The bomb bursts out and the whole space is filled with white powder.
Three-eyed and the bomb laugh in that white rain. Then the bomb stands up, brushing
the powder off her clothes.
Powder-bomb: How lovely and hollow I am! How harmless! Light!
Three-eyed dances around the bomb. She tries to teach the clumsy bomb to dance.
The song:
I’ve been a terrible bomb,
Stronger and bigger than all.
But now I know what joy means, the greatest joy:
To dance hip-hop, cheer up, hands together, hip-hop, the dance of joy!
Scene XVII
These are All Our Pearls
There is the cottage, the sun and the clouds in the sky.
First comes Three-eyed. She sings and calls her friends.
They all respond singing their song. All the events are mentioned – rescuing Little
Dark, friendship with Burdock and Poppy, winning over Destiny, freeing the Bomb.
There comes the Centipede, tapping her leg in the rhythm of her song.
Smarty and Antsy hop on one foot, introducing themselves to everyone.
The cottage is dancing in the rhythm of rock-and-roll.
Smoky sways to and fro, puffing his pipe in style.
Three-eyed: They are all our pearls!
Twinkie comes with his hat, torch and tripod.

Little Dark is in the white bag, and Moonlight with the comb in one hand.
Goldy soars up and dances above his friends’ heads.
Destiny walks through the crowd, majestic, catching butterflies with her net.
The bomb is clumsily trying to dance and hop.
Virtues of Truth
Burdock and Poppy hold their hands and ask everyone aren’t they real wheat.
Afterwards they all sing „There comes a small light from the sky...“
Light descents on all of them, enfolding them in its rays-hands, as in a whirlpool.
In the end all characters melt in an intense light.
Index
INDEX 491
AHURA MAZDA- a supreme deity of Persian religion which was founded by

Zoroaster. „The lord of wisdom“. The name Ahura derives from Asura in Sanskrit.
AKHEN-ATON – An Ancient Egyptian pharaoh, (1372-1354 BC), the renewer
of monotheism, a poet and visionary. Known as the „ugly“ pharaoh, whose wife,
Nefertiti (Nefert-i-iti, meaning „the beauty has come“), was a model of beauty and
elegance of the age and the succeeding ages.
ALLAH – Abbreviated from Al-Illah, God. It derives from the early Semitic title El,
which was a common name for God of Hebrews, Armenians and Arabs. It is Islamic
name for One God.
AMAN (Arab.) – An interjection used to express begging and imploring: For
God’s sake! In the name of God!
AMANET (Arab.) – Legacy, a sacred thing, an object which is given be kept and
safeguarded.
AMITABHA –One of the five Buddha’s of the present cycle of the world.
AMRIT – the name for the nectar, a drink of immortality in Sanskrit.
ASHRAM – The place of silence and meditation in Sanskrit. Shrama means noise,
and a-shrama is a place without noise, where an individual can go in silence and
dedicate his time to work on himself. There are many ashrams in India, founded by
well-known gurus, or their disciples. Today the biggest and the most visited ashram is
certainly that of Sathya Sai Baba, in the South Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
AVATAR (Sanskrit.) – Descent of God into human form, the embodiment of the
Absolute, a Divine Incarnation. According to Indian interpretation, Avatars come
as purna Avatars, or amsha Avatars. First come with the full extent of their powers
(purna), while others (amsha), do not manifest all their powers but just the ones
which are most needed for a particular time and circumstances. The most widely
known Avatars have been Rama, Krishna and Sathya Sai Baba.
BAIRAM (Turk.) – A Moslem religious festival. There are two Bairams within a
year – Ramadan and Kurban-Bairam. Their time is calculated according to the lunar
calendar.
BANYAN – Indian fig (Ficus bengaliensis). It is characterised by the branches
from which roots descend down to the ground, creating thus a thick woods-like area
of its own. It symbolises self-dependence of Indian culture.
BAZAAR (Persian) - An eastern roofed street, with squares.
BHAJAN – An Indian devotional spiritual song.
BHAGAVAD GITA – The title of this poem containing 18 parts is translated as
„The Divine Song“. It is a part of a huge epic Mahabharata, the longest epic in the
literature of the world. It is one of the texts which is considered to be the foundation
of Indian Philosophy, religion and culture.
BHAGAVAN (Sanskrit) – God, a title for a Divine person.
Virtues of Truth
BHAGAVATA (Sanskrit) – One of 18 collections of legendary stories (Purana);

