402. The Star Speaker

 

People who watched the talk shows in television channels would be familiar with the name Murugesh.

Murugesh was considered a star speaker for his participation in various kinds of talk shows, including the popular debate shows.

The moment Murugesh came to the stage and stood before the mike, there would be a big ovation from the audience. And after he started speaking, there would be a loud laughter or a big applause for every line he uttered.

Sometimes, during his speech, Murugesh would pause for a few seconds, in anticipation of an ovation from the audience. The audience would pick up the signal and clap.

Murugesh was not much educated. He was running a small business. Somehow, he got a chance to participate in a few talk-shows in a television channel and soon became popular as a clever speaker, who had the power to entertain the audience and the knack to make the audience react the way he wanted them to. Eventually, he was accredited a star speaker.

Because of his popularity in television shows, Murugesh was invited to speak in several events and functions.

The executive committee of 'City Citizens Club' decided to invite Murugesh as a guest speaker, for the anniversary program of the club. Out of the nine members of the committee, three expressed their reservations about inviting Murugesh.

"Most of our club members are highly educated. Some of the members are experts in certain areas. Do you think that these people will relish his speech?" asked a senior member. 

"Among those who watch television talk shows, there are many educated people too. Have they not been enjoying his speech? Murugesh is going to speak on some general topic. I think every one will be able to enjoy his speech" said the Secretary of the club.

Murugesh was asked to speak on the topic 'Science and Spirituality.'

"You can speak naturally, the way you always speak" said the Secretary.

After Murugesh was introduced by the Secretary, the audience greeted him with a gentle applause.

Murugesh began to speak.

"I know nothing about Science, nor do I know anything about Spirituality! So, how do you think that I am going to speak on the topic?"

Murugesh paused for a minute. The audience was quiet, showing no reaction. If this had been a television program, the audience would have laughed out aloud and displayed their enthusiasm to hear what he was going to say.

"But I have a precious possession. I am going to speak by making use of that possession!"

Murugesh gave another pause. Again, there was no reaction from the audience.

"That possession is called ignorance!" said Murugesh, with a broad smile.

"Normally, at this point, there should have been a big applause and loud laughter. But these people are so impassive!' thought Murugesh, feeling frustrated.

The next half an hour passed the same way. Murugesh's plan to impress the audience through his clever way of speaking, even without providing any valuable inputs about Science or Spirituality, the subjects he had no knowledge of, did not work out.

Within a few minutes of his starting his speech, Murugesh began to feel nervous. He found it arduous to continue to speak without any substance, since the audience didn't fall for his gimmicks.

Though Murugesh was given one hour to speak, he completed his speech in half an hour. He kept looking at his wrist watch every five minutes and felt relieved when half an hour got over.

After Murugesh completed his speech, the audience clapped mildly, just for the sake of courtesy.

'Hereafter, I should not accept any speaking assignment, without knowing about the composition of the audience' resolved Murugesh, to himself.

As the Secretary got up to present a vote of thanks, his mind was being rocked by concerns about how he was going to field the strong criticism from the members for bringing Murugesh as the guest speaker.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 41
Lack of Education

Verse 402 (in Tamil):

kallAdhAn soRkAmuRudhal mulai iraNdum
illAdhAL peN kAmuRRaRRu.

Meaning:

The desire of the ignorant to speak is like the desire of a woman without breasts desiring (the enjoyment of) womanhood

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

Verse 403
Verse 401