The Story Of A Gossiping Old Man

An old man, living in a town of about 5,000 people, had a certain dislike and hatred for his neighbor. Although not sure the origin of his disdain for the neighbor, he continued mocking his neighbor for years. The neighbor usually went about his day, ignoring the old man, in fear of giving the old man more ammunition to stir things about even further.

But then, the old man instigated an argument with the neighbor, one in which the neighbor couldn't back down. The neighbor finally stood up for himself, and this displeased the old man. Just as the neighbor figured, the old man proceeded to stir things up even worse than he ever had before.

Soon, the neighbor began hearing a rumor; the old man had been telling people that the neighbor was a thief. The neighbor was quite frustrated with this, as he had never been a thief and he despised the fact that some people even believed this gossip.

Late one evening, the police knocked on the neighbor's door and took him into custody, where he was charged with theft. The neighbor pled his case to the judge and was released from jail the next day. Angry that the old man had now ruined his reputation, the neighbor wanted justice. He decided he would sue the old man for slander, in hopes of, at the very least, teaching the old man a lesson.

When in civil court, the judge asked the old man why he had spread rumors about his neighbor, and the old man responded, "They were just words! Sticks and stones may hurt my bones ... " The man pled his case to the judge stating that gossip didn't really hurt the man, and begged the judge to forgive him for his errors.

The judge, after listening to the old man's case, told the old man he would sentence him the following day, but before his sentencing, the judge requested the old man to write on a piece of paper everything he had said about his neighbor, whether true or false. The judge then told the old man to rip the paper into little squares and on his way home to discard the bits of paper out the window. He then told the old man to be back at the court in the morning to hear his sentencing.

The old man agreed, writing down each and every comment he had made about his neighbor, and then he ripped the paper in front of the judge declaring he would discard the pieces out the window while driving home, and he did as he was told.

The next morning, the old man arrived in court to hear of his sentencing, hoping his punishment wouldn't be too harsh. The judge entered the court room and took his seat.

"Did you do as I ask?" the judge said in an authoritative tone.

"Yes, I did, Your Honor," the old man seemed confident.

"Now, I want you to go retrieve every piece of paper you threw out the window yesterday. That will be your punishment."

"I can't do that! There's no telling where all those little pieces of paper flew off to! The wind scattered them everywhere and I don't know where I can find them all!" The old man was frustrated at his sentencing.

"Exactly," said the judge. "Comments, such as the ones you have made, can be spread so quickly that it may not be repairable after they are stated. Gossip can destroy a person's honor and reputation, and once destroyed, you cannot always fix it."

The old man hung his head, realizing the lesson he had just been given.

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It is foolish to begin rumors, and it is also foolish to think it can never be done to you as well, for what goes around comes around. When you think to tell lies about someone, whatever the motive may be (jealousy, anger, etc), make sure you dig deep inside and come to terms with the damage this may cause, because oftentimes, such hurtful lies and rumors cannot be repaired.

A man's reputation is built on a solid foundation, but if 100 people jump on his foundation, do you believe his good reputation would survive? And, what are the consequences of you trampling on this man's foundation after all is said and done? If you are a non-believer, do you not believe in karma? If you are a believer, do you not believe in Christ? With all bad deeds comes a consequence. Wouldn't you just rather live your life in peace and not suffer the negative consequences for the gossip you have spread?

Words are very powerful and can be used to destroy even the most kind-hearted people. Please be careful and use your words wisely. If you cannot say anything nice, do not say anything at all. The destruction of someone's very life or soul may rest in your hands, and after all, you will be the one to answer for it later, and what will your punishment be?

Time and time again, I have watched good people suffer and bad people prosper. May your consequence come sooner rather than later, so that the good people may finally receive the justice they have so longed for. If you are the old man, learn to bite your tongue, especially when you are angry. If you are the neighbor, stand strong. Justice will be served, my friend. Justice will be served.