Not wanting to perturb his son by telling him about sleep defying him every night, Ratnasabhapathy murmured "mmm."
Mukundan took leave of his father, saying, "Ok. I will see you in the evening, after returning home from work"
After Mukundan had departed, Ratnasabhapathy reflected, 'What a noble son have I got! He has been born to me, like a pearl coming out of an oyster.
Ranasabhaathy was born in a wealthy family. That made him take life easy and take many a harmful path.
The nonchalant attitude, which, in his childhood, started with roaming the streets with his friends, led to his getting addicted to vices like drinking and gambling, as he grew up.
Ratnasabhapathy didn't care to have a good education. With no education, he couldn't get a good job, when he grew up.
On the one hand, he was not earning any money, and on the other, he was squandering his family's wealth, by his spendthrift ways and gambling.
By the time Ratnasabhapathy realized that he had been pursuing a path that would only lead to his destruction, his parents had passed away and a major portion of his family properties had been lost, in meeting the liabilities on account of his extravagant spending and gambling debts.
He could not provide for his only son Mukunda, adequately.
Even as a boy, Mukundan had realized his father's profligacy and the state of his family. As a result of this realization, he began to act responsibly, even from his childhood days.
Mukundan's habits and activities seemed to have been carefully structured to ensure that he would never commit the mistakes committed by his father. He was constantly vigilant about not giving room for any bad habit or extravagant spending.
Since he had no means to pursue his education beyond the school level, Mukundan took up a job befitting his educational qualification. He came up in life through his integrity and hard work.
Mukundan never questioned his father about his past activities that had ruined the family. He didn't complain about anything, He never used a hard word against his father, even under the most trying circumstances.
When Ratnasabhapathy fell ill, soon after the demise of Mukundan's mother, Mukundan looked after him with care and affection.
Ratnasabhapathy had been fearing that some day Mukundan would vent his anger on him for squandering the family's wealth and pushing Mukundan and his mother into the quagmire of poverty. But that day never came.
It was Sunday. Mukundan was home. Ratnasabhapathy called him and asked him to sit by his side.
"Mukundan! I don't know how long I will live. I have been thinking of talking to you about something. In character and habits, you are the opposite of me. You have been perfect in almost all aspects. But I believe that there is one matter you have to pay attention to."
Ratnasabhapathy paused.
"Please tell me dad!" prompted Mukundan.
"There are beliefs people going to either heaven or hell, after they die. For the things I have done, I wonder where I will go, after my death. But I have no doubt that you will have a place in heaven. Don't be perturbed about my talking about death. I should tell you what I want to, during the time I still have the ability to communicate. You don't have the company of bad people, like I had. That is very good. But I find that you have been keeping aloof, without mixing with others. Am I right?"
"Yes, dad. I don't have any friends. I confine myself to my place of work and home. But, I like this life."
"It is ok. But, a good person should have the company of at least a few good people. Only then, he will be able to sustain the goodness in him. You may wonder whether I have the wisdom to offer this advice to you. I am telling you what I have learnt from wise people. It is another matter that I have not followed such advice."
"I don't think of you that way, dad. Please continue" said Mukundan.
"I suggest that you should develop an association with good people like philanthropists, people engaged in uplifting the society etc. It will do you lot of good" said Ratnasabhapathy, hoping that his son would follow his advice.
Section 2
Shunning the Company of Mean People
ina nalaththin EmAppu udaiththu.
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