Friendship and human relations

Maria lived with her mother in a small apartment in New York and worked as a secretary for a large company. Her life was quiet, ordinary, and rather dull. At work, hardly anyone noticed her.

One morning, on her way to the office, Maria saw a newly opened hat shop and went inside out of curiosity. A woman and her young daughter were there, along with another customer looking for a hat.

Maria tried on several hats. One appealed to her more than all the others. The moment she put it on, the little girl exclaimed with delight:

“Mom, look how beautiful that woman looks in the hat!”

The girl’s mother turned to Maria and said:

“That hat really suits you.”

The other customer joined them:

“It really does. You look wonderful in it!”

Maria stepped in front of the mirror. She had never been so pleased with her reflection. Smiling, she went to the counter and paid for the hat.

When Maria left the shop, an entirely new world seemed to open before her. The flowers looked brighter than ever, and the fresh air smelled especially sweet. Even the sounds of traffic and passing voices seemed to form a harmonious melody. Maria felt beautiful and happy.

At the office entrance, the security guard opened the door and wished her good morning. In the elevator, someone asked which floor she needed and pressed the button for her. Throughout the day, her colleagues admired her and told her how lovely she looked, as though they were seeing her for the first time. Her manager even invited her to lunch to ask for her opinion on a new project.

When the magical workday ended, Maria was still smiling. She thought about how suddenly her life had changed and was certain that she owed it all to her new hat.

Maria took a taxi home. Her mother opened the door, stared at her in amazement, and said:

“Maria, you look wonderful! Your eyes are shining just as they did when you were a child!”

“Yes, Mom, it is all because of my new hat. I have had an amazing day!”

“What hat?” her mother asked, puzzled.

Alarmed, Maria touched her head. The hat was gone. She wondered whether she had left it in the taxi, at lunch, or in the office. Then she replayed the scene in the shop: putting on the hat, hearing the compliments, walking to the counter, taking out her purse, and setting the hat down beside the register…

Suddenly she understood. She had forgotten the hat in the shop and walked out without it, her eyes still shining with joy.

The hat had not made Maria happy. It was the confidence and delight awakened by other people’s kind words. The world had not changed; Maria’s way of seeing it had.

Moral: A single kind word can change how a person sees themselves—and sometimes their entire world. Happiness is not found in outward possessions, but within us and in the sincere attention shown to a person.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

A poor boy who sold small goods from door to door to pay his tuition discovered one day that he had no money left and was desperately hungry. He decided to knock on the next door and ask for something to eat.

A young woman answered. Embarrassed, the boy could not bring himself to ask for food and requested only a glass of water. Seeing that he was hungry, the woman brought him a large glass of milk instead.

After drinking it slowly, the boy asked:

“How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing,” she replied. “My mother taught us to be kind without expecting anything in return.”

The boy could say only:

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

As he walked away, he felt stronger not only physically, but also in spirit. His faith in Allah and in other people had been renewed.

Years passed. One day, the same woman became seriously ill. Unable to determine the cause of her illness, the local doctors sent her to specialists in a large city.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for a consultation. When he heard which city the patient came from, he immediately went to her room. The moment he saw her, he recognized the woman who had given him a glass of milk years before and rekindled hope in his heart.

Dr. Kelly personally took charge of her treatment and resolved to do everything he could to save her. After a long treatment, the woman recovered.

When the time came for her discharge, Dr. Kelly requested the final bill. He wrote a few words along its edge and had it delivered to the patient’s room.

The woman opened it anxiously. She feared that she would never be able to pay the amount and would spend the rest of her life repaying the debt. Then she noticed a sentence written in the margin:

“Paid in full with one glass of milk.”

Signed: Dr. Howard Kelly.

Moral: A selfless act of kindness is never lost. It is entered into an unseen account and may return to us one day—sometimes when we least expect it.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

A boy entered a nut shop with his mother and kept insisting, “I want some roasted chickpeas.” The shopkeeper saw that the mother did not intend to buy any and felt sorry for the child:

“Come here, son. Take a handful for yourself.”

