A parable is a succinct, didactic story, in prose or verse, that illustrates one or more instructive lessons or principles. It differs from a fable in that fables employ animals, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature as characters, whereas parables have human characters.
A teen boy encounters an intriguing old man in a field. After showing off his spellwork ability, the boy is shocked when the old man effortlessly defuses his spell. Eager to learn, the boy petitions the old man to teach him. Passing time, the man recounts a violent, ancient tale of chaos, gods, and wars, leaving the listener unsettled. Before the man can elaborate more, their village is attacked, causing tragic losses. Stricken with grief and anger, the girl agrees to seek power for revenge.
I have started writing a fictional story. This is the first part of it. The other parts will follow as I write each part. I haven’t finalised the title and may decide later as the story develops. You are welcome to suggest a title in the comments below, along with your views. Your views may help me in writing the story.
Mary, a Dublin bar owner who offers "drink now, pay later" scheme, sees her sales boom, leading her local bank to increase her borrowing limit. The bank transforms these customer loans into securities, selling them to unaware investors. This leads to massive profits until the bank demands payment, resulting in Mary's bankruptcy and subsequent closure of the bar. The securities devalue, freezing economic activity and leading to job losses. Despite the economic struggles, the bank, brokers and executives are bailed out by the government, funded by non-drinkers' taxes. The story illustrates similarities with the 2007-08 economic crisis.
The Taoist parable "The Empty Boat" serves as a lesson about finding peace within oneself. The story tells of a man who encounters an empty boat on a river and, rather than growing angry, he simply navigates past it, symbolizing the dismissal of pointless anger. The fable communicates the importance of inner peace and self-realization, reminding us not to attach ego and emotions to external circumstances. The message advises detachment from attachments, expectations, and judgments to live peacefully and joyfully, emphasizing the need for solitude for mental well-being and clarity.
The story narrated by Alphabet CEO, Sundar Pichai, at a Google I/O conference illustrates the crucial difference between reaction and response. The anecdote of a cockroach causing chaos in a restaurant shows how the waiter's composed response contrasts with the group's panicked reaction, highlighting the importance of thoughtful consideration over impulsive instinct.
