1113. The 'Chimera' that Appeared in the Dream!

"Why should we work so hard to crack the GRE* and go to the United States, for pursuing higher education? Is it not better to settle down India, by getting a good job, after completing our Engineering degree?" asked Ravindran.

"For the past two years, you have been talking about going to the US. Why are you changing your tune suddenly?" asked Veena.

"The arduous task of preparing for the GRE makes me think like this. Preparing for the GRE requires that we learn new words in English. They say we should develop a vocabulary with at least 3000 words. We have not even learnt 300 words, till now."

"That's why we have been learning words, by going through the word list of important words. Starting in the alphabetical order, we have come to the letter 'C' now. If you get discouraged even at this stage, how can you progress? Since learning the words by studying alone could be difficult and boring, we have been learning together. Is this process a problem for you?"

"About 'learning together,' I enjoy the 'together' part. What can be more exciting than doing something together with you? But, it is the 'learning' part, that is challenging to me." 

Ravindran smiled at Veena and put his hand on her shoulder.

"Take your hand off my shoulder."

Veena gently pushed down his hand from her shoulder, smiling. "See what the next word in the list is."

"It is 'collage.' Have they misspelt the word 'college'?" asked Ravindran, sounding innocent.

"No way. 'collage' means an art piece made from diverse materials like cloth, paper etc. It is pronounced 'collash.' I have made collage paintings myself."

"Oh, I have seen you splash a few colours on a sheet of paper, stick some rags and paper bits on it and call it an art. So that is called collage!"

"Your ignorance is not confined to vocabulary, but covers the aesthetic sense as well."

"Bear with me, Miss Artist. After our marriage, I will definitely try to appreciate your creations you dare to claim to be pieces of art! Don't throw an angry look at me. Can we go to the next word? Please read the next word."

After looking at the word list, Veena asked him, "You have skipped some words, coming before 'collage!'"

"That is the style of studying, I and my friends have been following. While studying a lesson, we skip some topics. If any question on those topics is asked in the examination, we will skip it and choose some other question to answer!"

"In the GRE, there is no option to choose a question. You have to answer all the questions. If you can't, you have to give up your aspiration to go to the U.S for higher studies. Let us be a little more serious. We will take up the words skipped by you. The next word is 'chimera.' Do you know the meaning of this word? Don't say it is a typo and it should be 'camera!'"

"You are one who is holding the book. Look at the answer and enlighten me!"

"'Chimera' is an animal created with organs of different animals. This is to be pronounced 'kimera.'"

"This also appears to be a kind of 'collage.'"

"'Collage' is a beautiful art piece. Do you think that an animal created by combining the organs of different animals will be good to look at? It may look ugly or monstrous."

"Not necessarily. A chimera created by a good artist like me can be good-looking!" said Ravindran.

"I think today you are not in a mood to study. You have been making frivolous remarks. We will stop our study today and resume it tomorrow."

Veena closed the book.

"The moment you closed the book, I got into a good mood. I have the mood to chat with you" said Ravindran.

"Leave this place, now!" said Veena, in mock anger.

The next day, when they met to resume their studies, Ravindran told Veena, "Veena! You may not believe what I say. Last night, I saw the figure of a chimera in my dream. It was the image of a beautiful woman."

"How can a chimera have the image of a woman?"

"It was a woman, alright. Her shoulders were like a gently curved bamboo pole. Her torso looked like a creeper. Her teeth were like pearls. Her eyes, highlighted by the black dye on the edges, had the sharpness of a lance. A pleasant fragrance was emanating from her body..."

"How horrible! Because we had discussed the word 'chimera' yesterday, such a creature seems to have appeared in your dream!"

"No, Veena. That woman was very beautiful. I have already seen her."

"You have seen her! Who is that damsel? Do I know her?" asked Veena, somewhat perturbed.

"How do I know whether you know her. I have her photo in my mobile phone. I will show it to you. Check whether she is known to you."

Ravindran took out his mobile phone. 

'You have her photo in your mobile phone and you have the temerity to tell me that. See what I am going to do to you!' thought Veena, a wave of anger rising in her mind.

But on seeing her own photo shown by Ravindran, Veena's anger turned into exhilaration.

Thirukkural
Section 3

Love

Chapter 112
In Praise of Her Charms

Verse 1113 (in Tamil):
muRimEni muththam muRuval veRinARRam
vElunkaN vEyththOL avaTku.

Meaning:

Her body is supple; her teeth are pearls. She is fragrant. Her eyes, that have dyed edges, dart forth glances like a lance. Her shoulders gently curve as the bamboo. O! what a varied charm my beloved has!

*GRE - An Entrance Test for getting admission to master's programs in US universities.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kanavil vandha uruvam' by the same author.)

448. Advancing the Elections

"Can you tell me which is the strongest weapon to destroy democracy?"

"No. What is it?"

"Democracy!"

"How do you say this?"

"Mahendra became the President of our country, under a system of democracy. He has been destroying democracy, after coming to power."

