Three Toys

Some time ago I told a tale about selective hearing and the deaf man. I was thinking about that yesterday when I overheard just a snatch of a conversation as I passed along the way. 

The person was saying something about a "friend". It seems that the friend had told her something and now she was retelling it but with some malice in her mind as she did. The person she was talking to seemed delighted and was all ears. She made some comment I did not listen to but it was obvious that she was putting down the person they were speaking about.

This reminded me of a lovely little tale. A student went to his master for learning on the ways of life. One day this is what occurred.

The teacher shows three toys to his student and asks the student to find out the differences. 

All the three toys seemed to be identical in their shape, size and material. After keen observation, the student observed holes in the toys. 

The 1st toy it has holes in the ears. The 2nd toy has holes in ear and mouth. The 3rd toy has only one hole in one ear.

Than with the help of needle the student puts the needle in the ear hole of 1st toy. The needle comes out through the other ear. 

In the 2nd toy, when the needle was put in the ear the needle came out of mouth. 

And in the 3rd toy, when the needle was put in, the needle did not come out.

The first toy represent those people around  who give an impression that they are listening to you, all the things you care about and the people who care for you. But they just pretend to do so. After listening, as the needle comes out from the next ear, the things you say to them and the trust you put in them is meaningless and forgotten the minute they leave you. So be careful while you are speaking to this type of person, they do not really care for you.  

Second toy represent those people who listens to you all the things you say and share and give an impression that they care for you. But as in the toy, the needle comes out from mouth. These people will use your trust and the words you tell them and you them against you by telling it to others and using your trust  for their own purpose.

Third toy, the needle does not come out from it. These are the  kind of people who will keep the trust you have in them. They are the ones who you can count on.

But more importantly we must strive to be the kind of people who does not listen and pass things on as hurtful gossip, such actions can only ever bring pain.

Have a good day