The art of rebuke

I received the following poem in an email and, since it tied in to this week's parsha about Moshe Rabbeinu 's rebuking bnei Yisrael, I thought I would share it with you.

The writing on the wall

 

A weary mother returned from the store,

Lugging groceries through the kitchen door.

Awaiting her arrival was her eight year old son, 

Anxious to relate what his younger brother had done.

 
 

"While I was out playing and Dad was on a call, 

Dovid took his crayons and wrote on the wall!

It's on the new paper you just hung in the den.

I told him you'd be mad at having to do it again."

 

She let out a moan and furrowed her brow.

"Where is your little brother now?"

She emptied her arms and with a purposeful stride,

she marched to the closet where her son had gone to hide. 

She called his full name as she entered his room.

He trembled with fear - he knew that meant doom!

 

For the next ten minutes, she ranted and raved

About the expensive wallpaper and how she had saved.

Lamenting all the work it would take to repair,

She condemned his actions and total lack of care.

 

The more she scolded, the angrier she got,

Then stomped from his room, totally distraught!

She headed for the den to confirm her fears. 

When she saw the wall, her eyes flooded with tears.

 

The message she read pierced her soul with a dart.

It said "I love you mummy" surrounded by a heart!

 

Well the wallpaper remained, just as she found it, 

With an empty picture frame hung to surround it.

Check out the details before you react - and scold.