396. The Well that Dried Up

"You and I took up teaching jobs in this college, after earning a doctoral degree, which of course. came after we had earned our bachelor's and master's degrees. We have spent several years studying. Now, after getting a job, should we not feel relaxed? But I find that you keep reading books on your subject. I notice that you borrow weighty tomes from the library and spend your time at home, in reading through them. At this age, it will be more appropriate, if you spend your time reading thrillers or romantic novels!" said Raghuram.

Ravikumar smiled, without giving an answer.

"Are you planning to do one more Ph.d degree?"

"No. I read books on my subject so as to gain a deeper understanding of the concepts."

"My goodness! These days, if a person gets a bachelor's degree, he thinks he is an expert in the subject of his degree. But, after spending a major part of your youth in studying and earning the bachelor's, the master's and the doctoral degrees through persistent efforts, should you still keep studying? Should you not spend your time enjoying your life?"

"Well, I am not reading the books with the objective of getting high scores in the examination, the way we did when we were students! I believe that only through continued reading, I will be able to sustain my learning" said Ravikumar.

"Ok. It is your outlook. But, as far as I am concerned, in my life, the phase of studying is over!" said Raghuram.

Raghuram's household began to face water scarcity. Due to the failure of the monsoon, the municipal water supply being received by his household, had stopped.

Raghuram thought of making use of the well in his house, which he has not been using for a long time, since all along, the water he was getting from the municipal line was adequate to meet the needs of his household.

Raghuram decided to get the stale water from the well pumped out and use the water that would spring afresh in the well. He engaged a professional well-digger for implementing his plan.

After the well-digger pumped out the stale water, fresh water did not spring from the well. The well digger climbed down the well and examined the springs. He then came up and asked Raghuram, "Have you not been using the well water?"

"No. We haven't been using the well water, since the water we were getting from the municipal water line was adequate for our needs."

"So, that has created the problem! Water springs in the well will be active, only if you keep using the well water. Since you have not been using the well water for a long time, the mouths of the springs seem to have been blocked by accumulation of mud. Now, only if we dig the well still deeper, new springs will get opened and water will begin to fill in the well."

Raghuram wondered why he thought of Ravikumar at that moment!

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 40
Education

Verse 396 (in Tamil):

thottanaithu URum maNaRkEni mAndharkkuk
kaRRanaiththu URum aRivu.

Meaning:

The deeper a well is dug, the more the water that springs;

the more one learns, the more the wisdom one gains.

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

Verse 397
Verse 395

395. The Accounts Teacher

"Accountant, sir! The proprietor is calling you" said, the peon. 

Accountant Sachidanandam went to the proprietor's cabin, feeling apprehensive about being summoned by him. His proprietor Motilal was notorious for his short temper and sharp tongue.

When Sachidanandam stepped into Motilal's cabin, Motilal told him, "Please take your seat!

Schidanandam was both surprised and concerned by Motilal's courteous behaviour. Motilal didn't have the habit of asking the employees coming into his cabin to sit!

'Is he going to sack me? Is that why he is showing some kindness to me, before giving me the bad news?'

"Please tell me, sir!" said Sachidanandam, without sitting down.

"Please sit down. I will tell you."

Sachidanandam sat down quickly.

"I want you to teach me Accounts!" said Motilal.

"Sir, what do you mean?" asked Sachidanambam, perplexed by Motilal's words.

"Don't worry. I am not going to fire you. Your job is safe. I am well versed in business, but I know nothing about Accounts. During my father's time, they used to maintain a simple system of Accounts. They will just record receipts and payments in a two-column notebook. That was the system my father taught me. Nowadays, they use terms like debit and credit. They say cash balance is a debit balance and loan is a credit balance. I don't understand these terms at all. I am unable to follow most of the things our auditor tells me. When he talks to me, I am forced to nod my head, without understanding what he says."

"Sir! I have been looking after the Accounts. I have been interacting with our Auditor also."

"You are right. I am happy with the way you have been handling the Accounts. But as a business owner, I want to understand the basics of Accounts. Can you come to my house at 8 o' clock every morning and teach me the basics of Accounts for one hour? Since you will have to leave from your home early, you can have breakfast at my home. After having your breakfast at my home, you can straightaway come to the office from my home. I will reimburse the autorickshaw fare for coming to my house from your house and coming to the office from my house. I will pay you five thousand rupees per month as the tuition fees. I think it will be adequate if you can teach me for six months. If you want me to buy any book, I will buy it" Motilal.

