If You Can Say Nothing Nice

Gabby: Thumber?
Rebecca: Yes, Mama.
Gabby: What did your father talk to you this morning?
Rebecca: If you can say nothing nice, say nothing at all.

……

The above is a little dialogue which Rebecca and Gabby learned from the movie Bambi. Thumber is the name of a little rabbit. The following is a little conversation between Mommy, Rebecca and Gabby.

One day Rebecca was upset and crying.

Gabby: Mommy, what is Sister doing?
Mommy: She is whining.
Rebecca: Mommy, I don’t want you to tell Gabby that?
Mommy: What do you want me to tell her then?
Rebecca: Say nothing.
Mommy: OK. If I can say nothing nice, say nothing at all! I got it.