Chuck Feeney lives a very modest life. He no longer owns a house or even a car. It's a far cry from the days when he was worth $8 billion. Chuck was born during the Great Depression, a time of belt-tightening poverty for much of the country. Chuck grew up in a tough … [Read more...]
Before the world knew his name, a boy looked into the mirror and hated what he saw: a busted lip, a swollen jaw, and a black eye. It was painful, but not nearly as painful as the words that came with the beating. "Your lips are too fat and your nose is too flat. And your skin … [Read more...]
In February 1891, James Bartley said he was eaten by a whale, and lived in its stomach for 36 hours. Bartley was a sailor on board a ship called Star of the East. He recalled the whaling ship was nearing the Falkland Islands when a whale was spotted. Longboats were … [Read more...]
A new priest is causing a stir at a 400-year-old Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. Named Mindar, she teaches about compassion and the dangers of desire, ego, and anger. But this is no run of the mill human priest; she’s an android robot. Standing at 195 centimeters, Mindar is … [Read more...]
Many moons ago, in a small village in Japan lived two farmers: an old man and his wife. The old man was a kindhearted, hardworking fellow, but his wife was often angry and she liked to complain. The old man kept a young sparrow, which he tenderly took care of. But one day, … [Read more...]
Jennifer Bricker was born in Romania in 1987. Fate had dealt her a bad hand. The baby with a breathtaking smile and big brown eyes had no legs. Her parents gave Jennifer up for adoption a few months after she was born. Doctors gave her adoptive mom and dad a bucket to carry … [Read more...]
During the Second World War, US soldier KT Robbins was sent overseas. He was ready to fight, but fell head over heels in love instead. Stationed in France the 24-year-old laid eyes on Jeannine Ganaye. It was love at first sight. Two months passed happily, but soon Robbins … [Read more...]
Bobbi Gibb is a woman who doesn't believe in running away from prejudice. She believes in chasing her dreams and breaking down barriers. Ever since she was a young girl Bobbi loved to run. She was never happier than when pounding the pavement. Running was a spiritual activity … [Read more...]
Beauty and the Beast is a timeless story. It's a classic example of how we should never judge a book by its cover. This fairytale also has its roots in real-life. Petrus Gonsalvus was born in the Canary Islands in 1537. He entered the world with a condition called … [Read more...]
Like many teenagers, Hannah Jordan believed her parents picked on her. One day the 15-year-old reached the end of her tether and had to let off steam. She wrote a rant on Facebook full of swear words. In it, she accused her parents of forcing her to do too many chores. Her … [Read more...]
Social worker Julio Diaz was a creature of habit. Every night when heading home to the Bronx, he would make a pit stop at his favorite diner. One evening Diaz stepped off the subway and his routine took a turn for the worst. As he headed towards the stairs on the deserted … [Read more...]
Juan Manuel Sánchez Gordillo is a man who swims against the tide. When the people of his hometown were suffering, he took direct action. He stormed supermarkets with a gang of farm laborers. They filled their shopping carts with food and fled before coughing up the cash. They … [Read more...]
We live in a disposable society and generate tons of garbage each year. Yet one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as Scotsman Angus Carnie discovered when he built a house out of rubbish. After 20 years of working in the recycling industry, the 55-year-old decided to put … [Read more...]
In 1989, Chito was walking along the shore of the Parismina River in Costa Rica. Suddenly, he saw something eye-catching. It was a larger than life crocodile. Usually, the fearsome reptile would be something to avoid at all costs. Yet Chito saw the creature was in distress. It … [Read more...]
The sun was golden, the sea was blue, and it was a perfect day for Bethany Hamilton to hit the waves. The 13-year-old had been surfing since she was eight. Friends and family considered her someone who was born to surf. As Bethany swam through the crystal-clear water, … [Read more...]
Sigmund Freud once said, "Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies." He praised their honesty and pure nature. Freud's most famous dog, Jofi, would sit with him during therapy sessions. Originally Jofi was there because she helped Freud relax. But soon Freud noticed that … [Read more...]
Several months before he passed away, George Washington said that after his death, all his slaves should be freed. The first president of the United States had kept fellow humans as slaves for 56 years. Historians credited Washington for finally seeing the light. Today the … [Read more...]
In northern Thailand, a group of 16 musicians have formed a unique orchestra. They play different types of music, from traditional Thai songs to Beethoven. They also create their own songs, and sometimes improvise in live performances. They don’t always pay attention to their … [Read more...]
When Marcos Rodríguez Pantoja was seven years old, his father sold him into slavery. Marcos was given to an elderly shepherd who lived on a remote mountain. Marcos’s new job was to take care of a herd of 300 goats. He slept under the stars and tried to ignore the worrying … [Read more...]
For Professor of Physics, Ron Mallett, time travel isn’t just a flight of fancy. It’s his life’s obsession. Ron’s fascination with time travel began as a child. Like many 10-year-old boys, Ron worshipped the ground his father walked on. His dad was a TV and radio repairman … [Read more...]