Sachidanandam had no problem with this proposal. In any case, he couldn't say no to his proprietor! He began his role as an Accounts Teacher from the very next day.

One day, after Sachidanandam left Motilal's house, after completing the class for the day, Motilal's wife asked him:

"He is your employee. The moment he enters our home, you get up from your seat and pay obeisance to him, by folding your palms. I can see how you struggle trying to lift your fat body that has sunk deep into the sofa, as soon as you see him. When he leaves, you accompany him till the doorstep and send him off. Though he is teaching you a subject, you are paying him for his services. Even as a teacher, he is your employee. I think that the respect you have been showing him is a bit too much!"

"He is my employee at the office, alright. As you say, I pay him a salary for teaching me the subject. But, what is important is that he is a teacher! When one learns something from another, the learner should receive the education with humility, the way a person receiving a help will stand humbly before the helper. Though I am not a learned person, I am aware of this principle and I am  following it!" said Motilal.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 40
Education

Verse 395 (in Tamil):

udaiyAr mun illAr pOl EkkRRum kaRRAr
kadaiyarE kalAdhavar.

Meaning:

The unlearned who learns from the learned, standing humbly before him, like a poor would before the rich (while receiving his help), is great indeed. The unlearned is lowly.

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

Verse 396
Verse 394

1087. A Veil to Cover the Beauty

When his friend Chinnaiyan asked Kathir to accompany him to the temple festival, Kathir was not enthusiastic about the idea. 

However, Kathir agreed to accompany Chinnaiyan, since he didn't want to decline his friend's request.

When Kathir went to Chinnaiyan's house to pick him up for the temple visit, a pleasant surprise was waiting for him. Chinnaiyan's cousin Sumathy, who had come to visit Chinnaiyan's family was also ready to accompany them to the festival.

Kathir had first seen Sumathy a couple of days ago, when she was passing by his house, along with Chinnaiyan. The moment he saw her, he felt attracted to her. However, considering that she had come to Chinnaiyan's house as a guest and that Kathir knew nothing about her background, he restrained himself from thinking further about her.

When Chinnaiyan introduced Kathir to Sumathy as his friend, Sumathy threw a smile at Kathir and said, "I have seen him already. He was standing outside his house, when we were passing by his house, two days back," 

Kathir felt an air of excitement flowing through his body. 

'She has also noticed me, just as I noticed her!'

Kathir proceeded to the temple festival in the company of Chinnaiyan and Sumathy, with a fresh sense of enthusiasm and excitement.

While witnessing the festival, Sumathy expressed her interest in Kathir at several moments. It appeared to Kathir that she expressed her interest in him through various gestures like throwing a direct gaze at him, smiling at him for no reason, making fun of him by taking liberties with him etc,

"This year, they have brought an elephant for the festival" said Chinnaiyan. 

"Oh, how exciting! But, where is it? We have not seen it so far" said Sumathy.

"Within a few minutes from now, the temple deity will be brought in a procession. At that time, the elephant will walk before the palanquin where the deity will be seated."

"But, where is the elephant now?"

"They must be decorating it at some place. It will be brought out, only after the decoration is over."

"They decorate the elephant too! Surprising!" asked Sumathy, in surprise.

"Why not? Do you think that only women should go for a make-up?" asked Kathir.

"If you want, you can also go for a make-up! Who is stopping you?" hit back Sumathy, and threw a mocking smile at him.

Chinnaiyan who was looking ahead, said, "Stop your spat and look ahead. The elephant is coming!" said with excitement.

"Oh, its gait is so charming!" shouted said Sumathy, excitedly. "Yes, as you had said, the elephant has been decorated. But, why is it that they have covered its forehead with an ornamental silk cloth?" she queried.

"It's a veil covering the elephant's forehead, from the top of the forehead to the top of the trunk" explained Kathir.

"I have heard that such a veil would be used only on wild elephants."

"It's true. They use a veil on a wild elephant to restrict its vision so that it won't run forward and attack people and properties. But they use the veil for decoration also."

"The forehead is one of the most beautiful organs of an elephant. Covering it with a cloth doesn't appear sensible to me" said Sumathy.

"Sometimes, beauty has to be covered. That is to stop the onlookers from turning wild or crazy, enchanted by beauty" said Kathir and looked at Sumathy with a cryptic smile.

Sumathy adjusted the top of her dress in an attempt to cover her breasts even more tightly.

