Thread: A feather in the wind

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."

That's nice. When I first saw the title of this thread it reminded me of the song All My Love by Led Zeppelin.

thank you for sharing this with us