"How can you say that he has been destroying democracy? Democratic institutions like the People's Parliament, the media etc. have been functioning."

"They have been functioning as per the wishes of Mahendra! In the People's Parliament, opposition members are afraid to speak against the government. If any member does, the very next day, there will be a raid on his house by the tax enforcement authorities. After the raid, the tax authorities will publicly announce that a large amount of cash and several incriminating documents were seized from his house. The member will then stop speaking against the government. Once the 'erring' member 'mends' his ways, there will be no action on the seizures said to have been made by the authorities.

"Coming to the media, we have seen how several newspapers and television channels, that have been critical of he government, changed their ways and began to sing the praise of the President. Only they and the government know why they changed their stand suddenly. Media personalities and editors, who have the courage to express views criticizing the government's actions, are sacked or made to resign.

"If we look at the social media, people who sing the praise of the President get away with their posts maligning the government's critics and making slanderous remarks against them. But cases are slapped on those who are even mildly critical of the government. Some are even arrested and kept in jail for a long time. Additionally, they have to face the abusive tirades from the supporters of the government, liberally spiced with false accusations and unparliamentary language.

"A lot of people feel safe to keep their eyes closed and adopt an 'all is well' attitude. So, the views critical of this government are hardly visible to the public eye. Even the courts do not pull up the government, for its violation of both the letter and spirit of the law. This is the pathetic state of our country!"

"You spoke to me in length, criticizing the government severely. Is this not a sign that democracy is alive?"

"My dear friend! I spoke to you freely, because you are my friend. For heaven's sake, don't tell anyone about my critical views of the government. If you tell someone about what I said and if that person tells someone else and ultimately, the word reaches the ears of a person who has a sycophantic loyalty to this government, he will bring it to the notice of the authorities. I will be flagged an anti-national element and incarcerated. You will then realize the truth of what I said!"

President Mahendra was engaged in a discussion with a few senior executives of his government, who were loyal to him.

"The elections are due only next year. But I am thinking of advancing the elections and holding them immediately. What is the pulse of the people, as felt by you?" he asked the executives.

"Sir, people are very happy under your benign rule. No one has any complaint or grievance. If elections are held now. an overwhelming majority of people will vote for you. There is no doubt about this" said the Head of the Intelligence Bureau.

"In that case, I will have the elections held immediately. We don't know how things will be after a year!" said the President, feeling excited by the prospect of getting reelected.

"How did this happen? I advanced the elections, based on the favourable inputs received from the intelligence bureau. I could have continued in power for one more year. With the election results going against me, my tenure has come to an end, one  year earlier!" lamented Mahendra bitterly. He was talking to the senior leaders of his party, about the outcome of the elections. 

"Driven by fear, people have not been expressing their dissatisfaction with your rule, openly. They have now communicated their anger, through the ballot paper. You silenced all the voices that pointed out the shortcomings and excesses of the government. So, you had no one, who could apprise you of the real situation on the ground. I don't know whether the Head of the Intelligence bureau told you the truth as perceived by him, or told you what you were pleased to hear, out of fear of you! Angered by your autocratic rule, people have not only thrown you out of power, but also decimated our party, by giving us only five seats out of the five hundred seats in the People's Parliament. The new government will file cases against you for your misdeeds and strive to get you punished with imprisonment. You have no sympathy within our party. Therefore, don't expect any support from our party leaders, including me" said a senior leader of Mahendra's party, venting his anger on the fallen dictator.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 44
Condemnation of Faults

Verse 448 (in Tamil):

idippArai illAdha EmarA mannan
keduppAr ilAnum kedum.

Meaning:

A King, who is not in the company of critics pointing out his faults, will be ruined, even without anyone trying to destroy him.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'mun kUttiyE thErdhal' by the same author.)

Verse 449 (Soon)
Verse 447

447. A Guide Called Grandfather

"Are you stupid? How did you get into the smoking habit at this age?" 

This was how my grandfather scolded me, when I was fifteen, after he found out that I had been smoking, stealthily.

I remember my grandmother pleading with him to forgive me, saying, "He is just a boy. Somehow, he had been drawn to this vice. Don't be harsh on him."

I could see the tears at the corners of her eyes. After all, she knew how strict and how unforgiving my grandfather had been. She would have feared that my grandfather would beat me severely, for what I had done.

"His parents are not living. It is my duty to bring him up properly" my grandfather told my grandmother. 

He then turned to me and warned me, in astern voice "Hey, if you smoke one more cigarette, you won't get food in this house. You have to live on cigarettes alone."

I gave up smoking, at that very moment.

"I understand that you feel indebted to your grandparents, since they brought you up from the time you were a child. I appreciate the respect and love you have for them. Your grandfather is eighty years old now and you are thirty. But, you still ask for his advice on various maters. If he thinks what you are doing is wrong, he scolds you, as if you are a small boy! You listen to his berating happily. I feel very bad, witnessing such events. Even our five year old boy asks me, 'Mom, why is grandfather scolding dad?' I think you should cut down your interactions with him" said my wife.

