The most ancient myths. Archive for the category "Interesting legends"

Urban legends are often exciting stories containing many folklore elements, and they spread quite quickly in society. Stories are told dramatically, as if true stories related to real people- although in fact they may be 100% fictitious.

Local touches are often added to the legend, so it will be quite strange to hear the same story in different versions in different countries. Urban legends often carry a warning or some meaning that motivates society to preserve and spread them. One thing is for sure - some of these creepy urban legends have kept many people awake. Below are ten of the best urban legends:

10. Choking Doberman

This urban legend comes from Sydney, Australia and tells the story of a Doberman pinscher who choked on something. One night, a married couple went out for a walk and sat in a restaurant, when they returned home, they saw their dog choking in the living room. The man panicked and fainted, and the wife decided to call her old friend, a veterinarian, and agreed to bring the dog to the veterinary clinic.

After she took the dog to the clinic, she decided to return home and help her husband go to bed. This takes her some time and meanwhile the phone rang. The veterinarian screams hysterically into the phone that they need to quickly get out of their house. Without understanding what is happening, the married couple leaves the house as quickly as possible.

As they descend the stairs, several police officers run towards them. When the woman asks what happened, one of the officers replies that their dog choked on a man's finger. There is most likely still a burglar in their house. Soon, former owner finger was found unconscious in the couple's bedroom.

9. Suicidal guy


This story, also known as "Death of the Boyfriend", is told in many variations and is considered a general warning not to stray too far from the safety of your home. Our version will focus on Paris in the 1960s. A girl and her boyfriend (both college students) kiss in his car. They parked near the Rambouillet forest so that no one could see them. When they finished, the guy got out of the car to take a breath. fresh air and smoke a cigarette while the girl waits for him in the safety of the car.

After she waited five minutes, the girl got out of the car to find her boyfriend. Suddenly she sees a man hiding in the shadow of a tree. Frightened, she gets back into the car to quickly leave - but while she was getting in, she heard a very quiet creaking sound, followed by several more creaking sounds.

This continues for several seconds, but the girl eventually decides that she has no other choice and decides to leave. She presses the gas pedal, but can’t go anywhere - someone tied a cable from the car’s bumper to a tree growing nearby.

As a result, the girl presses the gas pedal again and hears a loud scream. She gets out of the car and finds her boyfriend hanging from a tree. As it turned out, the creaking sounds were made by his shoes dragging along the roof of the car.

8. Woman with a torn mouth


In Japan and China, there is a legend about the girl Kuchisake-Onna, also known as the woman with the torn mouth. Some say she was the wife of a samurai. One day, she cheated on her husband with a young and handsome man. When the husband returned, he discovered her betrayal, and in a rage he took his sword and cut her mouth from ear to ear.

Some say that the woman was cursed - she will never die, and still walks around the world so that people can see the terrible scar on her face and feel sorry for her. Some claim that they saw a beautiful young girl who asked them: “Am I beautiful?” And when they answered positively, she tore off her mask and showed a terrible wound. Then she repeated her question - and anyone who stopped considering her beautiful would face a tragic death.

There are two morals to this story: it costs nothing to give a compliment, and honesty is not the best approach in all situations.

7. Bridge of the Crying Child


According to this legend, a couple was driving home from church with their child and arguing about something. It was raining heavily, and soon they had to cross a flooded bridge. As soon as they drove onto the bridge, it turned out that there was much more water than they thought, and the car was stuck - they decided that they needed to go for help. The woman remained waiting, but got out of the car for a reason that one can only guess about.

When she turned away from the car, she suddenly heard her child crying loudly. She returned to the car and discovered that her child had been swept away by the water. According to the same legend, if you are on the same bridge, you can still hear a child crying there (the location of the bridge, of course, is unknown).

6 Alien Abduction of Zanfretta


The story of the kidnapping of Fortunato Zanfretta has become one of the most famous urban legends in Italy over the past few decades.

According to his own stories (originally made under hypnosis), Zanfretta was abducted by aliens Dragos from the planet Teetonia, and over the course of several years (1978-1981) he was repeatedly abducted several times by the same group from another planet. No matter how terrifying and creepy this story may sound, if we take into account the words of Zanfretta, spoken by him during a hypnosis session, we can evaluate the intentions of the aliens from an optimistic point of view:

“I know that you want to fly more often... no, you can’t fly to Earth, people will be scared of what you look like. You can't become our friends. Please fly away."

Zanfretta probably provided more details about his alien abduction than any other person in history - his detailed stories can make even the most ardent skeptic wonder if there is some truth there. Until this day, the Zanfretta case remains one of the most interesting and mysterious "secret files".

5. White Death


This story is about a little girl from Scotland who hated life so much that she wanted to destroy everything connected with her. Finally, she decided to commit suicide, and soon after, her family discovered what she had done.

In a terrible coincidence, all members of her family died a few days later, their limbs torn off. Legend says that when you hear about the White Death, the ghost of a little girl may find you and knock on your door many times. Each knock gets louder until the man opens the door, after which she kills him so that he will not tell anyone else about her existence. Her main task is to make sure no one knows about her.

Like most urban legends, this story is most likely the product of the unbridled imagination of a modern Aesop.

4. Black Volga


According to rumors, on the streets of Warsaw in the 1960s, a black Volga was often spotted - in which people who kidnapped children were sitting. According to legend (no doubt aided by Western propaganda), Soviet officers drove around Moscow in the black Volga in the mid-1930s, kidnapping young, pretty girls to satisfy the sexual needs of high-ranking Soviet comrades. According to other versions of this legend, vampires, mystical priests, Satanists, human traffickers and even Satan himself lived in the Volga.

By different versions legends, children were abducted in order to use their blood as a treatment for rich people from different parts of the world suffering from leukemia. Naturally, none of these versions were ever confirmed.

3. Greek soldier


This one is less famous legend tells the story of a Greek soldier who returns home after World War II to marry his fiancée. Unfortunately for him, he was captured by his compatriots with enemy political beliefs, tortured for five weeks and then killed. In the early 1950s, mainly in northern and central Greece, stories circulated of an attractive Greek soldier in uniform who would appear and quickly disappear, seducing beautiful widows and virgins with one goal - to give them a child.

Five weeks after the child was born, the man disappeared forever - leaving a note on the table in which he explained that he was returning from the world of the dead so that he could have sons who could avenge his murder.

2. Elisa Day


IN medieval Europe There lived a young girl named Eliza Day, whose beauty was like the wild roses growing by the river - bloody and red. One day a young man came to town and instantly fell in love with Eliza. They met for three days. On the first day he came to her house. On the second day, he brought her one red rose and asked her to meet where wild roses grow. On the third day, he took her to the river, where he killed her. The terrible man waited until she turned away from him, after which he took a stone and, whispering “All beauty must die,” killed her with one blow to the head. He put a rose in her teeth and pushed her body into the river. Some people claim to have seen her ghost wandering along the river bank, holding a single rose in her hand and blood streaming from her head.

Kylie Minogue and Nick Cave have very beautiful song on the theme of this legend - "Where The Wild Roses Grow":

1. Well to Hell


In 1989, Russian scientists drilled a well in Siberia to a depth of approximately 14.5 kilometers. The drill fell into a cavity in the earth's crust, and scientists lowered several devices into it to figure out what was going on. The temperature there exceeded 1000 degrees Celsius, but the real shock was what they heard on the recording.

