# A Pebble

- Link: https://dismasfellowshipnetwork.com/reflections/a-pebble/
- Published: 2021-06-09T10:49:24-04:00
- Author: Paul Tuck

**[[A Pebble** by 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 centre, flowing
on out to the sea. And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute you forget,
 But there’s little waves a-
flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet, And those little waves a-flowing to a
great big wave have grown; You’ve disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a
stone.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone;
 But there’s half-a-hundred
ripples circling on and on and on. They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from
the centre as they go, And there is no way to stop them, once you’ve started them
to flow.

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’s 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.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget;
 But there’s gladness
still a-swelling, and there’s joy circling yet, And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort
whose sweet music can be heard Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one
kind word.

**Reflection Questions:**  _Can you recall an action of yours that had a “ripple
effect?”_
 **OR **_What are some little things you try to do every day to make a
difference in the world?_