I saw a similar object lesson to the toothpaste. The teacher gave the students a small pillow filled with feathers. The teacher tore it open and told him scatter the feathers. After he had done that, he then told him to go and pick up all the feathers and not come back until he had them all. Of course that was impossible. Gossip is like scattering the feathers, hurtful words or shared confidences cannot be taken back just like you can't find all the feathers. Think before you speak!