49. Sentiments Expressed During the Silver Jubilee

"Do we have to celebrate our twenty fifth wedding anniversary?" asked Madhavan.

"I am not saying we should. Your daughter wants to celebrate!" said his wife Rama.

By nature, Madhavan had no enthusiasm for such celebrations, But he yielded to his daughter's wish.

Madhavan and Rama celebrated the silver jubilee of their marriage over dinner in a high class restaurant. They invited only their close relatives for the event.

The invitees who attended the party greeted the couple and presented them with gifts. Some of them spoke felicitating the couple. Finally, Madhavan and Ramya were asked to speak.

"My marriage was arranged by my parents. I consider Rama to be a fortune bestowed on me. I don't know what she thinks of me. I have been a man of modest means. I have not bought her valuable gifts, expensive saris or jewelry. She has not desired for such things either. We brought up our daughter Sukanya by giving her the best of what we could. She has completed her education and got a job. This gives me satisfaction. I am not sure whether completing twenty five years of marriage is an achievement. But I feel immensely glad about all of you coming here and wishing us!" said Madhavan.

Every one applauded his brief but heartfelt speech.

Rama was reluctant to speak. But others persuaded her to say at least a few words. She said:

"When my husband said that I was a fortune bestowed on him, my eyes welled up in emotion. Like all couples, we have occasionally fought over some issues. Sometimes I have wondered whether he was not happy with me and whether he was just tolerating me. But I realize now that I have not understood him fully. He has never been angry with me. Even during the times we had an argument, he would soon come to the kitchen, ask about the menu, break the ice and restore amiability."

It was then the turn of their daughter Sukanya to speak. 

"I was the reason for my father and mother to fight. In my junior grades, I didn't study well. My mother wanted me to be sent for private tuitions. My father would tell my mother, 'You are educated. You can teach her.' My mother would counter him saying, 'Why can't you teach her? You are also educated!' My father would say, 'I am not good at teaching.' My mother would say, 'Nor am I. That's why I am suggesting that we send her for tuitions.' Like this, they used to fight about my education, because of the concern they had for me. After moving up to higher grades, I realized the importance of studies and improved myself in my studies. Again, when the time came for my college education, they fought over choosing the right course for me. But I got enrolled in a course of my choice. Now I have completed my education and taken up a job. I hope hereafter there won't be any need for them to fight over issues concerning me!"

"Even now, we may fight over choosing a suitable groom for you!" said Rama, smiling.

One of the guests remarked, "You two will be fighting over choosing a suitable groom for your daughter. But just as she got enrolled in a course of her choice, she will choose a groom who will match her expectations."

There was widespread laughter from the gathering.

Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 5
Family Life

Verse 49 (In Tamil)

ARan enappattadhE ilvAzhkkai ahdhum
piRan pazhippadhillAyin nanRu.

Meaning:

True virtue is to lead a harmonious family life;

it is even better if it is beyond others’ blame.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'veLLi vizhAvil veLippatta uNarvugaL' by the same author)

Verse 50

Verse 48