Only 17 terrifying seconds of sound were recorded before the microphone melted. Many of the scientists, convinced that they had heard the cries of the damned from hell, quit their jobs - or so the story goes. Those who remained were even more shocked that night. A stream of luminescent gas shot out from the well, transforming into the shape of a giant winged demon, and then the words “I have won” could be read in the lights. Although on this moment Although this story is considered fiction, there are many people who believe that it actually happened - the urban legend "The Well to Hell" is told to this day.

Collected here best parables, legends and stories. These parables will be useful for various presentations. We use them to teach public speaking.

Speaking with a parable

I wrote down some of the parables from memory, some were told by students in class... I rewrote some of the parables in my own way... Therefore, I did not provide any attribution.

The best parables and legends are collected here, and not everything in a row, I love short parables with a good meaning.
Read, enjoy. I will be glad if you send parables that you personally liked! 🙂
A big request: leave comments!

This short parable one of the most ancient
as they say: “As old as the world.” That's why I love her.
There is a legend that it belongs to the ancient Greek sage Aesop.
But I have an assumption that it is much older.
Suitable for any age, for children of any class.

Sun and wind

The Sun and the Wind argued which of them is stronger?

And the Wind said: “I will prove that I am stronger. Do you see the old man in the raincoat? I bet I can get him to take off his coat faster than you can.”

The sun hid behind a cloud, and the wind began to blow stronger and stronger until it almost turned into a hurricane. But the harder he blew, the tighter the old man wrapped himself in his cloak.

Finally the wind died down and stopped. And the Sun peeked out from behind the clouds and smiled tenderly at the traveler. The traveler became cheerful and took off his cloak.

And the Sun told the Wind that kindness and friendliness are always stronger than rage and strength.

Dear reader! If you need short legends and parables for children of primary and secondary school, I combined them into one collection, read:

Parable. Two oars.

The boatman was transporting the traveler to the other side.

The traveler noticed that there were inscriptions on the oars of the boat. On one oar it was written: “Think”, and on the second: “Do”

– Your oars are interesting,- said the traveler. – Why these inscriptions?

–Look,– the boatman said smiling. And he began to row with only one oar, with the inscription “Think.”

The boat began to spin in one place.

“I used to think about something, reflect, make plans... But it didn’t bring anything useful.” I was just circling in place, like this boat.

The boatman stopped rowing with one oar and began rowing with another, with the sign “Do.” The boat began to circle, but in the other direction.

– Sometimes I rushed to the other extreme. I did something thoughtlessly, without plans, without drawings. I spent a lot of time and effort. But, in the end, he was also spinning in place.

- So I made an inscription on the oars,- continued the boatman, - to remember that for every stroke of the left oar there must be a stroke of the right oar.

And then he pointed to beautiful house, which rose on the river bank:

“I built this house after I made inscriptions on the oars.”

Here is another short parable that is “As old as the world.” Suitable for both adults and children, of any class.

Fight with Leo

The lion was resting in the shade of a large tree after a hearty lunch. It was midday. Heat. The Jackal approached the Lion. He looked at the resting Leo and timidly said:

- A lion! Let's fight!

But the answer was only silence.

The jackal began to speak louder:

- A lion! Let's fight! Let's have a battle in this clearing. You are against me!

Leo didn't pay any attention to him.

Then the Jackal threatened:

- Let's fight! Otherwise I’ll go and tell everyone that you, Leo, scared me terribly.

Leo yawned, stretched lazily and said:

- And who will believe you? Just think! Even if someone condemns me for cowardice, it is still much more pleasant than the fact that they will despise me. Despised for fighting with some Jackal...

This parable is in video format.

The Parable of King Solomon's Ring

According to the legend, King Solomon owned a ring on which was engraved the saying: “Everything passes.”

One wise man gave him this ring with the words: “Never take it off!”

In moments of grief and difficult experiences, Solomon looked at the inscription and calmed down...

But one day such a misfortune happened that words of wisdom, instead of comforting, caused him to have an attack of rage. Tore off Solomon took the ring off his finger and threw it on the floor.

When it rolled, the king suddenly saw that there was inside The rings also have some kind of inscription. He was surprised, because he did not know about this inscription. Curious, he picked up the ring and read the following:

"This too shall pass".

Laughing bitterly, Solomon put the ring on his finger and never took it off again.

Here's a funny parable.
When I tell it, I always remember my grandparents’ house in the village,
where I used to spend the whole summer. A barn, an axe, a fence, a large wooden gate...
And neighbors, as the heroes of this story.

Quickly conclusions

One old woman told the man that his neighbor was dishonest and that he might even steal an axe.

The man came home. And - immediately look for an ax.

No axe!

I searched the whole barn - there is no ax anywhere!

Goes out into the street. He sees the neighbor coming. But he doesn’t just walk: he walks like someone who has stolen an axe, and he looks with squinted eyes like someone who has stolen an axe, and he smiles like someone who has stolen an axe. The neighbor even said hello, like a man who had stolen an axe.

“What a dishonest neighbor I have!”- the man decided.

He harbored a grudge and returned home. Lo and behold, there’s an ax lying under the barn. His axe! Apparently one of the children took the ax but didn’t put it back. The man was happy. Satisfied, he leaves the gate. And he sees that the neighbor is not walking like someone who has stolen an axe, and he is looking with squinting eyes, not like someone who has stolen an axe, and he is not smiling like someone who has stolen an axe.

“What an honest neighbor I have!”

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A short parable - a fable of the great sage Aesop.
Suitable for anyone. Even for 3rd grade children.

The shortest parable is a fable.
The Sage of Aesop.

Fable Dog and Reflection

The dog walked along a plank across the river, and carried a bone in its teeth. She saw her reflection in the water. And I thought that there was another dog carrying prey. And it seemed to the dog that that other bone was much larger.

He threw his bone and rushed to take the bone from the reflection.

So I was left with nothing. She lost hers and couldn’t take away someone else’s.

• Read other short legends and parables for children in grades 3–4

There are people who love to teach others. This is what the parable is about.
I like short parables like this.

Half life

One philosopher was sailing on a ship. He asked the sailor:

– What do you know about philosophy?
“Nothing,” answered the sailor.
“You have lost half your life,” the philosopher said, smiling.

A storm has begun. The ship creaked and threatened to break into pieces.

- What happened to you? – the sailor asked the philosopher. – Don’t worry, the shore is very close. Even if something happens to the ship, we will be able to swim to the shore.
– It’s easy for you to talk about this. You know how to swim, but I can’t swim at all! - he answered.
- Is that so? You recently told me that I lost half my life without knowing philosophy. At the same time, you risk losing everything, not knowing how to swim,” the sailor said smiling.

Here's another parable. Similar.
I always remember this parable when I am given any advice.

Gardener and writer

Once a gardener turned to the writer:

– I read your story. I like it. And you know what I thought?.. Would you like me to give you a couple of ideas for new stories? They are of no use to me. I'm not a writer. And you will write good stories, publish a book, earn money.

To which the writer replied:

“Now I’ll finish the apple, and I’ll give the core to you.” There are a lot of good seeds there. I don't need them, I'm not a gardener. And you will plant them, grow good apple trees, harvest, and earn a lot of money.

