George Washington was a young boy who was very fond of his hatchet. One day, he used his hatchet to chop down his father's favorite cherry tree. Later, his father discovered the chopped tree and demanded to know who did it. When asked directly if he knew who cut down the tree, George told the truth and admitted that he did it, even though he knew he would get in trouble. His father was proud that George was honest instead of lying to protect himself.

1. Story To
Reflect
Upon 135
The Cherry Tree
When George Washington was about six years old, he was made
the wealthy master of a hatchet of which, like most little boys, he
was extremely fond. He went about chopping everything that
came his way. One day, as he wandered about the garden he
found a beautiful, young English cherry tree, of which his father
was most proud. He tried the edge of his hatchet on the trunk of
the tree; he chopped the tree and it eventually died.
Some time after this, his father discovered what had happened to
his favorite tree. He came into the house in great anger, and
demanded to know who the mischievous person was who had cut
away the bark. Nobody could tell him anything about it.
Just then George, with his little hatchet, came into the room.
"George," said his father, "do you know who has killed my
beautiful little cherry tree yonder in the garden?
This was a hard question to answer, and for a moment George
was staggered by it, but quickly recovering himself he cried: "I
cannot tell a lie, father, you know I cannot tell a lie! I did cut it
with my little hatchet."
The anger died out of his father's face, and taking the boy
tenderly in his arms, he said: "My son, that you should not be
afraid to tell the truth is more to me than a thousand
trees! Yes, though they were blossomed with silver and golden
blooms.
Reflections
* Honesty is the best policy.
* In today’s materialistic and selfish world, so many are so
ready to lie to protect their own self-interests even though
their dishonesty cause suffering to others. There is an
eventual price to pay for lying, cheating and deceit.
Story From A Forwarded Email.

2. Story To
Reflect
Upon 136
The Pig and the Cow
"Why is it," said the rich man to his minister,
"that people call me stingy when everyone
knows that when I die I'm leaving
everything to the church?"
"Let me tell you a fable about the pig and
the cow," said the minister.
"The pig was unpopular while the cow was beloved.
This puzzled the pig.
'People speak warmly of
your gentle nature and your sorrowful eyes,'
the pig said to the cow. 'They think you're
generous because each day you give them
milk and cream. But what about me?
I give them everything I have. I give bacon and
ham. I provide bristles for brushes. They
even pickle my feet! Yet not one likes me.
Why is that?'"
"Do you know what the cow answered?"
said the minister. "The cow said, 'Perhaps it
is because I give while I'm still living.'"
Reflections:
* It is most important that when we are still alive, we perform
charity and reach out in selfless service to the needy. It is quite
useless when we are dead for then acts of charity would
be too late .
* We should constant reflect: “Do all the good we can, help
wherever and whenever we can WHEN WE STILL CAN.” Don’t
hesitate before it is too late.
(Story From A Forwarded Email )