Subject: Choose Your Words Well {Insp}
From: Unicorn (unicorn@indenial.com)
Date: Sun Mar 19 2000 - 03:34:35 EST
"Choose Your Words Well"
A certain good woman one day said something that
hurt her best friend of many years. She regretted it
immediately, and would have done anything to have
taken the words back. But they were said, impulsively,
in a moment of thoughtlessness, and as close as she
and her friend were, she didn't consider the effects of
her words before hand. What she said hurt the friend
so much that this good woman was herself hurt for
the pain she caused.
In her effort to undo what she had done, she went to an
older, wiser woman in the village. Explaining her situation,
and asked for advice. The older woman listened patiently
in an effort to determine just how sincere the younger
woman was, how far she was willing to go to correct
the situation.
She explained that sometimes, in order put things back
in order, great efforts must be made. She then asked:
"Just what would you be willing to do, to repair the harm
done?" The answer was heartfelt. "Anything." Listening
to her, the older woman, sensed the younger woman's
distress, and knew she must help her.
She also knew she could never alleviate her pain by living
her life for her, but she could teach, if the younger woman
would first listen, and then learn. She knew the outcome
would depend solely on the character of the younger
woman.
She said, "There are two things needed to do to make
amends. The first of the two is extremely difficult. Tonight,
take your best feather pillows, and open a small hole in
each one. Then, before the sun rises, you must put a
single feather on the doorstep of each house in town.
When you are through, come back to me. If you've done
the first thing completely, I'll tell you the second."
The young woman hurried home to prepare for her chore,
even though the pillows were very dear to her, very
expensive. All night long she labored alone in the cold.
She went from doorstep to doorstep, taking care not to
overlook a single house. Her fingers were frozen, the
wind was so sharp it caused her eyes to water, but she
ran on, through the darkened streets, thankful there was
something she could do to put things back the way they
once were. Finally, as the sky was getting light, she
placed the last feather on the steps of the last house.
Just as the sun rose, she returned to the older woman.
She was exhausted, but relieved that her efforts would
be rewarded. "My pillows are empty. I placed a feather
on the doorstep of each home."
Now, said the wise woman, "Go back and refill your pillows.
Then everything will be as it was before."
The young woman was stunned. "You know that's
impossible! The wind blew away each feather as fast
as I placed them on the doorsteps!! You didn't say I
had to get them back!! If this is the second requirement,
then things will never be the same."
"That's true", said the older woman.
"Never forget. Each of your words is like a feather in the
wind. Once spoken, no amount of effort, regardless how
heartfelt or sincere, can ever return them to your mouth.
Choose your words well, and guard them most of all in
the presence of those you love."
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