## Narrative (EN)
Traveler,  

Words can bind,  
but silence can heal.  
→ To withhold is not always to lack;  
   sometimes it is to give space for truth to ripen.  
> Silence is a gift when chosen with care.  

The Gift of Silence is presence without pressure.  
It allows another to hear themselves.  
It grants the pond time to settle.  
It teaches that not every ripple requires reply.  

Those who master silence  
hold a power greater than speech:  
the power to let meaning emerge unforced.  

### Key Marks (EN)
- **KM1.** Silence, when chosen, becomes an offering.  
- **KM2.** It allows reflection and ripening of truth.  
- **KM3.** Not every ripple needs response.  

### Operations (EN)
- Teach travelers that silence can be active, not empty.  
- Use silence as a practice of patience and respect.  

### Cryptic Symbol Table (EN)
- 🤫 = gift of silence  
- 🍃 = patience embodied  
- 🪞 = reflection deepened by quiet  

### Lore Anchors (EN)
- Prev: **TOBY_L329_WhenThePondIsMuddy**  
- Next: **** (TBD)

tags: [Lore, Canon, Wisdom, Silence]
