This short allegory, inspired by Chapter 3 of St James’ letter to the twelve tribes, highlights the tension between the power of the tongue and the heart’s responsibility.
The Setting
Is a quiet, idyllic village nestled between two hills, where people lived by the words they spoke. Literally.
Because every sentence spoken became visible; floating in the air like mist, then settling into the walls of their homes, the paths they walked, even the clothes they wore.
Words built their world, and it was wonderful – they were known as the Hamlet of Harmony. But words also eventually broke it.
Because as a tiny flame can light a candle to show the way, so too it can set a forest on fire and cause major destruction.
A Negative Spark was Ignited
One morning, a boy in the Hamlet, made a joke about his neighbour’s daughter.
It was supposed to be funny, but it twisted in the air like smoke.
By noon, the village was buzzing with words, not all good.
By evening, the girl had locked herself in her room, and her father had stormed into the square demanding justice.
What was intended as a joke had become an out-of-control wildfire.
A Teacher Became Involved
A wise old teacher named Sarah stood at the center of the hamlet.
She had seen this happen before.
So she gathered the villagers together and held up a small burning match.
‘This‘ she said, ‘is like your tongue. Very small, but it can burn away everything you love.’
Then she walked to the stable and showed them a horse’s bit.
‘This small piece of metal placed in a horses mouth, and attached by reigns, can control a beast hundreds of times its size.’ She said.
Then she went to the dock, where a rudder steered a massive ship. ‘
She told them;
‘This trivial-looking rear wheel, called a rudder, guides a gigantic vessel through ferocious sea storms.’
Then finally she turned to all the villagers listening intently, and said;
‘And likewise, your tiny tongues can either guide your lives with wise and kind words.
Or with a few foolish words – destroy them.’
As the Truth Became Clear
The villagers went silent.
They remembered other times of misunderstandings, gossip, and broken friendships that had happened amongst them.
They saw the words they had etched into their homes and their lives—some glowing with kindness, others dark and jagged with cruelty.
Then Sarah, the teacher, invited a stranger to speak.
The stranger was quiet, dressed plainly, but her words were gentle and full of grace.
She spoke of inner peace and harmony, of listening before speaking out, of telling kind and caring truths.
Her name was Wisdom.
The Hamlet of Harmony then Realised they had Lost their Way
But, over time, they changed back to how they had once been.
Because people then chose their comments more carefully and spoke more slowly.
They put much thought into the words they used to express themselves.
Praised more than they criticised.
Encouraged more than they suppressed.
And when they needed to speak hard truths, they wrapped their words in love.
Then the air around them gradually grew clearer again.
Their homes and community stood stronger.
And they became the Hamlet of Harmony once more.
Shining the loving light of Christ through precious and harmonious words.