Thirukkural
Section 3

Love

Chapter 109
Beauty that Torments

Verse 1087 (in Tamil):
kadAk kaLiRRin mEl katpadAm mAdhar
padA lulai mEl thugil.

Meaning:

The garment that covers the firm bosom of this maiden resembles the cloth that covers the eyes of a wild elephant.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'azhagai mUdum thirai' by the same author.)

Verse 1088
Verse 1086

75. Brother's Family

"Your younger brother Guna is visiting us with his family, after a long time. Take leave for two days and be at home" said Revathy.

"How can you be so irresponsible? You know the responsibilities I have in my office. How can I take leave?" retorted Guru.

'It is ok, if you can't take leave. You don't have to howl!' murmured Revathy.

"What are you murmuring?"

"Nothing. Get ready to leave for your office. You will be delayed, if you keep talking to me!" said Revathy.

"Yes, I should. There is an important meeting today. People will be waiting for me" said Guru, not catching his wife's sarcasm!

When Guru returned home that evening, his home was reverberating with enthusiasm and excitement. Guru's daughter Deepa and son Karthik were joyfully interacting with their uncle's family. Seeing Guru enter the house, they became quiet.

Guru greeted his brother Guna, Guna's wife Kamala and their children Visu and Naresh. He then spoke a few words with Guna and went into his room.

Revathy who followed Guru to his room, told him, "All this while, every one had been chatting joyfully. The moment you came in, our children had stopped talking, as if they were put out." 

Irked by the complaining tone of his wife, Guru asked angrily, "What did I do?"

"You don't have to do anything. Your habit of losing temper for no reason and showing your irritation to the children is enough to put them out the moment they sense your presence. Have you ever spoken to me or to our children with kindness? Just observe how kind and considerate is your brother towards his wife and children!" said Revathy, her voice reflecting her frustration.

"I have taken care of your needs and provided you a lot of comforts and luxuries. What more do you expect from me? My brother is not a well-to-do person like me. His family can't even dream of having the comforts and facilities you have in our house!"

"You have provided us with material comforts, alright. But you don't have the time to show your affection to us. You don't seem to even think about the need to show your love to me and the children. Our children are scared to be in your presence. They are relieved when you are away. Have you seen how close your brother's children are to their father?"

"Since Guna has come to our house, he might be trying to be patient with them. When he is in his house, he may also be like me!"

"If that were the case, his children won't be so free and forthcoming, in his presence. If you observe them for sometime, you will be able to judge for yourself!" said Revathy.

Guru didn't answer.

The next day, Guru informed his office that he would be on leave for the day and stayed at home. He observed Guna's sons freely interacting with their father, as if they were conversing with a friend.

'Will Deepa or Karthik speak to me so freely? Perhaps, Revathi is right!'

When he was walking back to his room, he heard Deepa talking to Revathy.

"Mom! See, how Guna uncle is speaking so cheerfully to Visu and Naresh. Why is it that daddy never speaks to us that way? Most of the time, he is in an angry mood and we are scared to speak to him!"

Guru felt as if someone knocked him on his head.

It dawned on him that though Guna was below him in economic status, his family members were happier than his own family members. Was it because his brother showed his love towards his family members?

'I should learn from my young brother how to show my affection to my family members' thought Guru.

Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 8
Love and Affection

Verse 75 (In Tamil)

anbuRRu amarndha vazhakkenba vaiyagaththu
inbuRRAr eydhum siRappu.

Meaning:

The distinction of a person who finds joy in this world has resulted from leading a life of love.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'thambiyidam kaRRa pAdam' by the same author)

Verse 76
Verse 74

394. A Different Experince

When Thanikachalam was nominated by his school to attend a seminar on "Dynamic Teaching Methods for History Teachers," he didn't have much expectation from it.

Working as a History teacher in a village school, he had, in the past, attended a few such conferences, training programs etc.

In those events, government officials and some experts would talk for hours. The speeches would be long and listless with very little substance. They would tire the participants and test their patience to the extent of exasperating them.

But the conference on "Dynamic Teaching Methods" turned out to be much different from the events of such kind. The District Education Officer (DEO) who had envisaged the seminar designed it in a novel way.

The seminar had the agenda of group discussions by the participants, who were History teachers from various schools, on topics like preparing lesson plans, methods of teaching, challenges in teaching, and strategies for making the students develop interest in learning history, by sharing the participant teachers' experiences, issues faced by them and possible solutions.

In his introductory, speech, the DEO briefly explained about the seminar process. After this, the participant teachers were divided into groups of 15 people.