“No, I’ll take them only if you give them to me,” the boy replied.

The shopkeeper handed him a generous handful and asked:

“Why didn’t you take it yourself? You wanted me to give it to you.”

The boy smiled:

“Because your hand is bigger than mine.”

“Mashaallah, what a clever child you are!” the shopkeeper smiled too.

Moral: Sometimes whom you ask is as important as what you ask for. When the giver’s hand is larger, the gift may be larger too.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

One day, a schoolteacher asked her pupils to write a story on any subject and promised a pair of boots to the author of the best one. Every child completed a story and handed it in.

The teacher read each piece and liked them all. Unable to choose the best, she decided to draw the winner by lot.

Each pupil wrote a name on a slip of paper, folded it, and placed it in a box on the teacher’s desk. After mixing the slips, she drew one and announced:

“Amina!”

The classroom erupted in applause. Amina pressed the boots to her chest and could not hold back tears of joy.

That evening, the teacher returned home and tearfully told her husband what had happened. He was puzzled:

“You found a wonderful solution. Why are you crying?”

The teacher replied:

“Because every slip said Amina. Not one child wrote their own name. They all wanted the girl from the poorest family in our class to have those boots.”

Moral: It is also a victory to value another person’s joy above one’s own. True compassion is revealed in the willingness to surrender an opportunity for someone else.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

I had gone to visit an acquaintance. I entered his house and went into his room. I found him sitting silently with his head bowed. He looked sorrowful.

“Are you sad?” I asked.

He raised his head and looked into my eyes. “No. I’m lonely.”

Moral: The biggest pain is to feel lonely even among people. Seeing the loneliness of someone next to you is true sensitivity.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

As they did every day, Javid Bey and his team gathered in the meeting room to discuss the state of their project. Each person briefly described the previous day’s progress and any difficulties they had encountered.

It was Kamal’s turn. Like the others, he reported on the work he had done, but — as if hoping for help from his colleagues — he spoke in more detail about the problem he faced. As soon as he finished, Nadir accused him in front of everyone: “You are to blame; because of you our work has stopped and we can do nothing.” The room froze. Kamal was deeply embarrassed and did not know what to do.

Before the exchange could escalate, Javid Bey, the project manager, stepped in. “Let’s stop here for today and return to this later,” he said. The team dispersed.

Javid Bey knew what to do: meet one-on-one and speak in a friendly way. On the pretext of a glass of tea, he invited him to the company café. After a little small talk, he said calmly, “My son, the way you treated Kamal today was wrong. You accused him without understanding the situation, and you did it in front of everyone. Put yourself in his place. He was hoping for our help and was accused instead. I’m sure he hoped we would think the problem through together and find a solution.”

Nadir lowered his head in shame. Javid Bey’s counsel had worked; it was a good lesson for Nadir — he understood he had done wrong.

Later, whenever Nadir remembered the conversation, he thanked Javid Bey. He was also grateful that no one at the company knew of the conversation between them.

Moral: Conflict seeks who is right; discussion seeks what is right. If you want the truth, discuss — do not quarrel.

Bakhtiyar Sirajov

A young, newly appointed municipal leader decided to explore his district on foot. After walking around alone, he stopped for tea at a teahouse on a side street.

“Uncle, may I polish your shoes?” asked a boy of twelve or thirteen.

His shoes were already polished, but he did not want to disappoint the boy.

“All right. If you do a good job, I’ll pay you double.”

“I polish the same way for everyone,” the boy replied.

The official said:

“What do you mean?” he asked in surprise.

The child answered:

“Our teacher told us to treat everyone equally, whatever we do. I’m earning money to buy medicine for my sick mother. If I treat you differently, that medicine won’t make her better!”

The young head learned one of the most important lessons of his life. Deeply moved, he gave the boy the largest banknote in his pocket and his business card. He promised to help the fatherless child, who was attending school while caring for his sick mother.

He also visited the teacher to thank him for teaching the boy such honesty.

