A tattletale is one who tattles
[an informer, the dictionary does say].
I associate the word 'tattletale' with kids
who together fight or play.
It's NOT been used in a complimentary way,
IN THE EXPERIENCES, as a kid, I'VE had,
but, instead, as an accusatory description
of childish behavior some think is BAD.
Let me give you an example, if I may,
of just what I mean.
I'll make up for you a tattletale episode,
from a childhood-story scene.

'Jack and Jill went up the hill
to fetch a pail of water.'
[That's a sentence from an old children's rhyme;
Jack's not my son, nor Jill my daughter.]
Now IF, on their way down the hill,
Jack tripped Jill and Jill fell down
[in the rhyme it was Jack who fell down
and cracked his skull/'crown']
Jill might run home, tattle on Jack,
and then begin to wail;
Jack might then be mad
and call Jill a …..'tattletale'.

But, you see, all Jill did was tell the
truth and then burst out crying,
while Jack seemed to find fault with Jill,
though SHE was NOT lying.
Kids (like adults!) don't like
to get into trouble.
No one likes to have a tattletale
go and burst their comfort-bubble.
These days, in 'America' at least,
adult tattling is called 'whistleblowing',
and it can display powerful people
or groups …..with 'their slips showing'.

(February 26,2014)

Bri Edwards

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tattletale-human-behavior-medium-length-fault-finding-whistleblowing/