A Letter to the Teacher:-

He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician,
there is a dedicated leader...
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,

Steer him away from envy,
if you can,
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.

Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick...
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books...
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.

In the school teach him
it is far honourable to fail
than to cheat...
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong...
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough with the tough.

Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone is getting on the band wagon...
Teach him to listen to all men...
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.

Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad...
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness...
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price-tag
on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he's right.
Treat him gently,
but do not cuddle him,
because only the test
of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage
to be impatient...
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order,
but see what you can do...
He is such a fine fellow,
my son!

-- Abraham Lincoln

Are you beside me..

I remember my friends saying that; some point in life we see ourselves standing at the crossroads of our lives, trying to figure out which way to choose. It's a tough decision. Rather a complicated one, cause we have to walk further with -'the choice'. But, what is more difficult; to choose the untrodden path or to follow the footsteps of the ones ahead? I could never make this choice until time taught me. It's true what our elders and younger ones had to say, that time teaches life's lessons in the best possible way. We just need to understand the 'want' inside us. A few questions with ourselves and then the path seems easy. Choose not only the best one but also the most desired at that time. I needn't worry as time is there to guide us. Just love this song- I just keep trusting the Lord, as I walk along, I just keep trusting the Lord and He gives me a song. Though the storm clouds darken the sky, over the heavenly trail, I just keep trusting the Lord. He will never fail..
Trust your inner voice. I have a story to share here-
There was a man who lived in a desert. He had a pet rabbit. He loved the rabbit as she was his only friend. One day both decided to cross the desert. One day they were traveling together, and there was a sudden sand storm. They pitched a tent in the sand dune and waited for the weather to be calm. They also had a camel to ride. The storm stopped after two days and the weather was safe to travel around. They started their journey on the sand together; camel, rabbit and the man. As days passed, they finished their food that they had carried with them for their journey. The camel was tired and so was the man and the rabbit. The camel could not carry the load of the man anymore as it was in need of food and water. The man thought selfish now; he left the rabbit his love in the dessert and moved ahead with the camel. The rabbit had no where else to go in the dessert; no food , no shelter. It died on spot but the man moved on.

The question to ponder is; did the man benefit by leaving the weak animal behind? His hunger and fatigue did not end. So when the time comes, we need to part ways without any rational reason. I heard this story when i was in school and since then always wondered; why did the man leave his pet behind.