Origins of Scandal

Have you ever been involved in a confidential conversation with someone that was overheard by someone else? That person in turn takes the tidbit of info they heard makes it a reality and spreads the partial truth by repeating it to others. Then all of a sudden, everything seems to go out of whack and a story begins that is entirely untrue due to the fact that the person listening in only heard a 'partial' truth.

How many times has this happened to you or someone you know? Or maybe you have been the one to hear the half truth and 'spread the word.' Just take a moment to read the following story and by the end maybe we{myself included} can learn a few good tips about thinking before speaking.

Always remember to go to the source if you have questions or thoughts, it makes things a lot better for both parties. Or the other option would be to keep it to yourself if you don't know the whole story. When in doubt, do without.

THE ORIGIN OF SCANDAL

"Said Mrs. A.
to Mrs. J.,
In quite a confidential way:
'It seems to me,
that Mrs. B.,
Takes too much -- of something -- in her tea.'"
"And Mrs. J.,
To Mrs. K.
That night was overheard to say --
She grieved to touch
Upon it much,
But 'Mrs. B. took -- such and such!'"
"Then Mrs. K.
Went straight away,
And told a friend, the self-same day,
' 'Twas sad to think' --
Here comes a wink --
'That Mrs. B. was fond of drink.'"
"The friend's disgust
Was such she must,
Inform a lady, 'which she nussed,'
'That Mrs. B.
At half-past three,
Was that far gone she couldn't see!'"
"This lady we
Have mentioned, she
Gave needle-work to Mrs. B.,
And at such news
Could hardly choose,
But further needle-work refuse."
"Then Mrs. B.,
As you'll agree,
Quite properly -- she said, said she
That she would track
The scandal back
To those who made her look so black."
"Through Mrs. K.
And Mrs. J.
She got at last to Mrs. A.,
And asked her why,
With cruel lie,
She painted her so deep a dye!"
"Said Mrs. A.,
In sore dismay,
'I no such thing could ever say.
I said that you
But stouter grew,
On too much sugar -- which you do!'"