- Listen! I don't need your bitches! I myself have more than enough apples!

– Why do you think that I don’t have enough ideas of my own?

I have heard many variations of this parable.
I think it has many authors.

Help

One day we decided to hold a competition to find the most loving and caring child. The winner was a four-year-old boy whose neighbor, an elderly man, had recently lost his wife.

When the boy saw the old man crying, he walked up to him in the yard, climbed onto his lap and just sat there. When his mother later asked him what he told his uncle, the boy replied:
- Nothing. I just helped him cry.

The video is a parable. Dad and son.

This parable has no text yet. Just watch the video.

Sometimes I tell this parable when I want to show
that knowledge has a price.Special price.

Cost of a hammer blow

One farmer's tractor stopped working.

All attempts by the farmer and his neighbors to repair the car were in vain. Finally he called a specialist.

He examined the tractor, tried how the starter worked, lifted the hood and checked everything carefully. Then he took a hammer, hit the motor once and started it. The engine rumbled as if it had never been damaged.

When the master handed the bill to the farmer, he looked at him in surprise and became indignant:

“What, you want a hundred dollars for just one blow with a hammer!”

“Dear friend,” said the master, “I counted only one dollar for a blow with a hammer, but I charge ninety-nine dollars for my knowledge, thanks to which I could make this blow in the right place.”

“Besides, I saved you time.” You can already use your tractor.

This parable is my favorite.
When I read it for the first time, I thought a lot.
Now I try to make it happen in my family as in the parable.

Parable. A happy family

In one small town two families live next door. Some spouses constantly quarrel, blaming each other for all troubles and trying to figure out which one is right. And others live amicably, they have no quarrels, no scandals.
The obstinate housewife marvels at her neighbor’s happiness. Jealous.
Says to her husband:

- Go and see how they do it so that everything is smooth and quiet.

He came to the neighbor's house and hid under open window. Watching. Listens.

And the hostess is just putting things in order in the house. He wipes the dust off an expensive vase. Suddenly the phone rang, the woman got distracted, and put the vase on the edge of the table, so that it was about to fall. But then her husband needed something in the room. He caught a vase, it fell and broke.

- Oh, what will happen now! - the neighbor thinks. He immediately imagined what a scandal would be in his family.

The wife came up, sighed with regret, and said to her husband:

- Sorry honey.
- What are you doing, honey? It's my fault. I was in a hurry and didn’t notice the vase.
- I am guilty. She placed the vase so carelessly.
- No, it's my fault.Anyway. We could not have had greater misfortune.

The neighbor's heart sank painfully. He came home upset. Wife to him:

- You're doing something fast. Well, what did you look at?
- Yes!
- Well, how are they doing?
- It's all their fault. That's why they don't quarrel. But with us everyone is always right...

The same parable, told “live” in our classes.

After all, we use all these parables to teach public speaking.

This parable seemed funny at first, but nothing more.
It was not clear where this parable could be applied. After all, we are not monks.
It seems to me that this parable is about rules,
and about exceptions to these rules.
And that above every rule there are others...

A terrible sin, or a parable about two monks and a woman

The old and young monks were traveling. Their path was crossed by a river, which was overflowing due to the rains.

On the shore stood a young beautiful girl who also needed to move to the opposite shore. But she could not cross the river herself. The girl asked the monks for help. However, the monks took a vow not to communicate with women or touch them.

The young monk pointedly turned away. And the old man approached the girl, asked something, put her on his back, and carried her across the river. The monks walked in silence for a long time. Suddenly, the young man could not resist:

– How could you touch a girl!? You took a vow not to touch women! This is a terrible sin!

To which the old man calmly replied:

“It’s strange, I carried it and left it on the river bank, and you are still carrying it.” In my head.

This is the same parable. Video

One of my favorite parables. This is so wise:
“Listening to other people’s words is like music.”
Or – don’t listen.
But how difficult it is sometimes!..
In this parable, the last remark of the Lama was added by me. She wasn't there.
I still don't know if it's needed here. You can do without it.

Silence

Once upon a time, an old Lama was resting in the shade of a tree. Several people gathered - his ideological opponents - and they began to tease and even insult the Lama.

But the old man listened to them very calmly.

Because of this calmness, they felt somehow uneasy. An awkward feeling arose: they insult a person, and he listens to their words like music. There's something wrong here.
One of them turned to the Lama:

- What's the matter? Don't you understand that we are talking about you?

- How? Understand! But it is with understanding that such deep silence is possible,- answered the Lama.

“It’s your choice to decide whether to insult me ​​or not.” But to accept your nonsense or not is my freedom. I simply refuse them; they're not worth it. You can take them for yourself. I don't accept them.

- At the same time, I cannot stop you from insulting me. This is your freedom and your right.

And then, smiling, he continued, looking at the silent opponents:

“You didn’t hurt me or cause me any trouble.” Otherwise, they would have received this stick from me a long time ago.

Parable. Payment for work.

Pay for work

The worker came to the owner and said:

- Master! Why are you paying Ivan three times more than me? I don’t seem to be a quitter, and I work no worse than Ivan. This is not fair! And it's not fair.

The owner looked out the window and said:

- I see someone is coming. It looks like they are carrying hay past us. Come out and find out!

The worker came out. Came in again and said:

- True, master. They are transporting hay.
- Don’t you know where? Maybe from Semyonovsky meadows?
- Don't know.
- Go and find out.

The worker went. Enters again.

- Master! Exactly, from Semyonovsky meadows.
– Do you know whether the hay is the first or the second cut?
- Don't know.
- So go and find out!

The worker came out. Coming back again.

- Master! First mowing!
– Do you know at what price?
- Don't know.
- So go and find out.

I went. He came back and said:

- Master! Five rubles each.
- Don’t they give it away cheaper?
- Don't know.

At this moment Ivan enters and says:

- Master! Hay was being transported past from the Semenovsky meadows of the first cut. They asked for 5 rubles. We bargained for 4 rubles per cart. Buy?
- Buy it!

Then the owner turns to the first worker and says:

“And now do you understand why I pay Ivan three times more than you?”

They often ask: “Recommend some useful parable!”
I recommend this one.
This parable can have two meanings: about a man who never got drunk, and about a man who lived 100 years because he never argued with anyone.

Parable. How to live 100 years

The correspondent was given the task of learning the secret of a long life from the hero of the day, who turned 100 years old. The journalist came to a mountain village, found a centenarian and began to find out how he managed to live a hundred years.

The old man said that his secret was that he never argued with anyone. The correspondent was surprised:

And this is a beautiful legend. Legend of love.

Red Rose

One sailor received letters from a woman he had never seen. Her name was Rose. They corresponded for 3 years. Reading her letters and answering her, he realized that he could no longer live without her letters. They fell in love with each other without realizing it.

When his service ended, they made an appointment at Grand Central Station at five o'clock in the evening. She wrote that she would have a red rose in her buttonhole.
The sailor thought: he had never seen a photograph of Rose. He doesn't know how old she is, doesn't know whether she's ugly or pretty, plump or slender.

He arrived at the station, and when the clock struck five, she appeared. Woman with a red rose in her buttonhole. She was over forty...

