I was returning from my summer break by train. My co-passengers were preoccupied in their thoughts, and I was looking outside the window. At a distance some children were playing happily. I was keen to know the game, which made them jump with so much joy. When my coach passed them, I could see their activity and was shocked to say the least. They were actually throwing stones at the train. They didn’t know that they might hurt someone in the process of having fun. We can excuse these children, as they are not taught the consequences of their actions. But in this world we find many who throw words, sometimes intentionally, or more often carelessly at others. Words can't break bones, but they can break hearts.

Speaking one’s mind is a great gift that has been bestowed on mankind. People using it effectively have friends all around them. Sometimes, we unknowingly hurt others. The other day Sulekha came to my place with some sweets made by her. I was very happy and with the thought of complimenting her, I said, “Sulekha, it looks like you have not kept anything for your kids and handed over all the stuff to my family”. She promptly replied, “We ate as much we could and all the members of my family declined to have more”. I was speechless on hearing this answer.

Often when we visit sick people, we end up narrating the incidents involving the sickness of others. Instead of offering some solace, we ultimately frighten them more. Some go to the extent of providing vital statistics as to how many survived that particular disease. The idea of conversation should be to express one’s views and not depress listeners. Very few understand this concept of conversation. There are others who provide 'information' on the different ways of curing a disease and confuse the patient. 

There are some people who can't control their tongue, and others who choose to keep mum come what may. I agree with the saying 'Listen or your tongue will keep you deaf'. But on some occasions, there is nothing wrong in expressing one's happiness. I once went to my aunt’s place with Ranjana, and my aunt specially made 'Kachoris' (a North Indian snack), which were Ranjana’s favourite. The kachoris tasted really good, but Ranjana didn’t utter a single word. My aunt was very much disappointed as she felt that Ranjana didn’t like them. On our return, I checked with Ranjana if she liked them or not. She coolly replied that they were out of the world, and that she had never tasted such stuff before. I wanted to know why she kept quiet when she did like them. Pat came the reply that since my aunt didn’t ask for her opinion, she preferred to keep mum. I couldn’t digest this argument.

Many of us believe that God has given us two ears and one mouth because we should listen more and talk less. All of us should understand that God has given us mouths to talk and not be dumb. Speech or silence should always in accordance with the situation. Our speech as well us silence should not hurt others. I genuinely believe that what goes around comes around; we get whatever we give. Let us be good listeners as well as good speakers.