Practice What You Preach

Yesterday, just before dark, I committed a cardinal sin. I heard my neighbor's wife yelling for help and I went out to see what was wrong.

About the same time she came running out the house with her husband in close pursuit. He got hold of her hair and pulled her to the ground. By then I was over the 1 meter fence and dragged him off her. He took a pot shot at me and missed but I did not. I thought he was hysterical and gave him a good smack with the open hand; not too hard though.

She went back into the house to calm the children and I left the fuming husband in the backyard; going out by the front gate this time. I could hear them arguing until late night.

A bit earlier today I went out to the backyard and saw them sitting under the tree, next to the fence, cooing like doves. I greeted but got no response and after showing my weekly garden help what I want done, I went back into the house.

After a while I was called to the fence by his wife, sporting a bruise on the cheek, telling me what a pig I am and that her husband said that if I don’t apologize, he will lay a case of assault against me.

This does not sit well with my own words of just a few days ago. Do I practice what I preach or do I apologize when I am not really sorry at all? If I don’t, it is going to be hours in the police station and days wasted in court.

Why can’t I just mind my own business? I think next time I must sell tickets to the other neighbors for a ring side view of the fight.


Have a great day and try not to fight.