The sailor wanted to turn and leave. He felt embarrassed that all this time he had been corresponding with a woman much older than himself.
But... but he didn't do it. He thought that this woman wrote to him all the time while he was at sea, answered his questions, pleased him with her answers.

She didn't deserve this. And he approached her, extended his hand and introduced himself.

And the woman told the sailor that he... That Rose is standing behind him.

He turned around and saw her. She was a young and beautiful girl.

The elderly lady explained to him that Rose had asked her to put a flower in her buttonhole. If the sailor turned and left, it would all be over. But if he approached this old lady, she would show him the real Rose and tell him the whole truth.

The same parable, in “living form,” told in our classes.

I heard this parable from Nikolai Ivanovich Kozlov.
Since then, if I hear the phrase: “Lucky,” I smile and say to myself:
“Who knows, lucky or unlucky.”

Lucky or unlucky?

That was a long time ago. There lived an old man. He had an only son. The farm was small. But there was a horse on which he plowed the land and went to the city to the market.

One day the horse ran away.

“What horror,” the neighbors sympathized, “How unlucky!”
“Who knows whether he was lucky or not,” answered the old man. – You don’t need to reason, but look for the horse.

A few days later, the old man found the horse and brought it home. Yes, not alone, but with a beautiful horse.

- What a luck! - said the neighbors. - That's lucky!
- Luck? Failure? - said the old man. – Who knows if you were lucky? One thing is clear - we need to build another barn.

This new horse had a cool disposition. The next day, the old man's son fell from his horse and broke his leg.

- Horrible. How unlucky! - the neighbors told the old man.
– Who knows whether it was lucky or unlucky? - answered the old man. – One thing is clear – the leg needs to be treated.

In the hospital the young man met beautiful girl. And after recovery, he brought his bride to his home.
Again the neighbors began to say:

- What a luck! Your son found such a beautiful beauty! That's lucky!

The old man still answered with a smile:

- Who knows? Are you lucky... or unlucky...

This is an endless story. Success or failure, who knows?..

There is mathematics in this parable.
Sometimes people tell me that the numbers in the parable don’t add up.
Do the math for yourself...

Shared reward

A wandering monk came with important news to a strange city. He wanted to hand it over only to the ruler himself. No matter how the court ministers insisted that the monk give them this news, he remained firm and adamant.

A lot of time passed before the monk was finally introduced to the vizier, and only then to the prince himself.

The ruler was very happy with the news that the monk brought, and invited him to choose any reward he wanted. To everyone's surprise, the wanderer asked for 100 blows of the stick personally from the hands of the prince.

Having received the first five blows, the monk shouted:

The prince fully “rewarded” everyone.

Video parable. Price of the dress.

legend

They say that this happened in London, and this is a real legend. I won't say so. In any case, this legend is very similar to the truth.
Suitable for performance or storytelling.
For both adults and schoolchildren of any grade.

Difficult lot

In London there lived a merchant who had the misfortune of being in debt to a moneylender. a large amount money. And he - old and ugly - said that he would forgive the debt if the merchant gave him his daughter as a wife.

Father and daughter were horrified.

Then the moneylender suggested drawing lots. He put two stones into his empty wallet - black and white. The girl had to pull one of them out. If she comes across a white stone, she will stay with her father, if it is black, she will become the wife of a moneylender. The merchant and daughter were forced to accept this offer.

But when the moneylender put pebbles in his wallet, the girl noticed that they were both black. What should the girl do now?

The girl put her hand into her wallet, pulled out a pebble, and without looking at it, it was as if she had accidentally dropped it onto the path, where the pebble was instantly lost among the others.

“Oh, what a shame,” the girl exclaimed. - Well, yes, this is a fixable matter. We'll see what color the pebble is left in the wallet, and then we'll find out which pebble I pulled out.

Since the remaining pebble was black, it follows that she pulled out a white one: after all, the moneylender could not admit to fraud.

A very ancient legend.

There are many variations of this legend. I like this version, slightly tweaked by me.

Pearl Woman

Mark Antony arrived in Egypt. Cleopatra threw a feast in his honor.
The Roman was amazed at the luxury of the feast. And, to flatter the queen, he delightedly delivered a speech of praise, ending with the words:
– Nothing like this will ever happen again!

But the queen did not accept his compliment. She objected:
- I do not agree with you!
– Will nothing like this ever happen again?

And then she added excitedly:
“I’m ready to bet you, my friend, that tomorrow I will give a feast more luxurious than this.” And it will cost at least a million sesterces! Do you want to argue with me?
How could one refuse such a dispute?

The next day the feast was, indeed, more luxurious than the previous one.

There was no room on the tables for gourmet food. The best musicians played and danced best dancers. The glow of thousands of candles illuminated the majestic hall.
The Roman was delighted this time too.

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But, because of a dispute with the queen, he decided to pretend that he had not seen anything new. “I swear by Bacchus, there is not even the smell of a million sesterces here!” - he exclaimed.
“Okay,” Cleopatra agreed calmly. – But this is just the beginning. I alone will drink a million sesterces!

She pulled out an earring from her left ear - a huge pearl, truly the Eighth Wonder of the World. And she turned to the judge of the bet, Consul Planck:
- How much does this pearl cost?
– I doubt that anyone can answer this question. She is priceless!
Cleopatra heated the pearl in a candle fire, and then threw the jewel into a golden goblet filled with sour wine. The pearl instantly crumbled. Its fragments began to melt, dissolving in the acid of wine vinegar.

Having already understood where everything was going, Mark Antony waited for the outcome.
When the pearl had completely dissolved, Cleopatra offered to share a drink with her:
- This is the most expensive wine you have ever tasted. Will you have a drink with me?

Anthony refused.

And Cleopatra poured more wine into the goblet and drank it slowly.
After this, the queen reached for the earring from her right ear, apparently in order to make another drink. But then Planck intervened, announcing that Cleopatra had already won the bet.
Mark Antony agreed.

parable

Double benefit

One artist received an order from the village elder to paint a house. For three days he painted the central room, decorating it with images of people and birds, a pattern of flowers and leaves.

On the fourth day, the headman, waking up in a bad mood, went to check the artist’s work. He called the drawing a “pathetic daub” and drove the master away.

Extremely upset, the artist was wandering through the village when an old monk came across him.
- What happened to you? – the monk asked the artist. – You look so unhappy!

The artist told him what the village elder had done to him.

- Don't be sad! - the monk answered him. “Our headman is a rude and tyrant, but this is his concern.” And he not only gave you the opportunity to enjoy creativity for three days, but also helps you realize that you are touchy and cannot always accept life as it is if it does not meet your expectations. Rejoice! You got double the benefit!

The artist thought and smiled.

• A big request: write in the comments which parables you liked the most. Moreover, many of these parables were redone by me...

Also, a very ancient parable.

Travel time

On a hot day, a wanderer walked along a dusty road. On his shoulder was an old, battered bag. To the side the traveler saw a well. He turned towards him. Drank greedily cold water. And then he called out to the old man sitting next to him:

The puzzled traveler walked along the road. He began to reflect on the ignorance and rudeness of the locals.

After walking a good hundred steps, he heard a shout behind him. Turning around, I saw the same old man.