To keep the lesson before him, he had the words “Everyone is equal here” written on the back of his desk nameplate.

Though it was hard, he always tried to put it into practice.

Moral: Treat a person the same because they are human, not because of their rank. Society is changed by those who choose what is right in small moments.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

Forgiving someone does not mean you must love them, speak to them, or continue the relationship. Nor does it mean accepting that they are innocent or right.

It means freeing yourself from the captivity of hurt, resentment, and hatred, and from the pain of an old wound.

Forgive and be free. But learn the lesson of what happened, so you are not wounded in the same place again.

Moral: Forgiving is not about justifying the other person - it is about freeing yourself from the prison of hatred and resentment. Forgive and be relieved, but do not forget the lesson.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

For some, we can only say this:

We were happy to meet them; we were sad to discover who they were.

Moral: Becoming acquainted can gladden you, but knowing a person closely sometimes disappoints you. Seeing everyone as they are is not easy.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

In an Ottoman custom, hosts who wanted their guests to come again placed the guests’ shoes at the door with their toes pointing into the house. When the guest left the house, he seemed to walk backwards. The gesture meant, “Go, but come again.”

Moral: A subtle gesture can convey great kindness. The value given to a person is often seen in small moments.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

A sharp-tongued, impolite man was brought before the village elder for spreading gossip.

“It was only a joke!” he protested. “People misunderstood me. I did nothing wrong.”

But the victim of the gossip stood firm:

“You’ve ruined my good name,” said the person he had maligned. “I want justice.”

Under pressure, the man backed down.

“I take it all back. Please forgive me.”

The elder listened in silence, thinking that the man had not yet grasped the weight of what he had done and that, in time, he would repeat the same sin. Then he said:

“Take a feather pillow to the market square, cut it open, and scatter the feathers. Then gather every one and bring them to me. Only then can you be forgiven.”

Reluctantly, the man obeyed. “The old man has lost his mind,” he thought. But the moment he cut the pillow, the wind carried the feathers in every direction. He chased them back and forth, yet managed to recover only a few feathers in his palm.

He lowered his head and returned to the elder:

“I couldn’t gather the rest,” he admitted.

Then he sighed deeply:

“Just as I can’t take back the words I spread.”

Moral: A word that is spread is like a feather thrown to the wind - it cannot be collected again. Therefore, stay away from gossip.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

(An instructive story from the life of the samurai)

An elderly, wise samurai taught his students both wisdom and martial arts. One day, a warrior known for cruelty and rudeness interrupted a lesson. He usually defeated opponents by insulting them until they grew angry and made mistakes. He tried the same tactic on the samurai, who ignored him and continued teaching.

After several unsuccessful attempts to provoke him, the warrior left in a rage.

The students, who were watching this scene carefully, asked their teacher:

“Master, why did you let him insult you? Why didn’t you fight?”

The samurai replied:

“If someone offers you a gift and you refuse it, who owns it?”

“The person who offered it,” the students answered.

“The same is true of envy, hatred, and insults. If you refuse to accept them, they remain with the person who brought them.”

Moral: An insult you do not accept returns to its owner, just like a gift sent back. Answer evil not with evil, but with composure.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

Kamal had studied hard for years. At last, the day of the exam that would shape his future arrived. His father, Kazim, was demanding and followed his progress closely. He was certain his son would succeed.

Kamal found his exam room. He was nervous when the question sheets were handed out, but he relaxed when the exam began. He answered them easily and felt sure he had done well. With half an hour left, he glanced toward the window.

Something outside caught his attention. Without hesitation, he jumped up and ran for the door.

“Come back!” the examiner called. “If you leave, your exam will be invalid. You’ll lose a whole year, my son!” But Kamal kept running and left through the back door.

Having heard what had happened, Kazim scolded Kamal and slapped him when he came home a few hours later. Kazim was deeply distressed. He demanded to know why Kamal had abandoned the exam. Kamal stayed silent, certain that an explanation would only make his father angrier, and he would not have understood.

For the rest of the year, Kazim repeatedly reproached him. Hurt but quiet, Kamal kept his head down and continued studying.

