One day a rich man received a letter from his son who was studying in another city. Being occupied, he asked his secretary to read it to him. The secretary, who was in a bad mood, read in a disagreeable irritable way, “Father! Send me some money right away. I need a new pair of shoes and a coat.”
When the father heard what his son had written, he cried out, “That insolent ingrate! How dare he write in such a disrespectful manner to his own father! He won’t get one copper coin from me!”
A little later, when the secretary had gone away, his wife entered. “Just see what kind of letter our precious son writes!” the aggrieved father remarked, handing his wife the letter.
When she saw her son’s handwriting her mother’s heart melted, and she began to read the letter aloud in the tender, supplicating voice she used at prayer, “Father! Send me some money right away. I need a new pair of shoes and a coat.”
“Well! That’s different!” cried the father. “Now he’s asking like a gentleman!
I’ll send him the money right away.”
People strive to learn and live according to Torah. Speech is a true test of a person’s feelings. It is taught that is acquired and learned “By study, Attentive listening, Proper speech, By an understanding heart” (Pirkei Avos 6:6)
The way a message is received can affect a person’s perspective and color their responses.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
Click here for more storytelling resources
Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us
Please share this story with family and friends and let us know what you think or feel about the stories in a comment or two.
Like us on Facebook or tweet us on Twitter
If the stories are not shared they will be lost.
Please share this story with others
Discover more from Story Tour
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.