"It was due to my grandfather's strict upbringing of me that I became disciplined and responsible and came up in my life. I have grown to the level of running my own business. Even at this stage of my life, I find it useful to seek my grandfather's counsel, before taking decisions on certain important matters. Though he doesn't know anything about my business, he has the wisdom to guide me, in deciding what is good and what is not. He will not hesitate to pull me up, if he thinks that I have chosen a wrong path. When I was studying in the college, I was trapped in the illusion of love. My grandfather made me understand that at that age I didn't have the maturity to take a decision about my marriage and helped me extricate myself from an impulsive decision I was about to make. That is how I ended up marrying a wonderful person like you, after a few years. My grandfather has been growing old. I don't know how long I will be able to have his wisdom and counsel. I am wondering, after his time, who will guide me help me tread the right path" I told my wife.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 44
Condemnation of Faults

Verse 447 (in Tamil):

idikkum thuNaiyArai ALvArai yArE
kedukkum thagaimaiyavar.

Meaning:

None can harm the ruler, who seeks the wholesome counsel of his ministers, even if it is hard-hitting.

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

Verse 448
Verse 446

102. Admission Fees

"You are saying this now!" said Ramamurthy, feeling perturbed.

"They have put this intimation on the college notice board. My friend Ravi saw it today and told me just now" said his son Mani.

"We don't even have the admission letter, with us. The Correspondent had signed, endorsing your application form and we handed over the form to the college office. They told us that they would intimate us about when we should pay the fees. After that, there had been no communication from the college."

"They won't send any communication to us. We have to mention my application number and pay the fees."

"What should we do now? The registration of the property sold by me has been scheduled on a date four days from today. Manickam, the buyer, would pay me the sale value only on that day. That is the term of the sale agreement, against which I have received an advance payment. I cannot go to him and ask him to pay the money now" said Ramamurthy, gripped by a concern about arranging for the money.

"Dad! You secured admission for me at this college, with great difficulty, by approaching some influential people, through your contacts. My friends are surprised that I got admission into this college, in spite of my marks being lower than the minimum expected by this college. If we don't pay the fees tomorrow, the college administration may give my seat to someone else" said Mani.

"Values have been deteriorating with the passage of time. This is 1970. If this were like the time that was in my younger days..."

"During your time, you didn't even get a chance to study in the college, dad!" said Mani, interrupting his father.

"Even now, I don't have the means to give you college education. I had managed to fund your studies, up to the Pre-University level. To pay for your B.Sc. course, I had to sell a piece of our ancestral land. I need to preserve the sale proceeds and use it to pay for your studies, for the next three years!"

"How are you going to arrange for the money, to pay his college fees? Why don't you ask Manickam, the buyer, to advance the payment for the sale?" asked Parvathy, Ramamurthy's wife.

"He is not a person acquainted with us. I know him only as the buyer of our land. We had already received an advance payment from him and used it to meet certain expenses. As per the agreement, the remaining amount is to be paid, only at the time of registration. How can I go and ask him to pay that amount now?" asked Ramamurthy.

"Why don't you take our son, go to Manickam's house and ask him to help us. We have no other source to mobilize the required sum."

"Ok. I will go and meet him. If he says no, then we can think of other ways" said Ramamurthy.

When Ramamurthy visited Manickam, with Mani, Manickam welcomed him, enthusiastically.

"Sir, I need a favour from you. Please don't mistake me. This is my son Mani. He has got admission to a college. His college is suddenly asking us to pay the admission fees, before tomorrow..."

Before Ramamurthy could complete the sentence, Manickam interjected, saying, "So, you have come to ask me, whether I can pay now, the amount I have to pay at the time of registration?"

"I don't need the entire sum. If you can pay me five hundred rupees now, it will be sufficient" said Ramamurthy, feeling embarrassed.

"I don't have that much cash on hand. I will receive the sum from a source only after a couple of days. But, I can get the sum you need, from someone and give you. Can you come in the evening?"

"Sure, sir. Tell me when we should come."

"You may come after six in the evening. You don't have to come yourselves. It is enough if you send your son" said Manickam.

Ramamurthy went to Manickam's house, at seven o' clock in the evening.

"Welcome. I told you it would suffice, if you send your son. You need not have come yourself!" said Manickam.

"I thought I may have to sign some papers" said Ramamurthy.

"No need for signing any papers. You are going to sign the document, during the registration, any way. Here is the cash. Please take it. I will deduct this five hundred rupees, from the payment I have to make at the time of registration" said Manickam, smiling.

"Sir! You have done me a great favour. I was clueless about whom I could approach for help."

"I have not done anything great. I only gave you a part of the money I have to pay you at the time of registration, four days earlier. That's all."

"You may not consider your help to be big. But from our perspective, you have rendered me a great help, at the right time and ensured that my son's college education is not hampered due to our inability to pay he fees in time. Both my son and I will always remember your timely help" said Ramamurthy.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 11
Gratitude

Verse 101 (In Tamil)

kAlaththinAl seydha nanRi siRidhu eninum
GnAlatthin mANap peridhu.

