http://www.angelfire.com/folk/mpv/moralstoriesindex.htm http://www.kidsinco.com/complete-list-of-playscripts/ Moral values play dominant role in moulding the attitude and approaches of children in their life. Therefore, implanting these values in the minds of the children is vital and it is easily possible if told through stories interestingly and attractively. In this direction, we have given sample of 9 moral values at left clicking on which you will be taken to the story explaining the importance and usefulness of the moral value.
TRUST YOUR PARENTS GOD WILL BLESS YOU Long ago there lived a Brahman (a cast in Hindu religion) and his wife in a small village. They had been married for many years but still did not have any children. They prayed to all gods to grant them the pleasure of having their own child. After some time the Brahman’s wife gave birth to a young one. But alas it was not a human child but a snake. Every one in the village, and the couple too, were shocked. Many advised the couple to kill the snake as it could not be their child. But the brahman’s wife could not bear to part with her ‘son’. After all, the snake was her child and she was his mother. So the snake lived on with the couple as their son. The Brahman’s wife loved her snake son very much and she bathed and clothed him with great love and care. She fed him with her own hands and made a cozy bed for her son to sleep on. Soon the snake son grew older. He was still much loved by his mother. When his mother attended a marriage in the neighbourhood she wished for her snake son’s marriage too. But alas! Who will offer his daughter to be a snake’s wife? One day the Brahman came home and saw his wife crying bitterly. He enquired of her, “Why do you cry so, dear wife?” But got no reply from his still crying wife. “What ails you, dear? Do tell me,” the Brahman urged. “I know the love and affection you show for me and my son is all but false. You do not care at all for my son. If you did, you would be looking for a bride for him. He is of a marriageable age now.”
“Have you gone crazy? Who will ever give a girl in marriage to a snake?” the Brahman asked. This only made the mother to cry even louder and bitterly. The Brahman reluctantly agreed to look for a bride for his snake son. The Brahman went to many cities and towns looking for a bride, but no one found it fit to marry his daughter to a snake. At last he visited a friend in a nearby city. The friend received him heartily and asked the Brahman why he looked so worried. The Brahman said he was in search of a bride for his son. “Why, it is simple. You can take my daughter to be your son’s wife,” exclaimed the friend. “My daughter is beautiful and cultured and just the right age for marriage. She will bring happiness to your family.” “I think you should first see my son,” urged the Brahman. “Oh, no need to see him. I know you and your wife very well. I hereby permit you to take away my daughter to be your son’s bride.” The Brahman came back to his village with his friend’s daughter. The brahman’s wife was delighted and proceeded to start the marriage preparations. The village elders went to meet the girl and suggested that she should not marry a snake. The girl replied, “I appreciate your sympathy and concern but I shall not be a lie for my father’s promise to this Brahman. I will surely marry his son. If I agree to your views I would be going against my father’s wishes. If the Brahman’s son is a snake, then he shall still be my husband.” The next day the girl married the Brahman’s snake son. The girl was a happy bride. She loved and respected her husband with all her heart. The snake still slept in a box of his own. One night, when the girl got ready to sleep on her bed, she saw a handsome young man sitting on her bed. She was afraid of the stranger and started to run, but the young man called her, “Do not fear me, for I am your wedded husband.” The girl did not believe him at all. Soon the handsome young man turned himself into the snake the girl had married. The again he became the young man she had seen then. The girl was now very happy to find a handsome and loving husband. This secret meeting between the girl and her husband continued every night when every one in the house had retired for sleep.
One night, the Brahman ed by the girl’s room and heard a young man’s voice from her room. He started to keep a watch on his son and his wife. One night he happened to see his snake son changing into a handsome youth. The Brahman at once entered the room and picked up the snake skin shed by the youth. He took it and threw it into the fire where it burned to ashes. The youth then addressed the Brahman, “I thank you from the depth of my heart. You have freed me of a curse. I was to remain a snake until my snake body was destroyed without my asking anyone to do so. Today, O Father, I can be your true son. I shall remain so for the rest of my life.” The Brahman, his wife and the youth’s wife were delighted at this event. They all lived together as a happy family.
