Monday, June 15, 2026

686. The Minister's Suggestion

"We have to send an emissary to Kalanjiya country. Servarayan, the king of Kalanjiya is a scholar. He has read books on a wide range of subjects. He will try to convince our emissary that he is being fair and reasonable. He will cite many historical events to justify his point of view. Therefore, the emissary we send should be an erudite person, be able to present the facts to him boldly and answer his arguments in a logical way. He should be able to convey our message to Servarayan clearly and boldly, without mincing words.

"Servarayan has the habit of trying to intimidate the other person if he fails to convince the other person, or if he finds that the other person is firm in his convictions. Though there is an unwritten rule that no harm should be caused to an emissary, Servarayan will try to intimidate the emissary, using an angry gaze and veiled threats. The person we send as our emissary should be capable of facing these challenges."

The minister listened to the king's words, without saying anything.

"Why are you silent? Are you not able to think of anyone with the capabilities mentioned by me?" asked the king.

"Your Majesty! There is one person who fits the requirements mentioned by you. But, I am not sure whether we can send him as our emissary" said the minister, in a tone of hesitation. 

"Who is he? Why can't we send him as the emissary?"

"If you permit, he can be sent. He is in prison now!"

"Whom are you referring to?"

"Your cousin Nandivarman" said the minister and looked at the king, wondering how he would react to his suggestion.

"Nandivarman! He was sent to jail for his disloyalty to the throne. You are picking up that man for this job!" remarked the king, angrily. 

"Your Majesty! You had entrusted him with with certain duties relating to the administration of the country. But, you were displeased with some of his activities. When you questioned him about his deeds, he justified them from his point of view. You didn't accept his explanation. He averred that he acted after careful thinking of the issues involved and that his actions were aimed at the good of the country. His crime was that he reiterated his views, without being intimidated by your disapproval of his line of thinking. If you can look at his actions from another perspective, you can see that he has the qualities required of an emissary, the qualities listed by you. It is my humble opinion that you should release him from the prison, send him as your emissary to Kalanjiya country and subsequently make use of him in the performance of tasks relating to governance!"

The minister waited with bated breath for the king's response to his suggestion. 

The king was silent for a minute and then said, "Minister! After listening to you, I have realized that the qualities of an emissary listed out by me are possessed not only by Nandivarman, but also by you! Ask Nandivarman to be released, treat him with honour and bring him to me. I will request him to accept the assignment of going to Kalanjiya country, as our emissary" said the king. 

Thirukkural
Section 2
Materialism
Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 686 (in Tamil):
kaRRuk kaN anjAn selach chollik kAlaththAl
thakkadhu aRivadhAm thUthu.

Meaning:
A good envoy is well learned, can look anyone in the eye without fear, has compelling speech and comes up with timely strategies.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'thEvai oru thUthar' by the same author.) 
Verse 687 (Soon)
Verse 685

Sunday, June 14, 2026

169. A Man of Noble Heart

When lyricist Kasilingam came to the film studio, he brought a young man with him.

"Who is this young man? Is he your assistant?" asked the producer. 

"His name is Ilavarasan. He pens good lyrics" said Kasilingam.

"How did you find him?"

"He had been sending his poems to me by post. I have always been receiving poems from a number of budding poets. I won't read most of the poems. I would randomly pick a few poems and read them. Among them were the poems sent by Ilavarasan. I found his poems to be interesting. I sent him a letter appreciating his poems. He came to Chennai from his native place to see me, bringing my letter along, as if it was a call letter for an interview! I told him,' Hundreds of budding poets are roaming about the streets of Chennai, hoping to get a chance to write lyrics for films. But, getting a chance to write for a film is not easy' and sent him away. But he had been visiting my home every morning and waiting at my doorstep. I ignored him all along. However, considering his persistence and talent, I brought him here, to request you to give him a chance in one of your films" said Kasilingam.

The producer told Ilavarasan "Please wait outside the room. I will call you after a while."

After Ilavarasan had gone out, the producer told Kasilingam, "What is this, sir? The film world is notorious for the fierce competition among the various kinds of artists. Each artist is trying to drive others out so that he could monopolize the field. But, you have brought in a person to be your competitor. And, you are asking me to give him a chance!"

