68. The Son's Ideas

"During my school days, I was the class topper. But our son is not good at studies" lamented Sankaran.

"He is scoring more than sixty percent in all his subjects. Why are you complaining?" said his wife Shanta.

"These days, only a score above ninety is considered good. A score of sixty doesn't have much value."

"Shall we arrange tuition for him?"

Sankaran engaged a tutor for tutoring his son Madhavan at home. But there was not much improvement in Madhavan's scores. When Sankaran complained to the tutor about the lack of improvement in Madhavan's scores, the tutor said, "Sorry, sir. Your son is above average but not very bright. He is doing his best but he can't go beyond this level."

Madhavan's teachers in the school also had the same assessment about Madhavan.

Sankaran reconciled himself to the fact that his son was only 'mediocre' in his studies.

Sankaran had studied Engineering. He was running a small factory. It was his desire that Madhavan should take over the business from him.

After Madhavan had completed his schooling, Sankaran got him admitted in an Engineering college. Given his scores, Madhavan could get a seat only in a college that was at the second level in reputation. Sankaran had to pay a substantial sum as donation to secure a seat for his son.

Sankaran hoped that after completing his Engineering degree, Madhavan could work in a large industry for a few years, gain experience and then take up managing his factory, when the knowledge he gained from his studies and experience would help him to manage his factory efficiently.

During the first two years of his study in the Engineering college, Madhavan was getting only average scores in most of the subjects.  However, from the third year, when Engineering subjects were introduced, Madhavan seemed to have developed a keen interest in learning. 

His interest and involvement were particularly high in areas like project works, seminar presentations etc. He also began to show interest in learning about the functioning of his father's factory. He visited the factory several times and tried to learn about various processes and systems.

During the final year of his study, Madhavan wanted to take up making improvements in his father's factory as the topic of his project work. When he expressed his desire to Sankaran, Sankaran asked him, "What kind of improvements can you make in my factory?'

"Improvements can be made in the technical aspects of the processes and in the systems.They can be simplified and streamlined in a better way" said Madhavan. 

"I set up my factory with the technical knowhow of a company abroad. My agreement with them has now expired. But, I am allowed to continue to use the technology. There is not much scope for improvements."

"Dad! You have been using a technology that might have become outdated by now. That is why the foreign company had allowed you to continue to use that technology. That company would have moved to a new technology by now."

"Even if that were the case, how does it matter? This technology has been serving me well. I am able to compete with other companies in this field and sustain my business. What more is required?"

"We can do better, dad. I have some ideas. It may be possible to modernize our factory without spending a lot of money. Doing so will bring down our cost of production and thereby improve our profitability" said Madhavan. 

"Well, you can make suggestions for the sake of doing your project. But I may not be able to implemeent them" said Sankaran.

Madhavan visited the factory several times along with a classmate of him who was his project partner, studied the processes and systems of the factory and gathered more details about the working of the factory by talking to the Engineers and other executives working in the factory. But Sankaran did not get himself involved in Madhavan's project.

Sankaran did not even go through Madhavan's project report after it was finalized and submitted to the university.

After a few weeks, Madhavan told his father that his project was chosen as the best project of the year by the university.

Sankaran was pleasantly surprised. He got a copy of the project report and went thorough it. He was surprised at the suggestions given in the report. They appeared to be practical and implementable. He gave the report to a consultancy firm and asked the firm to study the report and give its views on the feasibility of the suggestions made. The firm said that it would take a couple of months for it to study and give its views.

In the meanwhile, Madhavan was recruited by a reputed company during the campus interview. Madhavan joined that company on completion of his studies.

The consultancy firm engaged by Sankaran took six months to give its report. The report said that the ideas given in Madhavan's project report were implementable. It also gave some suggestions on how to implement those ideas. Though engaging the consultancy firm cost Sankaran a considerable amount of time and money, the report facilitated implementation of Madhavan's suggestions with confidence.

Sankaran arrived at a decision. He called up Madhavan over phone and told him, "Hey Madhavan! The consultants have rated your project report very high. I have decided to implement your ideas."

"Glad to hear that, daddy! I had confidence in my ideas from the beginning" said Madhavan, feeling happy.

"True. But I wanted to be sure before implementing major changes in the factory. That's why I sought an opinion from the experts. I think that you should be the one who implements your ideas. Quit your job, come here and take over our factory."

"No, dad. I need to learn a lot more. As you had suggested earlier, I should gain experience by working in a big factory a few years and then join our factory. That way my experience will be useful in running our factory. Whenever I come home on leave, I will visit the factory and have a look at how things are progressing. When I feel I have gained enough experience, I will quit my job and join our factory" said Madhavan.

After he call ended, Sankaran was absorbed in thinking.

"What are you thinking about?" asked his wife.

"I considered myself wise and knowledgeable because I had started my own business after my studies and have been running it successfully. But our son has proved that he is smarter than me!" said Sankaran.

"You used to lament that Madhavan was not as bright s you!"

