The Nails in the Fence

Once upon a time there lived a little boy named Harry.

Harry had a kind heart. He loved to play, to laugh, and to dream.

But there was one thing he found very difficult.

Whenever something did not go his way, he became very angry.

He shouted. He screamed. Sometimes he even said hurtful words to the people around him.

His father watched quietly. He knew that getting angry with Harry would only make things worse.

So he decided to teach him something instead.

One sunny morning, Harry's father handed him a small hammer and a bag full of nails.

"My son," he said gently, "every time you lose your temper, go outside and hammer one nail into our wooden fence."

Harry looked surprised. But he trusted his father.

"All right, Dad. I'll do it."

The very first day, Harry became angry many times.

Each time he walked outside, picked up his hammer, and pounded another nail into the fence.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

By sunset the fence was covered with nails. It looked rough, and full of tiny marks.

Harry sighed. "I didn't know I became angry this often."

The next morning, Harry tried a little harder.

When he felt the anger bubbling inside, he took a deep breath. Sometimes he counted slowly. Sometimes he walked away.

Little by little, he became calmer.

Every day there were fewer nails to hammer.

After many weeks, Harry smiled proudly. "I didn't lose my temper today!"

He ran to tell his father, who hugged him warmly.

"I'm proud of you," his father said. "Now, every day that you stay calm, you may take one nail out."

Harry was excited. Each peaceful day, he carefully pulled out another nail.

One by one, the nails disappeared.

Weeks passed. Finally the very last nail came out. The fence was empty again.

Harry rushed to his father. "Dad! I removed every nail!"

His father smiled. "Come with me."

Together they walked to the old wooden fence. His father pointed quietly.

"What do you see?"

Harry looked closely. "There are little holes everywhere."

His father nodded. "Yes. The nails are gone. But the holes remain."

Harry gently touched the fence. It no longer looked the same.

His father knelt beside him.

"My son, angry words are just like these nails. You can say sorry later. You can ask for forgiveness."

"But sometimes the hurt you leave in someone's heart takes a very long time to heal."

Harry became very quiet. He thought about the people he had shouted at, and wished he had spoken more kindly.

From that day on, Harry still felt angry sometimes. Everyone does.

But now, before speaking, he stopped. He took a deep breath. He chose kind words instead.

Slowly, people began smiling around him again. His friends enjoyed playing with him. His teachers noticed the change.

And Harry discovered something wonderful. Being kind made his own heart feel happier too.

Soon the stars twinkled brightly above. The cool evening breeze whispered through the trees.

Harry closed his eyes with a peaceful smile, and drifted into a restful sleep.

Our words are like tiny nails. Once they are spoken they can leave marks on someone's heart. So whenever you feel upset, pause for a moment, take a deep breath, and think with kindness.