A married couple returned from the funeral of Uncle George. He had lived with them for twenty years and was such a trial for their nerves that he nearly ruined their marriage. “I have to say something to you, my dear”, said the man. “Were it not for my love for you, I would not have put up with one single day with your Uncle George.”

“My Uncle George?”, she cried horror-stricken. “I always thought that he was your Uncle George!”

from Kambiz Poostchi, Goldene Äpfel – Sinnbilder des Lebens (Golden Apples – Symbols of Life)

In ancient Rome a man was sentenced to be ripped to pieces in an amphitheatre by a lion. Crowds waited excitedly for the bloody event. Even the Emperor and his entourage had taken their designated places. The portcullis was drawn upward and with a snarl and dangerous growl the hungry lion rushed toward the man. However, what did the convict do? He bent forward to the lion and whispered something in its ear. Then something happened that took everyone’s breath away: the lion drew its tail between its legs and crawled fearfully to the side. The arena roared with enthusiasm on account of this wonder. The emperor, who was also very impressed, waved the man over to him and said: “I will pardon you if you divulge what you said to the lion”

“I said to him”, answered the man, “Know this: if you want to eat me, then you must deliver a dinner speech.”

from Kambiz Poostchi, Goldene Äpfel – Sinnbilder des Lebens (Golden Apples – Symbols of Life)

“The virtue of ethics is very important for a businessman,” said a wholesaler to his son. “Take today for example. A customer came and paid me a sum of 100 dollars.

As he left, I had ascertained that he had given me two hundred dollar bills. Now comes the question of business ethics: Should I tell my partner or not?”

from Kambiz Poostchi, Goldene Äpfel – Sinnbilder des Lebens (Golden Apples – Symbols of Life)

There was a man who had been doing everything right, sixty hours a week, for the past twenty years. Nevertheless, he never achieved real success. He thought to himself: “I could do it! If I only had more time…” In his desperation he turned to God and spoke: “Dear God, give me more time. I have much too little time to do all the things I have to and want to accomplish. The only thing that I am asking of you is more time.” God answered:

“I have given you all the time in the world. Every second that I create is there for you. Give time more of you!”

from Kambiz Poostchi, Goldene Äpfel – Sinnbilder des Lebens (Golden Apples – Symbols of Life)