Japanese Fairy Tales

TRANSLATED BY:
Yei Theodora Ozaki

ADAPTATION WRITTEN BY:
Garcia Mann

NARRATED BY:
Michael Scott

These charming Japanese Fairy Tales were translated by Yei Theodora Ozaki in 1908. Although taken from actual Japanese folk stories, these Westernized versions are not literal translations. These stories combine fictitious creatures and magical animals with the lives of normal humans and provide an insight into a piece of ancient Japan.

The stories in this volume include:

• My Lord Bag of Rice
• The Tongue-Cut Sparrow
• The Story of Urashima Taro, the Fisher Lad

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ThoughtAudio PDF Transcript: TA0021_JapaneseFairyTales_YeiTheodoraOzaki.pdf
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Yei Theodora Ozaki

Ozaki was an early 20th-century translator of Japanese short stories and fairy tales. She was born in London and later was sent to live with her father in Japan, where she received an education. Yei enjoyed popular Japanese fairy tales like those of Hasegawa Takejirō and began to write down and translate smaller stories and fairy tales. Some of these were accepted for publication by English magazines and were ultimately published in London in 1903. Her collection was not translated from formal Japanese but were reworded by her into everyday language.

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On The Decay of the Art of Lying

WRITTEN BY:
Mark Twain

NARRATED BY:
Michael Scott as Mark Twain

This humorous short essay is written with all the wit and biting sarcasm that is one of the trademarks of Mark Twain. The Decay of the Art of Lying does not reveal why one should not lie, but reveals in detail the proper way to lie – told from a true expert.

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ThoughtAudio PDF Transcript: TA0016_ArtofLying_MarkTwain.pdf

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Mark Twain

Mark Twain has been one of the most widely loved and celebrated American writers since his books were released in the late 1860’s. 

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The Stolen White Elephant

WRITTEN BY:
Mark Twain

NARRATED BY:
Michael Scott as Mark Twain

While many elements of civilized culture provided much comic fodder for Mark Twain, detectives occupied a portion of his observations and writing for a time. The story of the Stolen White Elephant, though entirely preposterous, is rumored to be modeled after real life efforts of an actual police department who misplaced the body of a deceased victim. This audio story will leave you laughing out loud.

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ThoughtAudio PDF Transcript: TA0015_StolenWhiteElephant_MarkTwain.pdf

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Mark Twain

Mark Twain has been one of the most widely loved and celebrated American writers since his books were released in the late 1860’s.

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Tao Te Ching

WRITTEN BY:
Lao Tzu

NARRATED BY:
Michael Scott

Like many other philosophical writings, the Tao Te Ching is a timeless Chinese treasure. These ancient writings are credited to Lao Tzu, although some believe them to be authored by a number of persons writing under the Lao Tzu pen name. Nevertheless, this audio gives the listener a taste of the wisdom of age and the important values of human existence.

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ThoughtAudio Transcript: TA0010_TaoTeChing_LaoTzu.pdf

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Lao Tzu

Also known as Laozi, and Lao-Tze, was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer. He is the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching, the founder of philosophical Taoism, and a deity in religious Taoism and traditional Chinese religions.

A semi-legendary figure, Lao Tzu is usually portrayed as a 6th-century BC contemporary of Confucius in the Spring and Autumn period. A central figure in Chinese culture, Laozi is claimed by both the emperors of the Tang dynasty and modern people of the Li surname as a founder of their lineage. Laozi’s work has been embraced by many cultures and religions.

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The Judge’s House

WRITTEN BY:
Bram Stoker, author of Dracula

NARRATED BY:
Michael Scott

The Judge’s House recounts the tale of a young student, looking for a remote location to study for his college exams. But the house he rents in the quiet town of Benchurch, delivers much more excitement than he ever could have imagined. Though Bram Stocker is inextricably linked with his infamous vampire novel – Dracula, he wrote many novels, essays, and short stories during his life such as this one.

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ThoughtAudio Transcript: TA0008_JudgesHouse_BramStoker.pdf

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Bram Stoker

Stoker was an Irish author, best known today for his 1897 Gothic horror novel Dracula. Before writing Dracula, Stoker worked as a theatre critic for an Irish newspaper and wrote stories.

