23. Should we tell Ashok's Parents?

Ashok and Kumar studied in the same school. Ashok was outstanding in his studies. Kumar also studied well but didn't excel as much as Ashok did. 

Ashok got the first rank in his school in the school final examination.

Both Ashok and Kumar got admission in the same college. Both stayed in the college hostel and pursued their studies.

After dropping off Kumar at his hostel room, his father Neelakantan told Ashok, "Please take care of Kumar." Perhaps, he felt that Ashok, being a better at studies, would be able to guide Kumar.

Soon after joining the college, there were some changes in Ashok's behaviour. The freedom he enjoyed by being away from parental control made him cross his own limits of morality and discipline. He spent a lot of time with his new friends in the college by going out with them for movies and other entertainments quite often, sometimes even skipping his classes. He also fell prey to habits like smoking and drinking.

Kumar tried to restrain Ashok but his efforts were in vain.

"These are small pleasures one should relish in life. If we can't enjoy these pleasures at this young age, we may never get an opportunity to enjoy them in the later part of our life. In fact, I keep wondering why you are not joining me. You act like a saint!" said Ashok.

When Kumar came home for vacation, he reluctantly told his father about Ashok's unhealthy habits and ways.

Neelakantan was not surprised. He said, "It is inevitable that teenagers like you will get exposed to unhealthy habits and vices at this stage of your life. One should have the maturity to restrain oneself and not fall prey to them. I am happy that you have that maturity. It is unfortunate that Ashok doesn't have it."

"I thought Ashok would have better maturity than you and asked him to look after you!" he added.

"Are you going to apprise Ashok's father of Ashok's actions?" asked Kumar.

"I should, but I think I won't. My acquaintance with Ashok's father is limited. I am not very close to him. He may be feeling proud of his son doing well in his studies. If I go and tell him about Ashok deviating from the path of virtue, he may not take it well. He may think that I am jealous of Ashok being better in studies than you! In general, parents don't like to hear bad things about their children. Ashok's parents will come to know of his distractions sooner or later. I don't want to mar their happiness and the good relationship we have with them by talking to them about Ashok now.

As envisaged by Neelakantan, Ashok's parents came to know of Ashok's problems very soon. Ashok's father received a phone call from the principal of the college telling him that drugs were found in Ashok's hostel room and asking him to take Ashok home immediately.

Thirukkural
Section 1: The Path of Virtue

Chapter 3
The Greatness of the Ascetics

Verse 23 (In Tamil)
irumai vagai therinthu INdu aRam pUNdAr
perumai piRangiRRu ulagu.

Meaning:

The greatness of those who have known the nature of both worlds (like good and evil, this life and the life after death, birth and attaining heaven etc.) and have eschewed desire to live a righteous life, is most admirable in this world.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kallUrich chAlai - gavanam thEvai' by the same author)

Verse 24 

Verse 22