In his introductory talk, the DEO had explained how each group should hold discussions, model classes etc. on the topic given to the group, strictly following the time schedule for each activity.

Looking at his group members, initially, Thanikachalam felt somewhat overwhelmed. Most of the people in his group appeared to be more sophisticated and more talented than him. They also appeared to possess a level of self-confidence much above his.

He doubted whether they would consider him their equal and give him the importance due to him during the interactions. He was also apprehensive that since his command over English was poor, those people in his group who were fluent in English won't respect him, He also doubted his own ability to communicate with them effectively. .

During the discussions in the first session that took place in the forenoon of the first day, Thanikachalam deliberately limited his participation. 

A couple of others in his group also showed reluctance to participate in the discussions. It appeared that Thanikachalam's apprehensions would come true!

During the lunch interval, Thanikachalam interacted with only those who, like him, had kept aloof during the discussions.

During the afternoon session, the tightness among the members began to ease, with every one beginning to reach out to others. Some of the members, perceived by Thanikachalam to be highbrow, smiled at him and began to converse with him. 

However, a couple of people still confined the discussion among themselves, ignoring the presence of others. Particularly, a lady by name Sudha, who appeared to belong to an elitist section of the society, did not even look at him once.

As per the agenda, the members of his group were sharing their teaching methods and strategies. When Thanikachalam shared his practices, every one appeared to pay attention. Even Sudha listened to him keenly. At one point, she even said, "A little louder, please. I can't hear some of your words."

After he had completed his presentation, some members openly applauded his approach. 

One of the members, whom Thanikachalam had considered highbrow, asked him, "Your approach will make the students listen to the teacher, alright. But our task is to make the students crack the examination. Will your method help in achieving this objective?"

Several others nodded their heads, indicating that they too had that doubt.

Thanikachalam said, "Sir! If the students get interested in the subject, they will read the textbook. They will also prepare themselves for the examination. Don't we also prepare them for the examination, by giving them questions and making them answer them?"

As the final event of the day, everyone gave a ten minute demo of how they taught the class. Thanikachalam's demo was appreciated by every one.

"When you first explained your methods of teaching, I had some doubts about their effectiveness. But after seeing your demo, I have a better understanding of your methodology. I think I will also try it in my class, once I go back!" said Sudha.

"Thank you, madam!" said Thanikachalam, overwhelmed by her sincere appreciation.

"I think I am younger than you. Don't make me feel old, by calling me 'madam'" said Sudha.

Every one laughed.

When the group met for the second day, the atmosphere was like the one during the get-together of friends. The tenseness felt on the first day had completely eased out. Every one participated in the discussions with energy and enthusiasm. When the afternoon session had ended, the day appeared to have passed off swiftly.

After the concluding address of the DEO, it was time for the participants to leave home.

"I have participated in several events like this in the past. But I have never felt so happy and satisfied as I feel now" said Thanikachalam.

"In other such events, we were listening to the long speeches of experts and officials, patiently waiting when the event would get over and we would be free to go home! But, in this seminar, we discussed topics relevant to our profession, by sharing our ideas and experiences. No wonder, this has turned out to be a wonderful experience for all of us" said another member of the group.

"We were grouped together to discuss things related to our profession, Spending the past two days together, discussing freely among us has created a bond among us. Now, I feel painful that I have to take leave of all of you!" said Sudha.

Thanikachalam said, "I suggest that every one collects the contact details of every one else. Those who have a telephone at home may share their phone numbers too. We live in different places but all these places are within this district. So, we can meet at some place, once in a year or so. If someone visits my town, please come to my house. I will also visit you, if I come to your place."

Everyone took out their pens to note down the contact details of others, as suggested by Thanilachalam.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 40
Education

Verse 394 (in Tamil):

uvappath thalaikkUdi uLLappiridhal
anaiththE pulavar thozhil.

Meaning:

It is the practice of the learned to meet together with joy and part with heavy hearts.

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

Verse 395
Verse 393

393. The Spiritual Speaker

"Sir, Post!"

The Postman dropped the letter outside the door of Venkatachalam's house and hurried back in his bicycle.

Venkatachalam, who was inside the house, opened the door and picked up the letter. It was an inland letter. It was probably from his son.

'The postman knew that I would ask him to read out the letter. 'If it was a postcard, he could read it out fast and resume his beat, but reading an inland letter would take time. That's why he had dropped the letter and left the place quickly, before Venkatachalam could come out!

'Now I have to stand outside my house, look for someone passing by and request him to read out the letter for me!