"I was wrong. Madhavan is much more brighter than me!"

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 7
The Boon of Having Children

Verse 68 (In Tamil)

thammin tham makkaL aRivudaimai mAnilaththu
mannuyirkku ellAm inidhu,

Meaning:

All living creatures on this earth feel prouder

when their children are smarter than themselves.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'mAdhavanin edhirkAlam' by the same author)

Verse 69 (Soon)
Verse 67

1081. The Magical Smile

Kumaran didn't anticipate that such a large crowd would have gathered for the temple festival.

The annual festival of that temple, located a few miles away from his village, was quite popular among the people in the surrounding villages. 

He had witnessed that festival, when he was a boy studying in the school. After that, he didn't have a chance to witness that festival.

Kumaran had no interest in witnessing the festival, but his mother insisted that he attend the festival. "You have completed your studies. You may take up a job in a far off place. You won't get a chance to attend the festival again. So, attend the festival now" was her advice.

She didn't tell him that the reason for her asking him to attend the festival was driven by the belief among the people in that region that unmarried youth who attend the festival would get married soon!

When Kumaran went near the temple, he saw that a large crowd was moving towards the temple like waves marching towards the shore.

Even from a distance, he could see the temple deity placed on an elevated pedestal, with the temple priests performing the worship rituals. It appeared to him that it would take a couple of hours for him to go near the deity and worship the deity.

He decided that he would worship the deity from a distance and return home. He surveyed the crowd again. Hordes of men and women were walking. This movement, when looked at from behind, presented a sight of heads floating in space.

Kumaran noticed one head distinctly, the head of a young woman. He immediately realized that it was the earring the young woman had worn on her ears that made her look distinct.

Kumaran had seen women wearing myriad types of earrings. Even in that gathering, there would have been hundreds of women wearing earrings. But, for some reason, the earring worn by that young woman presented a unique appearance.

Looking from a distance, he couldn't gauge the age of that young woman.

Driven by a sense of curiosity, Kumaran tried to go closer to her by walking past the people who were walking ahead of him.

When he went a little closer, he was able to see her hair. The movement of her unplaited hair that was hanging from her head, gently touching the back of her neck and her back presented an elegant sight.

When Kumaram began to wonder why he was drawn to a woman whose face he had not seen, she accidentally turned her head sideways.

To Kumaran's mind, that act seemed like that of a peafowl turning its head in style!

At that moment, Kumaran was able to have a glimpse of one side of her face. He found even that partial vision enticing.

Eager to have a view of her face in full, Kumaran increased the pace of his walking, walked past some more people and came close to her. Intending to look at her face from the front, he walked past her. He halted at a point, stood under a tree, turned his face and looked at her. The movements of her hair and her graceful sway made her resemble a peafowl even more closely.

When he got a chance to have a clear view of her face, he was dazzled by its brilliance. What a divine glow! It was as if a deity from the temple was walking with the crowd, intending to witness the festival!

As she came nearer, a desire to have her as his life partner began to sprout in his mind.

She came still closer. When she was walking past him, she turned her face unexpectedly, looked at him and smiled.

Kumaran felt that his attending the festival had received an unintended fulfillment.

Thirukkural

Section 3

Love

Chapter 109
Beauty that Torments

Verse 1081 (in Tamil):
aNangu kol Aymayil kollO kananguzhai
mAdhar kol mAlum en nenju.

Meaning:

Is the girl with sturdy studs an angel? A peafowl special?

Or a damsel? My heart is dazzled.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'mandhirap punnagai' by the same author.)

Verse 1082 (Soon)

67. A Mother's Concern

When Sundar was studying in tenth standard, his mother Valli told her husband Ekambaram, "We had managed to get our son educated in a government school up to the tenth standard, without our having to pay any school fees. He will be able to get admission in a reputed Engineering college, only if he has his higher secondary education in a good school. So, let us put him in a good private school for his eleventh and twelveth standards."

"I cannot afford to pay the exorbitant tuition fees charged by private schools. Moreover, reputed private schools won't admit students who have studied in a government school!" replied Eakambaram.

"Does it mean that our son can't study Engineering?"

"Let us see. What line of education he pursues will be decided by his destiny."

"If we are going to leave things to destiny, what kind of support are we giving him as his parents?" said Vali, angrily.

"It is Sundar's fate that he was born the son of a poor man like me!"

While studying in the eleventh standard, Sundar focused on his studies and worked hard. He scored well in the mid-term examinations.

"Sundar is studying well. He will score well in the higher secondary examination" said Ekambaram.

"The scores he has been getting are not good enough. He can get admission in a reputed Engineering college, only if he scores at least 198 marks in each of the three subjects Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry in the Higher Secondary examination."

"Oh, you seem to have better knowledge about the requirements for engineering college admissions than me!"

"Don't bring you into comparison. You have no concern for the future of our son!" burst out Valli.

