A short story that may amuse you and also teach you a thing or two.

By Olivene Godfrey

To get along with others in this world we need to be tactful.
That has been defined many times, such as Howard W. Newton's, "The knack of making a point without making an enemy."

Awhile back I read about a very tactful husband. His young bride prided herself on being a good cook. One day she baked a pie for dessert. The minute she took the pie from the oven she realized something had gone wrong. But, it was too late to prepare another dessert so she served it anyway. To her surprise her husband praised it to the sky.

A few weeks later she decided to bake the same pie again since her husband had obviously enjoyed eating the first one. This time she watched her recipe carefully. And,  she was very proud of the pie when she removed it from the oven.

Her husband ate it with obvious relish but said nothing. After awhile she said, " That first pie was terrible and yet you praised it. But, this one is good and you just sit there and say nothing, why?"

Her husband paused, thinking for a few moments, then explained,"
That first pie really needed praising."

I suppose the husband's tactful praise could have backfired on him. If the second pie, and perhaps many more in years to come, had turned out like the first one he might have regretted his action.

See you next time.