Short Stories » Think Before You Speak

Think Before You Speak

It was a sunny day, but the climate was enjoyable. Everyone in the railway station was waiting for the train to arrive. Among the crowd, there was a group of friends, youngsters who were on board for vacation.

It was a busy station with juice shop, mobile restaurants, coffee and tea stalls, newspaper shop, restaurants, etc. The announcement regarding the arrival of the train was made and everyone prepared to get into the train to their appropriate places.

The group of friends made loud noise to welcome the train as it entered the station. They ran to get their reserved seats before anyone could get into the train.

The empty seats were filled and the train whistled to move. An old man with a young boy aged around 15 years came running to catch the train. They entered the train and the train started to move. They had their seats just adjacent to the friends’ group.

The young boy was so surprised to see everything.

He acclaimed at his father, ‘Dad, the train is moving and the things are moving backwards.’

His father smiled and nodded his head.

As the train started moving fast, the young boy again screamed, ‘Dad the trees are green in colour and run backward very fast.’ His father said, ‘Yes dear’ and smiled.

Just like a kid, he was watching everything with great enthusiasm and happiness loaded with tons of surprises.

A fruit seller passed selling apples and oranges. The young boy asked his dad, ‘I want to eat apples.’ His father bought him apples. He said, ‘Oh apple looks so sweet than it tastes’ I love this colour.

The group was watching all the activities of this boy and asked the boy’s father ‘Is your son having any problem? Why is he behaving very differently?

A friend from the group made fun of him and shouted, ‘His son is mad I think.

The father of the young boy, with patience, replied to the friend-group.

‘My son was born blind. Only a few days before he was operated and got the vision. He is seeing various things in his life for the first time.

The young friends became very quiet and apologized to his father and son.

Think Before You Speak

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Think Before You Speak - Takeaway for Class 1,2,3

Always remember to choose your words carefully because once spoken, they cannot be taken back.

Think Before You Speak - Takeaway for Class 4,5,6

Always remember to think carefully about your words before you speak, as they can have a big impact on others.

Think Before You Speak - Takeaway for Class 7,8,9

Before saying something, consider the impact your words might have on others, because once spoken, they cannot be taken back.

3 Fun Facts

• The story highlights how words have the power to hurt others, just like the nails driven into the fence created holes that couldn't be filled.
• The young boy in the story learns the importance of controlling his temper and thinking carefully before speaking to avoid causing harm.
• The boy's father uses a powerful metaphor, explaining that even after apologizing, the 'scars' of hurtful words can remain, much like the fence that still has nail holes after the nails are removed.

Quiz for Class 1,2,3

• What did the young boy like to do that often got him into trouble?
• Who did the boy visit for advice on how to improve his behavior?
• What important lesson did the young boy learn by the end of the story?

Quiz for Class 4,5,6

• What did Rohan's mother warn him about that he found confusing at first?
• How did Rohan realize the importance of his mother's advice during his conversation with Aman?
• What lesson did Rohan learn after speaking with his teacher, Mr. Kapoor?

Quiz for Class 7,8,9

• How did the young prince's behavior affect the dragon he encountered in the forest, and what was the dragon's initial reaction?
• What lesson did the young prince learn from the dragon about the importance of words and their impact on others?
• Describe the change in the young prince’s character after his encounter with the dragon and how he applied this change when he returned to his kingdom.