2. The Water Carries Away Late Words

Ten years ago, I began writing a series of stories known as the Samuel Stories, which serve as educational and therapeutic narratives to help individuals manage conflict more effectively. Below, you can explore one of the Samuel stories titled "The Water Carries Away Late Words."

Samuel's story continues...

"Samuel! Samuel!" His voice still echoes in my mind. I nod reluctantly, wondering what he wants now, feeling slightly annoyed at being pulled from my thoughts. He calls again, gently insistent, until I finally meet his soft gaze, and my irritation melts away.

"What is it?" I ask.

"I’d like to talk," he says.

"Can’t it wait?" I reply, frustrated.

"Of course, if you’re busy," he answers quietly, his usual warmth dimmed. I know it must be important, but I push it aside, telling myself we’ll talk later. That conversation, however, never happens.

Now, sitting by the sea, watching the waves roll in, I picture his gentle gaze and feel a sudden urge to call out, "You meant so much to me, maybe more than anyone." But now, those words can’t reach him. So, I carve them into the sand and watch as the waves wash them away.

“Yes, the water carries away late words,” I say aloud. In that moment, I make a promise:

I will never again miss a chance to listen or share what truly matters.

Samuel’s story reveals the cost of words left unspoken, and how silence can deepen conflicts as much as hurtful words can. In conflict management, it's vital to listen and express what truly matters in the moment, rather than allowing words to wash away with regret. Like Samuel, we can choose to create space for meaningful exchanges—honouring both what we need to say and what others need to hear.

This story was first published in Hungarian on April 24, 2014, on this blog: https://melzerandi.blogspot.com/2014/04/elkesett-szavakat-elvisz-viz.html where it continues to resonate with readers exploring themes of trauma-informed conflict management.