also a sacred text dedicated to the life of the Avatar Krishna.
BHAKTI (Sanskrit) – A feeling of great and unconditional devotion to God.
BHAKTA (Sanskrit) – a devotee, one who has chosen the path of devotion and
service to God in contrast to, for example, the path of wisdom.
THE BIBLE – The holy scriptures, the collection of texts considered to be the
foundation of Hebrew and Christian religion. It comprises the Old and the New
Testament. It begins with the Book of Creation and is concluded with the Book of
Revelation or the Apocalypse. The Old Testament comprises 46 books, while the New
Testament comprises 27 books. There are various books – historic books, instructions
for living, worshipping poetry, sermons, genealogical trees. They were written in
various times. The New Testament is focused on the character and descent of Jesus
Christ, while the text of the Old Testament mostly keeps record of the history of the
union of the Hebrew people with Yahweh.
BUDDHA – The Prince Siddhartha Gautama from the tribe of Sakya, the founder
of Buddhism. Buddha is the title which means „the awakened one“. He lived from
623-543 BC. The teaching of Buddha starts from „the four noble truths“: about pain,
about the source of pain and about the eight points path, which leads to censure of all
pain. The teaching of Buddha was spread from his motherland to China and the lands
of south-east Asia, as well as Japan.
COWRIE – A kind of shell, which in many parts of Africa was used instead of
money.
CHAKRA – A wheel, a circle, a symbol of the world; an energetic centre in a subtle
body.
DARSHAN (Sanskrit) – Seeing a saint, a divine person or a symbol.
DHARMA - A Sanskrit word which is impossible to translate. It denotes a moral
code in thought, word and deed. It is also the name of the God of justice.
DERVISH (Persian) – A godly person, a member of a dervish order or sect.
DIRHAM – Silver coins. It derives from the word drahma“ or „didrahma“, the
money used in the Attica during the Roman reign.
JAPAMALA - Beads, a rosary usually consisting of 108 beads.
GENGIS - a well-known Tatar conqueror
EFENDIA (Greek) – Gentleman, Master
EMIR (Arab.) – a champion, leader, master, ruler.
GOSPEL - a Greek word meaning „annunciation“, or a joyous announcement. After
Jesus Christ died, books were written about so-called new alliance with God, and the
Christian community accepted these books as God-inspired, i.e. as a foundation of
their religion and culture. There are 27 books in the New Testament – four gospels,
the words and epistles of the Apostles, the prophet’s allegory of revelation. The four
INDEX 493
Gospels, written by the four Apostles (Mark, Luke, John and Mathew) speak about
the life of Jesus Christ and his disciples.
GESTA ROMANORUM – a collection of the most popular stories in the Middle
Ages, which are the source of the European novel and short story. Directly or
indirectly, these stories inspired Boccaccio, Chaucer and Shakespeare. Originally they
were written as manuals for priests, as illustrations of moral and religious virtues. The
greatest number of these stories and fairy tales come from the East. Some of them can
be found in Greek and Latin legends and histories, or in the European folklore.
GUNA – The word which in Sanskrit originally meant „rope“, i.e., that which binds;
metaphorically speaking, the guna denotes a cosmic force, a category of quality,
condition, even a trait. There are three gunas: satwa, rajas and tamas – the white
balancing force, the red force of action and the dark force of dullness and passivity.
GURU (Sanskrit) – a spiritual teacher, the person which dispels darkness.
HALAL (Arab.) – That which is approved, blessed, and forgiven by faith.
Hassidism - A mystical Judaism, originating in the beginning of the 18 c. in Poland;
its founder was Baal Shem Tov or Besh. Just like the Jesus of Nazareth or Buddha,
Besh was not the author of the books and he did not have formal education; however,
he was a charismatic person and a talented teacher; his teaching consisted in teaching
by precept and of telling anecdotes and sayings, which for years were passed one only
by the word of mouth. His disciples and successors, having absorbed his ideals, also
created a characteristic Hassid literature, which was eventually printed – though the
founder was explicitly against printing of his teachings.
HECHIM (Arab.) – Doctor
KHOJA (Pers.) – A Moslem priest, a religious teacher, or a teacher in medresa (a
Moslem school).
IMAM -a Moslem religious champion, a priest.
INDRA (Sanskrit) – The name of God which has been mentioned already in the
Vedas. The king of the sky. The protector of warriors.
ISLAM (Arab.) – Monotheistic religion founded by prophet Mohammed (570-
632). Islam was spread from the Arabian peninsula to north Africa, Asia and as far
as China, Asia Minor and Europe. The word „Islam“ means dedication. The word
Moslem, means „the one who has surrendered to God’s will“.
JAHWE – Jehovah, the sublime Hebrew name for God, consisting of four
consonants (tetragramaton). The original pronunciation of the name, namely, their
combination with the vowels, has been lost. Tradition has it that tetragramaton was
inscribed in the staff of Moses, which was capable of finding water in the desert and
command the sea to withdraw and let the refugees from Egypt go.
YEN – Japanese money.
YURTA – A kind of tent characteristic of Nomadic tribes.
Virtues of Truth
QADY – (Arab.)- A Moslem judge.

