The Star Fish : A step towards changing the World

Once upon a time, there was an old man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing.He had a habit of walking on the beach every morning before he began his work. Early one morning, he was walking along the shore after a big storm had passed and found the vast beach littered with starfish as far as the eye could see, stretching in both directions.

Off in the distance, the old man noticed a small boy approaching. As the boy walked, he paused every so often and as he grew closer, the man could see that he was occasionally bending down to pick up an object and throw it into the sea. The boy came closer still and the man called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto the beach and they can’t return to the sea by themselves,” the youth replied. “When the sun gets high, they will die, unless I throw them back into the water.”

The old man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”

The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it as far as he could into the ocean. Then he turned, smiled and said, “It made a difference to that one!”

- from The Star Thrower, by Loren Eiseley (1907 – 1977)

“A single, ordinary person still can make a difference – and single, ordinary people are doing precisely that every day.”
— Chris Bohjalian

The Cracked Pot

“A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. “Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?” “I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.” Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it somewhat. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

Enjoy the way you are.
You will never be perfect, but you can always be at your best.

Work For Family

Father was a hardworking man who delivered bread as a living to support his wife and three children. He spent all his evenings after work attending classes, hoping to improve himself so that he could one day find a better paying job. Except for Sundays, Father hardly ate a meal together with his family. He worked and studied very hard because he wanted to provide his family with the best money could buy.

Whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

The day came when the examination results were announced. To his joy, Father passed, and with distinctions too! Soon after, he was offered a good job as a senior supervisor which paid handsomely.


Like a dream come true, Father could now afford to provide his family with life’s little luxuries like nice clothing, fine food and vacation abroad.

However, the family still did not get to see father for most of the week. He continued to work very hard, hoping to be promoted to the position of manager. In fact, to make himself a worthily candidate for the promotion, he enrolled for another course in the open university.

Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

Father’s hard work paid off and he was promoted. Jubilantly, he decided to hire a maid to relieve his wife from her domestic tasks. He also felt that their three-room flat was no longer big enough, it would be nice for his family to be able to enjoy the facilities and comfort of a condominium. Having experienced the rewards of his hard work many times before, Father resolved to further his studies and work at being promoted again. The family still did not get to see much of him. In fact, sometimes Father had to work on Sundays entertaining clients. Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

As expected, Father’s hard work paid off again and he bought a beautiful condominium overlooking the coast of Singapore. On the first Sunday evening at their new home, Father declared to his family that he decided not to take anymore courses or pursue any more promotions. From then on he was going to devote more time to his family.

Father did not wake up the next day.

PS: I know this story is somewhat demotivating for hardworking people. But it is for you to see that your family always wants time to spend with you...
Always balance your life with work and family...
Have a great life and enjoy each and every moments....

Appraisal of Own Work

A little boy went into a drug store, reached for a soda carton and pulled it over to the telephone. He climbed onto the carton so that he could reach the buttons on the phone and proceeded to punch in seven digits (phone numbers).  The store-owner observed and listened to the conversation.

Boy: ‘Lady, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn?

Woman: (at the other end of the phone line): ‘I already have someone to cut my lawn.’

Boy: ‘Lady, I will cut your lawn for half the price of the person who cuts your lawn now.’

Woman: I’m very satisfied with the person who is presently cutting my lawn.

Boy: (with more perseverance) : ‘Lady, I’ll even sweep your curb and your sidewalk, so on Sunday you will have the prettiest lawn in all of Palm beach , Florida.’

Woman: No, thank you.

With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced the receiver. The store-owner, who was listening to all this, walked over to the boy.

Store Owner: ‘Son… I like your attitude; I like that positive spirit and would like to offer you a job.’

Boy: ‘No thanks.’

Store Owner: But you were really pleading for one.

Boy: No Sir, I was just checking my performance at the Job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady I was talking to!’

