晨读英语美文 Feather in the Wind

Feather in the Wind
[00:07.09]A certain good woman 
[00:09.29]one day said something that hurt her best friend of many years. 
[00:13.45]She regretted immediately 
[00:15.53]and would have done anything to have taken the words back. 
[00:19.25]What she said hurt the friend so much 
[00:21.66]that this good woman was herself hurt for the pain she caused. 
[00:26.14]In an effort to undo what she had done, 
[00:28.87]she went to an older, wiser woman in the village, 
[00:32.34]explained her situation, and asked for advice.
[00:35.30]Listening to her, 
[00:37.38]the older woman sensed the younger woman's distress and knew she must help her. 
[00:42.63]She also knew she could never alleviate her pain, 
[00:46.01]but she could teach. 
[00:47.43]She knew the outcome would depend solely on the character of the younger woman. 
[00:52.57]She said, Tonight, take your best feather pillows 
[00:56.41]and put a single feather on the doorstep of each house in town before the sun rises.
[01:01.66]The young woman hurried home to prepare for her chore, 
[01:05.15]even though the feather pillows were very dear to her. 
[01:07.89]All night long, she labored alone in the cold. 
[01:11.39]Finally the sky was getting light, 
[01:14.23]she placed the last feather on the steps of the last house. 
[01:17.74]Just as the sun rose, she returned to the older woman.
[01:21.78]Now, said the wise woman, 
[01:24.18]Go back and refill your pillows with the feather you have put on the steps. 
[01:29.32]Then everything will be as it was before.
[01:32.06]You know that's impossible! 
[01:34.14]The wind blew away each feather as fast as I placed them on the doorsteps! 
[01:38.30]The young woman was surprised.
[01:40.26]That's true, said the older woman. 
[01:42.67]Never forget. Each of your words is like a feather in the wind. 
[01:46.61]Once spoken, no amount of effort, 
[01:49.24]regardless how heartfelt or sincere, can never return them to your mouth. 
[01:53.39]Choose your words well and guard them most of all in the presence of those you love.