HALIFA - A supreme religious champion of all the Moslems in the world – usually
one of the rulers of Islamic states.
KHAN – Tsar, ruler (Turkish-Tatar). The title of Mongolian and Turkish rulers.
KIMONO – Traditional Japanese clothes, both for men and women.
KRISHNA (Sanskrit.) – The Avatar who lived 5,000 years ago in India, as an
embodiment of preserver Vishnu. The main character of the epic Mahabharata and
the author of Bhagavad Gita. An enormous opus of poetry and music, which was
written over several centuries, in almost all the languages of the Indian subcontinent,
was dedicated to him. Krishna was especially known for irresistible love he was
capable of evoking in humans. That’s why he is called Premavatar, The avatar of love.
KRIYA YOGA (Sanskrit) – The yoga of action.
KUNG FU TSE – Confucius, a Chinese wise man, who lived in Chine several
centuries before Christ. (He was born in 551 BC) He was renowned as a great teacher
of virtue. There are records of many conversations with him, many anecdotes, sayings,
sermons and cannons. He wrote six classical cannons, some of which are „Shi King“
and „The Cannon of Poetry“.
KUR’AN – The holy book of Islamic confession, the divine proclamation to prophet
Mohammed which is a foundation of the Islamic civilization; it is an unsurpassable
model for the Arabian language, as well as a guide book for ethical and law-abiding
life of the Islamic community.
LAKSHMI (Sanskrit) – The goddess of happiness and plenty, well-being and beauty.
In the Indian pantheon, Lakshmi is the wife of the god of preservation, Vishnu.
MAHABHARATA – The longest epic ever written in the literature of the world.
It consists of 120,000 slokas, or 220,000 verses in lines consisting of 16 syllabi.
Mahabharata is not a unique work, but a collection of all sorts of literary, philosophical,
scientific and historical works, which were written over centuries. Its title has been
variously interpreted as „the war of the great tribe of Bharata“, or the „the war of the
great tribe (land, nation) of Bharata“. It has been divided into 18 parts. One of its
parts, the poem The Bhagavad Gita, has also been divided into 18 parts.
MAHARAJ (Sanskrit) – The title of a ruler.
MANDIR (Sanskrit) – A temple, shrine.
MANTRA (Sanskrit) – A sound formula, a sacred combination of sound
and meaning, intended for spiritual focus, protection, calming and achieving
enlightenment.
MULA (Arab.) – a learned man, a scholar in the matters of spirituality.
NIRVANA (Sanskrit) – Entering complete silence, the state in which all sense
impressions are transcended and the person is freed from mental and physical
conditions – it’s a transcendental state of merging the individual with the absolute
INDEX 495
(Sanskrit).
Panchatantra (Sanskrit) – The Pentateuch, a collection of five books, the
oldest and the most widely known collection of stories, fables, written in India in
Sanskrit, approximately two and a half thousand years ago. Beside the Bible, it’s the
most widely translated book in the world.
PSALM – The poems which express gratitude, similar to hymns. The Old
Testament psalms are, by tradition, ascribed to the king David, the great poet. St
Augustine says for Israeli psalms that they are „The Gospel of Jesus Christ, translated
into praise, gratitude, prayer and making peace“. Psalms have been sung in churches
and synagogues.
RABYA – a Moslem saint of mystic inspiration, a poetess and preacher.
In her childhood she was sold as a slave. She lived in Basra, in 8 c. Her songs speak
about divine love, similar to Indian bhakti; the cult of love which is all encompassing
and unconditional, is the main characteristic of Sufi spirituality.
RABI – A teacher, a priest.
RADHA (Sanskrit) – A shepardherdess whose unconditional love for Krishna
became a symbol of human love for God. Radha’s love is the topic of a huge opus of
Indian poetry, music, dance and painting.
RAJAS (Sanskrit) – a guna or a cosmic force red in colour, the force of action.
SAMURAI – A Japanese warrior, often a wondering knight rented by aristocrats
in the time of need for attack or defence.
SANATHANA – A Sanskrit term denoting „primal“, „eternal“ „immortal“.
„Sanathana Sarathi“ („The Immortal Charioteer“) is the name of a monthly magazine
published by Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust in Prashanti Nilayam. The
magazine is dedicated to „Moral and spiritual upliftment of mankind, through truth,
right conduct, peace and love“.
SARASVATI (Sanskrit) – The Goddess who is an embodiment of vak, or the word,
or the primal creative sound of Aum. She is a patroness of enlightening art- poetry
and music. She holds the vina in her hands, an ancient string instrument, symbolic
of etheric human spine.
SATWA (Sanskrit) – A cosmic force (guna) of balance.
SEVA – Serving the fellow-beings without looking for award or praise, or any
action in return.
SIKHISM – Sikhism is considered to be the youngest among religions; it is a
monotheistic religion that has arisen from the combination of Hinduism and Islam
on the soil of northern India. The founder of Sikhism is Guru Nanak, a saint and a
wise man who was claimed by both Hinduisms and Moslems. The holy scriptures of
Sikhism is called Adi Grant and is ascribed to Nanak. Sikhism appeared at beginning
of the 17 c.
Virtues of Truth
SUFI – An Islamic mystic, unrelated to a particular religion. The name Sufi