"Did you notice? For the past few days, after returning from the school, Sundar has been going out, and returning home late. When I asked him about it, he said that he was going to a friend's house to study along with him. I have a feeling that he is hiding something from me. Ask him about this" Valli told Ekambaram.

"Why do you suspect our son? Why should he lie to you?"

"Perhaps he has been going out with his friends and wasting his time."

"If that were the case, he is not going to change his ways by listening to my advice. He is a grown up boy. He should know what is good for him!" said Ekambaram.

"You speak with no responsibility! It is my fate that I have to go through these!" said Valli, feeling frustrate.

When the results of the higher secondary examination were announced, Valli had a pleasant surprise. Sundar had scored 200, 198 and 198 in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, respectively.

"How did you manage to get such high scores?" asked Valli.

"Attending the tuition classes made this possible" said Sundar.

"You attended tuition classes! How come I didn't know about this?" asked Valli, in surprise, looking at her son and her husband.

"I have a colleague by name Sankaran. He is well-educated and knowledgeable. I requested him to coach Sundar. Initially he declined my request saying that he didn't know much about the academic aspect of learning and that he was not familiar with the examination system.

"The son of a friend of mine had taken the higher secondary examination last year. He had attended tuition classes. I collected the study materials and class notes used by him and gave them to Sankaran. After browsing through them and collecting more information from the internet, he reluctantly agreed to coach Sundar. 

"I also mobilized some other students, the children of my friends for taking tuition from him. Sankaran refused to charge any fee, but I persuaded him to accept a moderate fee. I thought that only if he received a remuneration, he will have the commitment to deliver his best. However, I told him that unless the students paid the fees, they won't have the seriousness to learn. With ten students taking tuition from him, Sankaran had a fairly good income from coaching. 

"I had told Sundar not to tell you about this till he scored well in the examination and surprised you. In a way, the desire to give you a pleasant surprise acted as motivating factor too! Sundar went to the tuition classes telling you that he was studying with his friends. Not knowing the truth, you were concerned about Sundar going out in the evening without staying at home and studying!

"With only a few students to coach, Sankaran was able to pay personal attention to each of them. All the ten students have scored well. The spectre of ten students scoring high marks has never happened in the history of the school. Seeing the results, many students have been flocking to Sankaran. Sankaran is thinking of quitting his job and starting a tuition centre!" 

After enlightening Valli of what he had done, Ekambaram looked at her, his face beaming with pride.

Valli was dumbstruck.

Ekambaram turned to Sundar and told him, "Now that you have got good marks, you will get admission in a reputed Engineering college. It is my responsibility to pay your college fees and support you till you complete your college education. It is your responsibility to study well, complete your degree with high scores, earn a good job and get settled in your life."

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 7
The Boon of Having Children

Verse 67 (In Tamil)

thandhai magaRkkARRu nanRi avaiyaththu
mundhi iruppach cheyal.

Meaning:

The duty of a father towards his children is to bring them to the forefront in an assembly of learned persons.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'ammA kaNakku' by the same author)

Verse 68
Verse 66

383. A Day with A Political Leader

Arumugam's secretary introduced me to Arumugam saying, "He is a journalist from the magazine 'We.'"

"Welcome" said Arumugam. "You have come so early, at 6 in the morning!"

 "This time was suggested by you!" I said.

"You wanted to be with me and observe my activities for one full day. I said that my day would start at 6 am. But, being a journalist, your working day will start at 9 am, won't it?"

"No, sir. Nowadays, the working hours have become 24 x 7 in our profession."

"Fine. The title 'Arumugam - six to six' may be appropriate for your article about me!"

"Sir, If you don't mind, I would like to be with you till you go to bed."

"You are welcome. You can be with me in my dream too. Then, you will be able to witness that even in my dream, I think of people's welfare!" said Arumugam, with a smile.

Arumugam was a former Chief Minister. It was nine years since he had lost power. But there would hardly have been a day during these nine years that the newspapers didn't carry any news about him. He was so active even as the leader of a party in the opposition.

Since it was widely expected that he would come to power again with his party winning the elections to be held the next year, the media were giving him even more coverage than usual.

My editor decided to feature an article on the topic 'A day with the former Chief Minister' and assigned the task to me.

Arumugam updated himself of his engagements for the day by going through the program sheet his secretary had prepared the previous day. He then briskly started his activities for the day. He kept himself busy for the whole day, except for resting for one hour in the afternoon. 

As indicated by him to me, it was eleven in the night by the time his activities for the day came to an end.

When I took leave of him, he told me, "I don't know what you are going to write. But please tell me briefly what is the impression gained by you based on your observing me for the whole day. My going to bed will be postponed by ten minutes, but it is fine."

I told him, "Sir! I didn't have the opportunity of knowing about your functioning when you were the Chief Minister. I was a boy at that time. From what I observed today, I can say that you possess an important trait required of a leader of a country."

"What is that?"

