In this story, an older man spreads false rumors about his neighbor, branding him a thief. As a result, the neighbor loses friends and his business suffers. The neighbor sues the man, who argues that words can't hurt anyone. The judge instructs the older man to write down the rumors, tear the paper into pieces, and scatter them on his way home, then return to court to collect them. When the man realizes he can't gather the scattered pieces, the judge explains that harmful words, like those paper pieces, can't be taken back. He rules against the old man, illustrating the lasting damage caused by negative speech and the importance of being mindful of our words.