Ernest Shackleton was born on 15th February 1874 in Kilkea, Ireland, and he died on 5th January 1922 (aged 48 years) in South Georgia. A merchant Navy officer, Ernest led three British expeditions to the Antarctic region. During his second expedition his team established a new record by reaching 97 geographical miles from the South […]
Long ago, in Ayodhya there lived a warrior named Chudamani. He saw everyone around him becoming prosperous and wished to be as rich as they. So, he began to worship Lord Shiva and practised severe austerities. Finally, the Lord was pleased with his worship and appeared before him. Chudamani pleaded with Him for wealth and
“So you see, Chakravaka,” said Silver Plume, “Not all strangers are evil. There can be some like Viravara who will serve their master’s interests even at the cost of their own life, or by sacrificing what is so dear to them.” “I agree, Sir,” said Chakravaka humbly, “but a minister, a physician and a teacher
Viravara’s family went to the temple and he sacrificed his son and offered his head to the goddess. Miserable without his son, Viravara killed himself also with his sword. His unhappy wife too did not wish to live without her husband and her son, so she too killed herself with the same sword. Shudraka was
A hungry jackal was searching for food. Deep in the forest, he saw a drum under a tree. As he went near it, a twig fell on the drum. Hearing the sound, the jackal thought an animal was trapped inside the drum. He wanted to eat it. The jackal tried to tear open the top
Gertrude Bell was born on 14th July 1868 in Washington Hall, England, and she died on 12th July 1926 (aged 58 years) in Baghdad, Iraq. A British traveller, archaeologist and political officer Gertrude explored and mapped her extensive travels through Syria, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor and Arabia. Gertrude was also known as Britain’s Queen of the
Viravara went into the dark streets to find out who was crying. The King was worried, so he too followed Viravara. The warrior, Viravara saw a beautiful lady dressed in fabulous clothes and jewels crying. Viravara asked her who she was and why she was weeping. “I am Shudraka’s Fortune,” said the lady, “I have
Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Battuta was born on 25th February 1304 in Tangier, Morocco, and he died in 1369 (aged 65 years) in Morocco. One of the greatest medieval Muslim travellers and authors of one of the most famous travel books entitled ‘Rihlah’, his work describes his travels covering some 75,000 miles in trips to
“I heard this story from the flamingo’s daughter whom I loved long ago,” said the King, “Sometimes strangers turn out to be more loyal than dear ones.” A warrior named Viravara came to King Shudraka looking for work. He said he would have to be paid five hundred gold coins every day. He would serve
The parrot returned to Jambudweepa and gave a glowing account of Karpuradweepa. It was worth conquering, decided King Jewel Plume and stated his minister Doordarshi, the vulture. The King checked with the astrologer what would be a good time to go into battle. The army must be inspected and the strength of the enemy noted.
Yuri Gagarin was born on 9th March 1934 in Klushino, Soviet Union, and he died on 27th March 1968 (aged 34 years) in Kirzhach, Russia. Yuri was the first human to journey into outer space when his spacecraft ‘Vostok’ completed an orbit of the Earth on 12th April 1961. He was a pilot with the
Silver Plume understood that it was wiser to examine the outsider from a distance before deciding whether to make friends with him or not. “The parrot has come first, Sir. So, let us call him in first and then invite King Meghavarna,” advised Chakravaka. So, the parrot was called and then Meghavarna was invited. The
All the jackal consulted with one another about a suitable way to punish the blue jackal. A wise old jackal came up with a plan. “We know the nature of jackals, my friends,” said the old jackal, “We know that even if he is blue in colour, he is actually a jackal. This is not
Once upon a time, a washerman had a donkey. He would make him carry loads of clothes, but never gave him enough food. At night, the donkey would roam around, eating whatever he could find. One night, the donkey met a jackal, who took him to a field of watermelons. The donkey was happy to
A jackal strayed into a town on the outskirts of a forest. Trying to hide himself, he fell into a large vat of indigo. He was a bright blue colour when he jumped out. ‘Ah!’ he thought as he looked at himself, ‘I look so elegant and different now. I won’t go and live with