"Doing promptly what you need do. You deviated a couple of times from your planned activities to attend to something that needed to be done immediately. For example, when you came to know that the leader of 'Tamil Arasu Party,' in an interview to a TV channel, had expressed his intention to have an electoral alliance with your party, you quickly arranged for a meeting with him at your office and got a commitment from him on aligning with your party in the coming election. With the ruling party making hectic efforts to woo him, your preempting the ruling party by drawing him to your side has strengthened your position. There were a few other such incidents too when I witnessed your acting with alacrity. Your choosing to delay your going to bed by ten minutes for getting to know my impression, rather than waiting till my article is published, is also a reflection of your inclination to act with promptness, though this exercise may not be useful to you!"

"Don't say it won't be useful. Other people's perceptions about me will have more weight in deciding my success than my own actions. I have always been interested in learning about the perspective of intelligent and well-informed young people like you!" said Arumugam.

"Hearing you say this prompts me to mention another trait of yours - a healthy curiosity and a willingness to learn new tings. I have observed that you often make profound observations about matters relating to the Economy, Foreign Affairs etc, though your education had stopped at the school level. Today I saw an expert briefing you on developments in areas like the Economy, Emerging Technologies, International Politics etc. You listened to him keenly and asked him pointed questions so as to gain a good understanding of the topics he briefed you on!"

"Yes. I have been taking this tuition from him since long. He is an erudite person who keeps his knowledge updated. He briefs me once a week!" said Arumugam, smiling.

"Another thing I should mention is your courage. I am aware of your reputation as a person of courage. Today I had a chance to witness it. Your party had announced a black flag demonstration against the Prime Minister, during his scheduled visit to our city next week. Today, the Chief Minister issued a warning that people showing black flags to the Prime Minister would be arrested under the National Security Act. Immediately after he made this announcement, you issued a statement that you would be leading the black flag demonstration. Your bold statement will greatly inspire your party cadre."

"Thank you, friend. I am sure that you will also be including some negative things about me in your article! I will read them when the article is published. You mentioned about doing things promptly. I don't want to delay my going to bed any further. We will meet again. My best wishes."

Arumugam shook my hands and bade goodbye to me.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 39
The Might of a Ruler

Verse 383 (in Tamil):
thUngAmai kalvi thuNivudaimai immUnRum
nIngA nilan ALbavarkku.

Meaning:
Alertness, Learning and Courage:

these should remain the constant companions of a ruler.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'munnAL mudhalvar' by the same author.)

Verse 384 (Soon)
Verse 382

66. Scenes Change!

 Scene: 1                        Year: 2005   

"Is Ramani at home?" asked Sekar, as he stepped into Ramani's house.

"He has not yet returned from the office" said Ramani's mother.

"There is a music concert at Narada Gana Sabha, tomorrow. I wanted to remind him about it. I called him up at his office, but his office phone was engaged."

"Is it a flute concert or veena* concert?" asked Ramani's mother.

"Flute concert by Sikkil Sisters. How did you guess that it would be a flute or veena concert? We attend vocal concerts too, don't we?" asked Sekar.

"You do. But I have seen that most of the times you go for a flute or veena concert!"

"Yes, aunty. These two instruments have a unique mellifluousness."

"Perhaps. I don't know much about music. Ramani should be back any time now. Please wait. Will you have coffee?"

"No, aunty. Thank you."

"Oh! you music lovers will feed your stomachs only when you are not feeding your ears, won't you!"

"You have floored me aunty, by quoting Thirukkural!**"

Scene: 2                                                                          Year: 2015

"Is Ramani at home?" asked Sekar, as he stepped into Ramani's house.

"He has not yet returned from the office" said Ramani's wife Ranjani.

"I tried to call him, but he is not answering."

"He might be driving."

"There is a flute concert by T.N.Seshagopalan at Arkay Convention Centre, tomorrow. I want to check whether he will be able to accompany me to the concert."

"I know Seshagopalan as a vocalist. I didn't know that he could play veena too!"

"He excels in playing veena as much as he does in singing. Ramani is fond of his veena performance."

"He should be here any time now. Will you have coffee?"

"No. Thank you. I remember the times when Ramani's mother would taunt me saying that music lovers like Ramani and me would think of feeding our stomachs only when our ears are not being fed! Alas, she is no more. By the way, if you don't mind, I want to ask you something." 

"Shoot!"

"You are named Ranjani, after the carnatic music ragha+ Ranjani. But you don't seem to have much interest in music!"

"That's not true. Do you know how many compact discs of music I have in my collection? All of them are compositions of the legendary film music composer M.S.Viswanahan. I find that his compositions have a wide range and variety covering various genres of music like Carnatic music, Hindustani music, Western music, Vedic music, ancient Tamil music# etc. By the way, a clarification about my name. My parents named me after the heroine of the Tamil film Apporva Ragangal, for which music was composed by Mr. M.S. Viswanathan!"

Before Sekar could respond to her, Ranjani exclaimed "Oh, here he is!" seeing Ramani making an entry.

