Acertaingoodwomanonedaysaidsomethingthathurtherbestfriendofmanyyears.Sheregrettedimmediatelyandwouldhavedoneanythingtohavetakenthewordsback.Whatshesaidhurtthefriendsomuchthatthisgoodwomanwasherselfhurtforthepainshecaused.Inanefforttoundowhatshehaddone,shewenttoanolder,wiserwomaninthevillage,explainedhersituation,andaskedforadvice.Listeningtoher,theolderwomansensedtheyoungerwoman’sdistressandknewshemusthelpher.Shealsoknewshecouldneveralleviateherpain,butshecouldteach.
Sheknewtheoutcomewoulddependsolelyonthecharacteroftheyoungerwoman.Shesaid,“Tonight,takeyourbestfeatherpillowsandputasinglefeatheronthedoorstepofeachhouseintownbeforethesunrises.”Theyoungwomanhurriedhometoprepareforherchore,eventhoughthefeatherpillowswereverydeartoher.Allnightlong,shelaboredaloneinthecold.Finallytheskywasgettinglight,sheplacedthelastfeatheronthestepsofthelasthouse.Justasthesunrose,shereturnedtotheolderwoman.“Now,”saidthewisewoman,“Gobackandrefillyourpillowswiththefeatheryouhaveputonthesteps.
Theneverythingwillbeasitwasbefore.”“Youknowthat’simpossible!ThewindblewawayeachfeatherasfastasIplacedthemonthedoorsteps!”Theyoungwomanwassurprised.“That’strue,”saidtheolderwoman.“Neverforget.Eachofyourwordsislikeafeatherinthewind.Oncespoken,noamountofeffort,regardlesshowheartfeltorsincere,canneverreturnthemtoyourmouth.Chooseyourwordswellandguardthemmostofallinthepresenceofthoseyoulove.”
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