Dedicated Lilui Nishmat R' Maair Ben R' Yakutiel and Javayeer Z"tl
The Power of the Tongue \ Midsrah Shocher Tov
Once a Persian king was ill. The royal physician told him that only milk from a lioness would cure him. One of his servants said, "I will bring you milk from a lioness. I need ten goats to succeed in this mission."
The king gave his servant the goats, and he set off to the jungle where he found a lioness nursing her young. On the first day, he stood afar and threw a goat toward her, which she quickly consumed. He came a bit closer on the second day and threw her the second goat. He continued in this manner until he got close enough to pet her, and finally was able to take some milk.
On his return journey, he had a dream in which all of his limbs were arguing. The legs said, "If not for me, he would not have been able to walk to the wild to get the milk." His hands said, "If not for me, he would not be able to take the milk." The heart said, "If not for my advice, he would have come away, empty-handed." Said the tongue, "If not for my words, there would be no success."
The other limbs admonished the tongue, "You can't compare to us! You live in a dark place and don't even have a bone to support you!" The tongue replied, "Today you will see that I am your master."
The servant returned to the king and said, "Your majesty, I brought you your dog's milk." The king was furious and ordered the man to be hung. All of the limbs began to cry. "Didn't I tell you that you are nothing?" said the tongue. "If I save you, will you admit that I am your master?"
"Yes!" they replied.
When they were about to hang him, the tongue said, "Your majesty, the milk that I called "dog milk" is the milk of a lioness."
The king's advisors tested the milk and confirmed that it was the milk of a lioness. The death sentence was dismissed, and the servant was richly rewarded.
The limbs declared to the tongue, "You are our master!"
The tongue can be used for good or evil. May we use our speech for goodness by speaking pleasantly, giving advice, and offering encouragement to our friends.
(Based on the Midrash as quoted in Orchot Zadikim)
