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Black or White

When I was in elementary school, I got into a major argument with a boy in my class. I have forgotten what the argument was about, but I have never forgotten the lesson I learned that day.

I was convinced that “I” was right and “he” was wrong – and he was just as convinced that “I” was wrong and “he” was right. The teacher decided to teach us a very important lesson.

She brought us up to the front of the class and placed him on one side of her desk and me on the other. In the middle of her desk was a large, round object. I could clearly see that it was black. She asked the boy what color the object was. “White,” he answered.

I couldn’t believe he said the object was white, when it was obviously black! Another argument started between my classmate and me, this time about the color of the object.

The teacher told me to go stand where the boy was standing and told him to come stand where I had been. We changed places, and now she asked me what the color of the object was. I had to answer, “White.”

It was an object with two differently colored sides, and from his viewpoint it was white. Only from my side it was black.

Sometimes we need to look at the problem from the other person’s view in order to truly understand his/her perspective.

Author Unknown
Story Submitted by Tina

{ 37 comments… add one }
  • Masoud Baqeri December 10, 2018, 11:18 pm

    This parable posts an inspiring lesson and it reminds us that we sometimes need to put ourselves in the other’s shoes so that we can comprehend and understand him/ her.

  • Rajasekhar August 26, 2017, 1:53 pm

    Many of people’s look only one angle in every one I hope after seeing this story they will realise fantastic story

  • Joyce Radnor May 17, 2017, 1:26 pm

    I find the same thing happens when I get into an argument with my husband. When we really dig down, we find that we are actually talking about the same thing, but from different points of view. Thanks for the story. Much appreciated.

  • Smile September 27, 2016, 1:57 am

    It’s really awesome. When we don’t understand the position of other person then argument starts and result would be horrible. Nice lesson for those who want to save relationships 🙂

  • Kwizeera ezekiel May 9, 2016, 1:28 am

    Very nice story…thanks

  • Robinson December 18, 2015, 7:46 am

    Lovely and superb …..we need to look and understand one another….before we judge…!!

  • Haruna Wakili May 10, 2015, 4:52 am

    A nice story here.

  • Dr.bbalnarayana May 7, 2015, 12:28 pm

    Very good story, admiration to teacher
    Whose wisdom is wise and stay at all times
    The story is of knowledge based
    Pleases, one proving the fact no one
    Is wrong or other is correct, to conclude
    The concept better to change the view
    And focus thy sight from other side also

  • Fassadena April 20, 2015, 9:30 am

    Nice post.. so inspiring..

  • Joannie Lee February 2, 2015, 2:06 am

    So greatly nice story… i learn and understand will
    i realize that everything has a reason and we must not judge coz we are not the creator only God himself

  • pushpa January 19, 2015, 12:26 pm

    It is very meaningfull and nice messege

  • Abhi January 3, 2015, 7:29 am

    By reading this I today I learned something

  • Honey October 26, 2014, 9:43 am

    Very nice

  • Manikanta September 19, 2014, 1:53 am

    Some times we happen to do like that…

  • Fristan September 17, 2014, 3:56 am

    Nice thinking story. God bless

  • Sawarmal Agarwal August 26, 2014, 7:17 am

    It is really awesome

  • Malini August 23, 2014, 11:10 am

    Good one. It’s like a ion has 2 sides

  • S.yakaiah August 21, 2014, 5:29 am

    Nice message

  • Priya S July 28, 2014, 12:55 pm

    Superb moral!! Great illusion!!

  • Kwanat13061 July 26, 2014, 5:41 am

    Great

  • Kwanat13061 July 26, 2014, 5:40 am

    Such a nice story.

  • Mahesh July 2, 2014, 11:13 am

    Nice Stories….

  • Himanish June 18, 2014, 1:05 pm

    Lovely

  • Bhawna bhardwaj June 10, 2014, 6:30 am

    Your stories inspire me so much. But lately I do not receive them. You inspire million people. Please keep up the good work.

  • Atulya June 6, 2014, 2:06 am

    If this lesson is applied then on we may not have any confusions

  • Smitha May 27, 2014, 3:02 am

    Simple story with a thought provoking concept

  • Kumar rasal May 20, 2014, 4:20 am

    Nice stories.

  • Dharani May 17, 2014, 3:17 am

    Nice story Tina and Stephen doing a nice job dear……….

  • Shelja Sharma May 16, 2014, 12:08 am

    So very True. .

  • Camilia May 15, 2014, 2:34 pm

    Great moral , don’t judge people before you understand them …

  • Priya May 15, 2014, 2:12 am

    Awesome… story. The way we look solutions for problems differs from us and others.

  • ABhatia May 14, 2014, 11:38 pm

    Without understanding other’s view point, our decisions and judgement shall be mostly wrong.

  • Kwena May 14, 2014, 6:04 pm

    Inspiring and true!!

  • J Tate May 14, 2014, 12:00 pm

    Love your stories! Keep them coming!
    Thank you

  • Mosope May 14, 2014, 11:24 am

    Indeed life is always looked at both sides

  • Alex May 14, 2014, 11:14 am

    So inspiring, will definately use it in class

  • Harishkumar May 14, 2014, 11:06 am

    It’s a really nice message! True true true

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