The old man shouted to him:

- You still have two hours to go to the city.
- Why didn’t you say so right away? – the wanderer exclaimed in amazement.
- Of course! “I first had to see how fast you were walking with your heavy load,” the old man explained.

Modern parable

Cricket

An American man was walking with his Indian friend along a crowded street in New York.

The Indian suddenly exclaimed:
- I hear a cricket.
“You’re crazy,” answered the American, looking around the central street of the city crowded with people.

Cars were scurrying around everywhere, construction workers were working, people were making noise.
“But I really hear a cricket,” the Indian insisted, moving towards a flower bed laid out in front of a quaint building of some institution.
Then he bent down, parted the leaves of the plants and showed his friend a cricket, carefreely chirping and enjoying life.

“It’s amazing,” the friend responded. “You must have fantastic hearing.”
- No. It all depends on what you’re in the mood for,” he explained. “And now you can hear him.”
The friends moved away from the flowerbed.
- Marvelous! “Now I can hear crickets well,” said the American.

parable

Great secret

One elder was asked:

- They say you are the most cheerful person in the village?
- Yes, they say. But I have no more happiness than any of my fellow villagers.
- Dear! But it doesn’t look like you were ever sad. There are no traces of sadness on your face! Share your secret!

– Is there anything worth being sad about? Even if there is, will it help?
- Which great wisdom! Indeed, sadness does not bring anything useful. Why don't you tell your fellow villagers about this secret?

- Why? “I told you,” the old man smiled. - So I told you. Can you use this secret?

I heard this legend from Pavel Sergeevich Taranov.
He knew how and loved to insert numerous legends and parables into his speech.

legend

For every strong person there is enough weakness

French bacteriologist Louis Pasteur studied the culture of smallpox virus in his laboratory.

Unexpectedly, a stranger appeared to him and introduced himself as the second of a nobleman, who thought that the scientist had insulted him. The nobleman demanded a duel. Pasteur calmly listened to the messenger and said:

- Since I am challenged to a duel, I have the right to choose a weapon. Here are two flasks: one contains the smallpox virus, the other contains pure water. If the person who sent you agrees to drink one of them, at your choice, I will drink another.

The duel did not take place.

The next parable is about persuasion. And about honesty.
I like the principle behind the parable,
which is useful for teachers, parents, coaches to remember...
to all those who work with people, teaching or explaining.

One woman brought her son to the elder and began to explain her problem:

“My boy was probably damaged,” she said. - Imagine, he only eats sweets. Any sweets: sweets, jam, cookies... And nothing else. No amount of persuasion or punishment helps. What should I do?

The elder just looked at the boy and said:

– Kind woman, come home. Come with your son tomorrow, I will try to help.

- Maybe today? Our house is very far from here.

- No, I can’t do it today.

The next day the elder took the boy to his room and talked with him for a long time.

The child ran up to his mother and exclaimed:

- Mother! I won't eat so much sweets anymore!

The delighted mother began to thank the elder. But then I asked him:

– Was there any special day yesterday? Why didn't you talk to your child yesterday?

- Kind woman,- the old man answered. - Yesterday was a very ordinary day. But believe me, I could not convincingly tell your son yesterday what I said today. Because yesterday I myself enjoyed eating sweet dates. How could I convince your son not to eat sweets if I myself had a sweet tooth that day?

This parable was sent to me. And I liked her right away.
Send us parables too, but only short and best ones.

I want you to be happy!..

In one distant city there lived a beautiful girl.

One morning, when she woke up, the girl remembered her dream. An angel flew to her:
“I want you to be happy,” said the Angel. What can I do for you?
- Make my boyfriend finally fall in love with me, so that we buy big house and we had two girls and a boy.

Time passed, her boyfriend proposed marriage to her. Soon they got married and bought a big house. Everything was as the girl asked.
And then more time passed, and she and her husband separated without having children, and they sold the house.

In one of her dreams, the girl saw the Angel again. And she exclaimed:
- Why didn’t you fulfill my wishes! You are not an Angel - you are a Demon!!!
- Why? Yes because you didn't fulfill mine only desire. You didn't become happy!

parable

The secret of a smile

- Master! All your life you smiled and were never sad. But I still didn’t dare ask how you manage to do this?

The Old Master replied:

“Many years ago I came to my Master as a young man, seventeen years old, but already deeply suffering. The master was seventy, and he smiled just like that, without any apparent reason. And there was no trace of grief or sadness on his face.

I asked him: “How do you do this?” And he just smiled. And he answered that he saw no reason to be sad.

And then I thought:

– It’s just my choice. Every morning when I open my eyes, I ask myself what to choose today - to be sad or to smile? And I always choose a smile.

legend

Rose petal

The great composer Ludwig van Beethoven was about to be accepted as a full member of the Academy of Arts in Paris. The presiding officer announced:

– We have gathered today to accept the great Beethoven as a member of our academy.

Silence reigned in the hall.

“But...,” the chairman continued... and poured a full glass of water from the decanter standing on the table so that not a single drop could be added. Then he tore one rose petal from the bouquet standing right there and carefully lowered it onto the water surface.

The petal did not overfill the glass, and the water did not spill.
Then the chairman, without saying a word, turned his gaze to those gathered.
The response was an explosion of applause.

This ended the meeting, which unanimously elected Beethoven as a full member of the Academy of Arts.

Parable. Jar of Life

The philosophy professor, standing at the department, took a three-liter glass jar and filled it with stones, each at least 3 cm in diameter. At the end he asked the students if the jar was full?
They answered: yes, it’s full.
Then he opened a can of peas and, pouring them into a large jar, shook it a little. Naturally, the peas took up the free space between the stones. Once again the professor asked the students if the jar was full?

They answered: yes, it’s full.

Then he took a box filled with sand and poured it into a jar. Naturally, the sand completely occupied the existing free space and covered everything. Once again the professor asked the students if the jar was full?

They answered: yes, and this time definitely, it is full.
Then from under the table he also pulled out 2 cans of beer and poured them into the jar until last straw, soaking the sand. The students laughed.

“And now,” the professor said instructively, “I want you to understand that the jar is your life.
Stones are the most important things in your life: family, health, friends, your children - everything that is necessary for your life to still remain complete even if everything else is lost.
Polka dots are things that have become important to you personally: work, home, car...
Sand is everything else, little things. If you fill the jar with sand first, there will be no room left for the peas and rocks to fit. And also in your life, if you spend all your time and energy on little things, there is no room left for the most important things.
Do what brings you happiness: play with your children, spend time with your spouse, meet with family and friends. There will always be more time to work, clean the house, fix and wash the car. Focus primarily on stones, that is, the most important things in life. Determine your priorities.

The rest is just sand

I'm done, the lecture is over.

“Professor,” one of the students asked, “what do beer bottles mean???!!!”

The professor smiled slyly again:
– They mean that, despite any problems, there is always a little time and place for idleness :)

Parable about happiness

An interesting parable. You can chase happiness... and still not catch it. And we can make sure that happiness is always with us. Like in this parable :)

lucky tail

Once upon a time alone old cat I met a young kitten. Running in a circle, the kitten was clearly trying to catch up with its own tail. The old cat stood silently, watching the actions of the kitten, who, without stopping for a minute, ran after its tail.

- You're chasing your own tail! - For what? – asked the old cat.
“Once a cat told me that my happiness is in my tail,” the kitten answered, “that’s why I catch it.”