probably originates from the word suf (wool), which they used for their clothing and
blankets. The Sufi poetry and fiction fall among the most inspired pages of the world
religious literature.
SUTRA (Sanskrit) – Writings, a series of essays; the word „sutra“ means a thread,
which, symbolically, holds the instructive words. The most famous in Europe is Kama
Sutra.
SWAMI (Sanskrit) – An Indian title for a self-realised person (swa means self, the
internal „I“, the indwelling God).
SHEIK (Arab.) – a head of an Arab tribe, a chief.
SLOKA – A Sanskrit term for distich.
TALMUD- This Hebrew word means „a study“, and it also implies all essays that
came as a result of study. They appeared before the fall of Jerusalem, around 70. A.D.
The writing and composing of Talmud was finished around 550. Talmud Judaism
brings the interpretation of Thorax, i.e., the Hebrew holy text, adding additional
material from legends and allegories, as well as discussions on civil law.
TAMAS (Sanskrit) – A natural force, the category of quality, the condition denoting
passivity, inertness and negativity.
TARA – The Mother saviour, the Madonna of Buddhism. Her form and name
originate from Hinduism (meaning „the star“, and in Hindu pantheon, Tara is a
wife of a great wise man and the teacher of Gods, Brihaspati). However, in Buddhism,
especially in Tibet, Tara becomes the most loved deity, characterised by compassion
and motherly care. It is considered that the cult of Tara was brought to Tibet by a
Bengali prince Atisha in the eleventh century. The most important text of the cult of
Tara is the „Ode to twenty one Taras“.
TAO - The notion usually related to the Chinese wise man Lao Tse. (He was born
in the beginning of 6 c. BC) The meaning of Tao is literary „the path“, but its actual
meaning is a universal divine principle. Taoism resembles the Indian Vedanta, i.e.,
the philosophy of oneness. The book „Tao Te King“, which can be considered the Bible
of Taoism, is ascribed to Lao Tse.
THE UPANISHADS (Sanskrit) – The common name for Indian writings of poetic-
philosophic-theological orientation. 108 have survived until today, while originally
there were thousands of them. They are the gist of the Vedas, and contain practical
instructions for self-realisation – the things to be avoided and the things which should
be done on a spiritual path.
THE VEDAS – The common name for sacral literature of the earlier stage of the
Indo-European literature. The word Veda comes from the root vid, to know or to see.
The material contained in the Vedas was distributed by the wise man Vyasa into four
collections in time, which have been assessed differently by different experts – the
INDEX 497
calculation of European Indiologists is 1500 BC, while Indian Indiologists consider

