The Rose & the Butterfly

A Butterfly once fell in love with a beautiful Rose. The Rose was not indifferent, for the Butterfly's wings were powdered in a charming pattern of gold and silver. And so, when he fluttered near and told how he loved her, she blushed rosily and said yes. After much pretty love-making and many whispered vows of constancy, the Butterfly took a tender leave of his sweetheart.

But alas! It was a long time before he came back to her.

"Is this your constancy?" she exclaimed tearfully. "It is ages since you went away, and all the time, you have been carrying on with all sorts of flowers. I saw you kiss Miss Geranium, and you fluttered around Miss Mignonette until Honey Bee chased you away. I wish he had stung you!"

"Constancy!" laughed the Butterfly. "I had no sooner left you than I saw Zephyr kissing you. You carried on scandalously with Mr. Bumble Bee and you made eyes at every single Bug you could see. You can't expect any constancy from me!"

Do not expect constancy in others if you have none yourself.

The Fox Without a Tail

A Fox that had been caught in a trap, succeeded at last, after much painful tugging, in getting away. But he had to leave his beautiful bushy tail behind him.

For a long time he kept away from the other Foxes, for he knew well enough that they would all make fun of him and crack jokes and laugh behind his back. But it was hard for him to live alone, and at last he thought of a plan that would perhaps help him out of his trouble.

He called a meeting of all the Foxes, saying that he had something of great importance to tell the tribe.

When they were all gathered together, the Fox Without a Tail got up and made a long speech about those Foxes who had come to harm because of their tails.

This one had been caught by hounds when his tail had become entangled in the hedge. That one had not been able to run fast enough because of the weight of his brush. Besides, it was well known, he said, that men hunt Foxes simply for their tails, which they cut off as prizes of the hunt. With such proof of the danger and uselessness of having a tail, said Master Fox, he would advise every Fox to cut it off, if he valued life and safety.

When he had finished talking, an old Fox arose, and said, smiling:

"Master Fox, kindly turn around for a moment, and you shall have your answer."

When the poor Fox Without a Tail turned around, there arose such a storm of jeers and hooting, that he saw how useless it was to try any longer to persuade the Foxes to part with their tails.

Do not listen to the advice of him who seeks to lower you to his own level.

The Sheep & the Pig

One day a shepherd discovered a fat Pig in the meadow where his Sheep were pastured. He very quickly captured the porker, which squealed at the top of its voice the moment the Shepherd laid his hands on it. You would have thought, to hear the loud squealing, that the Pig was being cruelly hurt. But in spite of its squeals and struggles to escape, the Shepherd tucked his prize under his arm and started off to the butcher's in the market place.

The Sheep in the pasture were much astonished and amused at the Pig's behavior, and followed the Shepherd and his charge to the pasture gate.

"What makes you squeal like that?" asked one of the Sheep. "The Shepherd often catches and carries off one of us. But we should feel very much ashamed to make such a terrible fuss about it like you do."

"That is all very well," replied the Pig, with a squeal and a frantic kick. "When he catches you he is only after your wool. But he wants my bacon! gree-ee-ee!"

It is easy to be brave when there is no danger.

• ‹ back

It is not always easy to find a nice joke to laugh about. But reading them here and there is always good.

I wish you all a nice evening!

fm

My friend came back from Las Vegas once. He told me the slot machines are easy to win big at. 

He went to town in a $10,000 Nissan, left in a $360,000 Porsche. 

I thought, "Nice, I'm going to get in on that." So I left for Vegas in my $15,000 Toyota. Came back in a $800,000 vehicle. 

A Greyhound bus.

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you
MEANING	Don’t make someone angry or hurt someone who is helping you or paying for you
EXAMPLE	“You had a fight with your boss? Are you stupid? Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”

Te dashur studente,

Ne komunikimin e perditshem kemi gjithmone nevoje per disa shprehje shume te gjendura te cilat mundesojne lehtesi edhe besim per kedo qe deshiron ta kete te lehte komunikimin me te tjeret. Ju lutem ndiqni edhe mesoni perdorimin e shprehjeve te meposhteme.

fm

15 useful English phrases to help you build confidence.

Some of these can be used in the written word, and all of them can be used in conversation to build trust with almost anyone.

1: “What can I do to help?”

This question lets others know you’re on their side. They see you as someone they can rely on. And helping them out now can make it more likely they will help you when you really need it, too.

2: “Hi! You’re looking…” 

Instead of, “How are you,” build a deeper conversation with an emotional tie by commenting on how they’re looking great, happy, rested, pleased and so forth.