Meaning:

A help done at the right time, even if small, will be considered bigger than the world.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kallUrik kattaNam' by the same author)

Verse 103 (Soon)
Verse 101

446. The Cabinet Meeting

Gunaseelan, who was sworn in as the Chief Minister of the state, after his party won the elections to the state assembly, was discussing cabinet formation with Kumaravel, the President of the party. 

"Gunaseelan! It was your strategy and campaign that enabled our party to achieve such a resounding victory at the hustings. So, I think that you should have the freedom to form the cabinet with people of your choice. I will not make any recommendations or suggestions" said Kumaravel.

"Thank you, sir! It was your guidance and encouragement that provided the inspiration to me. I really mean it" said Gunaseelan.

"During your previous term as the Chief Minister, the pressures you had faced from various leaders of our party, the impediments caused by them and the wrongs committed by some of them led to our defeat in the next election. I had also failed to restrain the leaders of our party, who caused the problems to you. I don't want a similar situation to develop this time. That's why I believe that you should function with complete independence."

"Yes, sir. However, choosing the right people alone will not ensure good governance. I have a plan for providing good governance. I need your permission to execute that plan."

"Tell me what it is."

After Gunaseelan outlined his plan, Kumaravel said, with excitement "Excellent idea. Please go ahead. You will have my full backing in implementing the plan." 

The first meeting of the cabinet began.

"What is this? How can you do this?" asked Arasakumar, a senior minister, angrily.

"What have I done?" asked Gunaseelan, smiling.

"You have thirty ministers in your cabinet. But you have appointed six special secretaries under you. You have made each one of them in charge of five cabinet ministers. You have brought in a rule that each cabinet minister, should send all the files to the secretary assigned to him, who will forward the files to you, with his recommendations. This appears like having a super cabinet over the cabinet!"

"This arrangement also appears unconstitutional" said Kamalanahan, another senior minister, concerned an expert on legal matters.

"There is nothing unconstitutional about this arrangement" said Gunaseelan, turning to Kamalanathan. "The Chief Minister has the power to appoint any number of secretaries to assist him. The secretaries are not going to approve any proposal sent by a minister. They will just write their views on the proposal and send the file to me. I will approve or decline the proposal of the minister and send the file back to him."

He then turned to Arasakumar and said, "Mr. Arasakumar! During our previous tenure, several mistakes were made and we were unable to check them. That's why we lost the elections at that time. Our party president has advised me that this time I should not give any room for such mistakes to occur. He is very particular that our government should be one that delivers good things to people, without any scope for mistakes or wrongdoings. I am not suggesting that my cabinet colleagues could commit wrongdoings. But, mistakes may creep in, even with our being not aware of them. The people whom I have appointed as my special secretaries are persons of knowledge and wisdom. They have integrity and a concern for the society. Their guidance and counsel can be beneficial to you also. I have made this arrangement, ensuring that your status, prestige and authority as cabinet ministers will be preserved. I am sure that after a few weeks, you will realize how valuable their guidance and counsel is to all of us." 

Every one remained silent.

Gunaseelan turned his gaze on each of the ministers and said, "Of course, if any of you don't like this arrangement, you are free to resign from my cabinet" smiling.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 44
Condemnation of Faults

Verse 446 (in Tamil):

thakkAr inaththanAyth than ozhuga vallAnaich
cheRRAr seyakk kidandhadhu il.

Meaning:

A person who is in the company of great men and acts as per their counsel cannot be harmed by his enemies.

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

Verse 447
Verse 445

445. A Meeting with the Chief Minister

The only topic of discussion among all the journalists sitting in groups in the Press Club was about Kathirvelan assuming office as the Chief Minister of the state, with his party having won the elections to the assembly. 

Sankramani and his friend Kuzhandaisamy were sitting across a table and conversing.

"The person whom you have been strongly criticizing has won the elections and become the Chief Minister. He is going to be in power for the next five years. He has been maintaining a good relationship with a party ruling at the centre. So, he is likely to be well entrenched in power. What are you going to do about this?" asked Kuzhandaisamy.

"What is there for me to do? I will continue to write against his misdeeds. I may face harassment from the government agencies. They may file charges against me under various acts, flagging my writings as 'anti-national.' I may even be imprisoned. I am ready to face everything!" said Sankaramani.

"I would advise you to tone down your criticism of the government. It is very difficult to survive, after earning the wrath of a ruthless leader like Kathirvelan."

Even as Kuzhandaisamy was saying this, Senthil, another journalist, came near them. He bent down and told Sanksramani,"Mr.Sankaramani, I need to speak to you in private."

Hearing this, Kuzhandaiamy stood up to leave that place, telling Sankaramani, "We will meet again."

"You need not leave, sir" Senthil told Kuzhandaiamy. "I just have a brief message for Mr. Sankaramani. I will leave, after delivering it."

Sankaramani accompanied Senthil to a nearby spot in the room, that was secluded.

Senthil spoke to Sankaramani for a couple of minutes and left.

Sankramani returned to his table and sat against Kuzhandaisamy.

