My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice. I maim people without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted the more I am believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless. No one can protect himself against me because I have no name and no face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody's friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it's never the same. I topple governments and wreck marriages. I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches and indigestion. I spawn suspicion and generate grief. I make innocent people cry in their pillows. I am called Gossip. Office gossip. Shop gossip. Party gossip. Telephone gossip. I make headlines and headaches.
Before you repeat a story, ask yourself, Is it true? Is it fair? Is it necessary? If not ? SHUT UP!
1.Why is spreading gossip likely to be a bad thing to do? Can you think of any case in whichit might be a good a good thing?
2.Why do people like to gossip about other people? Why don뭪 they want to??
