Silence

I read a story of how four friends decided to observe silence for a week. They were silent on the first day and as the night approached the oil lamp became dim. One of them could not resist the temptation to tell the servant “Fix the lamp by pouring oil.” On hearing this another friend exclaimed “How come you spoke? We are on silence.” The third friend got annoyed and said “You stupid fellows, why are you talking?” The fourth one who was watching all this said “I am the one who has not broken the silence. ”
The temptation to talk is irresistible and often on matters that are not related to us. We talk frequently where we could have kept silent. Unsolicited we are quick to pronounce our views on other persons’ issues. Very often we do this to make the other person comfortable. We think that if we are silent the other person would be uncomfortable. We cannot suffer silence for even a few minutes. We need to fill the gaps with inane remarks. We rarely come across two people walking or sitting together continuously for thirty minutes without talking. Silence we consider is a sign of rudeness or aloofness. Conversation is no doubt an accepted social norm but we practice this endlessly and aimlessly. We often mistake talking to camaraderie and we indulge in sharing our opinion on all subjects under the sun. In train journeys this proclivity is most pronounced with utter strangers whom we may never meet again.
Minding our business is a difficult trait. It requires lot of effort not to say a thing. The urge to open our mouths is irrepressible. I am used to giving suggestions where none were asked. I would jump in quickly with my comments on an issue concerning other persons. In retrospect I would find my efforts to be helpful were all unrewarding and not infrequently resented. I am still unable to beat fully the habit although I make all out efforts not to butt in areas that are not mine. I am able to deal with others shortcomings as it is far simpler than focusing on my own weaknesses. “If you keep your mouth shut you will never put your foot in it” is a maxim rarely learnt.
You might have heard the story of a man walking in the forest finding a skull hailing him ”Hey, Where are you going?” The man turned back and asked the skull whether it spoke. It said “Yes, I asked you where you are going?” The man was greatly surprised at the skull speaking to him and ran to tell the king of the strange happening. The king was in the court discussing important matters. Visibly annoyed at the interruption, he told the minister ”I cannot believe it. Let us go and see. If this fellow had lied, we will deal sternly with him.” When they reached the place, the man asked the skull “Hello, speak to me” The skull kept quiet and becoming nervous the man pleaded with the skull “The king is here. Utter a few words, please.” The skull continued to remain quiet. The king got angry and ordered the man’s head to be cut. After they left the skull started speaking. The man’s head asked “Why were you quiet when the king was here? How did you come to this pass? The skull replied “I also talked foolishly as you did to the king”
The moral is to talk where it is relevant and really needed. Empty chatter takes none anywhere. Do not speak unless you can improve the silence.