The seasoned cat rolled his eyes, smiled as only an old cat could do, and said:

– I was younger and, just like you, I tried to “catch happiness by the tail,” because I firmly believed in the truthfulness of what was said to me. You have no idea how many days I spent chasing my tail. I forgot what food and drink were, running and chasing my tail. I also fell, was exhausted, but got up again and again chased illusory happiness. But there came a time in my life when I had already lost hope, and I quit this activity and walked away. And do you know what happened?

What? – the kitten asked, opening his eyes wide.
– My tail is always with me, which means happiness too...

Video parable. Gorgeous.

Parable. Miracle - Clay

This parable was sent by Igor Sepetov.

A long time ago, Water and Fire decided to become friends. Only their friendship somehow ended quickly - either the Water evaporated, or the Fire died out...

They asked the Man to reconcile them.

The man took a lump of dry clay and asked Water to moisten and soften it. Then he mixed and kneaded it properly. The clay became pliable and plastic.

The man fashioned from it a capacious steep-sided pot, an elegant lamp-lamp and a funny toy whistle. Then he turned to Fire for help.

The fire burned it all thoroughly, giving the products strength...

The man poured Water into the pot and oil for Fire into the lamp. Clay connected both Fire and Water. And for his son he taught him to whistle a song about the friendship of Fire and Water on a whistle.

The events of this legend happened quite recently.
You may even find this information in recent news. Our students often tell similar stories in public speaking classes.

The legend of the richest man.

Modern legend

Henry Ford's raincoat

Once, already a millionaire, Henry Ford came to England on business. At the airport information desk, he asked about any cheap hotel in the city, as long as it was nearby.

The employee looked at him - his face was famous. Newspapers often wrote about Ford. And here he is standing here - in a raincoat that looks older than himself and asking about a cheap hotel. The employee asked hesitantly:

- If I'm not mistaken, you are Mr. Henry Ford?

- Yes,- he answered.

The employee was surprised:

- I recently saw your son at this counter. He booked the most expensive room, and was very worried that the hotel would be the best. And you ask for a cheap hotel and wear a raincoat that seems to be no younger than you. Are you really saving money?

Henry Ford, after thinking a little, replied:

- I don’t need to stop at expensive hotel, because I don’t see the point in overpaying for extras that I don’t need. Wherever I stay, I am Henry Ford. And I don’t see much difference in hotels, because even in a cheap hotel you can relax no worse than in the most expensive one. And this coat - yes, you are right, my father also wore it, but this does not matter, because in this coat I am still Henry Ford.

And my son is still young and inexperienced, so he is afraid of what people will think if he stays in a cheap hotel. I don’t worry about the opinions of others about me, because I know myself real price. And I became a millionaire because I know how to count money and distinguish real values ​​from fake ones.

Legend of love

It so happened that on the same island they lived different feelings: Happiness, Sadness, Skill… AND Love was among them. One day Premonition informed everyone that the island would soon disappear under water. Rush And Haste They were the first to leave the island by boat. Soon everyone left, only Love stayed. She wanted to stay until the last second. When the island was about to go under water, Love I decided to call for help.

Wealth sailed on a magnificent ship. Love tells him: “ Wealth, can you take me away?” - “No, I have a lot of money and gold on the ship. I have no room for you!”

Happiness sailed past the island, but it was so happy that it didn’t even hear Love calls him.

When Love saved, she asked Knowledge, who was that.

– Time. Because only Time can understand how Love important!

And this is a new parable.
A girl on online training told it to me.
I think you will like this parable too! 🙂

A parable about how to choose a wife

Once the men asked their grandfather:

- Tell me, grandfather, you and your wife have been living for probably half a hundred years. You do everything together and never argue. How do you do this?

Grandfather thought for a moment and said:

- You see, young people are going to a party. And when they return, the guys will accompany the girls home, arm in arm.

So I, when I was young, went to see off a beauty. I was going to tell her something, and she suddenly began to slowly pull her hand out from under mine. I didn’t understand, it turns out I was walking straight into a puddle on the road. It was dark, it was late. But I didn’t turn around. She ran around the puddle and again grabbed my arm. I walked purposefully towards the next puddle. She also removed her hand. So he brought her to the gate.

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The next evening I went with another girl. The route is the same. The girl, when she saw that I was walking straight and not turning, began to pull my hand out of my hand. But I don't let you in. She snatched her hand away, but how could she run!

The next evening I went with a third girl. And again, exactly along the same route, with puddles.

When I come up, it means I’m approaching a puddle - she holds on to me tightly, listens to me and... walks through the puddle with me.

Well, I think maybe I didn’t see the puddles, you never know.

Then I'll move on to the next one - deeper. Girlfriend - zero attention to the puddle.
I'm on to the third...

Since then we have been walking side by side. And we don’t fight, we live happily.

All the men opened their mouths slightly, and the older ones said:

- Why didn’t you tell me how to choose wives before, grandfather? Maybe we would be happier too.
- Yes, you just asked me now.

A wonderful parable. One of the best.

Parable. Save the star

A man walked along the seashore immediately after a storm. His gaze was drawn to a boy who was picking up something from the sand and throwing it into the sea.

The man came closer and saw that the boy was picking up starfish from the sand. They surrounded him on all sides. It seemed as if there were millions of starfish on the sand; the shore was literally strewn with them for many kilometers.

Why are you throwing these starfish into the water? - the man asked, coming closer.
- The tide is coming soon. If they stay here on the shore until tomorrow morning, they will die,” the boy answered, without stopping his work.

But that's just stupid! - the man shouted. - Look around! There are thousands of starfish here. Your attempts will not change anything!
The boy picked up the next starfish, thought for a moment, and threw it into the sea, saying quietly:

No, my attempts will change a lot... For this star.

New neighbor

The hostess looked out the window. He sees the new neighbor hanging out her laundry to dry. But it is clear that there are a lot of dirty spots on the white linen.

Shouts to her husband:

- Go take a look! What a sloppy neighbor we have. Doesn't know how to wash clothes!

In between, I told my girlfriends what a new neighbor I had. But he doesn’t know how to wash clothes.

Time has passed. The housewife again sees her neighbor hanging out her laundry. And again with spots.

Again she went to gossip with her friends.

That's why we wanted to see it ourselves.

We came to the yard. They look at the underwear. But it is snow-white, no stains.

Then one woman says:

“Before you discuss other people’s underwear, you should go and wash your windows.” Look how dirty they are.

Dear reader! I hope you liked the parables.

• A big request: write in the comments which parables you liked the most. I'm very interested to know this. parables

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We are sure that many of you still believe in unicorns. It seems wonderful to imagine that they still exist somewhere, and we just haven’t found them yet. However, even the myth about such a magical creature has a very prosaic and even somewhat frightening explanation.

If you feel like website If you are very skeptical and no longer believe in magic, then at the end of the article a real miracle awaits you!

Great Flood

Scientists believe that the legend of the Great Flood is based on the memory of major flood, the epicenter of which was Mesopotamia. At the beginning of the last century, during excavations of the tombs of Ur, a layer of clay was found that separated two cultural layers. Only a catastrophic flood of the Tigris and Euphrates could lead to the appearance of such a phenomenon.