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The Book of Revelation 

AUTHOR:
From the Holy Bible

NARRATED BY:
Michael Scott

No book from the Bible is more controversial than the Book of Revelation. For many, the purpose of the book of Revelation is a message of comfort during a time of conflict, which ultimately results in a conquest and a victory over the oppressor. Although directly written to the Christians of the First Century, the message is applicable throughout the ages.

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John of Patmos

Saint John of Patmos is generally recognized as the author of the Book of Revelation. The text of Revelation states that John was on Patmos, a Greek island where he was exiled as a result of anti-Christian persecution under the Roman emperor Domitian.

The Prince

WRITTEN BY:
Niccolo Machiavelli

NARRATED BY:
Michael Scott

The Prince is a political treatise by Machiavelli that is not considered to be representative of the work published during his lifetime, but is the most remembered. The theories in this book describe methods that an aspiring prince can use to acquire the throne, or an existing prince can use to maintain his reign. These theories include defense and military, perceived reputation, generosity, cruelty versus mercy, gaining honors, fortune and a number of other discourses.

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ThoughtAudio PDF Transcript: TA0039_Prince_NicoloMachiavelli.pdf

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Niccolo Machiavelli

Niccolo Machiavelli was an Italian diplomat, political philosopher, musician, poet and playwright. Niccolo is most famous for his shorter work, The Prince, which was printed after his death. In his own lifetime, while he circulated The Prince among friends, the only work Machiavelli promoted through printing was his dialogue on The Art of War. Whatever intentions Machiavelli had for his name became synonymous with ruthless politics, deceit, and the pursuit of power by any means.

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Siddhartha 

WRITTEN BY:
Herman Hesse

NARRATED BY:
Michael Scott

Siddhartha, born the son of a Brahmin, was blessed in wealth, appearance, intelligence and charisma. In order to find meaning in life, he discarded his promising future for the life of an ascetic. He wandered as a shramana and searched for Gotama the Buddha. However, this man, Siddhartha, was not a follower of any but his own soul. This popular book provides the listener with insight into the philosophy and thoughts that shape Siddhartha’s path to enlightenment.

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ThoughtAudio Transcript: TA0013_Siddhartha_HermannHess.pdf

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Hermann Hesse
In many works by Hermann Hesse, the German novelist and Nobel Prize winner in literature, there is a theme depicting the duality of spirit and nature, body versus mind and the individual’s spiritual search outside the restrictions of society. Siddhartha is such a story.

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The Art of War

WRITTEN BY:
Sun Tzu

NARRATED BY:
Michael Scott

Written in China over two thousand years ago, this complete reading of the classic text by Sun Tzu brings to life the timeless strategic principles of the ancient art of warfare. It soon becomes apparent how this book is still applicable today, and not just for military operations, but to so many other aspects of life. Sun Tzu teaches in a straightforward style how to command an operation of utmost efficiency and effectiveness, and the elements required to win.

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ThoughtAudio PDF Transcript: TA0003_ArtofWar_SunTzu.pdf

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Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu was a Chinese general, military strategist, writer, and philosopher who lived in the Eastern Zhou period of ancient China. Sun Tzu is traditionally credited as the author of The Art of War, an influential work of military strategy that has affected both Western and East Asian philosophy and military thinking. His works focus much more on alternatives to battle, such as stratagem, delay, the use of spies and alternatives to war itself, the making and keeping of alliances, the uses of deceit, and a willingness to submit, at least temporarily, to more powerful foes. Sun Tzu is revered in Chinese and East Asian culture as a legendary historical and military figure.

The War of the Worlds 

WRITTEN BY:
H.G. Wells

NARRATED BY:
Michael Scott

This story begins at an observatory in England where the narrator witnesses explosions on Mars. This event is followed by what is thought to be a meteor landing not far from the observatory. Once the narrator travels to the spot of the meteor landing he discovers it is actually a cylinder and the cylinder contains Martians. The story chronicles the Martian attacks throughout many parts of England, even devastating London and the narrator escapes with many chilling and near death adventures.

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ThoughtAudio PDF Transcript: TA0054_WaroftheWorlds_HGWells

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H.G. Wells
Herbert George Wells was a prolific English writer best known for his work in the science fiction genre, although his writings included contemporary novels, history and social commentary. He was an outspoken socialist and a pacifist and his later works became increasingly political.