The Healing Power of Words
(This short story explores how the true power of words and language, guided by sincerity and courage, can transform hearts, attitudes, and relationships.)
Usuf Mir
“Sincerity is the true taste of words. And yes, sincerity must be accompanied by courage. Sincerity without courage is incomplete, and courage without sincerity is incomplete. They are two sides of the same coin.”
It was the third Sunday of July. Sahil went to Hayatpora to visit his new friend, Tahir, at his shop.
After exchanging greetings, they asked about each other’s families, as friends usually do. Sahil also inquired about their mutual friend, Aslam, who was living abroad.
“Yes, he is doing well,” Tahir replied with a smile. “But remember one thing. Whether a person is considered good or bad depends on time. Time itself passes the judgment.”
Sahil remained silent for a few moments before asking, “Do you have any proof?”
Tahir smiled confidently.
“You must have heard the saying, ‘The pen is mightier than the sword.’ There was a time when the sword was the yardstick of power. Kingdoms were built by the sword. But the standards of power changed. New gadgets replaced the sword. Yet the strength and spirit of the pen remain as powerful as ever, and perhaps they always will. In the same way, words are too powerful.”
“What gives words their power?” Sahil asked.
“Their taste,” Tahir replied.
After a brief pause, he repeated, “The power of words lies in their taste.”
Sahil looked at him thoughtfully.
“And what is the taste of words?”
“Sincerity.”
After another thoughtful pause, Tahir continued, “Sincerity is the true taste of words. And yes, sincerity must be accompanied by courage. Sincerity without courage is incomplete, and courage without sincerity is incomplete. They are two sides of the same coin.”
After a moment of silence, Tahir began to tell a story.
“A man had heard of a Hakim who was said to heal people through his words. He found the claim difficult to believe and decided to discover the truth for himself.
When he arrived, he found a large crowd waiting outside. His curiosity grew even stronger.
When his turn came, he entered Hakim’s room. To his surprise, Hakim spoke to him in an unusually harsh tone. The behaviour was completely different from everything he had heard. The sharp words made his face turn red with anger.
Hakim quietly checked his blood pressure. It had risen considerably.
The visitor wanted to leave, but remained standing in silence.
Then, within moments, everything changed. The harshness disappeared from Hakim’s voice. His words became gentle. He sincerely apologised for his behaviour.
The visitor felt as though a completely different person was standing before him. The burden in his heart began to disappear.
After a short while, Hakim checked his blood pressure again. It had returned to normal.
Smiling, Hakim placed his hand on the visitor’s shoulder and said, ‘Now tell me… do you still believe that words cannot heal? My harsh words raised your blood pressure. My gentle words brought it back to normal. That is the taste of words and the true use of language. Never forget this: words are not merely a means of speaking; they are also the pathway to another person’s heart.'”
The visitor left with a smile and a lesson he would never forget.
Sahil sat quietly, reflecting on every word of the story.
Finally, he looked at Tahir and said, “Today I have truly understood that the real power of words lies in their taste.”
Tahir nodded silently.
The steam rising from their cups of tea slowly faded into the air, but one truth remained forever in the hearts of both friends:
Sincerity is the true taste of words!
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