LAZARUS’S BLA BLA BLOG

Four Brave Welsh Sheepdogs

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High in the rugged Welsh mountains, four brave sheepdogs named Max, Bella, Toby, and Daisy set out on a daring adventure. Their flock of sheep had wandered off during a sudden storm, lost amid the swirling snow and howling wind. The hills were cloaked in white, and the sky raged with sleet and blizzard, but the four dogs were determined to find their flock and bring them back home. Max, the boldest of the team, led the way with his nose to the ground, sniffing through the snow for any sign of their woolly friends. Bella, quick and clever, scouted ahead, her ears sharp for the faint baa of sheep. Toby, gentle yet steadfast, stayed close to the rocky outcrops, listening for the distant bleats. Daisy, cheerful and brave, kept morale high, barking encouragement and rallying her friends.

Through the storm’s fury, they pressed on, battling icy gusts that stung their faces and snowdrifts that threatened to swallow them whole. They crossed narrow ridges and slipped down snowy slopes, their paws crunching through the frozen terrain. Despite the harsh conditions, their determination never wavered. After hours of searching, Max suddenly caught a faint yet familiar scent. His tail wagged wildly as he led the others toward a cluster of snow-covered bushes. There, huddled together, were the lost sheep, trembling but safe. The dogs barked joyfully, reassuring their flock, and together, they began the journey back.

As they descended towards their hill farm, the storm started to ease. The clouds parted, revealing the golden glow of sunset over the mountains. When they finally arrived, Jack the farmer was waiting at the farmyard, his eyes wide with surprise. He couldn’t believe his eyes; his loyal dogs had braved the fiercest storm to rescue their flock.

“Good boys! Good girls!” Jack cheered, scooping them all into a warm hug.

The sheepdogs wagged their tails proudly, happy to have saved their flock and returned home. From that day on, the story of Max, Bella, Toby, and Daisy’s brave mountain rescue was told around the farm, a tale of courage, loyalty, and friendship against the wild Welsh mountains. 

‘A tale dedicated to all sheepdogs across the world, who tirelessly and faithfully protect their flocks.’

Rain

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Splashing, dripping droplets rolling down the pane

Each one is very different, and yet all look the same

Falling from dark clouds so high up in the sky

No beings around, no birds in the air

Rabbit and fox flee to burrow and lair

Torrential tumutolous, oh what a storm

Nothing to do but stay dry in the warm

Grey and dark in the middle of the day

Every being now gone, all flown away

Still the rain falls, will it never end

Drain our sanity, drive us round the bend

Such is Nature’s way to cleanse darkness with light

All grows green, what was wrong, now right

Splashing, dripping droplets rolling down the pane

Each one is very different, and yet all look the same

The Haunted Hearth: A Tale of The Gilded Goblet

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Once upon a time, nestled in a sleepy village, there stood an ancient pub known as The Gilded Goblet. Its weathered timber beams and creaky floors whispered stories of three centuries past. But what drew curious visitors and sometimes dread wasn’t just its age, but the spectral inhabitants that called it home. Legend had it that Spew Hardcastle, the original landlord from the early 1700s, still lingered behind the bar, his ghostly figure often seen polishing invisible glasses or napping in his old leather armchair. Over the centuries, a motley crew of ghostly patrons had joined him: a jolly pirate, a forlorn noblewoman, and a mischievous tavern boy, all eager to play tricks on the living.

In recent years, the current landlord, Tom, and his wife, Mary, found their peaceful business turned upside down. Ghostly “customers” would tip over pints, hide the keys, and whisper eerie comments in the dead of night. Sometimes, a sudden chill would sweep the room, and the flickering candlelight would dance to an unseen tune. The staff grew nervous, and the once lively pub became a place of nervous glances and whispered fears. Tom tried everything, blessing the place, hanging garlic, even trying to ignore the spectral antics. But the spirits were persistent, and their pranks grew more elaborate. Chairs would slide across the floor, ghostly laughter echoed when no one was near, and the ghostly patrons seemed to demand attention, uninvited.

One stormy evening, as the tavern was shrouded in shadows and ghostly chuckles, a stranger stepped inside. Dressed in a long coat and with a calming demeanour, she introduced herself as Miss Eliza Hart, a renowned psychic investigator. Eliza quietly observed the scene, sensing a swirl of restless energies. She sat at the bar, ordered a pint, and began speaking softly to the spirits. Her voice was gentle but firm, and she listened intently to their stories. Through her communication, Eliza learned that Spew Hardcastle’s spirit was upset because he felt forgotten. His descendants had long since sold the pub, and he yearned for recognition. The ghostly patrons, too, had their own tales; one had been a sailor who died in a drunken brawl, another a noblewoman who longed for her lost love. Most importantly, Eliza discovered that the ghosts weren’t malicious; they simply wanted to be seen, heard, and remembered.

Eliza gently explained to the spirits that they were loved and appreciated, even after all these years had passed. She promised to tell their stories to the living world and to help them find peace. She performed a heartfelt ritual, lighting a candle and reciting words that honoured their memories. As she did, the ghostly activity softened. The spirits nodded, their forms shimmering with gratitude, before slowly fading into a peaceful glow. The next morning, the atmosphere in The Gilded Goblet was transformed. The pranks ceased, replaced by a warm and welcoming charm. Tom and Mary felt lighter, their pub filled with a renewed sense of joy. Visitors now often remarked on the friendly, lively spirit of the place, not just the living, but the ghosts as well.