the Vedas much older, and that Vyasa, who collected them, lived around 3000 BC.
The Indian philosopher, Radakrishnan claims that the Vedic age starts around 2500
BC. The Vedas were orally passed on from one generation to the next. They were
translated and written down not before the end of the 18 c, thanks to the insistence of
Sir William Jones, the pioneer of European Indiology.
VIZIER (Arab.) – The highest title in the government of the Turkish empire – a
minister, a governor.
VIRAKOCHA – The supreme God of Incas.
VISHNU (Sanskrit) – The preserving aspect of God, a part of Three-Murthy
(Trinity).
YOGA –This Sanskrit word means „to harness“, meaning that man should harness
himself in order to realise himself and achieve his own essence or divinity. Also: one
of the schools of Indian philosophy.
YOGANANDA – An Indian wise man and carrier of enlightening ideas which
founded The Self-Realisation Society in Los Angeles which today has its branches all
over the world. Yogananda is the author of the famous book „An Autobiography of a
Yogi“. He died in Los Angeles in 1952.
YOGI –A person who devotes his time to yoga, a man on the path of self-
realisation. A simplified meaning of it is a miraculous-person or someone who can
perform miracles.
YUDISHTIRA –The oldest of the five brothers from the royal family of the house
of the king of Pandavas, one of the main characters in the epos of Mahabharata.
Since he was an embodiment of justice, he was called Dharma-raja, „the king of
dharma“. Traditionally, his father was the heavenly being Dharma, God of justice
and morality.
Yukteshvar, Sri – An Indian (Bengali) wise-man and teacher, known from the
Yogananda’s biography. Sri Yukteshvar was the teacher of Yogananda, and one of the
guru’s in the spiritual lineage of the legendary Babaji.
ZOROASTER - The founder of Zoroastrism. He was born around 6, 300 BC. He
reformed Mandaism, the religion of the then Persia. By the order of the then ruler
of Persia, who accepted Zoroaster’s teaching, a collection consisting of 21 books was
formed, which became the national religion. From the mentioned 21 books, only one
sixth exists today, and today’s Zoroastrian and Parsi religion is based on it. But this
one sixth is one and a half the size of the Qur’an. Also, the prophet’s own teaching
survived, under the name of Gathe. By its syntax and grammar, they show great
kinship with the oldest parts of the Rig-Veda.
ZEN- The Japanese and Chinese modification of Buddhism, closer to Taoism
than to the original Indian Buddhism. The word Zen comes from the Sanskrit word
Virtues of Truth
dhyana (meditation). It is characterised by not attributing much importance to books

and rituals, considering them just expressions of truth, but not the truth itself.
ZEUS- The supreme deity of the Greek pantheon, the lord of the sky, alpha and
omega. The signs of his power are thunder and lightning.
INDEX 499

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VIRTUES of TRUTH

Compiled by VESNA KRMPOTIĆ

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Compiled by VESNA KRMPOTIĆ

Translated from Croatian into English by

How an Old Man Decided to Tear Down a Mountain.................................................................................88

A Lion, a Wolf and a Fox...................................................................................................................................... 172

The Ugly Prince and the Heartless Princess................................................................................................ 261

The Moon and Its Reflection............................................................................................................................. 355

How Much Does a Snowflake Weigh?........................................................................................................... 439

True upbringing is helping the child to manifest the inner Divinity,

INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATION IN FIVE HUMAN VALUES

Devoid of virtue, God is just a name.

ABOUT SAI EDUCATION

SAI EDUCATION IN HUMAN VALUES (SEHV), OR EDUCATION IN

The aim of this training, upbringing and education is blossoming of virtue,

This education comes as a result of twenty years of experience, experiments

IF THERE’S VIRTUE IN THE HEART, THERE’S BEAUTY IN THE CHARACTER.

FIVE TIMES FIVE TIMES FIVE

The five basic human values

The five basic aspects of human personality

The five components of instruction

value: right conduct

EHV programme (Education in Human Values) has been practised in many

1. Quotation/saying/prayer 5-6 minutes

In the environment which does not approve of prayer in the classroom, it

THE MESSAGE OF SATHYA SAI BABA TO TEACHERS

My wish was to make a collection of material which would be helpful to teachers,

Three age groups

Basic values and accompanying virtues

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND A PROPOSAL

QUOTATIONS ON EDUCATION AND UPBRINGING

(True) education is a manifestation of perfection, which is already inside man.

School textbooks have to be rewritten… our educational systems must be filled

AN EXPERIMENTAL STORY FOR TEACHERS

Who is Teaching Children?

1. What does it mean – to teach? What does it consist of?

Truth will set you free.

Who speaks the truth, praises the Lord.

Truth is that which never changes.

Truth shines like the sun.

Tell the truth and make the devil feel ashamed.

Lie is a religion of slaves and masters. Truth is God of a free man.

Speak truthfully, sit where it pleases you!

A lie doesn’t have lunch and dinner at the same place.

Man is free only when he serves the truth.

There is no private truth, just as there is no private sun.

All universe is born from truth and merges back in truth.

We experience the truth on a few different levels, that is to say, we experience it

ON THE TRUTH OF THE FIVE SENSES

creatures have a different distribution or range of the sensory perception. For

ON THE TRUTH OF THE MIND

ON THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH

The son did as he was told.

What is usually meant to be truth?

Man’s journey toward truth starts with curiosity.

Curiosity compels man to search.

No-one is as blind as the one who doesn’t want to see.

Wondering is the beginning of wisdom.