Understanding

I made a startling discovery the other day. It may not change the world, but it is simply this: snails do not have a reverse gear. I went to a greenhouse to water a friends tomato plants whilst they were away. The watering can was heavy, full of water but when I picked it up and tilted it, only a trickle of water came through. I put the can down, unscrewed the spout and held it up to the light. It was almost totally blocked by something dark. I poked a cane down through the narrow end and out dropped this snail. A dead snail.

Attracted by the damp it must have crawled in and up the spout. Unfortunately, watering can spouts taper and get smaller near the outlet. The snail when in as far as it could go then got jammed. And that was that. There was no room to turn and the snail obviously had no reverse gear.

It made me think. Never put yourself in a situation you cannot back out of. Bad grammar, but you see what I mean? People argue and in the heat of the moment, make statements that they cannot justify, and then find that they cannot back away. Too embarrassing. They then get aggressive, which makes things worse, and before you know it, World War Three has broken out. Or nearly so!!

The lesson here is to take the time to listen to what the other person is saying. Put yourself in their place and do not push too hard or you may get stuck without any chance of backing away. Leave room for understanding and keep the channels of communication unblocked.
Remember the snail.

Acknowledgment: Eddie Askew