'If only I had not dropped out of the school and studied at least up to the fifth standard, I would have been literate.'

When Venkatachalam was studying in the first standard, his teacher beat him up for not answering a question right. Venkatachalam's father took offense to this and withdrew Venkatachalam from the school. Venkatachalam's education got terminated by that decision of his father to pull him out of the school. 

Venkatachalam's father justified his decision by telling him, "Why do you need to go to the school and study? We have properties which will support us for the next ten generations to come, even if we don't earn any income. You don't have to attend school and get beaten up by some teacher, for some petty reason." 

At that age, Venkatachalam didn't understand his father's reasoning. He didn't understand it even after he grew up!

'Didn't one need education, if one was wealthy?' was a question that often arose in his mind.

Venkatachalam didn't make any effort to resume his studies even after he grew up. However, during the occasions he had to depend on others to read anything, he would regret that he didn't have education.

If Venkatachalam had married an educated girl, it would have been helpful to him. But as per the custom followed in the society he was a part of, the wife shouldn't be more educated than the husband! So, he married an illiterate woman.

When their son grew up and began attending school, Venkatachalam had some relief, since he didn't need to depend on outsiders to help him read things. But after the son went to the U.S. for higher studies, got a job there and settled down there, once again, Venkatacham had to depend on someone even to read the letters received from his son!  

Venkatachalam went to a temple to listen to a spiritual discourse. 

The speaker delivered the discourse fluently without any reference material on his hand. He quoted a number of hymns, spiritual texts etc. from his memory.

Though the discourse was highly impressive, Venkatachalam felt that there was something intriguing about the speaker. He realized what it was, only when he listened to the organizer felicitate the speaker.

The speaker was visually handicapped. That was why he was wearing a dark glass even during the night!

The speaker was born with visual disability. He started learning at home from his father and continued his learning by studying under several scholars.

As Venkatachalam heard the organizer narrate the challenges faced by the speaker and how he overcame his disability through learning, he was overwhelmed by emotions.

'Oh, God! A person with a visual handicap has become a learned person. But in spite of having been born with vision in both my eyes, I have chosen to be blind, without getting educated!'

Tears began to roll from his eyes.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 40
Education

Verse 393 (in Tamil):

kaNNudaiyar enbavar kaRROr mugaththiraNdu
puNNudaiyar kallAdhavar.

Meaning:

The learned alone have eyes on their faces; the ignorant have only two sores for eyes.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kOvilil kEtta kadhai' by the same author.)

Verse 394
Verse 392

1086. Arched Brows? They can be Dangerous!

 "You are going to the beauty parlour? What for? Are you going to lend your beauty to someone there?" asked Kumaran. 

"Flattery has a limit!" said Kanchana, even while feeling flattered.

"No, Kanchana. I mean it. Why do you need to go to the beauty parlour? You are overflowing with beauty already!"

"A lot of things have changed in the world. But the habit of men trying to fool women by flattering them hasn't!"

"Women keep proclaiming that they are not objects of beauty. But they have not given up the habit of making up their appearance, in an attempt to look more beautiful than they really are!"

"How does my going to the beauty parlour affect you?" asked Kanchana, feeling annoyed by Kumaran's remarks.

"My friends have been saying that enchanted by your beauty, I have lost my ability to think. If you are going to enhance your beauty still further by going to the beauty parlour, I don't know what will happen to me!" said Kumaran.

"Can you say that my appearance is perfect and that I don't need any improvement?" asked Kanchana, in a challenging tone.

"How can I say so? Your front teeth are crooked. Your nose is a bit too long. Your lower lip looks swollen..."

Kanchana raised her hand in mock anger, as if she was going to hit him. 

"Just now, you said that I looked beautiful already and that there was no need for me to go to the beauty parlour and get a make-up. You even said that according to your friends, you were so enchanted by my beauty that you lost your ability to think. Now you are listing the imperfections in my appearance!"

"I said that I have been enchanted even by the way you look now, Miss Beauty! Of course, there are some imperfections in you, but those can't be fixed by your getting a make-up in a beauty parlour! That's why I said that there was no need for you to go to a beauty parlour."

"I will deal with you after coming back from the beauty parlour!" said Kanchana, pointing her forefinger at him in a gesture of warning!

"So, you are determined to go to the beauty parlour!"

"Yes, I am."

"In that case, will you get one change in your appearance, for my sake?"

"What change? You want me to get a new face, in place of the one I have?"