According to other estimates, 10–15 thousand years BC. e. An incredible flood happened in the Caspian Sea, which spilled over an area of ​​about 1 million square meters. km. The version was confirmed after scientists found it on the territory Western Siberia sea ​​shells, the closest distribution area of ​​which is in the Caspian Sea. This flood was so powerful that there was a huge waterfall on the Bosphorus, through which approximately 40 cubic meters were poured per day. km of water (200 times the volume of water passing through Niagara Falls). There was a flow of this power for at least 300 days.

This version seems crazy, but in this case, ancient people cannot be accused of exaggerating events!

Giants

In modern Ireland, legends are still told about gigantic men who can create an island simply by throwing a handful of earth into the sea. Endocrinologist Martha Korbonitz came up with the idea that ancient legends could have a scientific basis. Incredibly, the researchers found what they were looking for. A huge number of people in Ireland have mutations in the AIP gene. It was these mutations that caused the development of acromegaly and gigantism. If in the UK the mutation carrier is 1 in 2,000 people, then in the province of Mid-Ulster it is every 150th.

One of the famous Irish giants was Charles Byrne (1761–1783), his height was over 230 cm.

Legends, of course, endow giants with enormous power, but in reality, not everything is so rosy. People with acromegaly and gigantism often suffer from cardiovascular diseases, vision problems and frequent joint pain. Without treatment, many giants may not live to see 30 years of age.

Werewolves

The legend about werewolves has several origins. Firstly, people's lives have always been connected with the forest. From the deepest antiquity we have reached rock paintings hybrids of humans and animals. People wanted to be stronger, they chose a totem animal and wore its skin. These beliefs were also the basis for the narcotic drugs that warriors took before battle and imagined themselves to be invincible wolves.

Secondly, the belief in the existence of werewolves was also supported by the presence in people of such a genetic disease as hypertrichosis- excessive growth of hair on the body and face, which was called “werewolf syndrome.” It was only in 1963 that doctor Lee Illis gave the disease a medical basis. In addition to the genetic disease, there was also a mental disease known as lycanthropy, during attacks of which people lose their minds and lose their human qualities, considering themselves wolves. In addition, there is an exacerbation of the disease during certain lunar phases.

By the way, the wolf from the world famous “Little Red Riding Hood”, according to, was none other than a werewolf. And he didn’t eat the grandmother, but fed it to her granddaughter.

Vampires

Concerning scientific justification these myths, then in 1914 paleontologist Otenio Abel suggested that the ancient finds of dwarf elephant skulls became the reason for the birth of the myth of the Cyclops, since the central nasal opening can easily be mistaken for a giant eye socket. It is curious that these elephants were found precisely on the Mediterranean islands of Cyprus, Malta, and Crete.

Sodom and Gomorrah

We don’t know about you, but we always thought that Sodom and Gomorrah are a very large-scale myth and rather some kind of personification of vicious cities. However, this is quite a historical fact.

Excavations have been underway at Tell el-Hammam in Jordan for a decade now. ancient city. Archaeologists are confident that they have found the biblical Sodom. The approximate location of the city has always been known - the Bible described the “Sodom Pentate City” in the Jordan Valley. However, its exact location has always raised questions.

In 2006, excavations began, and scientists found a large ancient settlement surrounded by a powerful rampart. According to researchers, people lived here between 3500 and 1540 BC. e. There is no other option for the name of the city, otherwise the mention of such a large settlement would have remained in written sources.

Kraken

The Kraken is a legendary mythical sea monster of gigantic size, a cephalopod, known from descriptions of sailors. The first extensive description was made by Eric Pontoppidan - he wrote that the kraken is an animal “the size of a floating island.” According to him, the monster is capable of grabbing a large ship with its tentacles and dragging it to the bottom, but the whirlpool that occurs when the kraken quickly sinks to the bottom is much more dangerous. It turns out that a sad end is inevitable - both when the monster attacks and when it runs away from you. Really creepy!

The rationale for the myth of the “creepy monster” is simple: Giant squids still exist today and reach 16 meters in length. They really are an impressive sight - in addition to suckers, some species also have claws and teeth on their tentacles, but they can only threaten someone by pressing him down from above. Even if modern man Having met such a creature, one becomes very frightened, let alone medieval fishermen - for them the giant squid was definitely a mythical monster.

Unicorn

When it comes to unicorns, we immediately imagine a graceful creature with a rainbow horn in its forehead. Interestingly, they are found in the legends and myths of many cultures. The very first images were found in India and are over 4,000 years old. Later the myth spread across the continent and reached Ancient Rome, where they were considered absolutely real animals.

Chindo in South Korea. Here the waters between the islands part for an hour, revealing a wide and long road! Scientists explain this miracle by the difference in the timing of low and high tides.

Of course, many tourists come there - in addition to simple walks, they have the opportunity to see the marine inhabitants who remained on the opened land. The amazing thing about the Moses Trail is that it leads from the mainland to the island.

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Modern people are unlikely to believe in myths and legends. However, despite the many reliable facts available, the legends still do not lose their popularity. Each guide uses the most bright stories to attract the attention of listeners. After all, legends evoke a feeling of surprise and admiration, especially when the topic concerns unique and unlike anything else places.

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland. Although scientists claim that the Giant's Causeway was formed as a result of an ancient volcanic eruption, there is a legend about the Celtic hero Finn McCool, who decided to fight the one-eyed giant Goll. To do this, he drove many columns into the bottom of the Irish Sea, which formed a kind of bridge. Having worked hard, the hero lay down to rest, and in the meantime Goll himself crossed the bridge to Ireland. Finn's wife, sensing danger, ran out to meet the giant and assured the monster that the sleeping Finn was a baby. Then she treated uninvited guest flat cakes in which frying pans were hidden, and his husband - ordinary ones. The first broke his teeth, and the second ate his portion without even wincing. Frightened Goll, seeing the power of such a child, imagined his father and fled from the country, breaking the bridge behind him.

Palace complex Forbidden City in Beijing

This palace complex is considered the most extensive of its kind - 720 thousand m². If you went back in time, you would not be able to get inside without losing your head for it. Today, everyone has the opportunity to visit here and learn the legends that envelop this place. One of the most popular says that Emperor Zhu Di dreamed of four watchtowers that had never been seen before. Having woken up, he ordered that the structures taken away in a dream be erected in three months at the corners of the walls of the Forbidden City. In case of failure to comply with the order, the builders were threatened the death penalty. After a month, the chief architect was unable to develop a construction plan. Out of despair, he went for a walk around the city, during which he came across a seller of cages with grasshoppers. For fun, he bought one of the cages and was amazed. It was her design that was the ideal model of towers. The Emperor was more pleased than ever with the result; the old man selling grasshoppers turned out to be the god of carpenters, Lu Ban.

Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar

Alley of Baobabs, Madagascar. The island is famous not only for lemurs, but also for giant trees. The Alley of Baobabs is located in its western part. According to one legend, one day God was in a bad mood and a baobab came across his hand. Spilling out his anger, he uprooted the tree and inserted it back into the ground, crown down.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls. The facility is located on the border between the United States and Canada. The guides' favorite legend is that of the Maiden of the Mist; According to one version, the daughter of a Seneca tribe leader named Lelavala was chosen as a sacrifice to a god who lived in the depths of the waterfall. In this way, the inhabitants of the tribe wanted to appease the angry god who was poisoning the water. The selfless girl voluntarily went in a canoe to meet death, but she was saved by the god Hanu, who told about a terrible serpent that settled in the river and was the cause of all troubles. Lelavala returned to the village and told her father about the monster. Gathering warriors, the leader entered into battle with the serpent and defeated him.

