The Tongue's Mark

In kabaddi, Eshan shouted, "Slow snail!" when his teammate, Mani, missed a tag. The other kids laughed.

Mani's shoulders drooped. He stopped playing and sat by the water pot.

Words can hug, words can sting.

At home, Eshan grabbed a bajji too fast. It was hot. He yelped and dropped it.

Amma put cool water on his finger. "See? The burn will heal," she said.

That evening, Thatha heard about the kabaddi game. He held Eshan's hand and said the kural:

Eshan looked at his finger. It already felt better. He thought about Mani, and his stomach tightened.

The next day, Eshan walked up to Mani. "I said a hurt word. I'm sorry," he said. "You are fast when you want to be. Want to practice with me?"

Mani nodded. They ran together, laughing.

Words can hug, words can sting.