Short Karma Stories

[Thomas Merino]

Shortstories related to Dharma and Karma often illustrate the consequences of our actions and the importance of following moral principles. These stories often feature characters who face moral dilemmas and must make choices that align with their dharma, or duty, in order to avoid negative karma, or consequences. They highlight the idea that our actions have a ripple effect, and ultimately shape our fate.

Once upon a time in the enchanted forest, there lived a wise old owl named Akasha. She was known far and wide for her wisdom and the guidance she provided to the forest dwellers. Akasha was a true follower of Dharma and Karma, always seeking to do what was right and just.

One sunny morning, as Akasha perched on a mighty oak tree, she noticed a glimmer on the forest floor. Curiosity piqued, she fluttered down gracefully to investigate. There, nestled among the fallen leaves, was a shiny golden coin.

The animals, with their unique perspectives, offered their wisdom. Wise old Tortoise suggested keeping the coin, arguing that it was a rare find and could be used for the betterment of the forest. Playful Squirrel, however, advocated for returning the coin, believing that honesty and integrity were more important than personal gain.

Finally, the ancient trees, with their deep roots and steady presence, shared their insights. Mighty Oak advised Akasha to consider the long-term effects of her decision, reminding her that the path of Dharma is paved with selflessness and compassion. Graceful Willow, however, reminded her that true happiness lies in doing what is right, regardless of the outcome.

Taking all their advice into account, Akasha made her decision. She knew that true Dharma and Karma called for her to do what was right, even if it meant sacrificing personal gain. With a determined spirit, she set off on a mission to find the rightful owner of the lost coin.

Akasha embarked on a journey through the vast forest, questioning every creature she encountered about the coin. Days turned into weeks, but she remained unwavering in her quest. Her dedication and sincerity touched the hearts of the forest community, who joined her in her search.

Finally, after much perseverance, news reached Akasha that a young squirrel named Kavi had lost the precious coin. Kavi was a poor squirrel who had been saving the coin to buy food for his family during the harsh winter months. Akasha felt a surge of joy knowing that she had found the rightful owner.

The tale of Akasha and the lost coin became a legend, passed down through generations, reminding everyone of the power of Dharma and Karma. The animals, birds, and trees of the enchanted forest learned that even the smallest acts of righteousness could have far-reaching consequences.

As parents, we have a responsibility to instill these values in our children and teach them about the importance of making ethical choices. The story of Akasha and the lost coin serves as a gentle reminder that true happiness lies in doing what is right, even when faced with difficult decisions.

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful wheat field on the outskirts of a small village. The field was home to a group of chirpy sparrows who lived in a cozy little nest at the edge of the field. They spent their days chirping, playing, and collecting grains of wheat to store in their nest.

One day, a kind-hearted farmer built a little house in the middle of the field to provide shelter to the sparrows during the rainy season. The sparrows were overjoyed at the sight of the new house and chirped with glee, thanking the farmer for his kindness.

As the wind grew stronger, the sparrows feared that their house would topple over, and they would be left homeless. They fluttered around frantically, looking for a way out of their perilous situation.

The sparrows looked around, wondering what to do next. They had lost their home and had nowhere to go. As they were pondering their next move, they noticed something remarkable happening in the field.

The sparrows learned an important lesson that day. They understood that the wind, which they had feared so much, had also brought them a bountiful harvest. They realized that every situation, no matter how challenging, had a silver lining, and that they needed to look beyond their fears to find the hidden blessings.

From that day on, the sparrows continued to live in the field, feasting on the finest grains of wheat and chirping with joy. They learned to appreciate the power of the wind, which had brought them both danger and fortune, and they lived happily ever after.

The parrot flew up to the tree and started pecking at the apples. The tree shook violently, causing some apples to fall to the ground. The parrot ate a few and flew away. But soon, the parrot returned for more apples, and this time he brought some friends with him. The parrot and his friends pecked at the apples, and soon, there were hardly any left on the tree.

At first, the parrot and his friends were angry. They demanded that the animals move aside and let them have the apples. But the animals stood firm, and eventually, the parrot and his friends gave up and flew away.

From that day on, the parrot and his friends learned to share the apples with the other animals. They realized that it was important to think of others and not just themselves. And the apple tree continued to grow, producing sweet and juicy apples for everyone to share.

The animals learned a valuable lesson about the importance of working together and sharing resources. They understood that by caring for each other and the environment, they could all thrive and live in harmony. And the clever parrot realized that it was better to be kind and compassionate than to be selfish and greedy.

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in the countryside, lived a cow named Ganga and a buffalo named Kaveri. They were both owned by a farmer who took great care of them. However, despite living together in the same field, they never got along.

Ganga, the cow, was a gentle and docile animal, who loved to graze on the green grass and take long walks around the field. Kaveri, on the other hand, was a strong and fierce buffalo who always seemed to be angry and grumpy. She loved to wallow in the mud and laze around under the sun.

Kaveri, being the stronger of the two, suggested that they should fight the wolves and protect their home. However, Ganga was hesitant and worried about the outcome of the battle. She suggested that they should seek the help of their other animal friends in the village.

After much debate, they finally decided to seek help from their animal friends. They went to the goat, the sheep, the horse, the donkey, and the pig, and explained the situation. At first, the animals were afraid, but then they realized that they had to protect their village and agreed to help.

The animals worked together and came up with a plan to fight the wolves. The cows and the buffalos formed a protective ring around the village, while the other animals used their unique skills to scare the wolves away.

The sheep bleated loudly, the goat kicked, the horse neighed, the donkey brayed, and the pig oinked, creating a cacophony of noise that scared the wolves. The wolves were terrified and ran back into the forest, never to return again.

Ganga and Kaveri realized that they had been wrong about each other. They had let their differences and their egos get in the way of working together. They both apologized and promised to work together in the future.

Long ago, in a small village, there lived a Bullock and a Cart. The Bullock was strong and sturdy, while the Cart was old and rusty. Despite their differences, they had an unconditional friendship that amazed everyone in the village.

The Bullock and the Cart would work together every day, plowing the fields, hauling goods, and carrying passengers. They never complained or fought, always helping each other in times of need. People in the village were always astonished by the friendship between the two, as it was rare to see such a bond between animals and an inanimate object.

Moment Magazine is now accepting submissions for the 2024 Moment Magazine-Karma Foundation Short Fiction Contest. Moment will award up to three prizes to outstanding works of unpublished short fiction with Jewish content.

Winners may be invited to an awards ceremony. If so, the contest covers a round trip flight or train fare and one night in a hotel, if necessary. All travel arrangements are to be made by Moment.

The judge published in promotional materials judges the finalists. At all times, all decisions are final.

After the completion of the contest, Moment editors will review winning stories. Editors will contact winners if their stories are being considered for publication. Moment Magazine reserves the right at all times to select material for publishing. All selected material is subject to editing by Moment editors.

Entry Fees:

$25 for each entry (multiple submissions are accepted). Please make checks payable to: Moment Magazine-Karma Short Fiction Contest. Note: The $25 is a reader fee and does not in any way give persons who enter the contest any legal rights.

Deadline:

November 1, 2024.

The author's name must not appear anywhere on the manuscript.

Maximum length for prose is 5,000 words.

Click HERE to read official rules.

No previously published works, or works already accepted for publication elsewhere, are eligible. Work may be under consideration elsewhere, but must be withdrawn from the competition if accepted for publication.

Official Rules

When I was separated from my little one, his father, and the old mahout, it was the end of the world for me. For days and months I had gone about in a daze. But that experience I have related in a previous story. Now I would like to tell you about the peacock.

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