"I thought I could help a person who had talent. If he comes up in this field and overtakes me in future, I am not going to grudge his success!"

"You are a person with a golden heart. I don't think I can find another person like you in this field. I will give a chance to this boy, only out of my respect for you" said the producer.

T
he very first song written by Ilavarasan earned a name for him. He began to get chances to write songs for a number of films. His graph was rising very fast. A stage was reached when the leading actors began to insist that Ilavarasan should write the songs for their films. Within a short time, Ilavarasan reached a height above the reach of other lyricists in the field. 

"S
ir! You will be writing three songs for this film. Lyricist Mani will write the remaining two songs" said Ilavarasan's secretary. 

"No way. Hereafter, I should be the only lyricist for the films I am working for. Tell the producers who come to book me for their films that I would write for their films, only if they agree to this condition" Ilavarasan told his secretary. 

"Why do you want to insist on this condition, sir?"

"If a song written by another person for the same film becomes more popular than the songs written by me, then people will start talking that the other lyricist writes better than me. Should I have to listen to such nonsense?"

'If Lyricist Kasilingam had thought this way, you wouldn't have been able to enter the film world at all!' thought the secretary. 

Though the producers did not like the condition insisted on by Ilavarasan, they were forced to accept it, since the leading actors were adamant that Ilavarasan should write the lyrics for their films. As a result, the other lyricists found opportunities for them dwindling.

When Kasilingam was coming out of the studio, film director Kittu, a long time friend of Kasilingam, ran into him. 

"How are you, Kasilingam? It has been long since we met. After all, I have not directed any film during the last few years" said Kittu.

After conversing for a few minutes, Kasilingam took leave of Kittu. 

"Where is your car? Is your driver bringing it here?" asked Kittu.

"I have no car and hence no driver. I have no money, either. I alone exist!" said Kasilingam, using poetical language.

"What happened, Kasi?" asked Kittu, shocked by Kasilingam's reply. 

"Just as opportunities have dwindled for other lyricists, after the rise of Ilavarasan, opportunities have become scarce for me also. With my present level of income, I can't maintain a car. So, I have sold my car. I use only public transport and on rare occasions, a cab" said Kasilingam.

An Audi car went fast them. 

"It is Ilavarasan!" said Kittu, looking  at the fast moving car.
      

Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue
Chapter 17
Bearing No Envy
Verse 169 (In Tamil)
avviya nenjaththAn Akkamum sevviyAn
kEdum ninaikkp padum..

Meaning:
The wealth of a man of envious mind and the poverty of a person with a good heart need to be analysed.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'uyarndha uLLam' by the same author)
Verse 170 (Soon)
Verse 168

Saturday, June 13, 2026

685. Kathirvelan's Questions

"Are not emissaries expected to go alone, when they are on a mission?" asked Kathirvelan.

"Yes, in general. But, why do you ask this question?" asked Kumaravyasan.

"You are the emissary. Why did they ask me to accompany you?"

"They might have sent you along with me, thinking that you would be of some help to me!"

"But I didn't render any help to you. There was neither a need nor an opportunity for me to render any help to you!"

"In that case, you will have to think and find an answer to the question why they sent you with me."

"The minister has not left even that task to me. While briefing me about this mission, the minister told me that he was sending me as your assistant, with a view to give me an opportunity to learn things from you. He exhorted me to keep my mouth shut, quietly accompany you and just observe the things you say and do."

"Why did you ask me the question, then?"

"I asked you with a fond hope that you might give me a different answer! By the way, may I know what the minister told you about me?"

"Of course. He told me, 'Someday, this boy would become an excellent emissary. I am not sure whether you will be alive at that time. So, learn things from him now itself!'"

"Please don't ridicule me. I have a keen desire to learn a lot from you. Can I ask you some questions?"

"You can. But just now, you told me that the Minister had asked you to keep your mouth shut?"

"Again, you are pulling my leg! I am asking you for this favour, only out of my strong desire to learn things from you."

"Okay. Shoot your questions."

"First of all, I would like to convey my astonishment at the way you communicate. You collected your thoughts in an organized way and conveyed the message given by our king in a concise and coherent way, yet ensuring that the communication was comprehensive and clear. I noticed that the king of this country was impressed by the way you delivered the message to him." 

