A group of frogs was traveling through the woods when two of them accidentally fell into a deep pit.
The other frogs gathered around the edge and looked down.
Seeing how deep the pit was, they shouted,
“There’s no way you can get out!”
“Just give up!”
The two frogs ignored the voices above and kept trying to jump.
Again and again, the frogs at the top continued shouting that escape was impossible.
Eventually, one of the trapped frogs believed what he heard.
He lost hope, stopped trying, and gave up.
The other frog, however, kept jumping with all his strength.
No matter how loudly the crowd shouted, he continued trying.
Finally, with one powerful leap, he made it out of the pit.
The other frogs were amazed.
They asked,
“Didn’t you hear us telling you to give up?”
The frog smiled and replied,
“I’m deaf.”
“I thought you were cheering me on the whole time.”
Moral:
The words we speak have the power to discourage or inspire.
A few kind words can give someone the strength to keep going, while careless words can take away their hope.
Choose your words wisely—they may make more of a difference than you realize.