The next year, he passed and entered medical school. He became an excellent doctor. Although he had lived in the city for years, he volunteered to work at a remote village hospital. A year later, his family came to visit. By then, the matter of the exam had long been forgotten.

One snowy evening, the telephone rang. Someone in a nearby village needed a doctor. Kamal took his bag, and Kazim did not want to leave his son alone on the mountain roads, so he decided to accompany him. They walked about an hour on foot through the strong blizzard, reached the village, found the house, and knocked. An older man opened the door and led them to his sick wife.

Kamal examined her and arranged treatment. She thanked him in a trembling voice. “In this cold you were a remedy for our suffering, my son. What would the world be without people like you? Being truly human isn’t easy. Let me tell you something.”

“Years ago, I had gone to the city when, in the middle of the road, I was suddenly seized by severe pain. The streets were empty—there was an exam that day. Before five minutes had passed, a young man rushed over in alarm. In that heat he got me to the hospital in half an hour. I was pregnant and terrified for my child. The doctor said that if I had been ten minutes later, I could have died. My son was born that day.

“The young man told me his name was Kamal. ‘I saw you through the exam-room window,’ he said. ‘You were alone, so I left the classroom and came to help. Even if I lose a year, I don’t regret it.’

“I named my son Kamal and raised him on that story and constantly advised him to be a person like Kamal. Now he is a teacher, and he tries above all to teach his students humanity. I wish I could find that young man and receive his forgiveness. Anyone can become a doctor, a teacher, or an engineer. The hardest thing is to be a good human being. What a fine person that young man was. He did not leave me alone in the middle of the road.” Dr. Kamal answered, “You owe me nothing, Mother. Be at peace.”

Kazim tried to hide his tears. But when they left the house, his tears streamed down his face. “Kamal, my son,” he said, and could go no further — a sob choked him. He cried the whole way.

Moral: One may have a profession; the truly hard thing is to be human. The compassion a young man shows in time becomes a good that continues for generations.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

I want neither wealth nor possessions,

I want a true friend.

What possession has ever recited a prayer of mercy for its owner when he dies?

I want a friend who will say a prayer of mercy for me.

Moral: A loyal friend is a greater treasure than any possession. A friend who will remember you with a prayer of mercy when you leave this world is more precious than any wealth.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

My mother used to tell me, “I was very young when I married your father. I could barely cook or sew. One day, before visiting a neighbor, your grandmother laid the quilt whose wool she had washed and dried in front of me. ‘Finish stitching this before I get back,’ she said. I tried, but the needle would hardly pass through the quilt. I kept pricking my fingers. Soon I was crying from the pain and from not knowing what I would tell her.

“Then your father came home for lunch. Seeing my tears, he took the needle, quickly finished stitching the quilt. He ate and returned to work without mentioning it to his mother. When she came home, she was delighted to find the work done.”

It was not said for nothing, “When the road does not tire you, it is because of your companion.”

Moral: It's not the road that tires you or lightens your load, but the person next to you. A true companion makes even the hardest task easier.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

May Allah never leave anyone so idle that they have time to meddle in other people’s lives!

Moral: Unwanted advice can become a burden. Calling interference “kindness” does not prevent it from doing harm.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

To know a friend’s character, watch how they face trouble, hardship, and a quarrel. Then see how they act when their own interests are at stake.

Moral: A friend is known in trouble, in hardship, and in the test of advantage. Everyone is a friend in good times; a true friend is revealed in adversity.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

It was a cold winter night, and I was walking home from work. Ahead of me, a man was swaying and clinging weakly to a pole. He looked drunk. As I approached, I saw that he was in his thirties, clean and neatly dressed. Some passersby made loud remarks about the dangers of alcohol; others laughed at him.

“Are you all right? Do you need help?” I asked.

His answer came out as a groan.

“I’m ill.”

I put an arm around his waist to steady him and helped him to a taxi stand. The snow, which had stopped earlier that evening, was falling again. The only movement on the empty streets came from stray dogs chasing one another across the freezing roads.

