By Paulo Coelho
A father was trying to read the newspaper, but his little son kept pestering him. Finally, the father grew tired of this and, tearing a page from the newspaper - one that bore a map of the world - he cut it into several pieces and handed them to his son.
‘Right, now you’ve got something to do. I’ve given you a map of the world and I want to see if you can put it back together correctly.’
He resumed his reading, knowing that the task would keep the child occupied for the rest of the day. However, a quarter of an hour later, the boy returned with the map.
‘Has your mother been teaching you geography?’ asked his father in astonishment.
‘I don’t even know what that is,’ replied the boy. ‘But there was a photo of a man on the other side of the page, so I put the man back together and found I’d put the world back together too.’
Welcome to Share with Friends - Free Texts for a Free Internet
Dear Paulo,
This is the first time I have looked at your blog, i am currently reading the Zahir and just felt compelled to find out a little more about you, and came across this page.
Your short message is wonderful and so true. Your writing is always so touching and beautiful and simple, I just wanted to thank you for that.
Thank you!
Dave
This fable made me think Leo Tolstoy:
“The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity.”
Cheers,
Jesica
This is one of the reasons I admire you so much. What a wonderfully simple story about seeing things in a different way, and “thinking outside of the box,” so to speak. I’ve read several of your books more than once, and am always amazed at how, with each reading, I find something new, thought-provoking, and inspiring in your writings.
Thank you.
Kirsten
Your lesson today made me think of this…
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
—Leo Tolstoy
Cheers,
Hi Paulo!
Thanks so much for your amazing writing.
I use to promote your books on my radioshow.
Keep up the great work!
Take Care,
Vítor Sá @ BIFE RadioShow! ;)
BIFE RadioShow
;)
Querido Paulo, parabéns pelo magnífico artigo sobre a absurda e mal-contada censura à biografia do Roberto Carlos! Você disse o que devia ser dito, com firmeza e propriedade.
Um grande abraço,
Cora
Hello Paulo …
I loved what you wrote here …. it is the wisdom we learn from the young children …
there is somthing we arab beleive … that children are so pure they think the best somtimes….
you are a wonderful writer …. i hope i becoem somthing like you one day …
have a nice day…
Hayfa
Lovely!! and amazing when coming from a child; he discovered in an innocent way that by rebuilding the man, we rebuild the world!!! I hope we all start or continue rebuiding ourselves!!!
Warm greetings Paulo!!! Great message!!!!!
Love,
Glorita
Dear Paulo,
Children look at things in different ways from adult,it’s simple and easier than what adult think. I learn to accept complicated lives better when i learn to accept who my son is. He is a special child from birth. To break through my fear is absolutely beyond my imagination. I slowly learn to appreciate lives around me and accept it as God’s gracious gift. Love is the mightiest power of all. Children hold the keys to our future, so teach them well to know and love God.
Take care,
siriporn
Dear Mr. Coelho,
first I must say, that my english is not so good. But i must write you this, because YOU change everything for me.
Today I read the alchimist. A great book and so true. I always was searching for more in this world. More than my words can say in my diary. Something that is always there, but I can´t believe it - till now. I´m so happy in my heart, because of you. You speak what my heart can´t say. I was lost, i have fallen so deep and there was nothing that
bring me back the good life.
Ich wurde so unendlich enttäuscht vom Leben, hatte überhaupt nichts mehr an was ich überhaupt noch glaub konnte. Bis ich durch reinen Zufall Ihre Bücher las. Das erste war “veronika beschließt zu sterben”, und das war ein Wendepunkt. Es ist so großartig wie Sie schreiben, wie Sie die Worte benutzen. Es gibt Hoffnung, es gibt Liebe und es gibt den Glauben. Ich hatte die Freude schon verloren.
Ich schreibe jetzt in meiner Sprache, sorry schon einmal für alle anderen. Ich weiss gar nicht, ob das hier überhaupt jemand liest….aber ich tus jetzt einfach. Sie haben mir Mut gemacht, weil das Leben auch schön sein kann. Es ist ständig schön, nur sich das bewusst zu machen ist so schwer. Aber die Bücher von Ihnen geben mir Hoffnung.
Das wollte ich hier nur mal schreiben, egal ob es jemand liest oder nicht….
Ich bin 26 Jahre alt….und erst jetzt beginne ich zu leben.
Vielen vielen Dank, für die tollen Dinge die Sie schreiben.
Thank you so much.
Alles Liebe und Gute. Kiss Kassandra.
Simply brilliant! :-)
Dear Paulo,
You truly are a great author. the way you tell simple things of wisdom is truly remarkable.
thanks for writing so wonderful books like ‘The Alchemist’ and ‘Zahir’. Alchemist will remain my most favorite book forever. your writing in it is truly poetic and mesmerizing.
Zahir is also a wonderful book.
But unfortunately other books like The pilgrimage and Valkyries, lack the charm of alchemist and zahir.
hope that you keep on writing such wonderful books.
Salil