I recently read the book "Inspirational Stories," which contains many stories rich in philosophy that deeply moved me.
One story, "Cherishing Time," left a strong impression on me. Ron is the owner of a small bookstore and is known for his extreme appreciation of time. On one occasion, a customer spent an hour browsing in his shop, finally selecting only a thin pamphlet and asking for the price. Ron replied, "One dollar." The customer found it expensive and seemed to question the cost, perhaps comparing it to other sources where the answer was given as 1.5 dollars, making the price seem increasingly high. Eventually, losing patience, the customer paid and left the store. This story illustrates the value of time: every second that passes is gone forever. Therefore, time should be regarded as our most precious wealth.
Another story that deeply stuck with me is "The Old Cow's Love." During a drought in a certain part of China, water was supplied solely by the government. One day, an old cow blocked the path of the water delivery truck. No matter how hard the people tried to pull it away, it refused to move. Its owner whipped it, but the cow still refused to leave, as if in its mind, water was more valuable than its own life. Despite being beaten to the point of being covered in injuries, the old cow remained steadfast.
Seeing this, the driver brought out a bowl of water and advised the owner to stop whipping, sensing that the cow was at its limit. He placed the water in front of the old cow. The cow mooed a few times, and everyone was puzzled: didn't it block the truck so hard just to drink the water itself? Suddenly, a young calf ran over and began to drink. The truth became clear: The old cow had risked its life to block the water truck solely to ensure its child could drink. This story taught me that motherly love is great and selfless; to ensure the healthy growth of their children, mothers are willing to risk their very lives.