I was beginning to give up hope when a taxi pulled up. I explained what had happened and told the driver we needed to hurry.

We settled the man in the back seat and drove to the hospital. Bless the doctors — they came to help at once and gave him the necessary treatment. The driver and I waited at his bedside.

The doctor on duty told us that, at the very least, we had saved him from freezing. Still unable to speak, the man looked at us and smiled. The driver was beside me too. When he came to, we drove him home.

His wife knew that he was prone to diabetic comas. Terrified, she had gone out into the street with their son. When they saw us, they rushed over. The family embraced, their eyes shining with joy.

No trace remained of the tiredness that had lasted for hours; our eyes filled at the happiness of that family, who did not know how to thank us.

When we said goodbye, I asked the driver what I owed him.

He shook his head:

“You owe me nothing, my friend. I’m the one who owes you,” he said. “You let me share in something good. You let someone who had perhaps not cried for twenty years feel that beautiful feeling.”

As I hugged the driver and we parted, I did not feel the night’s cold, and I decided to walk home.

Who knew? Perhaps I would meet someone else who needed help along the way.

Moral: Humanity is built on compassion. Compassion is not crying with the one who cries, but finding a way to stop the tears.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

Instead of resenting people who contact you only when they need something, consider that they may have fallen into hardship and need your help. That thought may bring you peace.

Moral: Instead of resenting those who seek you only when they need something, think that they come because they trust you — and your heart will be at ease.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

A saying attributed to Rear Admiral Grace Hopper suggests that it is better to ask forgiveness than to ask permission.

The saying means: do not ask permission beforehand — do the work, then apologize if someone is displeased.

Sometimes waiting for permission is a missed opportunity. Do what you know is right, and apologize later if necessary.

Imagine that a company has a clear problem that is slowing down the work process. For example, every week the same information is manually transferred to several different spreadsheets, which takes hours. An employee realizes that this can be solved with simple automation.

If he first sought lengthy permission, the matter might pass from one manager to another for weeks, and the opportunity might be lost. Instead, the employee recognizes that a limited test poses little risk, sets up a separate system that leaves the original data intact, and demonstrates the result. If it works, everyone benefits. If the lack of prior approval causes concern, the employee can say, “I tested it to speed up the process. If I have broken the rule, I apologize.”

Moral: This is not about ignoring rules. When a mistake can be corrected, the risk is low, and the benefit is clear, waiting too long for permission can stifle initiative. Sometimes starting the work responsibly and showing the result is more useful than waiting for endless approval.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

Let your attitude toward people be like your attitude toward a fire:

don't go too far away lest you freeze;

don't come too close lest you burn.

Saadi Shirazi

Moral: Relationships need balance. Keep a measure: do not draw so far away that you grow cold, and do not come so close that you burn.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

We should teach our children from a young age that it is unacceptable to ridicule or humiliate other people for their differences or appearance.

Moral: Mocking someone’s difference or appearance is a vile act. We must teach this to our children from the earliest age.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

In the most delicate and profound layers of human life lies a truth: our relationships are a mirror of our inner selves. The warmth born at the family hearth, the bonds rooted in kinship, the mutual understanding that grows in friendship—each is among life's most precious treasures. The respect and kindness fostered among colleagues are like an unseen light that gives spirit to our daily work.

Kindness is not simply a way of behaving; it is an expression of a person's inner richness. It is a silent bridge that brings hearts closer, warms cold moments, and makes understanding possible without words.

If we protect and strengthen this bridge, life will become more meaningful, people will grow closer, and the world will become a little more worth living in.

Moral: Relationships grow stronger through mutual respect, understanding, and kindness. To maintain our closeness, we must remember to care for one another.

Etibar Siracsoy

My father needed to transfer money, and we spent an hour at the bank. Growing impatient, I said:

“Dad, let’s do your banking over the internet. What do you say?”

“What would that give me, son?” my father asked, looking at me in surprise.

“You wouldn’t have to spend an hour here just to make a transfer. You could shop online too. It would be so much easier.”

