Scattering Feathers in theWind

An old Jewish talewell illustrates the consequences
of spreading hurtful gossip. Told
in various forms, the gist of the story is as
follows.
A man went about town slandering
the town’s wise man. Later, the malicious
gossiper realized his wrong and went to the
wise man to ask for forgiveness, offering to
dowhatever was necessary to make amends.
The wise man had one request: The gossiper
was told to go and take a feather pillow
and cut it open, scattering the feathers to the
wind. Though puzzled by the request, the
gossiper did as hewas instructed and then returned
to thewiseman.
“AmI nowforgiven?” he asked.
“First, go and gather all the feathers,” the
wise man responded.
“But howcan I? Thewind has already scattered
them.”
“It is as difficult to repair the damage done
by your words as it is to recover the feathers.”
The lesson is clear. Once spoken, words
cannot be retrieved, and itmaybe impossible
to undo the hurt they cause. Before spreading
a bit of gossip, we are wise to remember
that we are, in effect, about to scatter feathers
in thewind

Source : Watchtower - July 15, 2011; Page: 15.