A farmer in Scotland named Fleming saved a boy from quicksand. Years later, when Fleming's son became a famous scientist named Alexander Fleming, the boy Fleming saved was dying of pneumonia. Fleming Jr. had just invented penicillin, which saved the boy's life. This story reflects that good deeds are repaid in unexpected ways. As you sow, so shall you reap.

1. As you sow, so shall you reap
An inspiring story received from a cyber friend
through the email.
There was a farmer named Fleming in Scotland.
One day he heard a call for help. He saw a boy
sinking in the quicksand. Fleming pulled the boy
out of the quicksand; he affectionately patted him
and told him to go home. Then, he returned to his
farming job again.
Next day, a well dressed gentleman arrived at his
hut. "You saved the life of my son; i wish to
present you with a reward," he said. But Fleming
said that he had only done his duty. Spotting a
boy in rags, the gentleman asked Fleming if that
was his son. Fleming nodded. And the gentleman
took the responsibility for
the boy's education. The boy was an excellent
student.
Years later the farmer's son became a scientist,
Alexander Fleming. He became renowned for his
invention of Penicillin. A few months after the
invention, the boy who his father saved got a
severe attack of pneumonia. And his life was
saved, this time by Fleming Jr's invention of the
antibiotic Penicillin.
Reflection
What goes around does come around. As you
sow, so shall you reap, in whatever form. Nature
returns everything with interest.

2. STORY TO
REFLECT
UPON 26
A Choice
A Spiritual Story by Unknown Author
A beggar once asked Ibrahim ibn Al Adham for charity.
Ibrahim told him: "I'll give you better than that; come with me."
Ibrahim accompanied the beggar to see a merchant, and asked
him to find a job for the beggar. As Ibrahim was well trusted, the
merchant didn't hesitate to give some merchandises to the beggar
and asked him to travel and sell them in another city.
A few days later, Ibrahim found the beggar still in a miserable
condition; surprised, he asked him about the matter. The beggar
informed him: "While traveling, I found a blind eagle in the
desert, and I was very curious how it got food though it was
blind; I observed it for some time, and, to my big surprise,
another eagle came by and fed it. Thus, I said to myself: Ah,
WHOEVER took care of that blind eagle in this desert will also
take care of me! I returned to the city and gave the merchant back
his goods." Ibrahim, after some reflection, asked him:
"But tell me, why did you choose to be the blind eagle, not the
other one, who could fly, chase, and take care of others?"
Reflection:
* How often have we been conquered by the Mara forces of
laziness, mental sloth and torpor and foolish delusions?
* Let us learn to be more self-reliant, industrious, determined and
persevering ...these are hallmarks of a dignified and worthy human
being.
* May we choose to live a meaningful and worthy life of developing
our wisdom and reaching out to the more unfortunate ones.
* Effort, energy, patience and mindful striving on are
essential in walking the spiritual path.