Suffering In Silence Gifts

'Don't worry - You'll get used to the charley horses in a few years.'

"They haven't said two words to each other—it's sad... I hope we don't end up like that." "They keep talking to each other—it's exhausting... So glad we don't have to do that."

Trappist Monk Discord

"Oh good, more time alone for quiet reflection."

'It's a sign of the times, a high rise block of caves reserved for hermits.'

A neutral observer.

"Autumn already? O.K., I'll come down."

'That sure was a disaster of a first date!'

Computer with moon screensaver

Large Print Librarian.

"If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it — who cares?!"

It was so quiet in town the residents took to taking chairs to the corner so they could watch the traffic lights change.

'They made him take a vow of silence so he'd have to stop complaining about his oath of poverty.'

Post Office Worker.

"As a single diner, you will be seated at an awkward table by the restrooms where your lonely presence won't bother other diners."

'Is it something I SAID?'

'I know you live a life of quiet desperation -- you never shut up about it!'

"What a lot of people don't realize is that I actually enjoy an incredibly rich interior life."

"Oh, the pain I can take—it's the awkward silence between conversations that's torture."

'Not while I am the librarian.'

It turns out nobody has anything to say.

Noise abatement society - Hush.

"Hmm...I don't like it - it's too quiet..."

Suddenly a hush descended. She turned slowly. I could sense a certain tension, like an overwrought teakettle at the edge of its scream.

'They made him take a vow of silence so he'd have to stop complaining about his oath of poverty.'

Introverts Anonymous

"Could I interest you in a silver lining?"

Monk at monastery walks by sign ??" In Case of Fire: Break vow of silence.

'First I lose my job... then my wife leaves me... and now my house burns down! What else could possibly go wrong!?'