Moral: This is what we call ‘Self Appraisal’.  Every time if we don’t get ahead of others, we blame others for it.  We should look to our self and compare, find own weaknesses and work hard to throw away weaknesses.  Always Work Hard, Honest and with full Dedication.  It will always pay up.

Always be happy with what you have...
enjoy your job..

E-mail id

A jobless man applied for the job  of "Office boy" at Microsoft.

The HR interviewed him..

Then watched him cleaning the floor as a test.

"You are Appointed" he said.

"Give me your e-mail address and I'll send you the forms to fill in".

The man replied "But I don't have a computer, neither an email."

"I'm sorry", said the HR manager...

"If you don't have an email, that means u do not exist. And who doesn't exist, cannot have the job."

The man left with no hope at all.

He didn't know what to do, with only $10 in his pocket.

He then decided to go to the supermarket & buy a 10 kg tomato crate.

He then sold the Tomatoes in a Door to Door round. In less than two hours, he succeeded to double his capital.

He repeated the operation three times, and returned home with $60.

The man realized that he can survive this way, and started to go everyday earlier and return late. Thus, his money doubled or tripled everyday.

Shortly, he bought a cart, then a truck, then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles. 5 years later, the man is one of the biggest food retailers in the US .

He started to plan his family's future, and decided to have a life Insurance. He called an insurance broker, and chose a protection plan.

When the conversation was concluded, the broker asked him his email. The man replied, "I don't have an email."

The broker answered curiously, "You don't have an email, and yet have succeeded to build an empire. Can you imagine what you could have been if you had an email?!"

The man thought for a while and replied,
"Yes, I'd be an office boy at Microsoft!"

Moral of the story:

1) Internet/email/bbm/whatsapp is not the solution to your life.

2) If you don't have facebook a/c./internet/email/bbm/whatsapp , and work hard, you can be a millionaire.


Be happy with what you have...
Be busy in your own work...
Live life happy...

Keep Going

एक बार कबूतरों का झुण्ड, बहेलिया के बनाये जाल में फंस गया सारे कबूतरों ने मिलकर फैसला किया और जाल सहित उड़ गये "एकता की शक्ति" की  ये कहानी आपने यहाँ तक पढ़ी है इसके आगे क्या हुआ वो आज प्रस्तुत है.

बहेलिया उड़ रहे जाल के पीछे पीछे भाग रहा था .एक सज्जन मिलेऔर पूछा क्यों बहेलिये तुझे पता नही की "एकता में शक्ति "होती है तो फिर क्यों अब पीछा कर रहा है ?

बहेलिया बोला "आप को शायद पता नही की शक्तियों का दंभ खतरनाक होता है जहां जितनी ज्यादा शक्ति होती है उसके बिखरने के अवसर भी उतने ज्यादा होते है".

सज्जन कुछ समझे नही .बहेलिया बोला आप भी मेरे साथ आइये .

सज्जन भी उसके साथ हो लिए.

उड़ते उड़ते कबूतरों ने उतरने के बारे में सोचा ...

एक नौजवान कबूतर जिसकी कोई राजनीतिक विचारधारा नहीं थी ने कहा किसी खेत में उतरा जाये ... वहां इस जाल को कटवाएँगे और दाने भी खायेंगे.

एक समाजवादी टाइप के कबूतर ने तुरंत विरोध किया की गरीब किसानो का हक़ हमने बहुत मारा .
अब और नही !!

एक दलित कबूतर ने कहा ,
जहाँ भी उतरे पहले मुझे दाना देना और जाल से पहले मैं निकलूंगा
क्योकि इस जाल को उड़ाने में सबसे ज्यादा मेहनत मैंने की थी .

दल के सबसे बुजुर्ग कबूतर ने कहा ,
मै सबसे बड़ा हूँ और इस जाल को उड़ाने का प्लान और नेतृत्व मेरा था
 अत: मेरी बात सबको माननी पड़ेगी

एक तिलक वाले कबूतर ने कहा
किसी मंदिर पर उतरा जाए.
बन्शीवाले भगवन की कृपा से खाने को भी मिलेगा और जाल भी कट जायेंगे.

