The Holy Deacon
In "The Holy Deacon," a short tale with a moral, an itinerant preacher enlists a Holy Deacon to collect donations from a reluctant congregation, promising him a quarter of the proceeds. However, after the collection, the Deacon reveals that the hardened hearts of the congregation yielded nothing for him, illustrating a life lesson about the challenge of generosity. This easy small story serves as a poignant reminder for young readers about the complexities of faith and giving in short story collections with moral themes.
Reveal Moral
"The moral of the story is that greed and dishonesty can corrupt one's integrity and lead to unjust actions, even in the guise of religious service."
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The Mourning Brothers
In the short story "The Mourning Brothers," an Old Man, sensing his death, challenges his sons to prove their sorrow by wearing weeds on their hats, promising his fortune to the one who endures the longest. After years of stubbornness, they agree to share the inheritance, only to discover that an Executor has taken control of the estate, leaving them with nothing. This tale, rich in folklore and moral lessons, highlights the consequences of hypocrisy and obstinacy, making it one of the best moral stories in short story collections.
The Crow and Mercury
In the fable "The Crow and Mercury," a crow, ensnared and desperate, prays to Apollo for rescue, promising to offer frankincense at his shrine, but forgets his vow once freed. Caught again, he makes a similar promise to Mercury, who scolds him for betraying Apollo and questioning his loyalty. This short story with moral illustrates the consequences of failing to honor one's commitments, a theme found in many well-known moral stories.
The Monkey and the Nuts
In "The Monkey and the Nuts," a certain city seeks to purchase land for a public deformatory but becomes entangled in greed as officials continually request more funds from the government. Their relentless demands lead to frustration, prompting the government to withdraw support entirely, leaving the officials empty-handed. This timeless moral story serves as an inspirational reminder of the consequences of greed and the limits of generosity, illustrating important lessons from moral stories that resonate across cultures.