CONVERSATION

A Game

A party falls flat unless it is enlivened by game s and jokes in which everybody joins. In like manner, a conversation will be colorless unless it has the participation of all persons who are present and who form the group. There is thus not much difference between a conversation and a game. It is a game that can be played between two, three or more persons. The more efficiently it is played, the more lively will the conversation be. The topic or topics in the hands of experts come alive. There are no delays, no halts, no doubtful gaps, no questioning frowns, nut the topic is passed from hand to hand with the skill of a juggler manipulating his colored balls. Not only the same topic but also the change-over from topic is achieved with the same skill.
There are, of course, some essential qualities necessary. The first and foremost is to have the same standard of understanding and intelligence as that of the others in the group. It is only then that different members will be able to bring out an answer or an addendum without any hesitation. It is the smartness of the answer, given with the conviction of a person who knows what he is talking about that makes a conversation enlightening, uplifting and memorable.
It is to be borne in mind that the game of conversation is played not as an exhibition but for pleasure experienced by the talkers who are refreshed by the talkers who are refreshed by the exercise e of mind and intellect. What is more, one learns as well as teaches, without it being obvious. If the background of the topic is not known to all those present, they cannot share in the conversation. If the conversationalist has sufficient intelligence and is well-informed about the events of the day and the world in general, he will seldom find any topic outside his ken. The most relevant things here, therefore, are this person's extent of knowledge, concentration and aptitude. If one follows the ways of an intelligent child, one will soon find out that though tender in years, a child has the capacity to understand big and unknown things. When such a child of seven, eight or nine years of age is in the company of adults who will not explain the context of the topic under discussion to it, it is still able to grasp the subject, follow the details and even make such off hand and timely remarks as may surprise the whole body of adults present. This child or young person may be considered precocious but the adults can learn a thing or two from him about the art of conversation. What makes this very young person understand of mind that enables him to absorb new information. In adult life also, if we can keep our minds open and capable of receiving, we shall understand at once what is being said, no matter what the topic may be.