Stoic Simple

08/13/2025

08/09/2025

A bear cub had discovered a clever new trick for catching fish, and he brought his siblings to the creek to teach them. Soon Grandfather Bear, who was very old, joined them there and sat to watch.

“I heard you have a new trick for catching fish,” Grandfather Bear said. “Would you mind teaching me, as well?”

“You want me to teach you?” said the surprised cub. “I thought you already knew everything.”

Grandfather bear laughed. “Of course not,” he said. “As long as you live, you should keep learning how to live.”

(From “The Stoic Fable Book” by Phil Van Treuren)

08/02/2025

Muskrat returned to his den on the creek bank to find that a branch had fallen and blocked the entrance. He tried his hardest to move it, but the branch was too heavy.

“Let me have a go at it,” said Beaver as he swam over to help. He climbed out of the water and started gnawing the branch in half.

“Thanks for deciding to help,” Muskrat said gratefully.

“It’s not just my choice, it’s also my duty,” Beaver said as he chewed at the wood. “We help ourselves by helping others, because that’s what we were made to do.”

(From “The Stoic Fable Book” by Phil Van Treuren)

07/26/2025

A meadow in the forest was full of ripe raspberries one summer, and Rabbit went there with Groundhog for supper. After Rabbit had eaten his fill, he turned to leave.

“Done so soon?” asked Groundhog. “There must be thousands more raspberries here.”

“Then let’s leave them for others to enjoy,” Rabbit suggested. “It’s good to know when you’ve gotten enough of something.”

“But we might be happier if we have more,” said Groundhog.

Rabbit shook his head. “Happiness doesn’t come from having more,” he said. “It comes from wanting less.”

(From “The Stoic Fable Book” by Phil Van Treuren)

07/20/2025

A great article from Benny Voncken that we just published on the Stoic Simple blog!

by Benny Voncken We Need to Talk “We need to talk.” Those famous four words we are all too familiar with. Our instant response to this short sentence is that something bad is about to happen. I remember it well when they came my way. It was the beginning of one of the biggest obstacles I f

07/19/2025

Turtle had just climbed out of the water and onto a log when she saw Raccoon pacing back and forth angrily on the creek bank.

“How could you be upset on such a beautiful day?” Turtle asked.

“I wasn’t happy in the meadow, so I thought going to the creek would cheer me up,” Raccoon grumbled. “But it seems I can’t be content anywhere today.”

“Of course going to new locations doesn’t help you,” Turtle said. “You always bring yourself along for the trip! just choose to notice the good things around you, and you can be happy in any place.”

(From “The Stoic Fable Book” by Phil Van Treuren)