Great Sphinx, Egypt

The sculpture, overlooking the Giza plateau, is considered one of the oldest surviving to this day. It represents a figure lying on the sand with the body of a lion and the head of a man. Story Great Sphinx shrouded in many legends and speculations. One of the most popular is the legend of Crown Prince Thutmose, the son of Pharaoh Amenhotep III and Queen Tiya. One day, while hunting in the desert, Thutmose recalled his guards to pray alone at the pyramids. Tired of the midday sun, he lay down to rest in the shadow of the Sphinx, which at that time was shoulder-deep in sand. However, the statue came to life and spoke to the man. She told Thutmose about the future reign and ordered him to clean his paws of sand. Then she looked at the prince with huge bright eyes and he lost consciousness. Having woken up, the heir swore an oath to fulfill the request. Having become Pharaoh Thutmose IV, he ordered the statue to be dug up and a granite stele installed.

the great Wall of China

One of the most romantic and heartbreaking legends about the construction of the Great Wall of China is the legend of Meng Jiang Nu. Living next door were two married couples named Meng and Jiang, who had no children. One day, Wife Jiang planted a lagenaria, which sent its vine through the wall to the neighbors. Over time, the plant produced a harvest in the form of a huge pumpkin. Friendly neighbors decided to divide it in half. After cutting the fruit open, they found a child inside. The girl was named Meng Jiang Nyu and began to be raised together. She has grown up a real beauty, which the world has never seen; She married Fan Xiliang, who was hiding from the government, which forced all young people to build the Great Wall of China. The happiness of the young did not last long; Fanya Silyan was found and forcibly sent to a construction site. The girl was waiting for her beloved whole year without receiving any news. Then she went in search of him, but they were in vain. No one knew where her husband was, and it was later discovered that he died of exhaustion and was buried in the wall. Meng Jiang Nu, unable to relieve her pain, cried for three days and three nights. Part of the wall she was standing against collapsed. The emperor intended to punish the widow for the damage, but when he saw her beautiful face, proposed marriage. Meng Jiang Nu agreed, but on the condition that she bury her ex-spouse as it should be. The emperor complied with the demand, but after this Meng Jiang Nu committed suicide by drowning herself in the sea.

Volcano Etna, Sicily

Volcano Etna, Sicily. The volcano is one of the highest and most active in Europe. Throughout its history, it has erupted more than 200 times. In 1669, Etna's eruption lasted four months, destroying 12 villages. According to legend, this eruption was caused by none other than the hundred-headed monster Typhon (son of Gaia), who was imprisoned by Zeus inside Etna. Every time Typhon was angry, there was an earthquake and eruption.

Mount Fuji on the island of Honshu, Japan

The mountain is considered one of the most recognizable natural attractions in the country. The object is a popular topic in Japanese art; it can be found in songs, movies, and, of course, legends and myths. One of the legends says about married couple, who lived near Mount Fuji. The husband was a bamboo collector. One day, while cutting raw materials, he found a girl the size of thumb hands. Rejoicing, the couple took the child into their care, since they did not have children of their own. Then, continuing his work, the man discovered a gold bar in the bamboo. The suddenly rich family lived happily. The girl, who was named Kaguya-hime, grew up to be a beautiful girl. Many tried to win her hand, even the emperor himself, but the beauty refused everyone, wanting to return to where she came from - to the Moon. One day during a full moon, Luna's subjects finally came to Kaguya-hime to take her home. The girl left the emperor a gift in the form of the elixir of life and a letter. He, in turn, ordered the gifts to be taken to the mountain and burned, since he did not want to live forever without love. So the flame of the elixir and the letters turned Mount Fuji into a volcano.

Among the main gods, the Egyptians especially highlighted married couple- Osiris and Isis. Osiris was revered because he taught the Egyptians various crafts, healing, showed how to build cities and houses, grow cereals and grapes. Isis was the goddess of fertility. Women turned to her for help...

All the myths we know say that the earth was created by some creator. In some countries, God was considered the creator, in others - some animal. In the myths of many Asian peoples, for example in Indian myths, the earth is created by a celestial being that descended from the sky. She's per...

When God created heaven and earth, far in the east he planted a wonderful Garden of Eden. And he called it Eden. Orange trees, apple trees, grapes, dates, and bananas grew in Eden. And there were many more amazing trees and flowers. There was eternal spring in Eden. The roses were blooming, the river was murmuring in the...

Gilgamesh is a real historical person who lived at the end of the 27th - beginning of the 26th century. BC e. Gilgamesh was the ruler of the city of Uruk in Sumer. He began to be considered a deity only after his death. They claimed that he was two-thirds god, only one-third human, and reigned for almost 126 years. Sleep...

The beautiful daughters of Sultan Salim were orphaned early. The eldest, the unapproachable Mahiman Bano, became the ruler, and the people regretted that the throne did not go to the youngest, whom people called Shirin, which means Sweet. Only one circumstance reconciled the people with the government...

Hercules was the son of the god Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene. Hera, the wife of Zeus, could not come to terms with the birth of Hercules. One day she sent two terrible snakes to the cradle of Hercules, but unusual child strangled them. Hercules grew up strong and dexterous, but was distinguished by his wayward nature. To about...

The Carpathians are a protected region, a kingdom of pristine nature. Plants and animals that have long since become rare and endangered have found refuge under the shadow of centuries-old beech forests. One of the most picturesque corners of Carpathian nature is the high-mountain lake Synevyr. Blue expanse of water, steep banks, overgrown...

It was so long ago that no one remembers when it was. They say, however, that in those days all people spoke the same language and everyone understood each other. And people wanted to leave a memory of themselves forever and ever. - Let's all get together and build a high tower!...

When people settled the earth, they first learned to sow bread, and then began to grow grapes and make wine from them. And when they drank wine, they became stupid and angry, offended the weak, praised themselves and deceived each other. God looked at the people, and he felt...

In the Middle Ages Western Europe was Christian, but its legend is still associated with the myths of pagan times. In legends we have received information about real historical events, but these events are changed and embellished. A legend is sometimes based on myth, but more often it includes...

In ancient times, people did not know about fire, lived in caves, hunted with clubs and stones, and ate everything raw... At that time, life on Olympus proceeded fully using fire. One day Prometheus stole a spark of sacred fire from Olympus and gave it to people. The fire started in...

The world arose from Chaos. Chaos is translated from Greek as “yawn”, “empty extension”. According to one version of the myth, Gaia (mother earth) emerged from Chaos. She created Uranus (sky). Uranus and Gaia became husband and wife, and the Titans were born to them. One of the titans, Kronos, the moods of other...

One of the most terrible monsters of mythology Ancient Egypt there was Apep (APEP) - a giant underground serpent. Every night he entered into battle with the sun god Ra. Every day Ra sailed over the world across the sky in a boat called the Boat of Millions of Years. Ra illuminated Egypt - the country...