A Little WisdomTalmud stories for everyday life
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009 · 8 panels

Words That Help Repair

Before fixing the misprinted posters, he rewrote his opening line.

Inspired by a source · Creative adaptationNo sign-up · All stories free
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He unfolded the prints for the exhibition they were preparing together.
Jin

The bottom of the picture is cut off on every poster.

He unfolded the prints for the exhibition they were preparing together.

His hand hovered over his phone; his words were already sharp.
Jin

Should I ask if they even checked before printing?

His hand hovered over his phone; his words were already sharp.

Ara pointed to the cropped part.
Ara

The problem is clear. Let's say how we can fix it, too.

Ara pointed to the cropped part.

He sent the checked problem and a request instead of an accusation.
Jin

The bottom of the picture is cropped. Could we reprint it with the whole image visible?

He sent the checked problem and a request instead of an accusation.

The colleague acknowledged the error and reviewed the settings.
Colleague

I set the print area incorrectly. Sorry. I'll check it now.

The colleague acknowledged the error and reviewed the settings.

Ara laid out the original artwork.
Jin

Shall we try just one sheet first?

Ara laid out the original artwork.

They checked one sheet together before printing the others.
Colleague

It's all visible now. I'll use these settings for the rest.

They checked one sheet together before printing the others.

He had not said less of what mattered. He had added a way forward.
Story

They fixed the posters and kept the wish to work together.

He had not said less of what mattered. He had added a way forward.

A thought from the Talmud

Choose an answer that does not fuel anger, and add peace between people.

The source idea in our own words · Not a direct quotation

Berakhot 17a:9 · Read the source ↗

A lesson for today

Speaking gently does not mean glossing over a problem. State the error you have checked, the change needed and a workable time. Tone alone cannot resolve every conflict, but it can open a way to fix things together.

A modern interpretation for this story

A question to take with you

How could I state what needs fixing in words that invite us to solve it together?

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About the source and this adaptation

In Berakhot 17a:9, Abaye quotes Proverbs 15:1 while encouraging people to increase peace with others. The source is a teaching, not a story about a printing mistake. This modern story is inspired by that teaching; Jin, Ara, the colleague, the poster error, its repair and all dialogue are fictional.

Read the source ↗

AI-generated artwork · Creative adaptation

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