The Fisherman and His Wife http://www.kidsinco.com/2008/08/the-fisherman-and-his-wife/
1. If everybody had a mother, that was just like mine, Then everybody would be happy, and things would be just fine. She makes a meal in a minute, and does the laundry too. That’s why we wanna wish you, Happy Mother’s Day. She wakes me up in the morning, cheerful as can be. The only time she’s grumpy, is before coffee. She can make a cut better, with nothing but a kiss. That’s why we wanna wish you, Happy Mother’s Day. She’s a friend when I need one, she is always there. Her hugs make me feel safe, when I’ve had a scare. I know I don’t always say it, but it is always true. That’s why we wanna wish you, Happy Mother’s Day.
http://www.kidsinco.com/2008/08/the-power-of-rumour/
In today’s fast paced life, it is very important to have a strong value system so as to be able to go through the entire cycle of life as a good human being. Wherever you see that children are into bad habits like steeling, etc, it only shows that the value system of those children is not good or was never incorporated even, which is why they are indulging in all kinds of bad deals.
Moral lessons should be taught from the very early age so that the children tend to understand and like them better. It is always imperative for all parents to begin instilling the moral habits and lessons in their little ones from day one. In fact there are parents who believe in doing so way before their little ones are born, for the only reason that they should have strong moral values which will make living their life easy and a good experience unlike the rest who end up ruining themselves only due to the fact that their moral background isn’t too well developed. Begin by telling them short stories that could be mythology related or even the regular ones that will help them understand the right and wrong immediately. It is always good to teach your young ones what’s right and what not so that they can easily differentiate between the two better. Moral lectures and stories help children to decide right from wrong. It is the best way to make them understand what their various duties towards their parents, grand parents, school teachers and friends are. Once they know all their duties it will be easy for them to abide by them to be able to lead a life full of principles. Such principles help our children of today to know the meaning of their existence and many other aspects which assist them to rise higher in the way they think and live than the rest like them. It is therefore imperative to have such lessons taught to your little ones so that you end up making them perfect children, citizens and individuals too. Ask them to tell you what the moral of the story each time you rattle out a story for them at bedtime so that differentiating between good and bad becomes easy for them. This way you will also know how much your children are able to comprehend by way of such stories and tales. "These good habits will help the children grow up as good citizens and bring laurels to the country," the Governor stated.
Do you know any truly moral people? Do you consider yourself a moral person, a person of principles? Do you believe her definition of a moral person is a good definition? Do you have your own definition of a moral person, a person of principles? How do we find list of morals and values to live by, and how how important is it that we teach them to our children by actions and examples? How do we know which are the most important human morals and values to live by? For you, which are the most important human morals and values to live by and how do you advocate for the principles they are based on?
20 Ways to Foster Values in Children What are values and why do we need them? They are cherished beliefs and standards for right and wrong. They provide direction and meaning to life. Values inspire constructive behavior. What values do you consider most important? The following is a starting place for creating your own list of values: comion, generosity, helpfulness, wisdom, forgiveness, courtesy, punctuality, thriftiness, truthfulness, self-respect, obedience, patience, responsibility, dependability, cooperation, honesty, fairness, kindness, tolerance, humility, self-
discipline, loyalty, courage, self-assurance, sportsmanship, gratitude, creativity, joyfulness, motivation, perseverance, faithfulness, knowledge, respectfulness... How can you instill values in your child? 1.
Read and discuss stories that your beliefs.
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Monitor your child's media exposure that can undermine parental influence and the development of moral standards for behavior.
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Share your approval when praiseworthy behavior is portrayed in the media and/or in real life, and discuss your displeasure when corrupt behavior is displayed.
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Comment on your child's irable conduct. For example, "Johnny, you were being dependable when you fed the dog without being reminded." "When you helped Mrs. Jones pick up sticks in her yard, you were doing a good deed and showing her you cared."
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Name your own commendable actions. For example, "I was honest when I told the clerk she had given me too much change." "I recycle items because we need to do our part to protect the environment."
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Be polite and considerate toward others.
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Do what you say you will do.
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Share your time, talents and possessions.
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Set goals and complete difficult tasks.
10. Display warmth, , encouragement, and consistency toward your child. 11. Set high but reasonable standards for your child's behavior. 12. Listen respectfully to your child's ideas and feelings. 13. Answer your child's questions. 14. Offer your child choices. 15. Take time to have fun with your child. For example, play games, read, pretend, look at family photos, share dreams, attend events, participate in sports or hobbies, or volunteer for worthy causes. 16. Agree on family rules and live by them. For example, the television is off during family meals; we are kind to each other; we do not use profanity. 17. Divide chores and work together on family projects. 18. Participate in religious activities and/or be faithful to religious or moral beliefs. 19. Consider how your family spends its time and money by asking yourself, "In my child's eyes, what does my family value most?" 20. that your child will adopt the values you demonstrate daily.