"Senthil is close to Kathirvelan. What did he tell you? Did he warn you saying, 'Our man has come to power now. So, be careful, when writing about him'?" asked Kuzhandaisamy, half in jest and half in seriousness.

"No. He conveyed a message that Kathirvelan wanted to meet me!" said Sankaramani, wondering why the Chief Minister wanted to meet him. 

"Meet the Chief Minister and find out what he wants. Perhaps, he wants to warn you in person. Be careful, while talking to him. You know how malicious he can be" said Kuzhandaisamy, his voice showing his concern.

When Sankaramani met Chief Minister Kathirvelan in his office, there was no one else in the room.

"I don't know whether you will believe me, if I say that I read all your writings thoroughly" said Katirvelan.

'I am aware of it. And I read all the pieces that appear in the mouthpiece of your party, viciously attacking me, for my views!' thought Sankaramani. 

"Thank you, sir" said Sankaramani, tersely.

Kathrivelan said:

"I have come to power now. Because I am in power, people around me will only tell me things that I want to hear. They won't tell me about things that will be unpalatable to me. You are a person, with a sharp eye. You keenly observe the things that are happening in the country. I know that you don't support or criticize anything blindly. You view things objectively and express your opinions without bias. 

"It is true that in the past, our partymen have assailed you for your critical comments about me and my party. Sometimes, they have hit you below the belt. I am sorry about it, but that is politics! Now, when I am in power, I want to be fully informed of what is happening in the country, people's perception of my rule, their grievances, expectations etc. Journalists who support me and people surrounding me will not bring to my notice news adverse to my interest or views critical of me. 

"Therefore, I want to have you, a person who has a sharp eye for facts and who has been closely following the developments in the country and people's perceptions, as my media adviser. You can keep writing in any paper of your choice, the way you have been doing all along. 

"But you have to update me, on a daily basis, about news and views including information, happenings and perceptions, which others will hesitate to bring to my notice, lest I should be upset by them. I appeal to you to accept the position of being my media adviser."

Sankaramani looked at Kathirvelan, with amazement and a new sense of respect and admiration.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 44
Condemnation of Faults

Verse 445 (in Tamil):

sUzhvAr kaNNAga ozhugalAn mannavan
sUzhvAraich chUzhndhu koLal.

Meaning:

Since those who observe what is going around them in the world and bring it out serve as the eyes of the world, a ruler should keep such people close to him.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'mudhalvarudan oru sandhippu' by the same author.)

Verse 446
Verse 444

1112. Oh, Little Flower!

"Hey! Stop the scooter" yelled Kamesh.

"What for?" shouted back Muthu, even as he stopped the scooter. 

"Just a minute!" said Kamesh. He got down from the scooter, went near the compound wall of the nearby bungalow, raised his toes and peeped into the garden, situated behind the compound wall.

"What are you doing? If someone sees you, we will be in trouble" said Muhu, feeling unnerved by Kamesh's move.

Noticing Kamesh peeping into the house, the security guard standing at the gate rushed to the spot where Kamesh was standing and asked him, "Hey, what are you doing? Why are you peeping inside the house?" in a disturbed and tense voice.

"Oh, nothing. The flowers looked so beautiful, when I had a glance at them, while riding on the pillion of my friend's scooter, I just wanted to take a closer look at them" said Kamesh, nonchalantly.

"If the house-owner sees this, he will scold me. Get away from here!" said the guard, in a strict tone.

"Let us go. You are acting crazy. Have you not seen flowers before?" reprimanded Muthu.

"Meena! Hereafter, don't leave the town, even for a short period. If you are not in town, it is difficult for me to manage your lover" Muthu told Meenakshi, casting a reproachful look at Kamesh.

Kamesh just smiled, without saying anything.

"Why? What did your friend do?" asked Meenakshi, smiling at Kamesh.

"Before that, I want to ask you something. Why did your parents name you 'Meenakshi', meaning 'one with eyes resembling a fish?' To me, your eyes don't resemble fish!"

"You can belittle the appearance of my eyes later. Complete what you began to say about Kamesh" asked Meenakshi.

"In Tamil literature, poets compare the eyes of a young girl to the Kuvalai flower, called water lily in English. They describe God's eyes being similar to lotus flower. Your lover says that when he sees your eyes, he feels that they are like a pair of tiny flowers. When you are away, he craves to see you. If he sees a flower plant, he goes near it and keeps looking at the flowers, as if he is looking at you. I find it difficult to pull him away."

Meenakshi had a feeling of excitement, when she heard this. She looked at Kamesh, proudly. 

An incident that happened a few days back was replayed on the screen of her mind.

"Have you seen a flower, Meena?" asked Kamesh.

"Don't you think this is a silly question, even for your IQ level?" shot back Meenakshi.

"Then, tell me how a flower looks."

"Your question is like the one that appears in the Botany examination, asking us to draw a flower and mark its parts!"

"Ok, I will answer the question myself. At the centre of the flower, there is a small bud. The petals of the flower cover the bud, as if protecting the bud."