"Hi, Sekar! Have you been waiting for long?" asked Ramani, looking at Sekar.

"No. I came in a few minutes back. I wanted to check whether you could accompany me to Seshagopalan's veena concert tomorrow" said Sekar.

"I would love to listen to Seshagopalan playing the veena. But I can't make it!"

"Why?"

"If I attend that concert, I will be missing another concert I love much more!"

"What is that concert?" asked Sekar, perplexed.

At that time, Ranjani who had just gone into the bedroom, returned to the hall, carrying her one year old baby that had just woken up from sleep.

Seeing Ramani, the child babbled something and tried to jump towards him.

Ramani took the child from Ranjani, turned to Sekar and told him "I was referring to the babbling concert of this great artiste!"

*veena - a chordophone instrument of Indian origin.

**a reference to Thirukkural verse number 412 which says that the stomach has to be fed only when there is no food for the ear (stressing the importance of learning through listening.)

+ragha - a standard tune in Indian music system 
# Carnatic and Hindustani music are Indian music systems, while Vedic and Tamil music systems are ancient systems of music in India.

Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 7
The Boon of Having Children

Verse 66 (In Tamil)

kuzhal inidhu yAzh inidhu enba tham makkaL
mazhalaich chol kELAdhavar.

Meaning:

Only those who have not listened to the babble of their children will proclaim that a flute or a lute sounds mellifluous.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kAtchigaL mARum nAdagam' by the same author)

Verse 67
Verse 65

65. Bhuvana and the Baby

Hearing the baby cry, Bhuvana rushed from the kitchen to the hall. The hammock made of cloth had been wetted by the baby, with the baby's urine dripping from the hammock and falling on on the floor.

Saying to herself, "Oh, my bad! I forgot to fit the baby with a diaper!" Bhuvana took out the baby from the hammock, wiped the baby clean using a towel and made it lie on a sheet of cloth spread on the floor.

The baby smiled at her and raised its hand as if thanking her. Bhuvana bent down and kept her face close to that of the baby. When the baby touched her cheek with its tiny hand, Bhuvana was thrilled. After touching her face a couple of times, the baby began to hit her, laughing aloud.

Bhuvana became exhilarated. She took the baby in her hands, hugged it and exclaimed in joy, "Oh, my dear!"

The child looked at her and gave out some sounds.

"What are you trying to say, my darling? I am unable to comprehend anything!" said Bhuvana. She then carried the baby to the kitchen and continued with her cooking.

For the next several minutes, she was engaged in cooking, some times carrying the baby and holding it with one hand and at other times, placing it down near her.

She took her lunch, after making the baby lie on a baby mattress laid  on the floor near her. She then fed the baby and then completed her other household chores, always keeping an eye on the baby. After that, she spent her time playing with the baby and "conversing" with it.

At about six in the evening, she fed milk to the baby and put it to sleep.

Her husband Ramakrishnan returned home from work at 7 p.m.

"What is the baby doing?" he asked, even as he stepped into the house.

"He is sleeping" said Bhuvana.

Ramakrishnan peeped into the hammock, relished the sight of the baby sleeping calmly and then went into the room to change.

After sometime, the doorbell rang. Bhuvana opened the door.

It was Selvi.

"What is the baby doing, aunty?" asked Selvi.

"He is sleeping."

"Fine. I will go to my apartment, prepare dinner and then will come and pick up the baby in about forty five minutes. But if he wakes up before that and cries, I will come and pick him up immediately" said Selvi.

"Take your time, Selvi. The baby is not likely to wake up before one hour from now" said Bhuvana.

"Thank you, aunty. I don't know what we would have done, if you had not been here to look after our child" said Selvi.

"I have been sitting idle at home. Looking after your child has been a pleasant pastime for me."

After Selvi left for her apartment which was adjacent to Bhuvana's, Ramakrishnan came from inside the house. "I don't know why she calls you 'aunty!' We are not so old, after all. She can call you 'sister,' instead" he said.

'Yes. I am still young. I will also have a child born to me. I will then spend time with my child the way I have been spending my time with Selvi's child now' said Bhuvana to herself.

Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 7
The Boon of Having Children

Verse 65 (In Tamil)

makkaL mei thINdal udaRkinbam maRRu avar
soRkEttal inbam sevikku.

Meaning:

The tender skin of one’s children is joyous to touch;

their sweet voices rapturous to hear.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'Bhuvana oru kELvikkuRi' by the same author)

Verse 66
Verse 64

382. Why Singavarma Is Invincible?

"What is the message brought by our spies who had returned from Mullaivanam?"asked King Manivarma.

"Good news, Your Majesty. The size of their armed forces is not even half of ours" said the Minister.

"So, it will be easy for us to trounce them in a war!" said Manivarma, feeling excited.

"Perhaps!" said the Minister.

"What is the catch? Do you think that some other country will come to the aid of Mullaivanam, in case of a war?"

"No way, Your Majesty! There is not one other country in our neighbourhood that has the courage to trigger our enmity."

