Sometimes we feel angry, and we tend to shout at people around us to let it out. Sharing a short story about the wounds of anger that last beyond the moment.
Once, there was a young boy who had a terrible temper. He used to get angry when someone did not listen to him. He got upset when he did not receive what he asked for. He was displeased when the food was not to his taste. In every possible situation where his expectations did not match what was going on around him, he became angry.
His parents were at the end of their wits, and finally decided that he needed to be taught a lesson.
His father gave him a bag full of nails. He told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the old wooden fence in their backyard.
On the first day, the boy drove 45 nails into the fence.
Over the next few weeks, he learned to control his anger, the number of nails gradually decreased. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive nails into the fence.
After many months, the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He proudly told his father about it. The father then suggested that for each day the boy managed to stay calm, he should pull out one nail.
Days turned into months, at last, all the nails were gone. The boy felt proud again and called his father to see the fence.
The father smiled gently and said,
“You have done well, my son. But look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same again. When you say things in anger, they leave scars just like these. No matter how many times you say you’re sorry, the wound is still there.”
The boy looked at the fence silently and understood. From that day on, he tried his best to be kind and patient, even when he felt angry.
Anger is natural, but how we express it matters. Words spoken in anger can leave lasting mark even if we make amends later. True strength lies in staying calm, choosing kindness, and letting understanding take the place of rage.
Few tips to deal with anger:
- When you feel anger rising, step away from the situation to calm down
- Engage in any form of physical activity – exercise, walking, running, or a tough workout, to release pent-up energy
- Try to see the situation from a different viewpoint
- Think before you speak to express your concerns
- Drink a glass of water or take a deep breath before responding
One tip from a reader: “Count to 10 when you are angry”. It gives your mind the space to think of another way to respond to the situation.