A SIMPLE YES OR NO ANSWER WILL NOT ALWAYS SUFFICE

(Insight101 with CC Francis #597)

A man was given a restraining order by the court not to visit his son after he got separated from his wife. His wife eventually moved in with her mother, while they awaited the final verdict from the court, to file in their paper for divorce.

Things took a worse turn when the man got a call from his mother-in-law, that his son was involved in an accident. Without thinking twice, he rushed to his mother-in-law’s house, only to find out that it was a set up. The police was invited, and the man was arrested.

In the court, the defendant’s lawyer asked the man, “Were you not given a restraining order NOT to visit your son? Please answer Yes or No.”

“Yes,” the man replied.

“On March 29, did you go to your mother-in-law’s house where your son was staying? Yes or No.”

The man lost the case because his answer was not as simple as a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No’. As a result, he lost all his wealth to his wife after the divorce was ruled in her favour.

Friend, sometimes, it is not as simple as a ‘Yes’ or a ‘No’ answer. Give people the opportunity to defend themselves by going beyond the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ answer.

Many have lost their integrity simply because they were asked to answer ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ if they slept with a lady they had no business with. Many have become victims of a crime they knew nothing about, just because they were told to answer ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. Many have become dregs of society just because they were not given the opportunity to defend themselves beyond the ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ answer. Need we talk about children who have been punished for not given the baton to justify their action, instead of subjecting them to Yes or No answer?

How does this apply to you friend? In a situation that warrants an explanation, please give the accused the privilege to explain himself where a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ answer would not suffice. Even if you were already bias about a case, don’t be quick to hang someone’s fate to the gallows, in the name of a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ answer.

I am CC Francis
…always better than yesterday

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