Salt, Glass of Water and the Lake | Motivational Stories
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Salt, Glass of Water and the Lake

Once an unhappy young man came to an old master and told he had a very sad life and asked for a solution.

The old Master instructed the unhappy young man to put a handful of salt in a glass of water and then to drink it.

“How does it taste?” – the Master asked.

“Terrible.” – spat the apprentice.

The Master chuckled and then asked the young man to take another handful of salt and put it in the lake. The two walked in silence to the nearby lake and when the apprentice swirled his handful of salt into the lake.

The old man said, “Now drink from the lake.”

As the water dripped down the young man’s chin, the Master asked, “How does it taste?”

“Good!” – remarked the apprentice.

“Do you taste the salt?” – asked the Master.

“No.” – said the young man.

The Master sat beside this troubled young man, took his hands, and said, “The pain of life is pure salt; no more, no less. The amount of pain in life remains the same, exactly the same. But the amount we taste the ‘pain’ depends on the container we put it into. So when you are in pain, the only thing you can do is to enlarge your sense of things. Stop being a glass. Become a lake.”

Author Unknown
Story Submitted by Camilia

{ 45 comments… add one }
  • Clyde R. Mahan August 31, 2022, 6:12 am

    Same application for Christianity. When we try to endure difficulties on our own – without dumping that burden/suffering at the foot of Jesus’ Cross on Calvary – we will not be able to overcome and walk in victory. However, if we bring every burden, every care, even every praise to our Lord Jesus, that will be lifted from us and placed in Jesus’ hands. This is how we glorify God: by walking with the calm confidence that God sovereign. Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Do not try to bear your burdens, cast them on Jesus! 1 Peter 5:6-7 – “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”

  • james February 9, 2020, 10:51 pm

    Did not understand the meaning Stop being a glass. Become a lake

  • Michael October 10, 2014, 11:28 am

    I Loved the story it is a good story ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ it deserves more comments

  • Jeniva July 7, 2014, 10:51 pm

    Really inspirational story. Everyone has problem in the globe. But we don’t know out to escape form that. This story taught to real life. Here I really thank to author.

    When we are feel happy, we are happy. When we are feel sad, we are stressed. Everything with in our hand only.

  • Atobo jimo July 4, 2014, 9:20 am

    I realy enjoyed the stoy… it makes me think a lot… 10 q god bless

  • Vishal Avinash February 5, 2014, 5:54 am

    It’s a wonderful article which makes me to change my thinking way. Your stories are worth a lot to persons like me who are worried much in life. Thanks so much for sharing wonderful inspirational story. It made me to change my view towards life and overcome the whatever obstacles experiencing at present and in future.

    I found this story very fantastic. I love it.

  • Shaai December 15, 2013, 1:36 am

    It’s a wonderful article which makes me to change my thinking way.

    Thank You Dear.

  • Santoshi December 2, 2013, 10:40 am

    I love this story. It is damn good.

  • Esther November 22, 2013, 4:02 am

    Thank you for your wonderful story.

  • Abrahimmuhammad November 16, 2013, 11:45 am

    I found this story very fantastic.

  • Aleena November 5, 2013, 11:17 am

    Very, very good and interesting to read!! I love it. Thks.

  • Mahesh October 24, 2013, 11:31 am

    Your stories are worth a lot to persons like me who are worried much in life.

  • Erick Agie October 10, 2013, 10:07 am

    I am fully inspired by all your stories. They relate to every situation I undergo. Thanks a lot.

  • Reagan john September 29, 2013, 1:05 am

    Grt story with grt lesson !

  • Rita September 24, 2013, 11:03 pm

    Thank you for teaching us how to handle our problems, how to be kind, how to have self confidence, you inspire us so much with each story. You are my mentor. God BLESS.

  • Darshan Manjappa September 22, 2013, 5:30 am

    Thanks so much for sharing wonderful inspirational story. It made me to change my view towards life and overcome the whatever obstacles experiencing at present and in future.

  • Tameem Ansar September 19, 2013, 7:00 am

    Really loved the story very much.

  • Megz September 17, 2013, 7:02 pm

    Really love the story!

  • Shirly September 14, 2013, 10:43 am

    I like all the stories. Very encouraging. Thank you so much. God bless.

  • Lakshmi September 9, 2013, 10:27 am

    Nice 🙂

  • Jeni September 5, 2013, 4:20 am

    Really inspirational story…. I didn’t expect the climax like this…. I am sure that I will follow the advice….

  • Paranthaman September 5, 2013, 3:45 am

    Really the story is good. I have lot of pains. The story said to me where the pain I put it will loss so I am determined where to put.. very nice story.

  • Rohit Kumar September 2, 2013, 6:35 am

    The stories which pertain to this site have always been awesome and teach us something good that how to deal with life…..

    I will always be obliged to this and hope to get more from here…

  • Rozy August 31, 2013, 1:32 pm

    It teaches us that we have to fight with ourselves, one’s own sorrows, one’s own troubles. It teaches us how to become strong and happy with broadened thoughts. Great… thank you.

  • PonPrabhakar August 31, 2013, 6:16 am

    Highly impressing

  • Hilary August 28, 2013, 3:38 pm

    Truly this is an amazing illustration. What’s more it leaves one very encouraged to meet confront the daily challenges of life.

  • Irfan August 27, 2013, 5:48 pm

    Wow.. Awesome great really .. That’s what life is. 🙂

  • Uhuru Thomas August 27, 2013, 2:39 pm

    Good creativity I must say.

  • Stephen August 27, 2013, 12:51 pm

    ♥ Camilia ♥

  • Camilia August 27, 2013, 12:30 pm

    I submitted this story to share with you the importance of life. The pain in our life is just a way to feel the real taste of joy …

  • Felicia Lewis August 27, 2013, 10:41 am

    Very interesting. Helps me to think differently.

  • Fareeha August 27, 2013, 10:38 am

    Wow what a story, I like it a lot, it gives us the moral.

  • Lovfly August 27, 2013, 9:54 am

    Like it very much.

  • Mini August 27, 2013, 4:18 am

    Thank you for your enriching story. Let us be builders of peace, joy …

  • Vineeta August 27, 2013, 3:46 am

    Gud one

  • Mosopefoluwaah August 27, 2013, 3:17 am

    Wow….this is superb.

  • Meseret August 27, 2013, 3:15 am

    It is a good story, make me to broaden my thinking. Keep it up!

  • Sangeetha August 27, 2013, 2:59 am

    Wowwww fantastic moral. I really enjoyed it….

  • Lino August 27, 2013, 1:50 am

    Thank you from bottom of my heart. Each story gives a new meaning to live pure and clear cut thoughts. God bless you.

  • Deepak Kumar August 27, 2013, 12:28 am

    Hi Camila. Thank you very much for sharing a nice story.

  • Sangeeta August 27, 2013, 12:25 am

    Beautiful. Amazing.

  • Aye Chan Aung August 26, 2013, 10:16 pm

    Thanks a million for the great story. It makes me think a lot.

  • Nathan Figueira August 26, 2013, 9:46 pm

    I give public addresses quite frequently on a variety of topics. I can ALWAYS find a story to fit with my topic. I find this site to be very, very helpful. Thanks!

  • Prasurjya August 26, 2013, 9:41 pm

    That’s the reason I ♥ moral stories….hats off…so motivating….God bless. 😉

  • Treymcro August 26, 2013, 4:48 pm

    Nice one… I really enjoy all your stories, they teach us something in life.

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