"Then, why do you have doubts about our ability to defeat Mullaivanam in a war?" asked Manivarma.

"Our spies have found that Singavarma, the King of Mullaivanam has certain strengths" said the Minister, reluctantly.

"What strengths? I have heard that Singavarma has a good physique. But I am not going to engage in a wrestling match with him!" quipped Manivarma.

"Your Majesty, please listen to me patiently and then take a decision on going to war with Mullaivanam" pleaded the Minister.

"Go ahead, Minister! You know that I always respect your counsel."

"The strengths I referred to are Singavarma's traits. First, his courage. While all other small nations in our neighbourhood have subjugated themselves to us and been paying a ransom, Singavarma has been refusing to submit to our might. He doesn't feel intimidated by our threat to invade his country.

"Second, his munificence. He lives a simple life and uses his wealth to help the poor people of his country, He has given strict instructions to his officials to ensure that no citizen suffers from starvation. In fact, our spies were amazed to discover that he had warned his officials that if Singavarma came to know of any of his citizens starving, he would go without food too! I have heard several scholars from various countries who had visited Mullaivanam describe Singavarma as a man of wisdom. I consider this to be his third trait."

"In that aspect, I am not lagging behind Singavarma" interjected Manivarma, with a smirk on his face.

"Your Majesty!" exclaimed the minister.

"Yes, Minister. I don't know whether I have the wisdom to match that of Singavarma. But I have the counsel of a minister whose wisdom is as good as that of Singavarma, if not better than his" said Manivarma, his smile broadening.

"I feel humbled, Your Majesty. What can I say about your humility! It is my good fortune that an emperor who has conquered many a country through his might and war strategy listens to the views of a simple man like me" said the Minister, overwhelmed by the King's praise.

"Proceed, Minister! What other traits does Singavarma have? How are these traits going to help him in fighting a war?"

"I wanted to mention four of his traits I consider significant. Wise men have said that it is difficult to subdue a person having these four traits. It is because you possess these traits yourself that you have become an emperor, despite the fact that our country is small in size."

"Enough of praising me, Minister. As I said, it is because I have a wise man like you as my minister. You have not yet told me what the fourth trait is!"

"The fourth trait is perseverance. Singavarma's father died when Singavarma was a child. His uncle banished him from the country and became the king. After Singavarma grew up to be a youth, he made efforts to dethrone his uncle by mobilizing a secret army and fighting him. Though he had failed in his initial attempts, he persisted in his efforts and succeeded ultimately."

"The four traits Singavarma has, support him like four pillars supporting a superstructure. Therefore, though his army is not strong, we can't defeat him in a war. This is the message you are trying to convey, aren't you?" asked King Manivarma.

"Your Majesty! You have proved that my praising your wisdom was not flattery."

"Not yet. But, I am going to prove it. I am going to befriend Singavarma who has these four valuable traits and make his country Mullaivanam, an ally of our country!" said  Manivarma.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 39
The Might of a Ruler

Verse 381 (in Tamil):
anjAmai Igai aRivu Ukkam inAngum
enJamai vEndhrkku iyalbu.

Meaning:
Fearlessness, munificence, wisdom and perseverance are the four traits required of a king.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'padaiyeduppu' by the same author.)

Verse 383
Verse 381

64. Balaraman's Obsession!

"We have been visiting many temples. But God has shown no mercy on us" said Sukanya.

"If you start lamenting like this even while entering the temple, how can we pray to God with tranquility?" asked her husband Balaraman.

"Won't God know what makes me lament like this? Perhaps, God will understand the intensity of our grief better if we show our emotions and make an appeal to him rather than pray to him calmly!"

"Be quiet. We have come near the sanctum-sanctorum. Fortunately, there is not much of a crowd today. Let us have a hearty darshan of the Lord."

The couple prayed to God with intense devotion and faith.

They then did the pradakshina**, circumambulating the deity's abode in the clockwise direction. After completing the pradakshina, Balaraman went to the prasada counter, where dishes symbolically offered to the deity were sold.

"You will never miss buying and eating the prasada in every temple! You have an irresistible craving for food!" Sukanya chided him playfully.

"How can you be so ungrateful! Don't I have the habit of bringing you prasada whenever I visit a temple alone?" hit back Balaraman, in a friendly way. "This temple is well known for the Adhirasam***!" he added.

"You have by-hearted the information about which prasada will be delicious in various temples! It appears to me that the purpose of your visiting temples is only to relish the prasadas offered there!"

Balarama went to the prasada stall, bought two adhirasams and offered one to Sukanya. When he was about to eat the adhirasam held in his hand, he was transfixed by a sight he saw near the temple tank. 

On the bank of the temple tank, a young couple was sitting, eating the rice pudding packed in a plantain leaf. Their child sitting on its mother's lap jumped from her lap, took the pudding in its palm and squeezed it using its tender fingers. In the process, the pudding got sullied by mud. The child's father took a small piece of the soiled pudding from the child's palm, put it in his mouth and relished it. 

