The Holy Bible says: “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper
exalts folly.” It means that the calm is wise, and that the angry are foolish. Even though God wanted us
to follow that rule, I have not always been able to succeed.
On one occasion, I got very mad. It was the last class of the day, and we filed into the classroom. The
teacher was late for a few minutes, so we walked around and chatted and socialized. I had recently
visited Yunnan and had seen lots of famous historical sites and amazing scenery. A classmate was
hearing me tell a story of my travels when he asked to see some souvenirs that I had bought. I handed
him a clay bird that could produce a lively and birdlike whistle when water was added. The clay bird was
delicately painted with all the small features that a bird has, which made it look much like a real one.
The classmate took the clay bird away and admired it. But as the piercing bell rang, the classmate
suddenly lost his grip and sent the clay bird tumbling to the ground, where it shattered into a thousand
pieces with a loud crack!
I was beyond myself with rage. He had broken my precious souvenir, which could not be obtained from
places other than Yunnan. Just as I was going to say something to him, the teacher came in, and we
started the class. As I listened half heartedly to the teacher, I could not get the classmate and broken
bird out of my head. My swirl of dark emotions deepened by the second.
At the end of class, on the way to the front gate, I told my friend about the incident, and how upset I
was. My friend was always helpful and kind, and he used his role to the fullest extent. “Hey”, he said, “It
had been an accident, he did not do it on purpose! Don’t be so frustrated! Besides, being like that will
not be of any use other than bringing bad emotions. So, cheer up!” He showed his normal big smile and
waved his goodbyes. I was standing there looking at his back when it dawned on me that he had been
right. It was wrong of me to be angry at an innocent person who did not do anything wrong on purpose.