The power of rumour

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The power of rumour

 

A hare resting under a banyan tree had a premonition of doom. “What would

happen to me if the earth were to break up?†he wondered. Suddenly, there was

a ‘thud’ followed by a rumbling sound.

 

“It’s happened,†thought the hare, “the earth’s breaking up!†He

jumped up and ran.

 

“Why are you running?†asked a hare who crossed his path.

 

“The earth’s breaking up!†shouted the hare. “You’d better run too.â€

 

The second hare ran so fast he overtook the first.

 

“The earth’s breaking up, the earth’s breaking up!†he shouted to other

hares he passed.

 

Soon thousands of hares were scampering through the forest.

 

Other animals got caught up in the panic. The word spread from mouth to mouth,

and soon everyone knew: the earth was breaking up. It was not long before the

whole jungle was on the move. Reptiles, insects, birds and four-footed animals

fled in wild disorder, and their cries of terror filled the air.

 

A lion standing on a hillock saw the animals coming and wondered what was going

on. He hastened down and positioning himself in front of the horde called for it

to stop. His commanding presence stemmed the rising tide of panic among the

animals.

 

“The earth is breaking up!†shrieked a parrot, alighting on a rock near him.

 

“Who says so?â€

 

“I heard it from the monkeys. "

 

The monkeys said they had heard it from the tigers, who said their informants

were the elephants, who gave the buffaloes as their source. When the hares were

finally implicated they pointed one to another until the one who had started it

all was identified.

 

“What makes you think the earth is breaking up?†the lion asked him.

 

“I heard it cracking with my own ears, sire,†squeaked the hare, trembling

in fear.

 

The lion investigated the sound the hare had heard and found that it had been

caused by a large coconut falling from a tree. It had landed on a pile of rocks,

causing a minor landslide.

 

“Go back to your homes,†said the lion to the animals who had been running

away, and who were now looking very foolish and aware of the power of rumor.

 

“The earth’s safe. Next time, check a rumor before acting on it.â€

 

REFLECTION

 

This is the power of rumour - it 'grows' as it 'goes' from one to

another,easily spread like a wildfire. It does travel faster, but it does not

stay put as long as truth!

 

Beware of rumours and do not participate in spreading them. We cannot control

the evil tongues of others; but a good life enables us to disregard them.

 

" The world is a nest of crows; some caw in praise; some caw in derision. But men

should be above the reach of praise and blame. Overcome and be strong when you

are faced with rumours " - Sathya Sai Baba.

 

" Never tell evil of a man, if you do not know it for certainty, and if you know

it for a certainty, then ask yourself, 'Why should I tell it?' " --Johann K.

Lavater

 

If you spot a rumour, always go to the source of it and find out whats the truth

before spreading it further. What you don't see with your eyes, don't witness

with your mouth.

 

Hari Om!