The Golden Mirror

You began to read these words. What can it bring you? Have you ever driven for half an hour-from home to work or between any two points-and not remembered much of what you saw? Many of us go through most of our lives like that. But others actually see, perceive, understand, and then share life’s joys or sorrows with others. Life can be so touching, so serious, but it can also be so funny and full of joy. What is our existence in this world? For most of us, it is a struggle for survival in a fragile way of life. Then arise the desires for wealth, importance in society, and entertainment. But does the life given to us not expect mental growth and personality development, the caring for others or public service, also stewardship of nature-and can we not enjoy all the beauty in art, culture, and nature around us? The following stories are offered to you, the reader, to let you pause and perceive, to touch your human sensitivity and understanding-and also to bring you joy, to simply entertain you. So, please, proceed! Select titles from the table of contents and begin reading these stories. When you are done, hopefully you will feel enriched-and, maybe, you will begin to perceive more stories in your own life. A clear vision of reality renders the stories colorful and lively-but deep empathy renders them personally meaningful. Primarily based on human sensibility, the stories are variously romantic, funny, or serious and are written at times with a smiling, at times with a crying face. 3