I was very excited about the idea of getting my father involved in the world of the internet.

My father asked:

“Then I wouldn’t need to leave the house?”

“That’s right, that’s right, Dad.”

I explained that even the groceries he bought could be brought to the door, and that Amazon delivers everything to the buyer’s home.

My father's answer left me speechless:

“In this hour, I’ve seen four friends and talked to staff who have known me well for a long time.

“You know I am lonely. I need to see people. I like getting dressed and coming to the bank. I have time, and I enjoy talking face to face.

“When I was ill two years ago, the seller from the nearby shop where I always bought fruit came to visit. He was deeply distressed that I was ill, sat beside my bed, and shared in my condition.

“Some time ago, when your mother fell on her morning walk, our neighborhood grocer picked her up, put her in his car, and quickly drove her home. He knew where we lived.

“Wouldn’t I be deprived of these human feelings if I did everything online?

“Why should I be in contact only with a computer just to have things delivered?

“I want to know the person I deal with instead of an “electronic seller.” I want a human relationship.

“Can Amazon give me that?

“Technology is not life.

“Spend your time with people, not with devices, son.”

Moral: Technology provides convenience, but it does not replace life. The real value is in live communication, in the warmth between people.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

Two horses live on a farm near my house. From a distance, they look quite ordinary. Up close, you notice something unusual: one is blind. Its owner could not bear to part with it and had a safe, comfortable stable built for it. That alone is quite astonishing.

As you approach, you hear a bell attached to the other, smaller, healthy horse’s bridle. The blind horse follows the sound.

Watch closely, and you will see that the horse with the bell keeps checking on its companion, while the blind horse listens and slowly follows the healthy horse.

Each evening on the way back to the stable, the smaller horse stops from time to time and looks back, making sure its friend is close enough to hear the bell.

Moral: The Lord does not abandon us in difficult times. When we need it, He sends help through a person's hands, and sometimes we are called to be that help.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

I was laid off last winter. To make ends meet, I had to work as a newspaper carrier temporarily. Since the mailbox of one of the houses I delivered newspapers to was sealed, I had to knock on the door. An old man opened the door.

“Uncle, why have you sealed the mailbox?” I asked.

“I did it deliberately.”

Then he smiled strangely and continued:

“Please knock or ring each day and give me the paper in person.”

“Of course, but this is inconvenient for both of us and a waste of time,” I said in surprise.

“It’s no trouble. I’m always here.”

“My wife has died, my son lives abroad, and I’m alone. Who knows how much time I have left?”

At that moment, I saw the old man’s misty, moist eyes.

“Haven’t you subscribed in order to read the newspaper?” I asked.

“I never read the newspaper. What I subscribed to was the sound of the doorbell.”

Then he clasped his hands together and said:

“Young man, do one more kindness for me. Here is my son’s number. If I ever fail to answer when you knock, call him and let him know.”

Moral: For some people, one ring of the doorbell, one greeting, is worth the whole world. Let's not forget to knock on the door of the lonely.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

Do not befriend an arrogant person. He knows neither your condition, nor your mood, nor your heart; you will be hurt.

Do not befriend someone who thinks himself very clever. He talks a great deal, talks emptily, and talks poorly; you will be hurt.

Do not befriend a dishonorable man. He knows neither honor, nor heart, nor friendship; you will be hurt.

Moral: Friendship with an arrogant, self-satisfied, dishonorable person brings regret. When you choose a friend, look at their heart.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

One of the most precious blessings in a person's life is to receive attention and care. Sometimes even a brief call from a relative, a friend, or an acquaintance, simply to ask how we are, rises like the sun in our hearts. In that moment, we realize that somewhere in this vast world there are people who remember us and consider our presence important.

Everyone needs to be loved, remembered, and valued. A sincere greeting, a heartfelt inquiry, or an unexpected call can sometimes be worth more than the most precious gift. For these small gestures help us feel our place in society and our worth in the hearts of those around us.

A few minutes of attention may brighten someone's day, awaken hope in their heart, and deepen their attachment to life a little more.