Balaraman was looking at this scene without blinking his eyes.

"What are you gazing at without even eating your favourite adhirasam?" asked a perplexed Sukanya.

"I was mentally putting myself in the in the place of that child's father. I would have found the soiled pudding squeezed by the tiny fingers of the child tastier than my favourite adhirasam!" said Balaraman, his voice choked with  emotion.

*darshan - the opportunity of seeing a saintly person or the image of a deity.

**pradakshina - Circling the abode of a deity by going around the four walls surrounding it in a clockwise direction.

*** Adhirasam - a kind of sweet.

Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 7
The Boon of Having Children

Verse 64 (In Tamil)

amizhdhinum ARRa inidhE tham makkaL
siRu kai azhAviya kUzh.

Meaning:

The porridge squeezed by the tiny fingers

of one’s child will be sweeter than nectar.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'amudhinum iniyadhu' by the same author)

Verse 65
Verse 63

381. The Selection Process

"I have shortlisted two candidates for the post of the CEO. I want to discuss the selection with you" said Sundaresan, the Managing Director of the company.

"You could make the selection. What is the need to discuss this with me?" asked Agarwal, the Chairman of the company.

"One of the five Divisional Managers of our company has to be selected as the CEO. Shortlisting two candidates was easy. But I found selecting one of these two as the CEO challenging. Both have made valuable contributions to the company. I used certain parameters and come to a conclusion. I want to discuss my approach with you, before making the final selection. Here is the brief profiles of the two. Please go through them."

Agarwal quickly ran through the two profiles.

"I understand your dilemma. Both men score almost equally on all aspects of management. Who is your choice? What promoters did you use?" asked Agarwal.

"Of the two Divisional Managers Kumar and Ramesh, Kumar has been heading a division which is slightly larger than Ramesh's. So, Kumar will appear to be the obvious choice. But since both these men have been reporting to me and since I have been interacting with the executives working under them, I have some insight about the two!"

"From what you say, it appears that you have chosen Ramesh over Kumar. You have not left any room for suspense" said Agarwal, smiling.

"You will know whether there is a suspense or not, only after I outline the parameters considered by me!" said Sundaresan, smiling back. "However, whether there is a suspense or not, I am only concerned that you accept the substance in the criteria of my choice. That's why I wanted to discuss my approach with you, in detail" he continued.

"Go ahead" encouraged Agarwal.

"I considered six parameters. I took marketing efficacy as the first parameter. Marketing to a company is what an army is to a country. It is the strength of the marketing team that will decide the strength of an organization. Kumar has a large marketing team. His team members get more perquisites, incentives etc. But Kumar's marketing team doesn't have the level of enthusiasm that Ramesh's marketing team has, though marketing is more challenging for Ramesh's division, in view of the high competition for its product. Ramesh's marketing team works with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. This is because Ramesh frequently interacts with his team members, listens to their problems and suggestions and makes them feel enthused."

"Kumar has lost his wicket already. There is no room for any suspense!" remarked Agarwal.

"As I said, you need to look into the substance of my approach!" replied Sundaresan and continued "The second parameter considered  by me was employee morale. Outwardly, the employees of both the divisions are happy. But in Kumar's division, there has been a recurring development of quite a few employees leaving their jobs and new people taking their places."

"You are talking about employee turnover. I am familiar with that management jargon!" said Agarwal, smiling again. it was clear that he was enjoying Sundaresan's presentation.

"Sir, I am aware that you are updated on everything relating to management. I avoided using the term 'employee turnover,' because I didn't want to use any jargon. Coming to the third parameter, we have given a degree of autonomy to each division in matters relating to providing facilities to employees. Though Ramesh's division has been earning a lower profit, its employees enjoy better facilities. Even canteen subsidy is higher there."

"That may be a reason for its profits being lower!"

"No, sir. This is about having concern for the welfare of the employees. The fourth parameter is the consultative mechanism. Kumar follows the practice of consulting only the senior executives. Ramesh, on the other hand, widens his consultation by inviting suggestions from all the employees and encouraging them to be a part of the consultative process. He considers valuable suggestions coming from any quarter."

"What more is there for you to consider?" asked Agarwal, wondering why Sundaresan has still not come to the stage of deciding on the selection.

"There are two more parameters to go, sir. The suspense you expect is also there. I would rather call it a surprise!" said Sundaresan and continued. "The fifth parameter is contacts. Ramesh has a good rapport with several executives in other organizations in the similar line of business. Not our competitors, of course. He could get help from them, in times of need. Some time back, when there was an unexpected raw material shortage, Ramesh procured some quantity for his immediate needs from another company, through his contacts. I learnt about this only much later."

"Ok. What is the sixth parameter?" asked Agarwal, his curiosity about what Sundaresan was holding back reaching a peak.