"That will be wonderful, of course, if only it could be done! No, what I want is something simpler. Your eyebrows are curved like an arch. Will you get them straightened?"

"Why? Aren't arched eyebrows considered one of the features of beauty?"

"They are. But that beauty poses a danger to me!"

"Danger! What do you mean?"

"I feel nervous when I look at your eyes. The curvature of your eyebrows sharpens the focus of your eyes and makes your gaze strike me like a dart. If your eyebrows are straight, they will cover your eyes at least partially and save me from the intensity of your sight! That's why I want you to get your eyebrows straightened."

Kanchana stared at Kumaran, as if she was enacting the scenario narrated by him. Kumaran shifted his eyes, unable to withstand the intensity of her stare.

Thirukkural
Section 3

Love

Chapter 109
Beauty that Torments

Verse 1086 (in Tamil):
kodum puruvam kOda maRaippin nadungajnar
seyyala man ivaL kaN.

Meaning:

If only her cruel brows had not been curved like an arch, they would have hidden her eyes and her eyes wouldn't have been able to shoot so much misery as to make me quiver.

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

Verse 1087 (Soon)

Verse 1085

74. Sekar's Friends

When Sekar came to see me for the 'bride selection ceremony,' he showed himself to be a different person.

When his mother said, "We will convey our decision through a letter in a couple of days" and began to leave, Sekar intervened, saying, "Why should we delay conveying our decision? I like the girl. If the girl likes me, the two families can confirm the decision to perform our marriage."

His  parents didn't like his attempt to bypass the tradition. His father shot down his suggestion, with the reprimand, "You can't expect the girl to announce her decision abruptly, the way you have done. She may like to convey her decision to her parents in private. The system of conveying the decision through letter after a few days of deliberation on either side has been created by our ancestors, after considering various aspects!" 

After two days, my father received a letter from Sekar's father informing him that they liked me and that we could proceed further on fixing a date for the marriage and doing other arrangements.

Those days, the girl's consent was never considered necessary. If the boy liked the girl, the girl's parents would go ahead and perform the marriage. 

However, I had no reason to dislike Sekar. So, I was happy to learn that he and his parents liked me.

Sekar came to our house, a couple of days after our marriage was finalized. I thought he had come to see me. But that was not the case. He had come to meet my father to give him some suggestions about fixing a hall to perform our marriage!

"Don't be in a hurry to fix some marriage hall at high rent. Many people don't know that there are quite a few good halls which offer good facilities at a reasonable rent. A friend of mine knows about such marriage halls. I will give you his phone number. If you talk to him, he will help you fix a good hall at a low rent."

My father was exhilarated that Sekar had so much concern for him, even before marrying me.

I began to understand the character of Sekar, after our marriage. He came forward to help my father not because he was the father of the girl he was going to marry. He would have extended that kind of help even to a stranger! That was Sekar's nature.

Sekar had a habit of taking interest in the affairs of people not acquainted with him. He would volunteer to help them. Because of his habit of helping people, he gained the friendship of many people, many of whom frequented our house. As a result, we had a constant stream of visitors to our house. Extending my hospitality to them became my major preoccupation!

But I am not complaining. When my husband has been helping a lot of people, should I grumble about the trouble of making coffee for those who visit our house?

Once, when we were traveling on a train, a college girl travelling in the same compartment with her parents, was talking about her dream of studying abroad. Sekar offered to give her the information required and collected details about her.

On reaching home, he gathered information about studying abroad, through his friends and others. He collected comprehensive information covering all aspects of studying abroad like choosing the right coaching institute to prepare for the entrance tests, choosing the right college, sending the application, cracking the visa process, arranging for finance etc.

After a couple of weeks, he called up the girl's father and passed on the information to him. The girl's father was overwhelmed by the trouble Sekar had taken to collect all the information needed, based on a casual conversation during a train journey.

Making use of the information furnished by Sekar, that girl got admission into a college in the U.S, where she is studying now!

At least once in a week, she would call Sekar in the early mornings from the US and talk to him. Her father would call him at least once in a month and keep thanking him repeatedly.

Even as the incidents from the time Sekar came to see me are fresh in memory, time has been flowing. Sekar is retiring from his job today! 

There is a saying, 'If you show concern to others' children, your children will grow on their own,'  As if proving the truth of this saying, our son and daughter had completed their studies, got jobs and got married, without much of an effort from us!

When Sekar came home after attending the send-off party at his office, some of his close friends came along with him.

