Expressing

There was a group of students. They had studied and socialized together for many months. Over the months they had become familiar with each other, both men and women. Eventually, as often happens, one of the men fell in love with one of the women. Being shy, he wrote her a note, expressing his feelings for her. One day, as the group was breaking up and returning to their homes, he slipped the note to her, so she could read of his feelings. Several days passed and she showed no signs of having either read the note or of wishing to respond to the note.

There came a day when the group was together, sharing stories and thoughts. Each was asked if he or she had anything to say to the group. No one quickly ventured to stand. However, after some time, the woman who received the note stood. Looking around the room, as her eyes settled on the note writer, she said, "If you have something to say, say it here, say it now."