Why Is Gossip Wrong?
“Knowledge is power, if you know it about the right person,” wrote Ethel Watts. Or, as Ivern Ball quipped, “A small town is a place where there is little to see or do, but what you hear makes up for it.” In small towns or large cities, gossip wreaks havoc wherever it spreads. And it does spread, says Scott, 11: “A rumor is in all likelihood an expanded lie, which becomes larger as it goes along. A lot of rumors spread from jealous people who aren’t at peace with themselves and have a big mouth the size of a western African Safari Elephant.” Thanks, Scott for being specific. Africans are quick to point out that their elephants are bigger than those in India. I’ve seen African elephants up close in the wild. Their sheer size and power will definitely get your attention. Like a charging elephant, a tongue out of control can destroy, says Maddie, 11, who speaks from personal experience: “You can never take back the words you say. Once I was called a bad name in the 4th grade. It hurt me ve
