DROP A PEBBLE IN THE WATER

James W. Foley

Drop a pebble in the water; just a splash, and it is gone

But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on

Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea

And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop an unkind word, or careless in a minute you forget;

But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet.

And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred.

And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone;

But there half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.

Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave

Till you wouldn’t believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.