The Gossiper
(Author Unknown)
A woman repeated a bit of gossip about a neighbor. Within a few
days the whole community knew the story. The person it concerned was deeply hurt and offended. Later the woman responsible for
spreading the rumor learned that it was completely untrue. She was very
sorry and went to a wise old sage to find out what she could do to
repair the damage.
"Go to the marketplace," he said, "and purchase a
chicken, and have it killed. Then on your way home, pluck its feathers and drop them
one by one along the road."
Although surprised by this advice, the woman did what she was
told.
The next day the wise man said, "Now go and collect all
those feathers you dropped yesterday and bring them back to me."
The woman followed the same road, but to her dismay, the wind
had blown the feathers all away. After searching for hours, she
returned with only three in her hand.
"You see," said the old sage, "it's easy to drop
them, but it's impossible to get them back. So it is with gossip. It doesn't
take much to spread a rumor, but once you do, you can never
completely undo the wrong."
Better to shun the bait
Than to struggle in the snare!
SUBMIT yourselves, then, to God. RESIST the
devil, and he will flee
from you. COME NEAR to God and He will come near
to you. James 4:7-8a)
"A chip on the shoulder is a heavy
load to carry."
"'Come to Me, all who are weary and
heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you
shall find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.'"
Matthew 11:28-30
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