One of them told me, "Mrs. Sekar! We have never had such a grand send-off party in our office. Even the send-off party given to our General Manager, when he retired last month, which is considered the grandest in recent history, paled into insignificance compared to the party arranged for Sekar today. Even we, who have been very close to him for the past several years are amazed at the popularity of Sekar and the love and affection others have for him. He has a lot of friends outside the office also. He is like a magnet that attracts people. I wonder whether any person could earn so many friends during his life time!"

'He could, if only he has love and concern for other people' I told myself and went into the kitchen to make coffee for Sekar's friends.

Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 8
Love and Affection

Verse 73 (In Tamil)

anbu Inum Arvam udaimai adhu Inum
naNbu ennum nAdAch chiRappu.

Meaning:

If one has love for others, one will have concern for their welfare. This concern will yield a valuable asset called friendship.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'sEkarin naNbargaL' by the same author)

Verse 75
Verse 73

392. An Exchange during a Train Journey

"It was because the damn Mathematics was not getting into my head that I had ditched it in my Higher Secondary and chose to study Commerce. But when I am applying for a job now, I am asked to take a test in Mathematics, as a part of an aptitude test!" lamented Satish.

"A test in Mathematics is there not only when you apply for a job, but also when you seek admission to a foreign university. Aptitude tests like SAT, GRE and GMAT have Mathematics as one of the main components. I don't understand why no one is protesting!" said Sundaram.

"If you people have a problem with Mathematics, I have a problem with English. We got liberation from the British, but we still remain manacled to the English language. Shall we ever get liberation from English?" asked Murthy.

The elderly gentleman sitting opposite to them in the suburban train smiled and asked Murthy, "Young man! Will you be comfortable if you had Tamil in the place of English, in the aptitude tests?"

When Murthy was struggling to give an answer, Sundar addressed the old man, saying, "Sir! From the kindergarten to the undergraduate program in Engineering, we have taken innumerable tests in various subjects. What is the need for another round of tests in English and Mathematics, after we have completed our studies?"

"Everyone in this world need to have knowledge in two areas. One is language. We need language proficiency for communication. And we need numerical skills for transactions involving money. You might have observed that even vegetable vendors, who may not have had a good education have mastered the numeric skills. Otherwise, how can they mentally work out the price of half a kilogram or two hundred grams etc. of a vegetable based on the price per kilogram and the change they have to give to the buyer who gives a hundred rupee note? And they have to do these mental calculations in a few seconds. When someone bargains, they work out what profit they will get, if they sell at a particular price and decide accordingly."

"What you say is true. But is it not cruel to ask us to remember what we had read in the past and correctly answer the questions asked in a test?"

"It is my understanding that things asked in aptitude tests are those which we all need to know in our day to day life. Don't you think that an educated person should have knowledge about topics like average, percentage, time and distance, time and work, areas and volumes of various shapes etc.? It is possible that in some aptitude tests, advanced or even abstract concepts might have been included. But the reason for including Mathematics and English in aptitude tests is that numerical skills and language skills are essential for anyone to function effectively in this world. If you develop this attitude, then you will be able to tackle aptitude tests confidently!"

Another passenger who was listening to this conversation, quipped, "So, aptitude is all about attitude!"

Satish looked at the old man with amazement and asked him, "Sir, Have you taken an aptitude teat?"

"No, I haven't. But when my grandson was preparing for the GRE, I tried to help him" said the old man, smiling.

"What kind of help did you extend to him?"

"I made him understand that if he developed an understanding of the numbers, solving Mathematical problems would be easy and that if he learnt to identify the key words in a sentence or paragraph, cracking the English test would be easy!"

"How, sir?"

"I will give you an example. Let us take a multiple choice question in Mathematics, of the type being asked in the aptitude tests. The problem was worded like this. 'There are a certain number of animals in a farm. One sixth of them are cows and one fourth of them are sheep.' Some more information was given. The task was to find the total number of animals in the farm. My grandson was breaking his head using expressions like x/3, x/4 etc. I told him that the number of animals should be divisible both by 6 and 4. That meant, the number should be divisible by 12, which as you know is the least common multiple of 6 and 4. In the answer choices, there were only two numbers divisible by 12. So, one of those two numbers should be the answer. When I explained this to him, he arrived at the answer within a minute. He was so excited. Once he had learnt that a sense of numbers is the key to solve mathematical problems in aptitude tests, he became adept in cracking mathematical problems."

"Sir, what is your educational qualification?"

"I did my schooling but didn't get a chance to study in a college. But I have read the Tamil classic Thirukkural."

