It’s not so much what you say

As the manner in which you say it;

It’s not so much the language you use

As the tone in which you convey it.

“Come Here!” I sharply said,

And the child cowered and wept.

“Come here,” I said- he looked and smiled

And straight to my lap he crept.

Words may be mild and fair

But the tone may pierce like a dart;

Words may be soft as the summer air

But the tone may break my heart.

Words come from the mind

And grow by study and art

But tone leaps from the inner self,

Revealing the state of the art.

For if you want behavior to change,

Of this you must remain aware

More than words is the tone of your voice

Which communicates how much you care.

– Author Unknown