Tales for Life

We all want to get -- money, job, relationship, etc. -- but we sometimes forget that we have to give something first. This Spanish folktale reminds us that ambition and desire without kindness and civility will never get us to where we want to be.

Dreaming, visualizing, and setting goals are necessary for achieving success. The danger comes when our dreams turn into daydreams and lose ourselves in inaction because we're too busy living our lives in our heads. This tale from the Middle East is a powerful reminder to us to make sure we dream...and do.

Not only did our forefathers leave wisdom in the tales from long ago, they also left us laughter. This episode features a collection of short, funny tales from Europe and Asia filled with folk funnies!

Whatever our "Emerald City" or goal is, there's a yellow brick road to walk in order to get there. Getting down that road can sometimes be a long, lonely journey, but it's always worth it. A fun story from Mary Mapes Dodge illustrates this perfectly, and shows us that the end of the journey is so satisfying.

When life hands you milk, make cream. Attaining an ambitious goal or overcoming adversity is when those who shine will shine brightest. A fun tale from Germany involving rabbits, a magic flute, and a poor kitchen guy remind us of this bit of wisdom in a most amusing way.

Regardless of how we look or how we dress, what's on the inside shines through brighter than anything on the outside. Character counts. This short tale from the Brothers Grimm reminds us that, sooner or later, what's on the inside will show itself on the outside.

We live in a world where we want everything to be quick. If it’s not now or immediately after, it takes too long. Except that’s not how life works. Life is a process, and any shortcuts taken in that process will break it. You can’t do something by not doing it. This tale from Norway, more than 150 years old, is a great reminder that accomplishments take time, effort, and dedication. In the end, it's more than worth it.

Progress in life is a continuous journey -- a path that unfolds from our present moment. This episode features a timeless, cautionary tale from Japan that underscores this truth with unwavering clarity.

Spilled beer, pigs climbing trees, and the question of what to name children who aren't yet born all combine in this episode in a funny French tale with a dose of wisdom for today and generations to come. The green grass is probably right under your own feet.

A soldier out of work, a deal with the devil, and a promise made by a man down on his luck combine to teach a valuable lesson that has stood for over three centuries. Even before words like "self-esteem" and "self-respect" were common terms, the "folk" were telling tales about it.