"I took the loan for an emergency. I needed the money urgently. I thought that banks would not grant the loan immediately, since they follow a lot of formalities. This finance company recently opened a branch near me. I visited the branch to find out about the services they offered. They talked to me in a pleasing manner. When I asked about my need for a gold loan, they asked me to bring the jewels and get the loan sanctioned immediately. The interest rate they mentioned didn't appear to be high. So, I got the loan from them. But, they sent me a notice for my failure to pay the interest on the loan for two months. The interest they have charged is exorbitant. When I went in person and asked them for details of the interest calculation, they didn't give me a satisfactory reply. They have told me that if I didn't pay the interest and principal by tomorrow, they would action the jewels, I had pledged for the loan" said Sabhapathy.
"How much should be paid?"
"Nearly one lakh rupees."
"It will be difficult for me to mobilize that amount within a day!"
"I had asked for help from several people. No one was in a position to help me. I have come to you as the last resort" said Sabhapathy.
"I have been calling you on your mobile phone, since this morning. But you didn't pick up my calls" said Mani.
"I had asked for help from several people. No one was in a position to help me. I have come to you as the last resort" said Sabhapathy.
"I will try to mobilize the money. I will give you a call by the evening" said Mani.
Mani was a distant relative of Sabhapathy. Though the two were acquainted, they were not close. They would meet during the functions of their mutual relatives and exchange a few words. Otherwise, they have not been in frequent touch.
Mani was a distant relative of Sabhapathy. Though the two were acquainted, they were not close. They would meet during the functions of their mutual relatives and exchange a few words. Otherwise, they have not been in frequent touch.
That evening, Mani rang up to Sabhapathy and told him, "Sorry, sir. I couldn't mobilize the money."
The next morning, Sabhapathy went to the finance company, feeling nervous and apprehensive. He thought that he would make a final appeal to them.
The next morning, Sabhapathy went to the finance company, feeling nervous and apprehensive. He thought that he would make a final appeal to them.
"We have kept your jewels ready to be auctioned. The auction will take place at 12 noon. If you come here at 2 pm, we will tell you the amount for which the jewels were auctioned and whether you would get any surplus money back" said the official of the finance company.
Sabhapathy felt that his last hope was also belied.
Sabhapathy went to the finance company at 2 pm, in the afternoon.
Sabhapathy went to the finance company at 2 pm, in the afternoon.
"Sir, you could have paid the money yesterday itself. When we had kept your jewels ready to be auctioned, your man came and paid the dues at 11 pm. If you had been ten minutes late, we could not have stopped the jewels from being auctioned" said the official of the finance company.
"Who paid the dues, sir?" said Sabhapathy, unable to believe what he had heard.
Surprised by Sabhapathy's reply, he said "Was he not sent by you? Let me see who paid your dues"
"Who paid the dues, sir?" said Sabhapathy, unable to believe what he had heard.
Surprised by Sabhapathy's reply, he said "Was he not sent by you? Let me see who paid your dues"
After checking the voucher, he said, "The voucher is signed by Mani. Is he not known to you?"
"Yes, he is" said Sabhapathy, overwhelmed by emotions.
"Please wait for a minute. I will bring your jewels" said the official.
Sabhapathy rang up to Mani and said, "Sir, I can never forget the help rendered by you. I didn't expect it, after you had told me that you couldn't mobilize the money."
"Yes, he is" said Sabhapathy, overwhelmed by emotions.
"Please wait for a minute. I will bring your jewels" said the official.
Sabhapathy rang up to Mani and said, "Sir, I can never forget the help rendered by you. I didn't expect it, after you had told me that you couldn't mobilize the money."
"I have been calling you on your mobile phone, since this morning. But you didn't pick up my calls" said Mani.
"Yes. I had put my phone in the silent mode, by mistake. I realized my mistake only just now. You have done me a timely help. I will always remember this" said Sabhapathy.
"After you came to my house yesterday and asked for the financial help, I discussed the matter with my wife. She told me, 'What if we don't have money with us? We can pledge our jewels and get a loan from the bank and lend it to Mr. Sabhapathy.' I thought I would tell you after getting the money from the bank. I went to my bank this morning, got the loan and gave you a call. But you didn't pick up the call. When you came to my house yesterday, you had left at my house, the notice received by you from the finance company. I took it to the finance company and paid the amount due on your account. Did you get the jewels from the finance company?" asked Mani.
"Sir, your wife offered her jewels for pledge, to help me redeem my jewels. You pledged the jewels, raised the money and paid the amount payable by me. The help you have rendered is huge. I will pay you back the amount paid by you with interest. within two months" said Sabhapathy.
Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue
The Path of Virtue
Chapter 11
Gratitude
Gratitude
Verse 103 (In Tamil)
payan thUkkAr seydha udhavi nayan thUkkin
nanmai kadalin peridhu.
nanmai kadalin peridhu.
Meaning:
The value of the help done by someone, without expecting any return, will be vaster than the ocean.
(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'nagaik kadan' by the same author)
Verse 104 (Soon)
Verse 102
Verse 102
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