A tattletale is one who tattles <br />[an informer, the dictionary does say]. <br />I associate the word 'tattletale' with kids <br />who together fight or play. <br />It's NOT been used in a complimentary way, <br /> IN THE EXPERIENCES, as a kid, I'VE had, <br />but, instead, as an accusatory description <br />of childish behavior some think is BAD. <br />Let me give you an example, if I may, <br />of just what I mean. <br />I'll make up for you a tattletale episode, <br /> from a childhood-story scene. <br /> <br />'Jack and Jill went up the hill <br />to fetch a pail of water.' <br />[That's a sentence from an old children's rhyme; <br /> Jack's not my son, nor Jill my daughter.] <br />Now IF, on their way down the hill, <br />Jack tripped Jill and Jill fell down <br />[in the rhyme it was Jack who fell down <br />and cracked his skull/'crown'] <br />Jill might run home, tattle on Jack, <br />and then begin to wail; <br />Jack might then be mad <br />and call Jill a …..'tattletale'. <br /> <br />But, you see, all Jill did was tell the <br /> truth and then burst out crying, <br />while Jack seemed to find fault with Jill, <br />though SHE was NOT lying. <br />Kids (like adults!) don't like <br />to get into trouble. <br />No one likes to have a tattletale <br />go and burst their comfort-bubble. <br />These days, in 'America' at least, <br />adult tattling is called 'whistleblowing', <br />and it can display powerful people <br />or groups …..with 'their slips showing'. <br /> <br />(February 26,2014)<br /><br />Bri Edwards<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tattletale-human-behavior-medium-length-fault-finding-whistleblowing/