Kind Words, Honest Heart

Story

One day in a small village, two friends, Abhinav and Gauri, were playing near the garden. Abhinav looked at Gauri’s drawing and giggled. “This looks funny! You have drawn a sun with three eyes! Don’t you know, the sun has two eyes?” he said.

Gauri’s smile faded. She had worked hard on the drawing. “Why are you being mean?” she asked sadly.

Just then, Abhinav’s Dadi Amma came by and saw them. “What happened, children?” she asked gently.

Gauri explained, “Abhinav laughed at my drawing.”

Dadi Amma smiled and said, “Abhinav, do you know what the wise ones taught? Satyam bruyat, priyam bruyat. This means: speak the truth, but say it kindly.”

Abhinav scratched his head. “But Dadi Amma, isn’t it wrong to hide the truth?”

Dadi Amma nodded, “Yes, never hide the truth, always be honest. But you should say it in a way that doesn’t hurt. For example, instead of laughing, you could say, “Gauri, your sun is different. Maybe you can try drawing it with two eyes next time.”

That way, you are honest and kind.” Gauri’s face brightened. “Yes, that would make me feel better!”

Abhinav smiled. “I understand now. I should never say harsh things, even if they are true. And I must never say sweet lies either.”

Dadi Amma patted their heads. “That’s right, children. Honesty with kindness is the path of Dharma.”

From that day on, Abhinav and Gauri promised each other to always speak kindly and always be honest.