"Communicating the message in a concise and coherent way, ensuring that no point is missed, is the foremost skill to be mastered by a person wishing to serve as an emissary. If you want to become an emissary, you should acquire this skill first."

"I understand, sir. I have another question. When the king asked you how the crop yield in our country was, you told him that since a part of the crops had been damaged by heavy rains, the harvest was lower than normal this year. But, we had a bountiful harvest this year!"

"While travelling in this country, I noticed that there was famine in some parts of this country. If I had said that we had a bountiful harvest in our country, the king would have felt bitter about the famine in his country. A person, however good he is, will be inclined to compare his status with that of another. Such a comparison will invariably create a feeling of bitterness towards the other. This has nothing to do with a person being good or bad. This is human nature. When I told the king that our crop yield was lower this year, that information would have given some consolation to the king. That is why I gave a slightly gloomy picture about the crop yield in our country. This does not amount to telling a lie."

"I understand. But, you also lied about one thing!"

"What was that?"

"You told the king that people of this country were very hospitable and that they offered food and shelter to us, during our travel within the country. But this was not true. No one offered food to us. We had to starve during the major part of our journey, since there were not many places that offered food for money, either."

"If we speak to a king highly about his people, will he not feel proud and elated? When he is in a happy state of mind, he will be more inclined to listen to us. The chances of his giving us a favourable response will also be good, won't they be?'

"In fact, that is what has happened! By accompanying you, I have learnt how an emissary should conduct himself to make his mission successful and secure benefits to his country through his mission" said Kathirvelan, with a feeling of happiness and satisfaction.

Thirukkural
Section 2
Materialism
Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 685 (in Tamil):
thogach chollith thUvAdha nIkki nagach cholli
nanRi payappadhAm thUthu.

Meaning:
Being coherent in speech, avoiding harsh words, and speaking in a pleasing manner are the ways an envoy should adopt, to get an outcome favourable to his country.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kadhir vEndhanin kELvigaL' by the same author.) 

684. The Emissary

Arivanandam, who returned to his home country, after completing his mission of carrying a message to the king of a hostile country, met the king of his country and conveyed to him what transpired in the meeting he had with the enemy king.

After Arivanandam had briefed the king and left, the king summoned the minister and told him, "Arivanandam's mission has been successful. King Kathirvelan has accepted our proposal."

"Very happy to know this, Your Majesty" replied the minister.

"I don't see any sign of happiness in your tone or on your face!" said the king, with a chuckle.

"I am happy, Your Majesty."

"I understand that you are unhappy about my sending Arivanandam as our emissary, instead of Ramadasar, recommended by you."

"Your Majesty! I recommended Ramadasar, considering that he is intelligent and erudite and hence highly appropriate for the mission. But, I am not unhappy about your sending Arivanandam as our emissary."

"Acting on your recommendation, I asked Ramadasar to accept the mission. But, he told me that he won't be the appropriate choice for the mission and recommended Arivanandam, instead. I requested him to advise Arivanandam about the intricacies of functioning as an emissary. Accordingly, he advised Arivanandam. Arivanandam went as our emissary and performed his task successfully. Since you were indisposed and confined to your home as per the advice of the palace physician, I had no opportunity to appraise you of these developments, earlier" said the king. 

"Your Majesty! I am perplexed by the question why Ramadasar considered himself unsuitable to act as an emissary.When he had considered himself unsuitable for the job, how could we consider his advising Arivanandam appropriate?" remarked the minister. 

"Minister! When I told Ramadasar that you considered that he possessed the intelligence and erudition required to serve as an emissary, do you know what his response was?" 

"What did he say?"

"He said 'An emissary should have one more trait - an impressive appearance. I don't have that. The minister might have overlooked this disqualification, because of the affection he has for me. But, a good appearance is also important for an emissary. Only a person with good appearance, a keen intelligence and erudition is competent to serve as an emissary.' He then recommended Arivanandam for the job" said the king and looked at the minister. 

The minister recalled Ramadasar's face studded with freckles and wondered how he had failed to consider his unattractive appearance, while recommending him as the emissary. 

