The Frogs

[penelope]

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them
fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit.
When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs
they would never get out. The two frogs ignored the comments and
tried to jump up out of the pit. The other frogs kept telling them
to stop, that they were as good as dead.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were
saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died. The other frog
continued to jump as hard as he could.

Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and
suffering and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it
out. When he got out, the other frogs asked him,

"Why did you continue jumping.

Didn't you hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf.
He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.


This story teaches two lessons:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging
word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make
it through the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes
to kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who
cross your path.

The power of words....it is sometimes hard to understand that an
encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words
that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times.
Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.

-- Unknown