The word Ugadi or Yugadi is made using two different words, yug (era) and adi (new beginning) that means, Yugadi literally stands for the term new beginnings. The belief behind this is that Lord Brahma created the world on this day and that is why it is celebrated as the first day of the Hindu calendar. The festival is known by different names in different states of India.  And there are many myths and legends attached to the festival. This is one such story.....

"The beauteous dragonfly's dancing  By the waves of the rivulet glancing;  She dances here and she dances there,  The glimmering, glittering flutterer fair.  Full many a beetle with loud applause Admires her dress of azure gauze,  Admires her body's bright splendour, And also her figure so slender..."- Heinrich Heine.  There’s something magical about seeing a dragonfly darting between the reeds on a spring day.The Dragon Fly has appeared in many a mythological/folk tale and is one of the oldest of the insect species symbolising wisdom, adaptation, insight, and transformation. To know why, listen to the story....... Source: http://www.Spiritual-Short-Stories.com

Why does one like someone? Does it have a reason? Or should there be a reason at all? To know more listen to this endearing book/poem by Sandol Stoddard that is a refreshing reminder that friendship and love are kind, simple, and aren’t always describable.

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” — Buddha An Old and Weary Storyteller has to find shelter and food at the end of a tiring day. How will he do it? Will he have to fight a duel or can he use the power of stories? To find out more, listen to this enchanting story by Dan Keding sourced from Elder Tales: Stories of Wisdom and Courage from Around the World

No family is perfect. We argue, we fight, we have differences of opinion and sometimes, we even stop talking to each other. Egos hurt and destroy. And that's when it is time to skip the "e" and let it "go".... We build too many walls and not enough bridges. Isaac Newton Source: Moralstories.org

Your greatness is not what you have, it’s what you give- Hocker What would you do if someone came to you seeking something, just when you have given away everything you ever possessed? And if you were the King of the land??? Find out this and more in this amazing mythological story of generosity, kindness and self discipline retold by Sudha Murthy in her book, The Upside down King, Unusual Tales about Rama and Krishna.

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson When little Amila and her father set out to the forest with just a bag from the supermarket, all that Amila can wonder is what's in the bag? Will she find out before it's too late or Will they ever find their way out of the forest?  A beautiful story written by Joseph Elliot from the Book of Hopes by Katherine Rundell

Live Simply so that others may Simply live....There is goodness as well as greatness in simplicity, not wealth. Happiness, the goal to which we all are striving is reached by endeavouring to make the lives of others happy, and if by renouncing the luxuries of life, we can lighten the burden of others........surely, the simplification of our wants is a thing greatly to be desired! Mahatma Gandhi

The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours – it is an amazing journey – and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.” Bob Moawad The Acrobats- A Zen story of self care that is just so apt for the times we live in.... (Author unknown)

“Let me tell you a story.” When I hear those words, I relax and put aside whatever it was that I was thinking about or doing. I prepare to concentrate on that which I’m about to hear because those words are a special invitation to step into another reality, into another time or into another way of thinking…I may become more sensitized to the feelings of others as I find myself experiencing the world from another perspective. Hopefully, I will learn something new. — Kay Olan Get ready to experience the power of stories in this beautiful tale of Two Warriors......