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