All the stories in this book revolve around the teachings of Swami Paramananda, a teacher who renounced worldly life to adopt sanyas. Even as a teacher, he taught through stories.

His students loved it, since it was easier to comprehend the subject.They referred to his stories as Guruji’s stories.

Guruji would tell students and disciples his favourite stories – each based upon an eternal truth – and explain these in greater detail, if necessary.

Guruji’s stories are based upon popular proverbs on life and living. Each story is inspiring and thought-provoking.

There are stories emphasising the need to learn. Others teach one to differentiate between good and bad. Some motivate listeners to act, encouraging mutual respect, care, compassion and charity.

Based upon real-life experiences, each story affirms an eternal truth. Although meant for youngsters, adults will also enjoy this collection of 50 stories.


About the author:

Educated in Dehra Dun and New Delhi, Prem P. Bhalla enjoys photography and travelling, having travelled widely in India and abroad.

Besides running his own business, he is deeply involved with several social welfare and educational institutions.

Mr Bhalla has written several self-improvement books and is particularly interested in the welfare of youngsters. The author gives group lectures on personality and career development too.

He has also authored Teens to Twenties, The Portrait of a Complete Man, Hello! Just Married or About to Marry and 7 Mantras to Excel in Exams, as well as co-authored The Book of Etiquette and Manners, all published by Pustak Mahal.


CONTENTS:
1. Rocks and Pebbles
2. Ravana’s End
3. Ali’s Prayers
4. The Interview with God
5. Helpless Love
6. The Henpecked King
7. Two Rotis
8. Karna’s Charity
9. The Lazy Boy
10. Our Attitude Counts
11. The Swami and the Jawan
12. The Dacoit’s ‘Daughter’
13. Unfulfilled Desires
14. Strength from Within
15. An Immortal Name
16. The Bull’s-eye
17. The Chemical Plant
18. Meenu Ma’am
19. Time is Always Precious
20. The Farmer and His Donkey
21. Lord Krishna’s Headache
22. Swamiji’s Prayer
23. The Stingy Man
24. The Rat-traps
25. The Water Channel
26. Search for Truth
27. The Sprint
28. The Fruits of Persistence
29. Tansen’s Golden Voice
30. God’s Strange Ways
31. An Ill Wind
32. View from the Window
33. The Lucky Three
34. Death of a Bird
35. Yudishthira and the Dog
36. God Always Responds
37. A Compatible Spouse
38. The Wallet
39. Setting an Example
40. The First Time
41. Two Little Mantras
42. The Mighty Candle
43. The Queen Cobra
44. Good and Bad
45. The Letter
46. Courage Conquers All
47. A Child’s Wisdom
48. The Wheel Spanner
49. Grandpa’s Birthday
50. The Blanket

PREFACE:
Swami Paramananda always affirmed that knowledge was not the prerogative of a learned few. Both the literate and the illiterate possessed it. Each used it in their specific circumstances. Knowledge was not restricted to any age group either. One could decipher it in the smile of an infant, the remarks of a child or the words of an elder.

Knowledge does not differentiate between people holding different positions in life. A beggar on the street could impart words of wisdom just like a college professor. True knowledge was not hidden in the treatises in libraries. It was plain common sense that helped the common man and woman find direction and happiness in everyday life.

Swami Paramananda was a teacher before he renounced worldly life to adopt sannyas. Even as a teacher, he taught through stories. His students loved it, since it was easier to comprehend the subject. The students always referred to his stories as ‘Guruji’s stories’.

After sannyas, Swami Paramananda gave up a householder’s life, but his disciples continued addressing him as “Guruji”. Many of them had been his students. The old image was embedded in their minds. Guruji too could not change his style of sharing knowledge and his experiences when he talked to his disciples.

He would tell them his favourite stories – each based upon an eternal truth – and then explain these in greater detail, if necessary.

I am sure readers may find these stories as engrossing as Guruji’s students and disciples did.
—Prem P. Bhalla

EXCERPTS:

Chap. 5. Helpless Love
Once upon a time all feelings and emotions went to a coastal island for a vacation. According to their nature, each was having a good time. Suddenly, a warning of an impending storm was announced and everyone was advised to evacuate the island.

The announcement caused sudden panic. All rushed to their boats. Even damaged boats were quickly repaired and commissioned for duty.

Yet, Love did not wish to flee quickly. There was so much to do. But as the clouds darkened, Love realised it was time to leave. Alas, there were no boats to spare. Love looked around with hope.

Just then Prosperity passed by in a luxurious boat. Love shouted, “Prosperity, could you please take me in your boat?”

“No,” replied Prosperity, “my boat is full of precious possessions, gold and silver. There is no place for you.”

A little later Vanity came by in a beautiful boat. Again Love shouted, “Could you help me, Vanity? I am stranded and need a lift. Please take me with you.”

Vanity responded haughtily, “No, I cannot take you with me. My boat will get soiled with your muddy feet.”

Sorrow passed by after some time. Again, Love asked for help. But it was to no avail. “No, I cannot take you with me. I am so sad. I want to be by myself.”