Why is Teaching Principles So Important? Statistics
*Statistics based on the 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), a comprehensive survey of high school student health behaviors which includes data for the nation, 36 states and territories and 17 cities. •
10% of our youth reported carrying guns.
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27% of young people frequently smoke cigarettes.
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21% of youth are having sexual intercourse before age 13.
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36% rode in a car with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.
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Over 7% attempted suicide within the past year.
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Over 50% had at least one drink of alcohol in the past month.
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33.4% had five or more drinks of alcohol on at least one occasion during the past month.
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26.2% used marijuana during the past month.
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3.3% used cocaine during the past month.
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16% used inhalants during their lifetime.
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73% of all deaths among school-age youth and young adults result from four causes: motor vehicle crashed, other unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide.
Values Poll Indicate how you feel about each of the following statements on community values, using the 1-4 scale where (1) means "strongly agree" and (4) means "strongly disagree." 1
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strongly agree
somewhat agree
somewhat disagree
strongly disagree
Top of Form
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People are too interested in making money, not enough in caring about their families or communities.
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Society will be more successful in raising the moral fiber of children and youth if there is greater focus on spiritual truths from all religions rather than from one religion.
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Teaching children values can be done without a conflict between the issue of "Church and State" in schools.
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Educators should not be concerned with teaching children principles and values since their job is to teach academic learning.
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Moral values should be rooted in universal truths, not personal preferences.
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Incidents like the recent school shootings show that moral values are not as strong as they once were.
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Children can learn values best through (choose only 1): Stories with a moral or value imbedded in it
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Discussions with a parent or an adult
Stories with a moral or value with discussions and follow-up activities with a parent or an adult Church/Sunday School/Religious Lessons
Parent's example
School and teacher examples
Principles for Character Education
Principle
Values
Summary
1
ATTRACTION
Discernment Self awareness Courage
Whatever we put our attention on is attracted to us and is increased in our world. If we do nothing to curb our destructive desires, life becomes increasingly difficult for us to control. If we develop discernment and self-awareness, then we can distinguish between what is beneficial or destructive that we are attracting into our lives. Finally, we need courage to take the next step toward wholeness by eliminating our negative desires that attract chaos into our lives.
2
CAUSE & EFFECT
Restraint ability Good Intentions
According to the law of the universe, for every action there is an equal reaction. When we realize that we are able for every thought, word and deed, we recognize the wisdom of restraint and being aware of the intentions of our actions.
3
DEVOTION
Concentration Calmness Focus
We can Creative Intelligence by taking the time to go within our hearts. We find our true self here, not the ego. This can be done by anyone, through maintaining a
feeling of calmness and concentrating on higher thoughts, whether through prayer, song, meditation or a walk in the woods. When we focus our lives on higher thoughts and actions, we connect with the Divine. 4
FAITH
Trust Hope Patience
There is a Loving Intelligence that pervades all things. All that is necessary is for us to maintain our trust and hope even though we live in the midst of uncertainty. Faith is our willingness to take the next step without fear or looking back and yet have the patience to allow Divine Order to work through our situation without trying to force the results ourselves.
5
FORGIVENESS
Comion Mercy Understanding
Forgiveness is a conscious act that frees us from the damaging image of ourselves as a victim and dissolves the poison of resentment. These act as blocks to the Universal Reality. Because we choose a new understanding of our situation, we are now free to extend mercy and comion to ourselves and to those who have wronged us. This reconnects us back to our real self.
6
GRATITUDE
Generosity Magnanimity Appreciation
The true state of Universal Reality is abundance. When we are grateful and appreciate what life has to offer, it indicates to the Universe that we accept whatever has been given to us and that we lack nothing. If we want to attract more prosperity into our lives, we need to start the process of thinking magnanimously and being generous to all of life. All of this opens up the flow of supply into our world because whatever we give to life returns to us.
7
HARMONY
Optimism Co-operation Enthusiasm
One of the universal laws is that we can choose what feelings we want to experience. When we choose negative feelings, our lives become infinitely more stressful and complex because we loose the inner connection with the Infinite. When we choose to be optimistic, cooperative and enthusiastic rather than being a victim
of our negative emotions, we remain in control of ourselves and maintain inner happiness 8
HUMILITY
Modesty Unpretentious Gentleness
Through an attitude of modesty and unpretentiousness, we realize that we don't have to raise ourselves up with selfimportance. God in his own way and time will reward us with whatever we need, as long as we rid ourselves of pride and maintain an attitude of gentleness toward all life.
