Drop a pebble in the water;
just a splash, and it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred
ripples circling on and on
and on.

Spreading, spreading from
the center, flowing on out
to the sea.
And there is no way of
telling where the end is
going to be.

Drop a word of cheer and
kindness: just a flash and
it is gone;
But there's half-a-hundred
ripples circling on and on
and on.

Bearing hope and joy and
comfort on each splashing,
dashing wave
Till you wouldn't believe
the volume of the one kind
word you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and
kindness: in a minute you
forget;
But there's gladness still
a-swelling, and there's joy
a-circling yet.

And you've rolled a wave of
comfort whose sweet music
can be heard
Over miles and miles of water
just by dropping one kind word.