On Words by Anonymous

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on words A careless word may kindle strife; A cruel word may wreck a life; A bitter word may hate instill; A brutal word may smite and kill.One evening a young settler arrived home very exhausted. He noticed that the cows had broken out. He said harshly to his wife, "You could have watched the cows, you had nothing else to do!" He regretted his bitter words but was too proud to ask forgiveness. The next morning he left without saying a word to his wife. Later that day a storm came up suddenly, which he knew would frighten his wife. So he headed home as quickly as he could. But the cabin was empty. He hastily read a note his wife had left on the kitchen table, "I'm sorry, dear, the cows broke out again. I have gone to find them. Please have kind words." The husband searched for his wife throughout the night. All around him lightning flashed, and there was loud thunder and a noisy downpour of hail-stones. It was morning when he found her cold body not far from the cabin. He knew his sharp tongue had driven her into the stormy night. He recognized that it was too late for kind words. What a different and beautiful place this world could be if everyone practiced kindness.