LITTLE STORIES OF GREAT CHARACTERS - BIG STORIES OF LITTLE CHARACTERS

Author: Li Gang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: Typically, people are accustomed to focusing on the great achievements created by prominent figures while overlooking the inspirational significance of small stories that occur in their lives. Usually, people believe that the experiences of prominent figures creating great achievements qualify as "big stories," while the experiences of ordinary people can only be considered small stories. In response to this, the author of this book adopts a reverse thinking approach, choosing a perspective different from conventional habits and traditional views. They narrate small stories that happen to prominent figures and big stories that happen to ordinary people, paying attention to uncovering the life lessons embedded in these stories. The book is divided into two main parts: "Small Stories of Prominent Figures" (60 stories) and "Big Stories of Ordinary People" (53 stories). Each story listed in the table of contents is preceded by a famous quote that highlights its theme and followed by an engaging linked story. (Note: The selection criteria for the "Small Stories of Prominent Figures" and "Big Stories of Ordinary People" in this book only apply to the 113 character stories listed in the table of contents, not to the linked stories. Linked stories, as the name suggests, are selected based on similarity or relevance. Therefore, each story listed in the table of contents is followed by a linked story that either shares some similarity with the content of the story, serving as a point of comparison, or provides background information to deepen the theme.)
In the "Small Stories of Prominent Figures" section, the unique narrative perspective brings these seemingly unreachable prominent figures down to earth, allowing readers to shift from the traditional posture of gazing up at them to a more comfortable position for careful examination. By doing so, we can explore what kind of "small stories" have occurred in the lives of these prominent figures, beyond the well-known "big stories" they have experienced. The 60 "Small Stories of Prominent Figures" selected for this book reveal wisdom, touch on morality, describe struggles, or point out mistakes. Even when casually flipping through, reading one story can make you pause and reflect, exclaiming, "I never thought there was such great wisdom and profound lessons in small stories!"
The "Small Stories of Prominent Figures" feel fresh and evoke admiration for the status and fame of these prominent figures. However, it is necessary to recognize a fundamental truth: no prominent figure is born into greatness—everyone starts as an ordinary person. The ancient Greek blind poet Homer, for example, composed the timeless epic poems "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" while traveling, earning him the title of a heavyweight in the history of human civilization. Yet, during his lifetime, he was described as "a poor, lowly, and humiliated" ordinary person. This example is used to illustrate to readers that the "ordinary people" in the "Big Stories of Ordinary People" section of this book do not refer to the historical status or value of the story's main characters but rather represent a unique narrative perspective. When the story takes place, the protagonist is an ordinary, even humble person—a "small figure"—but their story reveals extraordinary wisdom, courage, unwavering perseverance, high integrity, selfless dedication, and the profound significance of pioneering and inventing to benefit humanity. From the life lessons derived from this unique perspective, this book serves not only as a guide for children on how to behave and act but also as an inspirational collection of life lessons for all adults who refuse to remain ordinary for their entire lives.
At least, we can understand this fundamental truth from it: although we are all ordinary people, we do not need to feel inferior because of it. Ordinary people can also become great figures—as long as you choose to strive, to give back, to embrace the spirit of pioneering and innovation, or even as long as you always adhere to a correct principle. For example, there was once a Black woman who insisted on maintaining her dignity on a public bus. Over the following half-century, she became a symbol of the fight against racial discrimination in the United States.
We believe that everyone has the potential to become a great figure. In the eyes of the confident, the transformation from an ordinary person to a great figure is merely a matter of time!