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 to 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."
View My Guestbook
