Once upon a time, there was a king. He had a dream where all his teeth fell out.
The king told his dream to a scholar who interpreted dreams.
After hearing the dream, the interpreter asked the king, “Are you sure you saw this in your dream?”
The king replied, “Yes, I am sure I saw this dream.”
The interpreter said to the king, “Your Majesty, this dream means that all your household will die before you.”
The king’s face turned red with anger. He ordered the guards to immediately throw the interpreter into jail and imprison any other interpreters.
Another interpreter came and heard the king’s dream. He gave a similar answer, and the king also put him in jail.
Then a third interpreter was summoned. The king wanted to know the meaning of his dream from him. The interpreter asked the king, “Are you sure you saw this dream?”
The king replied, “Yes, I am sure I saw this dream.”
The interpreter said, “Your Majesty, then congratulations to you.”
The king, surprised, asked, “Congratulations for what?”
The interpreter replied, “Your Majesty, the interpretation of this dream is that, God willing, you will have the longest life among your household.”
The king, with more surprise, asked the interpreter, “Are you sure this is the interpretation of this dream?”
The interpreter answered, “Yes, Your Majesty, this is exactly the interpretation of this dream.”
The king, pleased, rewarded the interpreter and let him go.
Indeed, doesn’t this mean that if the king lives the longest among his household, then all his family members will die before him?
Yes, that’s what it means, but the way of saying it is different.
The moral of the story
- Communication Style: The story highlights how the manner in which we communicate can impact how our message is received.
- Tact and Sensitivity: It emphasizes the importance of being tactful and sensitive when delivering messages, especially if they may have a significant impact on the listener.
- Positive Approach: The tale suggests that a positive approach to communication can lead to better outcomes and reception of the message.
- Empathy: By considering the feelings and perspective of the listener, we can tailor our communication to be more empathetic and understanding.
- Impact of Delivery: The story illustrates that even if the content of the message remains the same, the way it is delivered can greatly affect the listener’s reaction and interpretation.
- Respectful Communication: It underscores the significance of respectful communication, especially when discussing sensitive topics or delivering potentially distressing news.
- Effective Communication: Ultimately, effective communication involves not just conveying information but also considering the emotions and responses of the listener.
