When Jagannathan was coming out of the temple, that man was standing at a spot, a few yards away from the entrance of the temple, and observing the people coming out of the temple.
The initial impression Jagannathan had was that the man was waiting for someone, who might have accompanied him to the temple, to come out. But when Jagannathan noticed that the man was closely looking at some people in particular, he became suspicious of the man's intentions.
Deciding to find out what that man was up to, Jagannathan took position at a spot, where he would be inconspicuous, and continued to keep a watch on that person.
Since it was a famous shrine, people from various places were visiting the temple every day. But, the temple was not much crowded at that time. It was approaching the noon and the temple was about to be closed for the afternoon break.
Deciding to find out what that man was up to, Jagannathan took position at a spot, where he would be inconspicuous, and continued to keep a watch on that person.
Since it was a famous shrine, people from various places were visiting the temple every day. But, the temple was not much crowded at that time. It was approaching the noon and the temple was about to be closed for the afternoon break.
A family of four people was coming out. The man went near them and listened to the conversation they were having among themselves. After a couple of minutes, he returned to the spot, where he was standing earlier.
The same thing happened a couple of times more, when a few more people came out of the temple in groups. Every time, he went near a family, listened to their conversation and came back to where he was standing.
A family of five people came out of the temple. The man went near them and listened to their conversation. He then approached them and spoke to them. After listening to him, the family members had a discussion among themselves. Then, the head of the family asked him something and he replied. After a brief conversation with the man, the family walked along with him.
Jagannathan was apprehensive that that man might be taking them somewhere with some ulterior motive, by enticing them through a dubious offer.
Jagannathan was apprehensive that that man might be taking them somewhere with some ulterior motive, by enticing them through a dubious offer.
Jagannathan followed them, keeping some distance, so as to be inconspicuous.
After walking a short distance, they entered a restaurant. Seeing them, the man sitting at the cash counter, presumably, the proprietor of the restaurant, stood up, greeted them saying, "Please come in!" and gestured them to go in. The man took them inside the restaurant.
Jagannathan entered the restaurant. He looked around, as if looking for a suitable place to sit. He saw the man taking the five people to the family room and seating them.
Jagannathan sat at a table from where he could see the family room. He ordered a cup of coffee and watched the family sitting in the family room. He saw that plantain leaves were laid on their tables and food was served.
After walking a short distance, they entered a restaurant. Seeing them, the man sitting at the cash counter, presumably, the proprietor of the restaurant, stood up, greeted them saying, "Please come in!" and gestured them to go in. The man took them inside the restaurant.
Jagannathan entered the restaurant. He looked around, as if looking for a suitable place to sit. He saw the man taking the five people to the family room and seating them.
Jagannathan sat at a table from where he could see the family room. He ordered a cup of coffee and watched the family sitting in the family room. He saw that plantain leaves were laid on their tables and food was served.
Jagannahan came to the counter after finishing his coffee. While paying the bill, he asked the person sitting at the cash counter, "Can I ask you something? I presume that you are the proprietor."
"Yes. Is this what you wanted to ask me?" replied the Proprietor, smiling.
"No. I saw an employee of your restaurant picking up a family from the temple, bringing them to the restaurant and serving them food."
"Oh! As you know, the hotel business is referred to as 'hospitality business.' We provide food people for money. But hospitality means offering food to people free of cost, doesn't it? So, I am following the practice of bringing one family that visits the temple to my restaurant every day, and offering food to them free of cost."
"Oh, That is why your employee was looking at the people coming out of the temple! But, how do you choose one family out of the many visiting the temple?"
"Well. We can offer food to anyone. But I thought it would be more appropriate if I could choose a family with relatively poorer means. So, I have asked my employee to observe the families coming out of the temple. Families coming out of the temple around noon will usually discuss where they could go for lunch. From their conversation, our man will be able to judge whether they are well off, or they are of poor means. He will approach a family that appears to be of poor mans and invite them to our restaurant by telling them that we offer food free of cost to one family every day. Some will readily accept the offer. Some will be reluctant. If someone is reluctant, our man will approach some other family" explained the proprietor.
"Oh, That is why your employee was looking at the people coming out of the temple! But, how do you choose one family out of the many visiting the temple?"
"Well. We can offer food to anyone. But I thought it would be more appropriate if I could choose a family with relatively poorer means. So, I have asked my employee to observe the families coming out of the temple. Families coming out of the temple around noon will usually discuss where they could go for lunch. From their conversation, our man will be able to judge whether they are well off, or they are of poor means. He will approach a family that appears to be of poor mans and invite them to our restaurant by telling them that we offer food free of cost to one family every day. Some will readily accept the offer. Some will be reluctant. If someone is reluctant, our man will approach some other family" explained the proprietor.
"You are doing an excellent service. Congratulations!" said Jagannathan and took leave of him.
Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue
The Path of Virtue
Chapter 9
Hospitality
Hospitality
Verse 87 (In Tamil)
inaith thuNaithu enbadhu onRillai virundhin
thuNaith thuNai vELvip payan.
thuNaith thuNai vELvip payan.
Meaning:
The effects of hospitality cannot be exactly measured. They are determined by the worth of the guest.
(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'anubhavam pudhumai' by the same author)
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