I’m rumour. Don’t confuse me with gossip. Gossip is generally an unkind conversation about a person in their absence, while I’m an unofficial story that could be true or invented. I come from no specific place or person. I’m nobody’s child. Once I’m in circulation, I travel quickly, often leaving the truth far behind. Truth is evidence, context, hurtful at times, and boring. I generally come from hearsay, an incomplete or misunderstood conversation, a half-heard sentence, no clarification, or an overactive imagination. As I gather momentum. I grow spicier and longer. However, I cannot be vouched for. You humans just love passing me on. You give me legs and wings and wheels, and I speed along through offices, canteens, street corners, boardrooms, and classrooms. My endings are quiet. I die a natural death when something more interesting comes along, or, to everyone's shock and embarrassment, I’m disproved. I would advise you to refrain from passing me on, as I might br...

  “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.”  —Thomas Jefferson, former U.S. president The truth be told, the truth doesn’t go down well with all. Often, people prefer to be told what they want to hear. I don’t always take my husband’s advice but there is one piece of advice that I find valuable. He always urges me to tell the truth. I try to remember that in my day to day dealings. Honesty is the best policy, and that, hubby dear says, will always hold you in good stead. If everybody began telling the truth would it make the world a better place. A  lot of what people don’t want to hear would come out in the open. People would be afraid and uncomfortable. Some would be happy that the truth has finally been told. Telling the truth may get you into hot water, but it would be the best you could do for yourself in the long run.   “Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”  —Buddha There are different aspects to telling the ...