"Sir, some people say that Thirukkural covers everything under the sun. Does it talk about aptitude test?" asked Murthy, in a mocking tone.

"The train is approaching the station where I have to get down. Let me move to a point near the exit,"

The old man got up from his seat.

"Oh! Being engrossed in the conversation, I didn't notice the train passing the stations!" said Sundar, looking out to see whether he could identify the place which the train was crossing at that moment.

"I didn't either. I am new to this city. I ascertained that the station at which I have to alight is seventh from the station I boarded the train. I was keeping count of the stations the train had passed. It has crossed six stations. So I have to alight at the next station" said the old man. He then turned to another passenger and asked him, "Sir, isn't the next station Chetpet?"

The passenger nodded his head in agreement.

The old man began to move towards the door.

Murthy whispered to Satish with a gleam on his face. "See how I trapped the old man! He has no answer to my question whether Thirukkural talks about the aptitude test!" 

Even before Murthy completed the sentence, the old man spoke from near the entrance in a voice loud enough to be heard by Murthy and his friends. "Young man, Thiruvalluvar talks about aptitude test in the chapter on 'Learning.'

Just as he said this, the train stopped and he got down.

'Even for answering my question, the gentleman has chosen the nick of the moment, making mental calculations, about when the train would stop at the station!' thought Murthy, admiringly.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 40
Education

Verse 392 (in Tamil):

eNNenba Enai ezhuththenba ivviraNdum
kaNNenba vAzhum uyirkku.

Meaning:

Numbers and letters are known as eyes to human beings.

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

Verse 393
Verse 391

391. Machine Set Up

"Do you know anything about machine set up?" asked Sudhkar, Production Executive.

"Yes, sir. I do" said Mani.

"Are you aware that you are just a trainee?"

Mani didn't reply to this.

"If you don't know something, you should ask me. You can't act presumptuous!"

"Sir, I didn't do anything at all. I just asked the Machine Operator why he didn't do machine set up before starting a new batch."

"That's what I described as presumptuous. If you have any doubt, you should ask me. Don't ask the Machine Operator about it."

Mani moved away quietly.

"What, Neelakantan?" asked Murthy, the Production Manager, looking at Neelakantan, the Machine Operator, who came to meet him.

"Sir, I want to bring an issue to your notice. You shouldn't mistake me!" said Neelakantan, reluctantly.

"Go ahead and tell me" said Murthy, encouragingly.

"One Engineer has joined our company recently."

"Yes. His name is Mani. He is a trainee. What about him? Is he creating any problem?"

"No, sir. Yesterday, he came to me and asked me why I didn't do machine set up while starting a new batch."

"Why? Did you not do it?"

"Sir, we function as per the instructions of the Production Executive. Earlier, we were doing machine set up for every batch. After the present Production Executive had joined, he told us that doing machine set up for every batch would result in waste of time, leading to decrease in production. He advised us to do machine set up only once in a month. So, we have been doing accordingly."

"Okay. What is the problem, then?"

"For quite sometime, the number of pieces being returned by the Quality Control department for doing rework has been increasing. I had a doubt that our not doing production set up for every batch could be the reason for the increase in rejections. After the new Engineer asked me why I didn't do machine set up while starting a new batch, I thought that my doubt could be valid. I am not sure whether the Production Executive will listen to me, if I take up this issue with him. That's why I wanted to bring this to your notice" said Neelakantan.

"Ok. I will look into it" said Murthy.

On being summoned, Mani entered the Production Manager's cabin feeling nervous.

"In which Engineering college did you study?" was the first question asked by Murthy.

When Mani mentioned the name of the college, Murthy said, "That college is not one with a good reputation." After a pause, he added, "But you seem to have studied well!"

"Sir!" said Mani, perplexed about what the Production Manager had meant.

"You were right in asking the Machine Operator why he didn't do machine set up before starting a new batch. But where did you learn this?"

"Sir, it is mentioned in the Production Manual!""

"To my knowledge, of all the people who joined this company, you are the only person who read the Production Manual thoroughly. I have not read it myself! I will talk to the Production Executive. I called you only to congratulate you on your thorough learning. Well done!" said Murthy

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 40
Education

Verse 391 (in Tamil):

kaRka kasadaRa kaRpavai kaRRapin
niRka adhaRkuth thaga.

Meaning:

Learn what is to be learnt, with no flaws; After learning, act as per what you you have learnt.

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

Verse 392
Verse 390