You Cant’t Take it Back

Remember when your mom would tell you to think before you speak? No matter how dumb that line sounded, it is a useful lesson to know. With or without knowing these words of wisdom, odds are you are probably going to hurt someone unintentionally. I always said comments without thought oh how it would affect a victim. Day after day I would continue spitting out words, not caring who I hurt, but there was a day when I realized just how much words can hurt.

The school day started out on a cloudy October morning. All six students, including me, stood in front of class waiting to perform. My legs shivered and a drip of sweat dribbled down my forehead to the floor. The drama teacher directed us to turn around and perform. Up in the front of the drama class with me stood Annie, a preppy blond girl with brown highlights. She had three other friends performing, girls, who weren’t as talented. Lastly, a boy, who always acted dramatic and a little chubby, was to perform as well. The drama teacher clapped her hands and commanded us to perform. I performed perfect, as always, and Annie did, I have to admit, pretty well. In fact Annie did fantastic. The three, less talented, girls did horrible. They performed as if they didn’t try at all, which I don’t think they did try anyway. Last up was the big guy, who I wasn’t too worried about. He rapped and began saying he liked French fries in rhyme. At that moment I knew opportunity knocked at my door, As soon as he said that I blustered out, “Yeah well we can see that you like fries.” The entire drama class erupted into ecstatic laughter and began taking in all the marvelous glory I received. Three seconds later the drama teacher shouted at the class to shut their mouths. Her voice scared the living lights out of me. When the class came to a hush my drama teacher glared at me a look of pure disappointment. Then I glanced at the chubby kid’s face as it brought shame to my face. He looked as if his whole world had suddenly came crashing down upon him.

I realized, at that moment, what I say can’t just hurt the victim but myself as well. When I saw that glum face and noticed how I hurt an innocent person for public attention I knew I needed to change. Even if a person doesn’t seem devastated, inside they are probably hurting. They’re probably wondering what’s wrong with them or why did they say that hurtful statement. I apologized to the big guy and he accepted my sincere and honest apology. But I knew that what I said had hurt him and no apologies I say could ease his pain. So whenever you think of saying something hurtful remember, once it’s out of your mouth you can’t put it back. This I Believe