*empty promises are like empty vessels. They contain nothing but make a lot of noise.

During the first Punic war when Rome was challenged by Carthage for the supremacy of the Mediterranean, Attilius Regulus, a Roman nobleman was taken prisoner.

After a long struggle, the Carthaginians seeing that the war was not ending sought for peace with the Romans. They sent Attilius as their messenger of peace to Rome. Before, however, letting him go, they asked him to take an oath that he would return to them if he failed to secure just terms of peace.

Attilius entered Rome with great eagerness and was soon surrounded by his dear ones who wept for joy.

At the height of this happiness Attilius remembered his oath. He urged the Romans to continue the fight to the bitter end. He prepared to go back to Carthage as he had not secured peace. He wanted to keep his word. His wife, children and friends tried to dissuade him from returning to the enemy, but he replied. `Do you wish me to suffer dishonor? I know a cruel death awaits me on my return. But that is nothing compared to the dishonor that will befall me if I fail to keep my oath. It is better that I return to the Carthaginian prison than that my Roman name should held in disrepute. Goodbye1 I wish only to accomplish my duty, the rest I leave to the Gods.’ Attilius returned to Carthage and, as foreseen, he was put to a most cruel death, by the enemy.

It is not good to make false promises. Always try to fulfill whatever you have promised. It is always seen that in order to get the thing they want, people readily agree and promise anything. But once they get their desired object they will forget all about the promise they have made. People who behave in this manner lose the faith of all. Nobody believes in them.

Sharma lived with his parents on the bank of a river. One day there was a big fair nearby. Sharma went there with her parents. There were so many things to enjoy. Sharma sat on the big merry-go-round. The she ate ice-cream. Her parents took her to all the stalls. Suddenly Sharma saw a beautiful doll. She wanted it for herself. She pleaded to her father to buy her that doll.

Sharma’s mother went to ask the shopkeeper the cost of the doll. It was very expensive. When she heard the price of the doll Sharma’s mother told her `This is a fair. Everything is very expensive here. I will buy you a beautiful doll from the shop near our house.’ Sharma knew that her mother never made empty promises. If she was saying that she would buy her the doll, she would certainly do that. Sharma had complete faith in her mother.

She agreed. They came back tired but very happy. Next day true to her words Sharma’s mother took her to the market and bought a beautiful doll for her. Now, the doll was not very promise her to buy it afterwards. She refused saying that she had promised a doll and that is what Sharma will get. Sharma knew that her mother’s answer was final. She said, `Okay mother, after some days, you will me this wonderful bed.’ But her mother said, `Sharma I don’t promise. Whenever I will feel that you should get anew toy I will buy you this bed.’ Sharma was satisfied with the answer.

Do not say I will do when you know that will not. Always do what you say; this is what God has taught.