There once lived a small boy who had a very bad temper. So his father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he got angry and rage got hold of him he should pound a nail into the fence behind the house.

    During the first day the boy drove in 37 nails. Over several weeks however he learned to control his anger and the number of pounded nails gradually lessened. He realized that it was much less work to control his anger than to pound nails into the fence. And finally the day arrived when the boy didn't pound a single nail behind the house. He announced this news to his father who said to him that on each day like that, when didn't lose his temper, he should pull a nail out of the fence.

    Time flew by and there came a day when the boy was able to say to his father that not a single nail remained in the fence. So the father took the boy by the hand and said:

    "You did well, son. But look at the holes left in the fence by those nails. This fence will never be the same again. When you say something in anger, it leaves like this in a person. Just as if you stuck a knife into a person and pulled it out again. It doesn't matter how many times you say you're very sorry. The wound remains and though caused only by words, it hurts all the same. Weigh your words well, those you say to others, and your circle of friends that will love you will grow quickly. And the friendship of others is the most valuable thing you can have in this life..."