अंत में सभी कबूतर
एक दुसरे को धमकी देने लगे कि
मैंने उड़ना बंद किया तो कोई नहीं उड़ नही पायेगा
 क्योकि सिर्फ मेरे दम पर ही ये जाल उड़ रहा है
और सभी ने धीरे धीरे करके उड़ना बंद कर दिया .

परिणाम क्या हुआ कि
अंत में वो सभी धरती पर आ गये और बहेलिया ने आकर उनको जाल सहित पकड़ लिया.

सज्जन गहरी सोच में पड गए .

बहेलिया बोला
क्या सोच रहे है महाराज !!

सज्जन बोले "मै ये सोच रहा हूँ की ऐसी ही गलती तो हम सब भी इस समाज में रहते हुए कर रहे है .

बहेलिया ने पूछा ,कैसे ?

सज्जन बोले , हर व्यक्ति शुरू में समाज सेवा करने और समाज में अच्छा बदलाव लाने की चाह रखते हुए काम शुरू करता है पर जब उसे ऐसा लगने लगता है कि उससे ही ये समाज चल रहा है अत: सभी को उसके हिसाब से चलना चाहिए.तब समस्या की शुरुआत होती है .
क्योकि जब लोग उस के तरीके से नहीं चलते तो उस व्यक्ति की अपनी समाज सेवा तो जरूर बंद हो जाती है
यद्यपि समाज तब भी चलता रहा था और बाद में भी चलता रहता ह।
 पर हाँ इस कारण जो उस व्यक्ति ने जो काम और दायित्व लिया था वो जरूर अधूरा रह जाता है ।
जैसा इन कबूतरों के दल के साथ हुआ
 क्योकि जाल उड़ाने के लिए हर कबूतर के प्रयास जरूरी थे और सिर्फ किसी एक कबूतर से जाल नही उड़ सकता था.

इसलिए यदि अन्य लोग भी ऐसी नकारात्मक सोच रखेंगे और अपने प्रयास बंद कर देंगे तो समाज में भी उतनी ही गिरावट आएगी
 क्योकि यदि हम जिस समाज में रहते है और उससे अपेक्षा रखते और उसमे अच्छा बदलाव देखना चाहते है
 तो हमें अपने हिस्से के प्रयास को कभी भी बंद नहीं करना चाहिए और अपना काम करते रहना चाहिए .

Be Active

गिद्धों का एक झुण्ड खाने की तलाश में भटक रहा था।
उड़ते – उड़ते वे एक टापू पे पहुँच गए। वो जगह उनके लिए स्वर्ग के समान थी। हर तरफ खाने के लिए मेंढक, मछलियाँ और समुद्री जीव मौजूद थे और इससे भी बड़ी बात ये थी कि वहां इन गिद्धों का शिकार करने वाला कोई जंगली जानवर नहीं था और वे बिना किसी भय के वहां रह सकते थे।

युवा गिद्ध  कुछ ज्यादा ही उत्साहित थे, उनमे से एक बोला, ” वाह ! मजा आ गया, अब तो मैं यहाँ से कहीं नहीं जाने वाला, यहाँ तो बिना किसी मेहनत के ही हमें बैठे -बैठे खाने को मिल रहा है!”

बाकी गिद्ध भी उसकी हाँ में हाँ मिला ख़ुशी से झूमने लगे।

सबके दिन मौज -मस्ती में बीत रहे थे लेकिन झुण्ड का सबसे बूढ़ा गिद्ध इससे खुश नहीं था।


एक दिन अपनी चिंता जाहिर करते हुए वो बोला, ” भाइयों, हम गिद्ध हैं, हमें हमारी ऊँची उड़ान और अचूक वार करने की ताकत के लिए जाना जाता है। पर जबसे हम यहाँ आये हैं हर कोई आराम तलब हो गया है …ऊँची उड़ान तो दूर ज्यादातर गिद्ध तो कई महीनो से उड़े तक नहीं हैं…और आसानी से मिलने वाले भोजन की वजह से अब हम सब शिकार करना भी भूल रहे हैं … ये हमारे भविष्य के लिए अच्छा नहीं है …मैंने फैसला किया है कि मैं इस टापू को छोड़ वापस उन पुराने जंगलो में लौट जाऊँगा …अगर मेरे साथ कोई चलना चाहे तो चल सकता है !”