And as for Spew Hardcastle and his spectral friends? They remained, not as troublemakers, but as eternal guardians of the pub’s history, happily watching over their beloved Gilded Goblet, forever part of its story.

The Triplets

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Once upon a time, there lived three identical triplets named Tom, Tim, and Toby. They were inseparable and mischievous, known throughout the village for their clever jokes and playful tricks. Whether it was swapping clothes, pretending to be each other, or pulling harmless pranks on villagers, they loved to keep everyone on their toes. Their favourite game was to deceive outsiders with their identical appearances. They would often stand together, fooling travellers and merchants, claiming to be the “triplet trio” and spinning amusing stories about their adventures. Their antics brought laughter to the village until one day, their jokes went too far.

One afternoon, a wandering old wizard named Eldrin arrived in the village. Rumours of his wisdom and magical powers had spread far and wide, and villagers gathered to hear his tales. Curious about the triplets, Eldrin approached them and asked,

“Young ones, what mischief do you play today?”

Tom grinned mischievously.

“Oh, sir, we’re just having fun! We love to trick people and make them laugh.”

Eldrin’s eyes twinkled with a mixture of amusement and concern.

“Fun is good, but remember, deception can sometimes lead to confusion and hurt feelings. Tell me, what do you truly value?”

The triplets shrugged and laughed, dismissing his words. But Eldrin, sensing their playful spirit was also a bit reckless, decided to teach them a lesson. That evening, as the village settled into sleep, Eldrin approached the triplets’ home. Using his magic, he cast a spell that made each of them appear as a different person: Tom as a humble farmer, Tim as a wise old scholar, and Toby as a shy merchant. When the triplets awoke the next morning, they were bewildered to find themselves in unfamiliar clothes, with villagers treating them differently.

“Who are you?” asked a confused villager, eyeing the “farmer” who looked nothing like Tom.

The triplets tried to convince everyone of their true identities, but their appearances and voices had changed. They felt helpless and embarrassed, realising how confusing and upsetting their tricks could be when taken too far. Eldrin appeared before them, smiling gently.

“You see, my children, tricks are fun but should never come at the expense of trust. Today, you experienced what it’s like to be misunderstood and deceived — not as a joke, but as a lesson.”

The triplets nodded solemnly, understanding the wisdom in his words. They apologised to the villagers and promised to use their cleverness for good rather than mischief. Eldrin then reversed his spell, returning them to their true selves. From that day on, Tom, Tim, and Toby still loved jokes and laughter, but they learned to be kind and honest in their fun. Their tricks became playful rather than deceptive, and the villagers appreciated their newfound maturity. And so, the triplets grew wiser, carrying with them the lesson that true friendship and trust are the greatest treasures of all.

The Light of Unity

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Once upon a time, in a world torn apart by hatred and injustice, lived a man named Enoch. He was a scholar and a healer, not just of bodies but of souls. Witnessing the endless cycle of violence and division, Enoch felt a deep ache in his heart, an urgent desire to heal the wounds of society. He dedicated years to studying human nature, history, and the roots of conflict. He observed that hatred often stemmed from fear, misunderstanding, and a lack of empathy for others. Injustice thrived when people refused to listen or empathise.

One day, Enoch had a revelation. He believed that if he could create a technique to foster genuine understanding and compassion, he could eradicate hatred and injustice at their core. He called his method “The Mirror of the Soul.”

The technique involved a profound but straightforward process:

Reflection: People are guided to see their own feelings and biases clearly, like looking into a mirror. They acknowledge their fears, prejudices, and pain without judgment.

Empathy Building: They then imagine stepping into the life of the person they despise or fear. This isn’t just sympathy but a deep empathetic immersion, understanding the struggles, hopes, and fears of the other.

Dialogue and Sharing: The process encourages open dialogue, where people share their stories and listen with genuine intent. Through storytelling, barriers melt away, replaced by shared humanity.

Visualising Unity: Finally, students visualise a future where they and others work together, embracing differences and building a community rooted in respect and kindness.

Enoch travelled across nations, teaching this technique in war-torn villages, segregated cities, and oppressed communities. Slowly, stories emerged of enemies who became friends, divisions turned into collaborations, and hatred gave way to understanding. One remarkable example was in a city divided by centuries of conflict. After implementing Enoch’s method, the community held a festival celebrating their diversity. Old grievances were replaced with new bonds of friendship, and a sense of justice and peace began to blossom.

Years later, Enoch’s technique became a global movement. Schools, governments, and organisations adopted it to heal divisions, promote justice, and cultivate compassion. His vision proved true: that the most powerful weapon against hatred and injustice is not force or punishment, but understanding and love. His simple yet profound technique became a beacon of hope, illuminating the path toward a more compassionate world. And so, in the end, Enoch’s most incredible creation was not just a method but the realisation that every human heart holds the seed of kindness, waiting to be awakened.