3. Life and Death in the Power of Words

Ten years ago, I began writing a series of stories known as the Samuel Stories, which are designed as educational and therapeutic narratives to help individuals manage conflict more effectively. Below, you can explore one of the Samuel stories titled "Life and Death in the Power of Words."

Samuel's story continues...

“Why are your eyes tearing up, Samuel?” Sarah asked, sipping her coffee from a porcelain cup. “These are tears of joy, Sarah,” Samuel replied, his gaze bright with emotion.

Sarah looked at him in confusion, unfamiliar with her brother’s world. “But why cry if you’re happy? Tears mean pain,” she said, fixing her large blue eyes on him, eager to understand the mysteries of his soul. She always wanted to know more about him and the world he held inside.

“I understood something very important,” Samuel answered, as if he had discovered a great treasure. “What did you understand, dear brother?” Sarah asked, curiosity lighting her blue eyes like diamonds. She set down her coffee and leaned closer, ready to listen.

“Life and death are in the power of the tongue,” Samuel said, looking straight into her eyes.

“What do you mean?” she asked, still puzzled.

He told her about an encounter from two weeks prior. On a street corner, he saw a woman sitting on a bench, crying. Compelled by curiosity, he approached her, wondering what had caused such sadness. She looked at him, her beautiful brown eyes shadowed with rejection and bitterness, the light of joy completely absent.

The woman asked him, “Do you also think I’m useless, incapable of anything?” Her voice hinted at a deep hunger for love and validation. Shaken, Samuel replied, “You are a wonderful, capable person, capable of great things.” His words broke through the shadows in her gaze, and her eyes brightened. He left her his address and encouraged her to reach out if she needed help.

Today, he received a letter from her. It read:

“THANK YOU; YOUR WORDS BROUGHT ME BACK TO LIFE.”

Samuel learned that our words can be a lifeline or a barrier. In moments of conflict, choosing to speak with compassion can illuminate the darkest paths and foster understanding. When we take the time to listen and respond thoughtfully, we create bridges instead of walls. Let us embrace the truth that our voices have the power to uplift, heal, and transform, turning conflicts into opportunities for connection and growth.

This story was first published in Hungarian on April 29, 2014, on this blog: https://melzerandi.blogspot.com/2014/04/elet-es-halal-van-nyelv-hatalmaban.html where it continues to resonate with readers exploring themes of trauma-informed conflict management.