"I think, the sixth parameter is crucial. Preparedness for contingencies. Ramesh is very sensitive to the possibility of such contingencies. He has a research department to prepare contingency plans in the event of the demand for the product manufactured by his division falling or a substitute product entering the market. This might have contributed to the profit of his division being lower. But this is like an insurance, isn't it?" asked Sundaresan.

"So, Ramesh has scored over Kumar in all the six parameters considered by you. Therefore, you have selected Ramesh as the next CEO. Am I right?" asked Agarwal, a little disappointed that the surprise promised by Sundaresan didn't materialize.

"Yes, sir. Before revealing my selection, I wanted to check with you whether my approach is correct" said Sundaresan.

"Brilliant, Mr. Sundaresan! You are not a Management graduate! I wonder how you conceived these six parameters. By the way, you indicated that there would be a suspense or surprise. What is it?"

"Well, if you had considered my approach faulty, that would have been the suspense!" said Sundaresan, smiling.

"No. I think there is something I am missing! I have a suggestion. You can write a book about the approach you have followed."

"I can't do it, sir. Someone has done it already!" 

"Oh, that is the surprise, then. Who did it? An American author, I believe" said Agarwal.

"No, sir. An Indian author. He wrote about this two thousand years back, in Tamil. His name is Thiruvalluvar" said Sundaresan.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism
The Might of a Ruler

Verse 381 (in Tamil):
padai kudi kUzh amaichchu natpu araN ARum
udaiyAn arasaruL ERu.

Meaning:
The King who possesses a powerful army, loyal citizens and ministers (advisors), who ensures food security to his people, who has friendship with other kings and who establishes a system of strong defense is the most powerful among all kings.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'iruvaril oruvar' by the same author.)

Verse 382

63. Dhanraj's Woes

When Nallasivam went to his friend Dhanraj's house, Dhanraj's wife told him that he had gone out. After Nallasivam waited for a few minutes, Dhanraj returned home. Seeing Nallasivam, Dhanraj took him inside his room.

After he closed the door and sat near Nallasivam, Dhanraj couldn't control his tears. He covered his face with a towel and sobbed.

Perturbed by this sudden emotional display of Dhanraj, Nallasivam tried to console him, saying, "Dhanraj! Please calm yourself and tell me what the problem is."

"It is about my son Senthil. I spent a lot of money for his higher education, much more than I could afford.  But he discontinued his studies, saying that he found it too difficult to learn things. He wanted to start a business. I provided him the money needed for investment and also for the monthly expenses. Now he says that he has incurred losses in that business. He intends to start another line of business and wants me to fund his new venture. I pleaded with him not to venture into another business but to join me in looking after my family's agricultural activities. I am growing old and he can take over from me, I suggested. But he won't listen. He says that just as his elder brother has been working in Dubai and earning money, he should also do something and earn money and that the only way he could earn money is by doing business. I have already sold a part of my landholdings to fund his first business venture. If I were to fund his second venture, I should sell my remaining landholdings also! After selling my lands and foregoing the income I have been getting from cultivation, my wife and I will be driven to the state of begging for food."

Dhanaraj began to sob again.

"Why are you being so pessimistic, Nallasivam? Senthil could do well in his new venture. Moreover, your elder son Balu has been working in Dubai and earning well. Won't he take care of you in your old age?" said Nallasivam, in an attempt to placate Dhanraj.


"That's another story, Nallasivam. Soon after Balu got a job in Dubai, I persuaded him to get married so that he won't feel lonely at a new place, though he himself was not in a hurry to get married. Now he is leading a happy life there and my wife and I are happy about it. But he doesn't send us any money. He says that since his expenses in Dubai are high, he has no money to spare! Is he going to support us in our old age? No chance! It is my fate that both my sons are so unhelpful to their parents."

Nallasivam remained silent, not knowing how to console his friend.

"I am sorry, Nallasivam. I let out my feelings, without asking you about the purpose of your visit" said Dhanraj, apologetically.

"Nothing important. I am leaving for Chennai tonight. I wanted to tell you and take leave of you" said Nallasivam.

"Oh! You are going to stay with your son Raghu for a while. You will back after a couple of weeks, won't you?"

"Possibly, but I am not sure" said Nallasivam.

Nallasivam's elder son Raghu living in Chennai and younger son Ravi living in Bangalore had both been asking their parents to live with them permanently. Nallasivam and his wife decided to stay for a period of three months with each of them, then come back to their village and then decide about vacating their village house and living with their sons on a permanent basis.

Nallasivam didn't want to tell Dhanraj about his plan at a time when Dhanaraj was feeling let down by both his sons.

He decided to convey his plan to Dhanraj after a few days by calling him over phone from Chennai.

Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 7
The Boon of Having Children

Verse 63 (In Tamil)

tham poruL enba tham makkaL avar poruL

tham tham vinaiyAn varum.

Meaning:

Our children are our assets. What kind of assets one gets will be determined by the consequences of one's deeds in one's previous birth(s).

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'iraNdu piLLaigaL' by the same author)

Verse 64
Verse 62