Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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A Story From Confucius
A Folktale story from the philosopher Confucius, published in Chinese Fables and Folk Stories (1908), which explains losing one’s temper and the art of self-control. Confucius once heard two of his pupils quarreling. One was of a gentle nature and was called by all the students a peaceful man. The other had a good brain and a kind heart, but…
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Androcles & the Lion
THIS STORY takes place in Rome, where a Greek slave named Androcles escaped from his master and fled into the forest. There he wandered for a long time until he was weary and well nigh spent with hunger and despair. Just then he heard a lion near him moaning and groaning and at times roaring…
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How to Turn Dirt Into Gold
Long ago in a country called Burma, in Asia, there lived a young wife. She loved her husband very much, but one fear was heavy on her mind. “Husband,” said, “All day long you try to turn dirt into gold. You do nothing else! Soon, I fear all of our money will be gone.” “I…
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The Girl and the Puma
Five hundred years ago when the Spanish entered South America, Native American tribes often fought back against the invaders. One way tribes could put pressure on the Spanish was to surround their settlements. This is what happened in the early 1500’s when Maldonado, a Spanish girl, was 15 years old. Hostile Native Americans of the…
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The Tale of El Capitan
n California today in the valley of Yosemite many tourists come to marvel at a very tall and sheer rock called El Capitan. But those who lived centuries ago, the people of the Miwok tribe, had another name for this natural wonder. They told a story about how it came about. According to the Miwok,…
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The Emperor’s New Clothes
There once was an Emperor who loved nothing better than wearing fancy new clothes. Three times a day he would change into a brand new royal outfit. Many Emperors spend their days talking to advisers and fixing problems of the land. Not this one! He was too busy sending out his servants to find the…
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Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow
In all the land, none was better with a bow and arrow than Robin Hood. He lived with his band of Merry Men in Sherwood Forest. That was the King’s woods where King John kept his royal deer. A few years before, King Richard had ruled the land. This King let the poor come into…
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The Sword in the Stone
Long ago in England, a wise and just king ruled the land. His name was King Uther. Times were good and the people lived well. King Uther wanted a magician at court. And so he chose the famous Merlin the Magician. Merlin could see into the future. And he knew those good days were not…
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How to Cure a Changed Man
ONCE UPON A TIME a young wife named Yun Ok was very sad. Her husband had always been a gentle and loving man. But that was before the war. Ever since he had come back from the war, he was angry, even mean. Sometimes Yun Ok felt fear when she lived with her own husband.…
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The Pocahontas and John Smith
In the spring of 1607, three ships landed on the shore of what is now America. About 100 men – no women were asked to come – stepped onto the sand to start a new life. The men built 20 cabins and a fort to go around them all. They called their new town Jamestown. …
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