When Happiness passed by a few minutes later, Love again called for help. But Happiness was so happy that it did not look around, hardly concerned about anyone.

Love was growing restless and dejected. Just then somebody called out, “Come Love, I will take you with me.” Love did not know who was being so magnanimous, but jumped on to the boat, greatly relieved that she would reach a safe place.

On getting off the boat, Love met Knowledge. Puzzled, Love inquired, “Knowledge, do you know who so generously gave me a lift just when no one else wished to help?”

Knowledge smiled, “Oh, that was Time.”

“And why would Time stop to pick me and take me to safety?” Love wondered.

Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and replied, “Because only Time knows your true greatness and what you are capable of. Only Love can bring peace and great happiness in this world.”

After Guruji narrated the story, he asked his disciples if they had understood what it conveyed.

“Yes, Guruji,” a disciple said. “It tells us about the importance of love.”

“That is not all,” Guruji added. “The important message is that when we are prosperous, we overlook love. When we feel important, we forget love. Even in happiness and sorrow we forget love. Only with time do we realise the importance of love. Why wait that long? Why not make love a part of your life today?”

Chap. 36. God Always Responds
Akshay hailed from a rich family. Seema was pretty, but belonged to a middle-class family. Both had met each other at college. Akshay was obsessed with Seema’s beauty and wanted to marry her, but she refused. She was neither attracted to Akshay nor did she care to marry into a rich family.

Akshay tried to convince her about his love for her. But she was clear about what she wanted. Each time she refused, he grew more adamant. When she threatened to report the matter to the college authorities, he became desperate and decided to forcibly marry her.

Akshay hired two goons to kidnap Seema and drop her at his farmhouse, which was about two hours away by train. He instructed them not to harm her in any way. He would make arrangements at the farmhouse to marry Seema.

On the appointed day, the kidnappers watched Seema leave home for college. She had barely walked half a kilometre when they closed in on her in a car and, before she could comprehend what was happening, one of them placed a handkerchief moistened with anaesthetic on her nose and pulled her into the car. She did not know what happened next.

When Seema regained consciousness she found herself in a dingy room. Her hands were tied. Two dirty-looking men were staring at her. “Who are you? What do you want?” she inquired.

“You don’t have to worry who we are,” one of them responded. “If you don’t want to be harmed, do as we tell you. Here is some food. Eat as much as you like. We have to take you to a nearby place by train. We will tape your lips so that you will not shout. We will also keep your hands tied so that you may not attempt to escape. You will wear a burqa and accompany us. We don’t want to hurt you. But if you try to act clever, we won’t spare you.” To convince her that they meant business, they showed Seema their knives.

Seema was still groggy from the effects of the anaesthetic, but she knew that she had no option but to co-operate with the two men. If nothing else, it would help her win their confidence and this would perhaps throw them off guard. “I am not hungry and do not want to eat anything,” she said. “I will do as you say, but if you try to hurt me, you will not get away with it.”

The two men glanced at their watches. There was still one hour for the train to leave. They already had the tickets with them. Since they were close to the station, they felt it was better to wait for some time before proceeding to the station.

As the time drew near for the train’s departure, the two men ensured that Seema’s hands were properly tied. They taped her lips and made her wear the burqa. Once again they threatened her with dire consequences if she did not co-operate.

Seema was fully conscious now. All kinds of thoughts flooded her mind. She thought of her parents, family and friends. How she wished someone could help her. But she knew her position was hopeless. She did not know where she was and how anyone could help her. If anyone could help her, it was God. At the moment she could only remain calm and pretend to co-operate with the kidnappers.

Within five minutes they were at the railway station. The train was on the platform. The three sat down, Seema in the centre and the two men on either side. Seema’s heart raced with fear. She tried to calm herself. “Help me, O God!” she thought.

As the train left the platform, Seema’s mind wandered to the little prayer corner in her home. There was Lord Krishna with Radha. With her eyes closed, once again she muttered, “Help me, O God!” She had heard that God always responds when He is remembered. She began repeating, “Help me, O God! Help me, Lord Krishna.” Just then she recalled that Lord Krishna had helped Draupadi when none could help her. With all her heart she repeated, “Help me, Lord Krishna, please help me!”

With everyone settled in the train, the ticket checker entered the compartment and began checking tickets. At once, Seema sensed her opportunity, perhaps the only one. She calmed herself. When the ticket checker came close, she stamped hard on his foot. As he screamed in pain at the unexpected injury, Seema rose and kicked the kidnapper closer to the exit. The ticket checker and the passengers were suspicious about this sudden action, lifted Seema’s burqa and found her lips were taped. The kidnappers tried to flee, but were overpowered in the running train. Their game was over. The ticket checker called the police to arrest them.

“Thank You, God,” Seema repeated. “Thank You, God. Today You have really saved me. Thank You, Lord Krishna. I will forever be grateful to You.”

Guruji noticed the feeling of satisfaction on the faces of his disciples, as he concluded the story. In their minds they acknowledged the supremacy of God.

“It does not matter how rich you are,” Guruji said. “Never use your money to possess anyone forcibly. In this particular instance, God saved Seema. Even otherwise, when wealth is misused, it never goes unnoticed by God.”