Thirukkural
Section 2
Materialism
Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 684 (in Tamil):
aRivu uru ArAyndha kalvi im mUnRan
seRivudaiyAn selga vinaikku.

Meaning:
Intelligence, good appearance and thorough learning - he who has these three in abundance, let him be the one to go on a diplomatic mission.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'amaichcharin parindhuraiyai ERkAdhadhu En?' by the same author.) 

Friday, June 12, 2026

168. Valliappan's Fall

When Muthu joined as the Manager of 'Meenakshi Bhavan,' a restaurant owned by Valliappan, he found Valliappan to be a wonderful person, kind and considerate towards his employees and customers. 

During the next few years of Muthu's association with Valliappan, he often wondered whether there would be other people in the world, with the noble qualities of Valliappan. Because of his esteem for Valliappan, Muthu did not consider attractive offers he received from some other reputed restaurants, at various places. 

Muthu was therefore surprised by the changes in the attitude and behaviour of Valliappan, since the time 'Meenakshi Bhavan' met its competitor in the business.

'Meenakshi Bhavan' had, for the past several years, the reputation of being the best restaurant in the town. Though some other restaurants came up from time to time, they did not grow to the level of becoming a competitor of 'Meenakshi Bhavan.'

But, after 'Lakshmi Vilas' restaurant was opened in that town, the situation changed. Very soon after its opening, 'Lakshmi Vilas' attracted more customers than 'Meenakshi Bhavan.'

"What is there in that restaurant that pulls people? Are the dishes they offer more delicious than the ones we do?" Valliappan asked Muthu.

"I don't think so. sir. People seem to have been attracted by the ambience of that restaurant. The restaurant is housed in a new building, which has a shining floor. The restaurant has other attractions like a attractive display board, fancy furniture etc. However, our business has not been affected. Some of our customers might have gone there out of curiosity, but they have not left us. Perhaps, some customers of other restaurants might have shifted their patronage to the new restaurant. Since we have not been affected by the opening of 'Lakshmi Vilas,' we need not be concerned about its popularity" said Muthu. 

"A person who came from nowhere is trying to compete with us. How can we watch it passively?" asked Valliappan. 

For the first time, Muthu saw a different facet of Valliappan's personality. 

'Why is this man, who is so kind and considerate towards every one, has a rancor towards the proprietor of 'Lakshmi Vilas,' especially when his business has not been affected by the entry of 'Lakshmi Vilas?' Muthu wondered.

From that time, the Valliappan that Muthu saw was a person totally different from the one he has been working under in the past. 

Valliappan was constantly obsessed with the thought of sabotaging 'Lakshmi Vilas.' He often discussed his plans towards that end with Muthu. Though Muthu politely suggested to him that such negative approach won't be helpful, he didn't pay heed to his words.

'Lakshmi Vilas' began to face some problems. Rumours were afloat about that restaurant. 

One rumour was that the restaurant bought rotten vegetables for a cheap price and used them for cooking. There was another rumour that some people who had dined in that restaurant developed symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach ache etc, that they were treated in an hospital and that Kannan, the Proprietor of 'Lakshmi Vilas' met the treatment expenses but made the affected people promise that they would keep the health problems developed by them after eating in his restaurant and the treatment received by them a secret. 

Other such rumours surfaced now and then. However, the business of 'Lakshmi Vilas' did not seem to have been affected by those rumours. 

Muthu had a suspicion that Valliappan could have engineered the generation and spreading of such rumours. Whenever there was a negative news about 'Lakshmi Vilas,' Valliappan would look at Muthu and smile.To Muthu, that smile appeared similar to the smile of a child that had committed a mischievous act secretly.  

After some time, an impression began to be created in the minds of the people of that town that Valliappan, driven by a sense of business rivalry, had been causing problems to 'Lakshmi Vilas,' with the intention of besmirching the good name of the restaurant

This perception created a sympathy for 'Lakshmi Vilas,' and an aversion for 'Meenakshi Bhavan.'

The business of 'Lakshmi Vilas' was growing exponentially. For the first time since the inception of 'Meenakshi Bhavan,' the turnover of 'Meenakshi Bhavan' began to decline. 

"Sir! Please don't mistake me for saying this. I think you should stop thinking about 'Lakshmi Vilas' and focus on improving the business of our restaurant, which is showing a decline" Muthu told Valliappan. 

