1. Words Etched in Stone or History Written in Sand

Ten years ago, I began crafting the Samuel Stories, a series of educational and therapeutic narratives aimed at helping individuals manage conflict more effectively. Below, you can explore one of the Samuel stories titled "Words Etched in Stone or History Written in Sand"

Samuel's stories

Words… Samuel repeats to himself. But what is a word, truly? He wonders as he lets his fingers sift through the sand, watching the water wash away the traces of his hand. Memories of his childhood surface, particularly of his grandfather—a wise man with a pipe—who once spoke to him with a seriousness Samuel didn’t fully understand at the time.

The Power of Words

“Sam, my boy,” his grandfather's voice came softly from behind his large brown pipe, “always be mindful of your words. It matters to whom you speak, what you say, and how you say it.” He then picked up a large gray stone, etched with many scratches.

"Grandfather, why is this stone so full of marks?" Samuel asked, curious.

“These marks, my son, were made each time someone’s words hurt me. Each scratch represents a moment when words pierced my heart.”

Grandfather explained that hurtful words can feel like wounds, leaving an unseen but lasting pain. “Remember, words reach the soul,” he cautioned. “They can either uplift it or weigh it down.”

At the time, Samuel didn’t fully understand, but now, as he reflects, it becomes clear: words indeed leave an imprint on the soul.

Yet, he still wonders why his grandfather chose to carve painful words into stone, knowing he would be reminded of them each time he looked. In that moment, Samuel resolves to do things differently—he will not etch hurtful words in stone. Instead, he will write them in the sand, allowing the wind and water to wash them away gradually. He chooses not to hold onto painful words, understanding that they can weigh down the heart, just as they once did for his grandfather, sinking him deeper into his armchair.

Samuel’s Story reminds us that words carry a lasting impact, capable of carving deep marks in our lives or washing away like sand under the tide. Conflict management begins with recognizing the weight of our words—they can either bring healing or deepen wounds. Like Samuel, we can choose to release harmful words rather than letting them leave scars, fostering communication that lifts and connects rather than burdens

This story was first published in Hungarian on March 22, 2014, on this blog: https://melzerandi.blogspot.com/2014/03/kobe-vesett-szavak-avagyhomokba-irt.html where it continues to resonate with readers exploring themes of trauma-informed conflict management.