DON’T ASSUME

A police officer was heading home after a long day of hard work.  All he wanted was to reach home and take some rest. As he was driving, he was startled by a speeding vehicle that came from the sharp curve in the front.  As the car passed within a few inches of him, the other driver shouted “Pig!”

The police officer was offended! He slammed on brakes, all set to turn his squad car around and head off in hot pursuit. But as he rounded the curve, he ran head-on into a big pig that was standing in the middle of the road!

What has really happened? The other vehicle driver was panicked when he saw the big pig – may be charging at him - on the road and tried to escape. He wanted to warn the car that was going to the direction of the pig.

What has gone through the mind of the police officer? The other person had an offensive driving; he should have been courteous to say sorry; moreover he shouted at him “pig”

Don’t assume! However confident we are about anything, about another person’s reasoning or motives, there may be something beyond our logical conclusions. Understanding the other is more complex and difficult than we think.   So don’t assume but be patient, polite and willing to scrutinize before we act or react.