‘Words are life’ –The book thief

The Book Thief is a story of a ten-year-old girl living in Germany during World War II. But the quote is so relevant even today. In fact, it is an evergreen statement. The words ARE life.

Humans are the only species who have the ability to talk. We have the words and can express ourselves in ways other than monosyllables or hugs. Man discovered language and what immense possibilities opened with that. We could store our knowledge eternally; we could pass it on and could create a legacy.

But then, we humans have an expertise in complicating life. So we used words for hyperbole, threw them in anger at the people we love most and generally spoke a great deal of nothing.

Words are like diamonds. They are precious. They should be used sparingly. They cannot be spewed around like soot. They have to be embedded in stories of love, hope; they have to convey our deepest feelings, they have to run smooth and gentle like a brook. They can’t disgorge like a waterfall unless there is a specific purpose to that.

Brevity is the soul of wit said Shakespeare but do we remember that? We talk endlessly and use three sentences where we can just do with one.

We create misunderstandings in our relationships by using words that can hurt others. Words should a balm to a hurting soul. They should be lullaby to a crying heart; they should be a comfort to a lonely spirit.

The maestros did it. Five thousand years after Vedas were written, five hundred years after Shakespeare wrote his plays, we still learn from these immortal pieces, gain new insights every time we study them.

So why can’t we learn a simple trick from the all the great writers? To use words to create life, a life full of joy, kindness and compassion. Let our words create peace

So be it!!!