Our Hearts Go Out to Our South Asian Community – Anderson Connect

In this week’s Anderson Connect:

• • A message in support of our South Asian community
  • Two short stories to inspire.

We hope you enjoy and feel Connected!

Our Hearts Go Out to our South Asian Community

We have all been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic for over a year. Everyone has struggled in their own way; no two journeys are the same.

What is happening right now in India is incomprehensible, as the COVID-19 virus devastates one of the world’s most populated countries. With the support of our global community, we know that India will be able to recover from this humanitarian crisis.

Here at Anderson, we extend our hearts and thoughts to our South Asian students, staff members and families. We know how difficult it must be to be so far away from your friends and family. All of us here at Anderson stand with you. If you need to talk to someone, please download the KeepMeSafe app, the support line is complementary to our students and is available 24/7 in multiple languages. You can access the download page here. Know that you are not alone; we are here for you whenever you need.

Short Stories

The Marble Statue

In the middle of a beautiful city, there was a museum laid with exquisite marble tiles and a magnificent marble statue as a part of the display. Many people from all over the world visited the museum every day and admired the beautifully crafted statue.

One night, the marble tiles started talking to the marble statue, “Hey statue, don’t you think that it is just not fair that everybody from all over the world comes all the way here to admire you while ignoring and stepping on me?”

The statue answered, “My dear brother, don’t you remember we are actually from the same cave?”

“Yes! I do, that is why I feel it is even more unfair. Both of us were born from the same cave and yet the world treats us so differently now. This is so unfair!”, said the tiles.

The statute paused for a moment and then said, “Yes you are right, my brother. But, do you still remember the day when the sculptor tried to work on you but you resisted his tools?”

The tiles did remember and said, “Yes, I despise that guy. How could he use those nasty tools on me?”
The statue continued, “Well, since you resisted his tools, he couldn’t work on you. When he decided to give up on you, he started working on me instead. I knew at once that I would be something different and unique after his efforts. I bore all the painful tools he used on me and allowed him to craft me as he wanted!”

The tiles, feeling sad, said with regret, “But those tools were so painful.”

“My brother, there is a price for everything in life. Since you decided to resist and gave up, you can’t blame anybody who steps on you now.”

These were the last words the tiles heard from the statue. They both became silent, reflecting on the decisions they had made and the destiny they ended up with because of those decisions.

The moral of the story: the harder the challenges you go through in life, the more you learn and can put those lessons to use in the future. Do not be discouraged by setbacks and failures!

Credit: alltimeshortstories.com

Two Sides to Every Story

A teacher instructing math to a class of 6-year-olds, asked a boy named Adi, ”Adi, if I give you two mangos and another two mangos, how many mangos will you have?”

He answered, “Five mangos”.

She was surprised by his reply, but she tried again. Now this time she used her fingers to make him count with her. “Ok Adi, look, if I give you one…two… (lifting each finger slowly), two mangos and another one…two… two mangos. How many mangos will you have?”.

He again answered, “Five mangos”.

This time she felt irritated by his answer, but she controlled her anger and remembered that his mother once told her that he liked strawberries. So, she tried this … “Ok Adi, if I give you two strawberries and another two strawberries, now, how many strawberries do you have?”.

“Four strawberries.” Adi replied.

She felt relieved that he was back on track. So, again she asked him. “Now tell me, Adi, if I give you two mangos and another two mangos, how many mangos do you have?”

He answered, “Five mangos, teacher.”

The teacher burst out in frustration, “How can you have five mangos if I give you four mangos?”

“Well teacher, because I have one mango in my bag.”

There was complete silence. Then the teacher began to laugh. So did the class.

The moral of the story: there are two sides to every story. Never judge others. We should not make up our minds about someone else’s situation without knowing their point of view.

Credit: Quickpit.com