"My goodness! How boring can you get!"

Kamesh put his fingers around one of her eyes, stretched the muscles above and below the eye and said, "When I see how your eyelid is acting as a layer protecting the pupil, like the petals of a flower protecting the bud, your eye looks like a tiny flower."

"Get lost" said Meenalshi, in mock anger. She felt thrilled at Kamesh holding her eye with his fingers and comparing it to a flower.

"What is it, Meena? You are staring at your lover's face, without answering my question!" said Muthu.

Meenakshi turned to Muthu and told him, "Muthu! Now that you have mentioned a flower, I am reminded of puja*. There is a saying about a bear making an entry during the puja and disrupting it!" and giggled.

"Pardon me, Miss Jasmine Flower! It was wrong on my pat to be standing here, without letting the gardener nurture you with love and care. Hey, Gardner Kamesh! Take good care of the flower!"

Muthu left, bidding goodbye to both.

*puja - a ritual worshipping God, by offering flowers at the feet of the idol. 

Thirukkural
Section 3

Love

Chapter 112
In Praise of Her Charms

Verse 1112 (in Tamil):
malar kANin maiyAhthi nenjE ivaL kaN
palar kaNum pU okkum enRu.

Meaning:

Oh, my heart! Since her eyes resemble flowers that delight every one who looks at them, you mistakenly believe the flowers that resemble her eyes to be her eyes.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'pUvellAm uRRup pAr' by the same author.)

 Verse 1113
Verse 1111

444. The Award

"Sir, next week, we have the function for conferring the award on you. An official from the government called me up to confirm that all arrangements have been made" said Raghupathy, Manager of the firm. 

"Okay. The function has to be webcast live. Send them an email, asking for their approval" said Gajendran, the Managing Director.

"Sir, this is a function arranged by the government. They won't give consent for live webcast."

"Send them an email asking for permission. Then call up the official, who spoke to you and give the line to me."

After a few minutes, Raghupahy came to Gajecndran's cabin again and told him, "Sir, the official says that the government can't permit webcasting the event live. He is on the line."

Gajendran lifted the receiver of the phone in his cabin and spoke to the government official. "Sir, we will arrange for the webcast at our cost. We are only seeking your consent...Oh, you say it is a policy issue! I will participate in the function and receive the award, only if you permit webcasting the event. Please convey this to your secretary."

Gajendran put the receiver down, terminating the conversation.

After two days, Gajendran received an email from the government, conveying the government's consent to Gajendran's firm webcasting the award giving function, at its own cost.

After receiving 'The Best Industrialist of the Year' award, Gajendran spoke.

"I consider receiving this award a great honour. I am thankful to the government and the selection committee, for choosing me for this award. It is customary for people receiving this award to say, 'I have not done anything to deserve this award. I accept this award with humility.' This is usually said as a display of politeness, and sometimes, by way of sheer formality. But, in my case, this will be a true statement, because, there is someone else behind the growth of my organization. 

"I didn't start this firm. I bought this firm ten years back, from Mr. Thirumurugan, the founder of this firm. Mr. Thirumurugan started this venture to manufacture a new product, developed by him. He established the factory and successfully manufactured and marketed the product. He was running the firm successfully for many years.

"But, at one stage, he found it difficult to run the firm, due to financial problems. At that time, I, realizing the worth of the business assiduously built up by Mr.Thirumurugan, bought this firm from Mr. Thirumurugan.

"When Mr. Thirumurugan sold his business to me, he wanted to take home the chair, in which he had been sitting and running the business for the past several years. I told him that he should take not only his chair, but also his cabin! I meant that he should continue to sit in his chair, inside his cabin and guide me to run the business. He accepted my request. 

"Mr. Thirumurugan has been guiding me for the past ten years. It is his counsel, wisdom and and guidance that have helped me to take this business to new heights. This award should rightly go to Mr. Thirumurugan. It has been given to me, since I have been holding the position of the Managing Director of the firm.

"For the past few weeks, Mr. Thirumurugan has been indisposed and confined to his house. Since I wanted him to witness this event, I requested the government to permit us to webcast this event and the government kindly consented to my request.

"I now dedicate this award to my guide Mr. Thirumurugan. I solicit the good wishes and blessings of Mr. Thirumurugan, who, at my request, has been watching this event from his home."

Thirumurugan, who, lying on a bed in his home, listened to Gajendran's speech and the big applause that followed it, found that his eyes were welling up in joy and ecstasy.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 44
Condemnation of Faults

Verse 444 (in Tamil):

thammin periyAr thamarA ozhugudhal
vanmaiyuL ellAm thalai.

Meaning:

To follow in the footsteps of those who are greater than oneself is the crown of one’s strength.

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

Verse 444
Verse 443

443. The Patriarch

In recognition of Chief Manger Rajagopal's long tenure in politics and his stature, he came to be referred to as 'the patriarch' by every one, including his partymen, the public, leaders of other political parties and the media.