"I ddon't care if I have to close down my restaurant. I won't stop till I bring down 'Lakshmi Vilas!" said Valliappan, his voice reflecting his anger and frustration. 

After a few months, a stage was reached, when 'Meenakshi Bhavan' had to down its shutters. due to mounting losses on the one hand and the lack of patronage from customers, on the other. 

Muthu took leave of Valliappan, accepted a job in a restaurant in another town and moved there.   

After a few months, Muthu happened to meet a person, who was a resident of the town where Muthu had been working as the Manager of 'Meenakshi Bhavan'

"How is Mr. Valliappan?" Muthu asked him.

"Have you not heard the news? One day, a number of people who had dined in 'Lakshmi Vilas' suffered an attack of diarrhea and were hospitalized. The police registered a case. The investigation by the police revealed that Valliappan had bribed an employee of 'Lakshmi Vilas' and made him contaminate a dish by mixing a toxic substance. Valliappan was arrested. After a few days of incarceration, he was released on bail. He has to fight the case in the court but people say that he has no money to engage a lawyer" he said. 

'What a fall from grace for a person who was wealthy and honourable!' regretted Muthu. 

Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue
Chapter 17
Bearing No Envy
Verse 168 (In Tamil)
azhukkARu ena oru pAvi thiruch cheRRuth
thIyuzhi uyththu vidum..

Meaning:
Envy is a damned ill that will destroy one’s wealth and consign him to a fiery inferno.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'sarOjAvin kavalai' by the same author)

Thursday, June 11, 2026

683. Who Should Be the Emissary?

"We have received intelligence reports that Gandharva country is planning to invade us. Though we have the strength to repulse their attack, we should make efforts to avoid the war, considering that a war will cause hardship to the people of both the countries. What can we do to avert a war?" asked King Neethivarma.

"We can send an emissary to Gandharva country immediately to persuade the king of Gandharva against waging a war with us" said the Minister. 

"If we send an emissary, after knowing that Gandhrva country has been planning to wage a war against us, will it not make us appear weak? The King of Gandharva may even think that we are afraid to face his troops in the battle field!"

"Yes. Unfortunately, a well-intentioned move from us may be seen as a sign of weakness on our part. The King of Gandharva will be inclined to form such an impression. But, a skilled emissary will be able to dispel such an impression and make the other side realize that we are trying to avert the war, only in the interests of the people of both the countries. In fact, he can even create an impression that averting a war would be more beneficial to Gandharva country than to us!" 

"What you say is correct, Minister! So, it is essential that we choose the right person and send him to Gandharva country, as our emissary!" said the King, smiling. 

"I have an idea about who the right person is. If you agree with my choice, we can send that person as the emissary!" said the Minister, with a smile.

"I have a feeling that you and I have the same person in our minds. That person is..." the King left the sentence incomplete.

"Tell me, Your Majesty!" 

"You are that person! It is not surprising that you were reluctant to suggest your own name for the job" said the King. 

"No, Your Majesty. I had another name in my mind!"

"Who is that?"

"The Crown Prince!"

"The Prince!" exclaimed the King. "He doesn't have much experience in dealing with people. How will he be suitable for the job?"

"Your Majesty! We need to convey two messages to the King of Gandharva. One, our country has always despised war. We have strived to have friendly relationships even with countries much smaller than ours. Two, whenever we were forced into a battle, despite our efforts to avert it, we emerged victorious. The above two messages should be strongly delivered, by presenting historical evidence recorded by writers of history and by poets, who immortalized the victories by describing them in their poems. Who can do this better than our Prince, who, even at this young age, shines as an erudite scholar, by having read a number of literary works and records of history?"said the Minister.

Thirukkural
Section 2
Materialism
Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 683 (in Tamil):
nUlAruL nUl vallan Agudhal vElAruL
venRi vinai uraippAn paNbu.

Meaning:
An emissary on a mission, seeking to secure a win for his country, by conveying messages to other rulers in an apt manner, must be a learned person among the erudite.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'thUthu sellap poruththamAnavar' by the same author.) 

Sunday, June 7, 2026

167. The Jealous Husband!

"My sister Vanaaja's daughter's marriage has been fixed" Said Saroja, enthusiastically.

