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"Choose your Words Carefully (Moral Story)"

Post on: May 17, 2024

There once lived a grumpy man, Tom, who felt he could get away with whatever he did. Being obnoxious, he quarrelled with everyone as he went about his daily activities.

One day, he argued with his neighbour, Jerry over a trivial incident: Jerry’s dog had aggressively barked at him when he went for an evening stroll. Although no damage was inflicted, Jerry apologised profusely. However, Tom was not satisfied as he felt slighted. He decided to get even with Jerry.

Tom began spreading rumours that Jerry was a thief who had attempted to burgle his house when nobody was around. “Although Jerry did not succeed as my locks are foolproof, he is still a thief,” Tom accusingly vociferated.

The other neighbours looked at Jerry with distrust and began murmuring whenever he walked past them. Jerry felt humiliated by the allegation heaped upon him although it was unsubstantiated.

Jerry wanted to clear his name and hence sought justice from the village headman. He also wanted redress from Tom for wrongfully defaming him.

Tom was flabbergasted. He explained to the headman, “My words are just my own opinions — don’t I have the right to utter such mere words? After all, it’s my words and it’s my basic right to say so!”

The headman contemplated Tom’s defence and said: “Write down what you have said about Jerry on a piece of paper and cut them into small pieces. On your way home, throw them away, piece by piece as you walk. I will give my judgement tomorrow.”

The following day, everyone was waiting expectantly for the verdict. The headman said to Tom, “Before I pronounce my judgement, I want you to retrieve the pieces of paper on which you had uttered insults about Jerry.”

Tom was confounded. “How can I do that, most honourable chief? The gust of wind would have flown them all over the countryside.”

The wise headman replied, “Likewise, the words you uttered on innocent Jerry would have spread all over the countryside. The damage has far-reaching consequences. His good name has been sullied and society looks at him with disdain.”

Tom realised his folly. He hung his head in utter shame! He sought forgiveness and promised not to malign a person but to speak words that would uplift another man henceforth.

A quotation by Sigmund Freud so succinctly articulates the message behind the story: “Words have a magical power. They can either bring the greatest happiness or the deepest despair.”

The next time, before you speak ill of a person, bear in mind that it can ruin a person. Consider the aftermaths of your words before you spit them out.

The Jolly Good Times will be bringing you a series of such everyday stories with a moral behind them. They are powerful reads; easy to digest and leave behind a message. If you enjoyed reading, share it — invite your kakis (buddies) to ‘like’ us on our Facebook and Website.

By: Shaji Thomas Varughese 

#JollyGoodTimes #ChooseYourWordsCarefully_MoralStory #ShajiThomasVarughese
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