Even while assailing the government led by Rajagopal, the leader of the opposition party Chellakkannu would say, "Corruption has become rampant under the patriarch's rule," "people have been subjected to untold suffering by the patriarch" etc, referring to Rajagopal as patriarch, every time. 

The title 'patriarch' came to be attached to Rajagopal, not just for his age and long tenure. In fact, Rajagopal began to be called by this title even in his early fifties, as a mark of respect for his dignified behaviour, civilized speech, mature wisdom and self-effacing humility. Soon, the title 'patriarch' became his identity.

Even his opponents in politics had no reservation about calling him 'patriarch.' They would say, "Though we oppose Mr. Rajagopal politically, we respect him for his exemplary qualities and heartily accept him as 'the patriarch.'"  

In spite of Rajagopal having been respected a lot by every one, he had to contend with both victories and defeats in elections, like any other political leader would.

Rajagopal suddenly became ill and had to undergo intensive medical treatment. With the doctors advising him rest for a long period, Rajagopal resigned as the Chief Minister. Another leader from his party took over as the Chief Minister.

Rajagopal regained his normal health after a few months. But he didn't make any attempt to become the Chief Minister again. 

Rajagopal refrained from actively involving himself in politics and confined himself to his home. Apart from expressing his opinion on some important political developments, he didn't take any active part in politics.

Nambi, who succeeded Rajagopal as the Chief Minister was not keen on consulting Rajagopal or seeking his advice in any matter. In fact, he didn't even bother to make a courtesy call on Rajagopal, a gesture he should have made, considering that Rajagopal was his predecessor and a senior leader. 

When the date for the next election to the state legislature was announced, Rajagopal announced his decision to not contest the election. However, there was an expectation that his party would offer the Chief Minister's post to him, in the event of the party winning the elections, since the incumbent Chief Minister was not very popular among the people.

But Rajagoal's party lost the elections. Chellakkannu's party came to power.

After having been sworn in as the Chief Minister, Chellakkannu went to Rajagopal's house and met him. After coming out of Rajagopal's house, Chellakkannu met the media.

"What was the reason for your meeting Mr. Rajagopal, who belongs to the opposition party? Are there any political reasons behind your move?" asked one reporter.

"There are no political reasons. But there are reasons relating to governance" answered Chellakkannu, cryptically.

"That means?"

"I requested the patriarch to be an honorary advisor to our government and he accepted my request."

"What is the reason for your decision to have a leader belonging to the opposition party as the advisor to your government? You had been critical of him, when he was the Chief Minister!"

"We have not criticized the patriarch. We criticized only the policies of his government. It is with the noble intention that the patriarch's wisdom and experience should be useful to the welfare of our state that we have, transcending political frontiers, sought his counsel. I am hopeful that this decision will help us in our governance as well as in the development of this state" said Chellakkannu.

Thirukkural

Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 44
Condemnation of Faults

Verse 443 (in Tamil):

ariyavaRRuL ELLAm aridhE periyAraip
pENith thamarAk koLal.

Meaning:

Appreciating noble men and cultivating their association is the best among all fortunes one could have.

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

Verse 444
Verse 442

101. Gossipmonger?

The apartment complex had 4 blocks, comprising twenty four apartments, in total. 

Sundar was acquainted with only 4 or 5 people in the complex. His father might have known a few more people.

Some faces would appear familiar, while traveling in the lift or walking up or down the stairs. Sometimes, there would be an exchange of smiles, in acknowledgement of familiarity or identity. But, exchange of words was rare. People won't even discuss the problems they face in the apartments. They would stop with bringing the issues to the notice of the secretary of the apartments association.

Therefore, Sundar was surprised, when an elderly gentleman, living in that complex, whom Sundar had seen a couple of times, stopped him, when he was walking inside the complex, and talked to him.

"You are studying Engineering, aren't you?" asked the old man.

"Yes, sir" replied Sundar, wondering how the elderly gentleman would have known this fact.

"You have been studying in Ramalakshmi Engineering College. Am I right?"

"Yes, sir. But how do you know this?"

"When I was walking on the main road, I have seen you boarding the bus of that college. Have you completed the course?"

"Yes, sir."

"Are you going for any job, now?"

"No, sir. I have not yet got a job" said Sundar, feeling slightly awkward.

"Didn't you get a job, in the campus interview?" the old man persisted with his questioning.

"I studied Mechanical Engineering. The job offers I received during the campus recruitment were for software jobs. I didn't take up any of them, since I wanted to go for an Engineering job" said Sundar.

"Don't worry. You will get a good job to your liking, soon" said the old man and walked away.

Sundar told his parents about this encounter and asked his father, "Can you guess who this person is?"

"There is an elderly gentleman, living in the third floor of our building. His name is Venkatachalam. It may be him. I have seen him once or twice, but I am not acquainted with him. I don't understand why he asked you about your getting a job" said Sundar's father Krishnan.

"Being a retired person, he has nothing to do. He could have got the details from you so that he could use them, while chatting with his friends. After all, these gossipmongers need some topic to chat about! I wish you get a job soon and put an end to the inquisitiveness of this kind of people" said Saundar's mother Nayaki, bitterly.