बूढ़े गिद्ध की बात सुन बाकी गिद्ध हंसने लगे। किसी ने उसे पागल कहा तो कोई उसे मूर्ख की उपाधि देने लगा। बेचारा बूढ़ा गिद्ध अकेले ही वापस लौट गया।

समय बीता, कुछ वर्षों बाद बूढ़े गिद्ध ने सोचा, ” ना जाने मैं अब कितने दिन जीवित रहूँ, क्यों न एक बार चल कर अपने पुराने साथियों से मिल लिया जाए!”

लम्बी यात्रा के बाद जब वो टापू पे पहुंचा तो वहां का दृश्य भयावह था।

ज्यादातर गिद्ध मारे जा चुके थे और जो बचे थे वे बुरी तरह घायल थे।

“ये कैसे हो गया ?”, बूढ़े गिद्ध ने पूछा।

कराहते हुए एक घायल गिद्ध बोला, “हमे क्षमा कीजियेगा, हमने आपकी बातों को गंभीरता से नहीं लिया और आपका मजाक तक उड़ाया … दरअसल, आपके जाने के कुछ महीनो बाद एक बड़ी सी जहाज इस टापू पे आई …और चीतों का एक दल यहाँ छोड़ गयी। चीतों ने पहले तो हम पर हमला नहीं किया, पर जैसे ही उन्हें पता चला कि हम सब न ऊँचा उड़ सकते हैं और न अपने पंजो से हमला कर सकते हैं…उन्होंने हमे खाना शुरू कर दिया। अब हमारी आबादी खत्म होने की कगार पर है .. बस हम जैसे कुछ घायल गिद्ध ही ज़िंदा बचे हैं !”

बूढ़ा गिद्ध उन्हें देखकर बस अफ़सोस कर सकता था, वो वापस जंगलों की तरफ उड़ चला।

अगर हम अपनी किसी शक्ति का use नहीं करते तो धीरे-धीरे हम उसे  lose कर देते हैं।

For instance, अगर हम अपने brain का use नहीं करते तो उसकी sharpness घटती जाती है, अगर हम अपनी muscles का use नही करते तो
उनकी ताकत घट जाती है… इसी तरह अगर हम अपनी skills को polish नहीं करते तो हमारी काम करने की efficiency कम होती जाती है!

तेजी से बदलती इस दुनिया में हमें खुद को बदलाव के लिए तैयार रखना चाहिए। पर बहुत बार हम अपनी current job या business में इतने comfortable हो जाते हैं कि बदलाव के बारे में सोचते ही नहीं और अपने अन्दर कोई नयी skills add नहीं करते, अपनी knowledge बढ़ाने के लिए कोई किताब नहीं पढ़ते कोई training program नहीं attend करते, यहाँ तक की हम उन चीजों में भी dull हो जाते हैं जिनकी वजह से कभी हमे जाना जाता था और फिर जब market conditions change होती हैं और हमारी नौकरी या बिज़नेस पे आंच आती है तो हम हालात को दोष देने लगते हैं।

ऐसा मत करिए…अपनी काबिलियत, अपनी ताकत को जिंदा रखिये…अपने कौशल, अपने हुनर को और तराशिये…उसपे धूल मत जमने दीजिये…और जब आप ऐसा करेंगे तो बड़ी से बड़ी मुसीबत आने पर भी आप ऊँची उड़ान भर पायेंगे!