Her husband Subhsh, who had just returned home from work said, "Oh!" disinterestedly.

"The groom is working in the U.S." she added, with pride.

Subhash's face expression turned bitter. 

"I have been running a business, earnings millions of rupees. We got our daughter married to a groom working in India. How did your sister's husband, who is working in a small firm for a poor salary, get hold of a groom working in the U.S.?" asked Subhash. 

"What kind of a question is this? We didn't look for a groom working in the U.S. We got our daughter married to a groom from India, who is well-employed and who is earning well. My sister's family did not specifically scout for a groom from the U.S. It so happened that way" said Saroja, in a disapproving tone.

"Well. It is the people, at the bottom who often hit the jackpot!"

"Please remember that you are talking about my sister's family. Don't talk about them in such demeaning terms."

"I am only stating a fact. What is wrong in making an observation that a person of poor means like my brother-in-law was lucky to fix a groom working in the U.S. for his daughter?" said Subhash, defensively. 

"Among the three daughters of my parents, I was the only one to get married to a wealthy person. As a result, I lead a rich life. My two sisters belong to the middle class. My two brothers also have only moderate means. Logically, my brothers and sisters should feel jealous of me. But, you feel jealous of my sister's family! In future, if something good happens to my brothers or sisters, you will feel jealous of them. It is funny. But, I am not amused" said Saroja, with resentment and went inside. 

O
n another occasion, Subhash spoke to Saroja bitterly about one of his employees sending his son to the U.S. for higher studies.

"He is a clerk in my firm. He is surviving on the salary paid by me. And, he is sending his son abroad for higher education. How strange!" said Subhash.

"What is strange or surprising about it? People from poor families going abroad for higher studies has become so common now. Banks give educational loans. Foreign universities give scholarships. A lot of young people from poor families have gone abroad for studies, got jobs there and transformed the financial position of their parents, by sending them money from abroad!" said Saroja. 

"Is it not natural for me to become upset, if someone below me achieves something I have not been able to?"

"Why should you be upset about another person achieving something? People make use of the opportunity they get. We had only one daughter. We could have given her any education at any place in the world. We had the resources for it. But, she was not interested in higher studies. She didn't want to study further, after getting her undergraduate degree. Subsequently, we got her married. She is living a happy life. Let others do what they want and what they are able to. Why are you perturbed?" said Saroja. 

Knowing that she couldn't change the attitude of her husband, who was resentful and jealous of other people's success and achievements, Saroja managed to put up with the outpouring of his jealous feelings now and then. 

"S
aroja! We may have to move over to another house. Will you feel unhappy about it?" Subhash asked Saroja. 

"This is our own house. Why should we move to another house?" asked Saroja, perplexed. 

"There have been some developments, Saroja. I borrowed money for developing my business, by mortgaging our house to the bank."

"Yes. I am aware of it. But, is your business not doing well?" 

"No, It is not. I have been facing problems in the business for the past few years. I have been incurring losses. I didn't tell you about them, lest you should be worried. I thought I would be able to tide over the situation over a period. Facing a financial crunch, I borrowed money from private lenders too, at high rates of interest. But, I was unable to set things right. The losses have mounted. Now the debt burden has gone up, with the accumulation of interest. I am left with no option other than selling our house and using the proceeds to clear my liabilities."

"What about your business?" asked Saroja, shocked. 

"I won't be able to run the business any more. I have to wind it up. After selling our house and settling the liabilities, some surplus money will be left. We will have to deposit the sum in the bank and live on the interest income on that sum. If the interest income won't be sufficient to meet our needs, I may have to go for a job."

Subhash's voice became choked. 

'My husband, who was jealous of other people's success even when he was living a life to the envy of other people, may, hereafter, have to feel jealous of every one around him!' thought Saroja.

Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue
Chapter 17
Bearing No Envy
Verse 167 (In Tamil)
avviththu azhukkARu udaiyAnaich cheyyavaL
thavvaiyaik kAtti vidum.

Meaning:
Sridevi, the Goddess of Wealth, will despise a jealous person and direct him to her sister, Moodevi, the Goddess of Poverty.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'sarOjAvin kavalai' by the same author)