After a couple of days, the doorbell of Sundar's apartment rang. Sundar opened the door.

Venkatachalam was standing there.

"My dad is not home" said Sundar.

"Oh, but it's ok. I came to talk to you. Can I come in?"

"Please, sir. Please sit down."

"Have you heard of the company Protech Innovations" asked Venkatachalam, after taking his seat.

"Yes, sir. I have. It is a company with a very good reputation."

"If you are offered a job in that company, will you  accept it?"

Sundar was stunned by what he had heard. "How, sir? Getting a job in that company is not easy!"

"A relative of mine is working as the General Manager of the company. His name is Mohan. I spoke to him over phone about you. He said, 'Ask the candidate to meet me. I will see.' I told him, 'The boy is known to me. I will ask him to meet you, only if you assure me that you will give him the job, if you find him suitable.' He said smiling, 'Uncle, how can I turn down a candidate, sent by you?' So, if you go and meet him, you will be offered the job. because I am sure that you are a good candidate."

Nayaki, who was listening to him from the kitchen, came out.

"Sir! I have not even spoken to you. But you are doing such a great favour to me" said Sundar, overwhelmed by feelings of joy and gratitude.

"We all have been residing at the same place. Should we not be helpful to each other? Mohan had told me sometime back, 'Uncle! In our company, we recruit people, only on the basis of references. If you come across any good candidate, please let me know.' When I saw you, I remembered what he had told me. Mohan wants you to meet him tomorrow at his office. Go there and grab the job!"

Venkaachalam got up from his seat, to leave.

"Sir! Please have a cup of coffee!" said Nayaki.

"No, madam. I just had my coffee at home. It is not good to drink too much of coffee, at my age!" said Venkatachalam, with a smile.

"Sir! I don't know how to thank you!" said Sundar.

Venkatachaam left, even before Sundar could complete his sentence.

"What a nice person! He had spoken to you only with the noble intention of helping you. But I thought of him as a gossipmonger" said Nayaki.

"We have not done any kind of help to him. I have seen him many times. But I have not even wished him, by way of showing the respect due to an elderly person. But he has come to us on his own and done such a big favour to us. I can't even believe that such a thing has happened" said Sundar, still unable to come out of his amazement.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 11
Gratitude

Verse 101 (In Tamil)

seyyAmal seydha udhavikku vaiyagamum
vAnagamum ARRal aridhu.

Meaning:

When a person, who has received no favour from us, does us a favour, we cannot repay our debt to him adequately, even if we could offer him this world and the heaven.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'engirundhO vandhAr' by the same author)

Verse 102
Verse 100

442. Companion

"A of people crave to have children. But, you pine for having an elderly person at home!" said Prabhakar.

"My dad had passed away, many years back. My mom passed away, a few years after our marriage. Your parents had also passed away, long time back. By God's grace, we are blessed with a baby boy. You have a good job. We don't have anything to complain. But we have been coming across problems, small and big, every now and then. We have a tough time, trying to overcome these problems. If we have an elderly person at home, they will help us overcome these problems, by giving us appropriate advice. Their guidance will also be helpful to us, in bringing up our child. That's why I feel that if we have an elderly person at home, it will be better for us" said his wife Shyamala.

"If looking after the child is difficult for you, we can employ a nanny."

"That is not what I want. I only want to have an elderly person at home, to guide us. When I see the presence of elderly people in some families, I feel sorry that we don't have such a support for us, in our family."

"I am surprised to hear what you say. Many families consider elderly people a burden. Many a couple get their parents admitted in old age homes, choosing to have only their children live with them."

"It is true. I think they don't realize the value of elderly people."

"I appreciate your craving to have an elderly person in our home, but we can't adopt an elderly person, the way we can adopt a child!" said Prabhakar.

"Yes. I understand that" said Shyamala.

After two days, Prabhakar told Shyamala: "I have been thinking about what you said. I also feel that having an elderly person will be good for us. If we have any problem, they will help us to resolve it."

"Not only that. If we have the guidance of an elderly person, we can avoid making mistakes and thereby prevent problems arising from such mistakes" said Shyamala.

"My friend Sekar is residing in the United States. He has settled there. He won't come back to India, except occasionally, for brief periods. His father is living here, alone. He is not interested in visiting the United States. He is a noble person. He is highly educated and wise. I have interacted with him several times. He is a lovable person. Let us go to his house and meet him. If you like him, we can request him to come and stay with us. If he and Sekar agree to the arrangement, we will have him in our house. He will be a companion and a guide, we have been looking for. What do you say?" 

"I am excited. I am sure I will like him. If he and your friend agree to our request, I will consider ourselves blessed" said Shyamala, with enthusiasm. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 44
Condemnation of Faults

Verse 442 (in Tamil):

uRRa nOy nOkki uRAmai muRkAkkum
peRRiyArp pENik koLal.

Meaning:

Nurture the relationship of those who can remove existing distress and help us guard against problems arising in future.

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

Verse 443
Verse 441