3: “I trust your judgment.”

Don’t micromanage people. Instead, let them know your goal for them and then let them execute the plan however they see fit. When you give them control of their lives, it shows you trust them.

4: “I understand what you’re saying.”

You might not agree with what they’re saying, but you can still show you respect their beliefs.

5: “Can you give me a hand?”

When you admit you’ve made a mistake, asking for someone else’s help make you seem more trustworthy to that person. In studies, they’ve found that people view those who seek their advice as more competent than those who do not seek their advice.

6: “In my opinion…”

When you’re about to disagree, transition with something that seems more open than “I” statements. “Others suggest…” also works well.

7: “This is my side.”

When you start out with this phrase, you’re letting others know that you acknowledge their thoughts and feelings are as valid as yours and you’re aware they may see things differently. This works great in opinion pieces on your blog and social media, because it invites others to share what’s on their minds, too, and do it in a respectful manner.

8: “How do you think that went?”

If you’re starting a conversation about how someone can improve, let them gauge their success by their own standards. Starting with your judgments could make them clam up and be less receptive to anything you share.

9: “That was my fault.”

Mistakes don’t kill your credibility if you accept your shortcomings and show that you’re human. People who are imperfect are actually more attractive to us. This is why you should never adopt the, “I’m the perfect guru of XYZ niche” online, but instead let your readers know about your mistakes and how you’re working to overcome them.

10: “What can I do differently?

Let others know that you are open to positive change, whether it’s changing yourself or changes you can make to help others.

11: “I think you know my friend.”

We’re attracted to people who look like us, talk like us or have similar interests or friends. If you’re introducing yourself to someone online, mention people that you have in common.

12: “I’m all ears.”

People want you and need you to listen to them. Letting them know you’re listening is the first step. Really listening is the second. You can use this online as well. “Tell me about the biggest problem you’re having in your business. I’m all ears, because I want to help you.”

13: “Uh-huh, I see.”

Using non-word sounds like “em-hm” or “uh-huh” when someone is talking to you shows that you’re interested, which encourages them to trust you more. Is shows you’re paying attention and you’re interested. But don’t make more noises than what feels natural, or you’ll come off as being insincere.

14: “Sorry about the…” 

A study found that people are quicker to trust people who start a conversation by apologizing for something they’re not responsible for. For example, if a Craigslist seller apologizes for the rain, people feel the person is more trustworthy than if they made a neutral comment or no comment at all.

15: “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Giving credit where credit is due and showing your gratitude for help received shows others that their contributions are valued. When someone helps you online, be sure to thank them and acknowledge them for what they’ve done. If appropriate, thank them privately (such as by email or phone call) and publicly (such as social media or in a blogpost.)

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
MEANING	You must begin something if you hope to finish it; something that takes a long time to finish begins with one step
EXAMPLE	“If you want to lose weight, you need to stop eating junk, and you need to start exercising. Today. Not tomorrow. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

All that glitters is not gold

Other phrases about:

• Proverbs

What's the meaning of the phrase 'All that glitters is not gold'?

The proverbial saying 'All that glitters is not gold' means that not everything that is shiny and superficially attractive is valuable.

What's the origin of the phrase 'All that glitters is not gold'?

The original form of this phrase was 'all that glisters is not gold'. The 'glitters' version long ago superseded the original and is now almost universally used.

Shakespeare is the best-known writer to have expressed the idea that shiny things aren't necessarily precious things. The original editions of The Merchant of Venice, 1596, have the line as 'all that glisters is not gold'. 'Glister' is usually replaced by 'glitter' in modern renditions of the play:

O hell! what have we here?
A carrion Death, within whose empty eye
There is a written scroll! I'll read the writing.
All that glitters is not gold;
Often have you heard that told:
Many a man his life hath sold
But my outside to behold:
Gilded tombs do worms enfold.
Had you been as wise as bold,
Young in limbs, in judgment old,
Your answer had not been inscroll'd:
Fare you well; your suit is cold.

•      An apple a day keeps the doctor away

Since apples are rich in vitamin C – which is vital to our health – this proverb means that proper nutrition contributes to good health and fewer visits to the doctor. In this proverb, apples are a symbol of healthy foods and proper nutrition.

Honesty is the best policy
	It's always better to tell the truth than it is to lie
	“If you want people to trust you, you need to be honest with them. Honesty is the best policy.”

Other phrases about:

• Animals

What's the meaning of the phrase 'Bell the cat'?

