Hi, my grandchildren! It's me, grandpa Ron! As gorillas, we live
very long lives. I am 107-years-old now. As I get older, I
feel like you guys deserve to know a few things about life. I
have been alive for many years, obviously, and I have learned a
lot. Life is about making mistakes, helping others, and learning
from experience. I have grown to know that the only way to learn
lessons is through these things. I want to tell you children a few
stories that I know, because they could benefit you guys.
Maybe they seem silly now, but one day, maybe these stories will help
you make an important decision in your life, or maybe even help you
realize something you have never really noticed before.
Life, is an interesting thing. You can either make the best of it
and learn from it, or you can live a life filled with regret and
unhappiness. I have chosen to make the best of it. I want
you guys to know that no matter what choices you make in life, there is
always a reason behind it. Whether it is a good decision to help
someone, or it is a bad decision that you regret, but in the end you
learn from it.
I want to share with you some of Aesop's Fables. Before I do
that, I want to tell you a bit about Aesop himself. Aesop was
thought to be very unattractive. He was considered to be a slave
and from an island called Samos. He had a speech problem and could not
talk. However, after his extreme kindness toward certain members
of the clergy, they granted him powers. Most importantly, the
power to speak! Later on he was sold and gained his
freedom. He began telling stories to people, and as time passed,
these stories were passed down orally form generation to generation.
There are so many stories I could tell you, but I will only share a few
of my favorites that I think will be useful for you!
Everyone goes through things that help them grow and gain knowledge in
life. One story I want to share with you is "The Lion and the
Mouse." It is certainly one of my favorite stories! The
reason is because it's natural to think that if a huge lion saw a
little mouse, he would throw it in his mouth like a piece of
popcorn. However, this lion is going to learn something important
from this tiny mouse!
Another story I want to share with you is, "The Fox and the
Goat." If you were suffering or in trouble, you most likely
wouldn't like it. So, if you don't like it, why would you want
other people to suffer with you? It's funny how some will take
advantage of others for their benefit if they are in trouble!
The third story I will share with you is, "The Boy Who Cried
Wolf." Next time one of you is considering telling a little lie,
you might want to think twice! Lying doesn't just hurt you but it
can hurt others too! Honestly is very important!
Lastly, I want to share the story of, "The Monkey and the Camel."
Sometimes, other people do great things and it causes you to be
jealous. However, when this camel reacts out of jealousy, it only
hurts him in the end! Being jealous of something or someone is
normal, but to react to it is a completely different story! Be smart!
In Aesop's Fables, certain stories contain a good message that you
children could learn from. I want you children to learn from these
stories and incorporate them into your lives. I know I may be
old, but I do know what I am talking about. So as you guys
continue to grow old, please carry these stories with you, for they may
help you if you run into trouble. I have been in certain
situations where these stories came in handy. I will tell you
those as I tell you the stories though.
I want you guys to be safe and smart, but also enjoy life. Life
is too short not to enjoy it, but be careful along the way, because no
one ever said life was easy. It is not easy, but it is fun, and
once you learn how to handle certain situations, you will be ready to
go. So before my life ends, I want to share these lessons with
you, so your lives can have a great beginning, and an even better
ending. So, I will cherish this time I have with you, and I hope
you all feel the same way.
And now it's time to tell the stories...
Image Information:
Picture of gorilla
and mini-gorilla. Image is from the namedevelopment.com blog.
June 6, 2006.
Back to the Coverpage...
Story 1: The Lion and the Mouse
Story 2: The Fox and the Goat
Story 3: The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Story 4: The Monkey and the Camel
