The Gossip

I went in search of this poem atg our Yuku Castle.  Had tto search a long tim e, but it is a real favorite and I could not bear to lose it.  It is filled with such wisdom.  So glad I found it.  


Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone; But there's a half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on, Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea. And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.



Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute you forget, But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet, And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown; You've disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.



Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and in. They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the centers as they go, And there is no way to stop them, once you've started them to flow.



Drop an unkind word, or careless: In a minute you forget; But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet, And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you've stirred, And disturbed a life that was happy where you dropped that unkind word.



Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a splash and it is gone; But there's half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on, Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave. Till you wouldn't believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.



Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget; But there's gladness still a-swelling, and there's joy a-circling yet. And you've rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard. Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.