9
INTEGRITY
Truthfulness Courage Sincerity Honesty
Our connection to our inner reality is strengthened when we align our thoughts, words and actions with truth and have the courage act with sincerity and honesty. This is the act of letting go of our own will and honoring the Divine Will instead.
10
LOVE
Self-Esteem Self-Respect Caring Thoughtfulness Kindness Comion Nurturing
All living things require love to survive, including ourselves. We must first attend to our own needs for love before we can love others. When we neglect ourselves emotionally, we become emotionally toxic and are not whole enough to give love to others. When we change the inner dialogue from the inner critic to that of the inner companion, we bolster our self-esteem and self-respect. Then we are free to nurture all individuals by being the caring, comionate, thoughtful and kind beings we truly are.
11
MODERATION
Balance Moderation Inner Peace
When we choose moderation in all aspects, we bring balance into our lives. Instead of experiencing 'burn-out' and stress, which actually hinders our productivity and blocks the creative flow of energy, we maintain our connection with our inner peace and true reality.
12
PERSEVERANCE
Striving Effort Confidence Endurance
Wholeness is not realized in a moment. Throughout a lifetime, there must be constant effort and striving toward selfperfection. In order to accomplish this, we need the confidence to endure all
situations in order to reach our goal. 13
PURITY
Perfection Simplicity Innocence
When we choose to see the beauty of the simple things in life and the perfection all around us, instead of complexity and distortion, we retain our innocence. Purity then restores us to the joy of life. It is that which uplifts us and reconnects us to our true inner being.
14
RESPECT for LIFE
Tolerance Courtesy Cooperation
We are all a part of this Creative Intelligence and have a spark of the divine within us. Therefore, even though there is diversity among us, through religion, sex, culture, age and status, we are all part of the Divine Family. Everyone we meet deserves our respect because we honor the divine within them. We show this through courtesy, tolerance and cooperation with all whom we meet.
15
SELF DISCIPLINE
Determination Obedience Restraint
When we have the determination to restrain our lower desires, the door is opened for us to fulfill our highest aspirations. Through obedience to our higher self, we develop an inner control and greater confidence in ourselves. Through this process, we strengthen our connection to the Creative Intelligence and experience greater empowerment.
16
SERVICE
Purpose Responsibility Creativity
We came into this life with a special plan or purpose to help elevate humanity and life on earth through our own unique service. It is our responsibility to be successful in carrying out our plan and to infuse our service with creativity, or our own special God-given talent.
17
SURRENDER
Acceptance Freedom Contentment
When we accept what is happening to us at the present moment as part of a grander plan needed for our growth, we experience a new freedom. We welcome whatever comes into our lives, surrendering all wants and desires. With this new awareness comes contentment and peace.
18
SYNCHRONICITY
Alertness
When we are alert to highly significant
Receptivity Courage
events that cannot be explained, then we have an opportunity to go beyond the daily occurrences in our lives. We need to be receptive and have the courage to act on our inner promptings. In the process, we find that we are being transformed into the higher self.
Principles and Values for Children's Stories In this list, you will notice that the principles and values are in a different order than in the document Spiritual Quotes for Life and the Summary of Principles on the website. The list given for children is in the order from the simplest principles to understand to the more complex. The stories will follow this order every month. You may notice that there is some minor repetition of values in some of the principles. This is because the principles overlap each other, having similarities to some of the other ones.
1. Love Respect for
2. Life
Self-
3. Discipline
Caring, Thoughtfulness, Kindness, Comion Tolerance, Courtesy, Cooperation Determination, Will Power, Restraint, Obedience
Perseveran 4. ce
Striving, Effort, Confidence, Endurance
5. Service
Purpose, Responsibility, Helpfulness
6. Harmony
Optimism, Co-operation, Enthusiasm
7. Forgiveness Comion, Mercy, Understanding 8. Gratitude
Generosity, Sharing, Thankfulness
9. Devotion
Concentration, Calmness, Focus
10 Purity .
Perfection, Simplicity, Innocence
11 Cause & . Effect
Restraint, ability, Good Intentions
12 Integrity .
Truthfulness, Honesty, Courage, Sincerity
13 Moderation .
Balance, Moderation, Inner Peace
14 Faith .
Trust, Hope, Patience
15 Humility .
Modesty, Sincerity, Gentleness
16 Surrender .
Acceptance, Freedom, Contentment
17 Attraction .
Discernment, Self-Awareness, Courage
18 Synchronici Alertness, Receptivity, Courage . ty Bottom of Form