To hang a bell around a cat's neck to provide a warning. Figuratively, the expression refers to any task that is difficult or impossible to achieve.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Bell the cat'?

This expression ultimately derives from the fable, often attributed to Aesop, The Mice in Council. This story tells the tale of a group of mice who were terrorised by the house cat. One of them suggests that a bell be placed around the cat's neck to warn of his arrival. Volunteers for the job are asked for but no mouse steps forward. The moral of the story (and with fables, there's always a moral) is 'don't only consider the outcome when making plans; the plan itself must be achievable or it is useless'. 

The attribution to Aesop is almost certainly incorrect. The tale doesn't appear in any collection of Aesop's Fables until the Middle Ages and is doubtless the work of a medieval mind.

The best known instance of the fable's moral being put to work concerns the Scottish nobleman, Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus. In 1482, at a meeting of nobles who wanted to depose and hang James III's favourites, Lord Gray is said to have remarked "Tis well said, but wha daur bell the cat?", that is, 'Who will take the necessary but highly risky action of openly defying the king?'. The story goes that Angus accepted and successfully accomplished the challenge. This story, like the Aesop attribution, is almost certainly a fanciful invention by later writers. While it is the case that the Earl of Angus was involved in an undoubtedly treasonable plot against James III, the 'bell the cat' story and Angus's subsequent nickname didn't arise until many years after his death. No earlier chronicler, not even Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie who was the official chronicler of the event, mentions the story. Nevertheless, the tag has stuck as an undeserved nickname for the fifth earl.

Dear students,

In the coming days I will do my best to present to you a few proverbs which will help you get certain necessary wisdom for your life.

fm

What is a proverb?

A proverb is a short saying that expresses a traditionally held truth or piece of advice, based on common sense or experience.

Nothing defines a culture as distinctly as its language, and the element of language that best encapsulates a society's values and beliefs is its proverbs.

Proverbs are wise sayings that give advice about life. They are the gems of wisdom. Proverbs are culturally specific, yet their meaning has the universality; everyone can relate to them in some way and on some level.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

What is the meaning of the saying ‘ A little knowledge is a dangerous thing ‘?

The proverb 'A little knowledge is a dangerous thing' expresses the idea that a small amount of knowledge can mislead people into thinking that they are more expert than they really are, which can lead to mistakes being made.

Past Continuous – a new quiz

Te dashur studente,

Per te mesuar mire nje kohe te caktuar ne gjuhen angleze duhet me patjeter te harxhosh pak kohe per te bere ushtrime te caktuara lidhur me kete kohe. Une po ju paraqes nje link ushtrimesh ne vijim edhe deshiroj te kuptoj pré jush  se réalisht dini te pasqyroni ne fjalite tuaja saktesine e veprimeve tuaja te pakten ne perdorimin e kohes Past Continuous Tense. 

Ju lutem nese do te kini pyetje mos hezitoni te me kontaktoni ne ditet qe vijojne.

Ju uroj nje mbasdite te mire.

fm

We use the past continuous to talk about past events which went on for a period of time.

Ne gjuhen angleze ne e perdorim kohen Past Continuous Tense, kur deshirojme te pasqyrojme veprime apo ngjarje te se shkuares realizimi i te clive ka kerkaar nje sasi te caktuar kone.

We use it when we want to emphasize the continuing process of an activity or the period of that activity. 

Ne e perdorim kete kohe sa here jemi te interesuar te tregojme kohezgjatjen e veprimit, kohen qe kerkon veprimi per tu realizuar.

If we just want to talk about the past event as a simple fact, we use the past simple.

Ne qofte se jemi te interesuar thjesht per te folur per ngjarje te cilât kane perfunduar ne te shkuaren kur ato i permendim thjesht si fakte atehere mundesia me e mire eshte te perdorim kohen Simple Past Tense. 

Ndiqni shembujt:

• While I was driving home, Peter was trying desperately to contact me. 

• Were you expecting any visitors?

• Sorry, were you sleeping?

• I was just making some coffee.

• I was thinking about him last night.

• In the 1990s few people were using mobile phones.

We often use it to describe a “background action” when something else happened.

• I was walking in the street when I suddenly fell over.

• She was talking to me on the phone and it suddenly went dead.

• They were still waiting for the plane when I spoke to them.

• The company was declining rapidly before he took charge.

• We were just talking about it before you arrived.

• I was making a presentation in front of 500 people when the microphone stopped working.

https://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/pastcontinuous/exercise1.html