Signature Stories of 8 Great Men and Women

 Signature Stories of 8 Great Men and Women 

“Ordinary people pursue money, simple people pursue power, average people pursue fame, but extraordinary people pursue ideas.”
― Matshona Dhliwayo

Dr Abe V Rotor

1. Horatius Nelson, British naval hero - Telescope on the Blind Eye

In the midst of heavy fighting at sea between the British and the Danes, Admiral Parker, thinking the British would be beaten, gave the signal to Admiral Nelson to withdraw the ships. Nelson however was determined to fight on and when the message was brought to him, he put the telescope to his blind eye and exclaimed, "I really do not see the signal." The battle continued until the Danes sent a flag of truce. 

2. Alexander the Great - The Gordian Knot.

A very complicated knot attached to a wagon with the yoke was presented to the great warrior. It was made years ago by a certain Gordius to whose name the town was named Gordium. The challenge was whosoever could untie the knot would reign over all Asia. Drawing his sword, Alexander cut through the knot with a single stroke. That is why, when anyone solves a difficult problem, we say he had cut the Gordian knot. 

3. Florence Nightingale, founder of the nursing profession - The Lady with a Lamp

Even in the wee hours in the morning this great English lady would visit the patients in their ward at a hospital during the Crimean War where she was assigned as volunteer nurse. She would hold a lamp to see if every patient is comfortable and that he had received the needed care and attention.

4. George Frederick Handel, composer of the famous oratorio Messiah - "He saw all Heaven and God Himself while composing the Hallelujah Chorus"
Ruined in health and fortune, and terribly discouraged, Handel decided to abandon opera and instead turned to religious music. He hardly stirred in his room for twenty-three days. His servant would bring a meal, only to find the previous one untouched. When he completed the second part containing the Hallelujah chorus the servant found him with tears in his eyes. The composer said, "I did think that I saw all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself." When the king heard his majestic work, he was so moved that he stood up out of respect, a tradition which audiences honor to this day.

  

5. Dr. Jose Rizal, Philippine National Hero, learned a lot from the story of the moth and the lamp. One of the most important lessons he learned was about obedience. In the story, the moth is burned by the flames of the lamp. This was due to the moth disobeying his mother’s warning not to get near the flame. 

Why the story of the moth made the profoundest impression on Rizal's mind? The tragic fate of the young moth, which died a martyr to its illusions, left a deep impress on Rizal's mind. On "The Story of the Moth," Rizal thought that the creature's death was justified because he believed that to sacrifice one's life for one's ideals is worthwhile. ~

6. Simon Peter or St Peter, the apostle - "Quo vadis?" (Where are you going?)

Having denied Christ three times in order to save his own life, and fearing apparent death if found to be among Christ's apostles, Peter slipped through the gate of Rome in an attempt to escape. It was the hour before dawn when he met someone outside the walls of the great city who asked him, "Quo vadis?" To which he found no ready answer, and when he looked back, the person had completely disappeared. Then he remembered Christ who had just been crucified. Peter exclaimed, "My Lord!" He went back to the city to carry on his Master's teachings where he died as a martyr.

7. Joseph, the Dreamer interpreted The Pharaoh's Dream

Joseph was called from his prison cell to interpret the Pharaoh's dream. The Pharaoh saw seven fat cows grazing by the river Nile, then came seven miserable thin cows and ate up the seven fat cows. The Pharaoh went back to sleep and dreamt again. This time, he saw seven ears of corn spring up from one stalk, all good and full. After them came seven thin ears, dried and scorched by the wind - and the thin ears swallowed up the seven full ears. Joseph said, "The seven fat cows and the seven good ears of corn are seven years. The sevn lean cows and seven poor ears are seven years. There will be seven years of plenty in Egypt, then will come seven years of famine. Such a grievous famine that the years of plenty will be forgotten." The Pharaoh did not only believe Joseph; he made him governor of Egypt to administer the first known food security system - the building of a granary enough to supply the needed food during the seven years of poor harvest. Today countries all over the world adopt a buffer stock system, and in fact regional cooperation such as the EU and ASEAN, has as a priority agenda the assurance of food among the member nations.

8. Christopher Columbus waited for seven long years for the King of Spain to decide on his plan to search a new land West. King of Portugal refused to help him. Henry the VII refused. Charles VIII of France also refused. All hopes gone … then the queen of Spain through Juan Perez her chaplain, sent money to buy clothes and hose, to see the Queen Queen Isabella received Columbus. Condition to be promoted to Admiral and entitled one-tenth of all the wealth, He was refused. A messenger overtook him. And Columbus once more went to the Court . Got the nod of the King and Queen but actually cost them nothing. Port of Palos under displeasure for unpaid taxes and liable of heavy fines. Palos was ordered to provide Columbus his needs. Three ships and men from the town. Came the Pinzon brothers provided Pinta, Nia and Santa Maria.

Magnetic North – is not the true north, and its direction varies from different places on the earth’s surface. But Columbus told the worried crew that it’s not the compass that is wrong but the north star which moved from time to time. And the sailors were satisfied – and they headed into the unknown. It took five long weeks to see land. West Indies (Columbus believed it was part of India) part of Cuba. ~ Acknowledgement Internet photos

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“I admire successful men and women who endured and overcome unusual circumstances to fulfill their dreams.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita, Pearls of Wisdom: Great Mind

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