Feathers In The Wind

Proverbs 20:19 A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.

Yiddish forklore offers a telling tale about gossip-makers. One such man had told so many malicious untruths about the local rabbi that, overcome by remorse, he begged the rabbi to forgive him. “And, Rebbe, tell me how I can make amends.” 

The rabbi sighed, “Take two pillows, go to the public square and there cut the pillows open. Wave them in the air. Then come back.” 

The rumormonger quickly went home, got two pillows and a knife, hastened to the square, cut the pillows open, waved them in the air and hastened back to the rabbi’s chambers. “I did just what you said, Rebbe!” 

“Good.” The rabbi smiled. “Now, to realize how much harm is done by gossip, go back to the square...” 

“And?” 

“And collect all your feathers.”

It can’t be done, can it? The man will never collect all of those feathers, they are spread far and wide by the wind. Gossip can never be unwound. Once you tell a tale it is spread far and wide, and you can never undo it.

The best way to keep from gossiping is to avoid those who gossip. Stay away from the “chatterers” and you will along the way to avoiding being one of them.

Today’s Readings: Proverbs 19-21; Romans 13

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