106. Help From A Neighbour

The rain that started in the morning, became heavy in the afternoon and developed into a pouring rain in the evening. 

Water began to flow on the streets. The level of water rose at a fast pace and played a game of hide and seek, rising above the steps of the houses, receding for a while and rising again. Electricity was cut at 5 p.m.

'Power will be restored only after the rain stops' reflected Chandru.

Since the area was known to be prone to floods, most of the people residing in the street had left for the houses of their relatives and friends, seeking safety during the floods. 

But Chandru could not leave his house. His mother was bed-ridden. She couldn't even get up from the bed and stand on the ground. It was impossible for Chandru to taker her to any other place. The nurse, who was looking after his mother, didn't come that day, because of the rains.

The people living in the house next door to Chandru's also began to leave, for taking refuge in a relative's house. But, Badri, the head of the family stayed behind.

People leaving from that street had to walk some distance, reach the railway station nearby and catch a suburban train. It was not known whether buses were being operated that day.

While leaving the house, Badri's wife was gesticulating and speaking to Badri angrily. While stepping out of the house, she said, "You shouldn't be so adamant."

After a while, Badri came out of his house. He looked at Chandru and smiled.

"You didn't go with your family?" asked Chandru.

"If every one leaves, then who will take care of the people residing here?" replied Badri.

"Is there anyone in your house?"

"Not in my house. But there is someone in your house!"

"Are you referring to my mother? I am here to take care of her."

"How can you look after your mother single-handedly, during a situation like this? The entire street has been evacuated. Only you and me are left. If I also leave, then you will have to manage all alone."

"Did you stay back for my sake?" asked Chandru, in amazement. "I will manage, sir. Please join your family" he added, overwhelmed by the concern shown by Badri.

"The family is always there. My family will join me in two days, once the rains abate. Where is your mother, now?"

"She is in the room, lying on the cot."

"What will you do, if the rain water enters your house?"

"I will have to take my mother upstairs."

"How will you carry her upstairs?"

"It will be difficult, of course. But I have to manage somehow."

"Don't worry. I will help you."

After half an hour, Badri knocked at the door of Chandru's house. Badri opened the door.

"The water level has been rising. Water may enter our houses soon. So, it will be better, if we carry your mother upstairs" said Badri.

Together, both of them carried Chandru's mother to a room upstairs. Even when the two of them together were carrying her, they found the task cumbersome.

"Thank you, sir. But for your help, I would have found it difficult to take my mother upstairs. I might not have been able to dot it at all, single-handedly" said Chandru.

"It is difficult for one person to carry another, even if the other person is light-weighted. We also have to exercise care while carrying aged people and people suffering from some ailment" said Badri.

"You are right, sir. It may not be too late for you to leave this place and join your family. With my mother having been taken to the first floor, even if the water enters my house, I won't have any problem."

"No, Mr. Chandru. Even now, I don't want to leave you alone. During times like this, we can't say when one will need help. By the way, my wife has made a lot of dishes like chapathi, idli*, snacks etc. for me. I will bring a few chapathis and idlis for you and your mother."

"No, sir. I have purchased and stocked enough quantity of bread, biscuit etc. to last for three or four days. The food I have cooked for me in the morning will be sufficient for my dinner too. I have made rice gruel for my mother. So, please don't bother. Thank you" said Chandru.

But, after a few minutes, Badri brought a packet containing four idlis and two chapathis and handed them to Chandru, ignoring his protest.

As a consequence of the rain that lasted the entire night, the ground floor of Chandru's house was flooded. The water level inside the house was about two feet high.

Badri came to Chandru's house four or five times during the next day, wading through the water, and checked with him that everything was fine.

The rain began to abate during the day and water began to recede. Electricity was restored late that night.

Normalcy returned on the third day. Badri's family members returned home that evening.

Chandru went to Badri's house and told his wife, "Madam! the extent of help rendered to me and my mother by your husband during the last two days is extraordinary. I don't even know how to thank him for that."

He then looked at Badri.

'Sir! If I were to live for fifty more years and even if I were to lose my consciousness and memory during my last days, I will never forget you.' 

The above message Chandru tried to convey to Badri, through his gaze, might not have reached Badri!

*idly and chapathi are popular dishes in India.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 11
Gratitude

Verse 106 (In Tamil)

maRavaRka mAsaRRAr kENmai thuRavaRka
thunbaththuL thuppAyAr natpu.

Meaning:

Never forget (cut) your ties with a flawless person; never forego the friendship of those who stood by you during a time of distress.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'veLlamum uLLamum' by the same author)

Verse 107 (Soon)
Verse 105