A wise and well-known Arabic anecdote says that, one day, a sultan dreamt that he had lost all his teeth.

As soon as he woke up, he sent for a soothsayer to interpretate his dream.

What a disgrace, sir! -  Exclaimed the soothsayer.

Each lost tooth means a relative of yours that passes away.

What an insolent! - Shouted the sultan, enraged. How dare you say such a thing? Get out of here!

He called his guards and told them to give the man a hundred whippings.

He then sent for another soothsayer and told him his dream.

He listened to the sultan carefully, and then told him:

Excels sir! Huge happiness is reserved for you. The dream means that you will survive all your relatives.

The face of the sultan opened in big smile, and he ordered that a hundred gold coins should be given to the man.

When he was about to leave the palace, a courtesan told him with admiration:

It is not possible! The interpretation you gave is the same one your friend has given. I do not understand why the first one got paid with a hundred whippings and you got paid with a hundred gold coins.

Remember my friend - answered the soothsayer - that everything depends on how you say it.

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One of the biggest obstacles of Humanity is to learn the art of communicating.

Many times, happiness or disgrace, war or peace depend on communication only.

No doubt truth must be told regardless the situation, but it is the way it is told that has caused huge problems sometimes.

Truth can be compared to a precious stone. If it is thrown into someone's face, it can hurt, provoking revolt.

But if we wrap it up into a delicate package and offer it with tenderness, it certainly will be accepted easily.

The package, in this case, is indulgency, tenderness, comprehension, and above all, the sincere wish to help the person to whom we speak to.

Besides, a wise thing to do before saying what we believe is true to someone else is to say it to ourselves in front of a mirror.

And depending on our reaction, we can go ahead or leave our intention behind.

What really matters is to always have in mind that what makes the difference is the way we say things.

*   *   *

The sublime art of communication was wisely taught by Jesus.

He sensibly spoke to Doctors of the Law as well as to simple and illiterate people.

There are people that consider themselves as good communicators, but cannot make their words reach out hearts and minds.

When Jesus, the communicator by excellence, spoke, His words shut deep in people's souls, because aside from His words He combined His acts. He spoke and exemplified with His own life.

The biggest secret for good communication is, therefore, the example of the one who speaks.

Spiritist Moment Team, based on a story
published by the Candeia Espírita Journal from  july/1998.
February 13.2012.