Sometimes it is not medicine that prolongs a person's life, but words that touch the heart, the care they receive, and the sense of closeness they feel. For one of the surest sources of happiness is knowing that we have not been forgotten.

Moral: Asking how someone is and remembering them may seem like small things, yet they can offer great emotional support. Let us not withhold our care, so that no one feels forgotten.

Etibar Siracsoy

When my late father, Hafiz Ali, was at Çanakkale, my mother was seven months pregnant with me. I never met him. We did not even have a photograph.

Those were very difficult days. Mobilization, occupation, liberation, poverty, hardship...

Our childhood was spent constantly running around in search of bread, filled with pain.

Whenever my mother wanted to go somewhere, she would always come to me and say:

“Son, I’m going to the market. Tell me at once if your father comes.”

“I’m going to your aunt’s. Tell me at once if your father comes.”

“I’m going next door. Tell me at once if your father comes.”

She was always watching the road, waiting for him.

I grew up and opened a shop. Whenever she went out, she stopped there to tell me where she was going. “Let me know if your father comes,” she always added.

Years passed, and she grew old. Leaning on her cane, she still came to remind me, “Call me if your father returns.”

One day, she became ill and fell into bed.

On her deathbed, she thanked us for caring for her and asked our forgiveness. Then she turned to me. “If your father comes, tell him your mother always waited for him.” Suddenly she raised her head, looked toward the door, and smiled. “Welcome, my bey, welcome.” Then she died.

* * *

From the memoirs of Cevdet Alqalp, an old shoemaker living in Balıkesir.

Written by: researcher and writer, geography teacher at Bursa Çınar Anatolian High School Mustafa Doğru.

* * *

March 18 is the day of the Çanakkale Victory.

If Çanakkale had fallen in 1915, fictitious states would have been set up in Anatolia, the peoples living there would have been set against one another and slaughtered, and the country would have become a colony of the English, the French, and the Italians.

* * *

Including our Azerbaijani soldiers who were martyred at Çanakkale, may all martyrs rest in peace. May no mother’s eyes remain on the road.

Moral: A mother’s lifelong loyalty and waiting is the purest expression of love. The memory of those martyred for the homeland, and of the mothers whose eyes stayed on the road, is sacred.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

One day during class, a teacher asked his students:

“Why do people shout when they argue?”

“Because they lose their temper,” a student replied.

“But the other person is right beside them. Why do you shout? Even if you are angry, can you not speak with them calmly?”

Each of the students gave an answer, but none of them satisfied the teacher. Finally, he said:

“As people grow displeased with each other and argue, their hearts grow apart. They have to shout to hear each other across that distance. The louder they shout, the farther apart their hearts are.”

After a moment of silence, the teacher continued:

“When people love each other, they speak softly. Their hearts are very close, so the distance between them is small. And when love is stronger, they do not even speak softly; they whisper and draw closer. As their hearts draw near, they no longer need to whisper—they look at each other and understand everything without words. My dear students, when you argue, do not let your hearts drift apart, and do not say words that can increase the distance between you.”

“One day, the distance may become too great to find your way back.”

Moral: Screaming is the sound of hearts drifting apart. A whisper is enough in love — don't increase the distance between you.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.

One day a young man decided to marry. After a week of wedding preparations, one evening he said to his father, “Father, I have a request. I cannot do all the work alone. Please take this list and call everyone on it to invite them to my wedding.” “Gladly, my son!” his father answered.

On the wedding day, the young man approached him anxiously. “Father, I asked you to call all my friends!”

“Son, I did just as you asked.”

“There were fifty names. Only fifteen are here.”

“I called all fifty. I told each of them that I was calling in your name, that you were in trouble and needed your friends’ help, and I asked them to be at this time and place. Don’t worry, son. Your true friends are here.”

Moral: A true friend is one who is there for you when you are in trouble. It is not the many acquaintances that are valuable, but the few friends who stand the test.

Stories are taken from open Internet sources; illustrations were created with AI.