Philosophical stories

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Fable Once upon a time, there was an old king who decided that he would pass the throne on to one of his three sons in due course. One day, the king called his three sons to him and said, “I am old now, and I have decided to pass on the throne to one of you three brothers. But all of you must go on a journey abroad for a year.” Come back after a year and tell me the most noble thing you all did during that time. Only those who have truly done noble deeds can inherit my throne. ” 　　A year later, the three sons returned to the king and told him about what they had accomplished during that year outside. 　　The eldest son said first, \"During my travels, I met a stranger who trusted me greatly and asked me to deliver a large bag of gold coins to his son, who lived in another town. When I arrived at that town, I handed the gold coins over to his son exactly as they were.\" ” 　　The king said, “You have done well, but honesty is a virtue that one should possess as a human being; it cannot be considered a noble act.” ” 　　The second son continued, “I traveled to a village where I happened to encounter a group of robbers committing a robbery. I rushed in to help the villagers drive the robbers away and protect their property.” ” 　　The king said, “You have done well, but saving people is your duty; it cannot be considered a noble act.” ” 　　The third son said hesitantly, “I have an enemy who tries every means possible to frame me. On several occasions, I almost died at his hands.” During one of my travels, there was a night when I was riding alone along the edge of a cliff. I saw my enemy sleeping under a large tree; with just a gentle push, he would fall off the cliff and die. But I didn’t do that; instead, I woke him up, told him it was dangerous to sleep there, and advised him to keep moving on. Later, as I dismounted to cross a river, a tiger suddenly rushed out of the woods nearby and attacked me. Just when I was in despair, my enemy arrived from behind and killed the tiger with a single blow. I asked him why he saved my life, and he said, ‘You were the one who saved me first; your kindness dispelled my hatred.’ ’This... this really isn’t considered a big deal at all. ” 　　“No, child, it is a noble and sacred thing to be able to help one’s enemies,” said the king solemnly. “Come, child; you have done a noble deed. From today onward, I will pass the throne to you. ” 　　The big truth: Do not harbor hatred towards others for long; learn to view those who hate you with a tolerant heart and with love, for love can dissolve hatred. Such people are noble; they are truly magnanimous.