480. The Proprietor's Wife

"My husband is not home" said Syamala.

"Yes, I know. I came to see you, madam" said Ganesan, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

Wondering why the manager of her husband's firm, had come to see her, Syamala asked him to come inside the house.

"Tell me!" said Syamala, after Ganesan took his seat, noticing that he was still hesitating.

"Madam! The position of the firm is not how it was earlier. During the time of the previous proprietor - your father-in-law, we had virtually no competition. We were ruling like an emperor. But, during the past three years, a number of new firms have sprouted from nowhere and been competing with us. Because of hectic competition, our sales have decreased and we were also forced to reduce our selling price. As a result of this twin effect, our profit has fallen steeply during the last two years. This year, we may even incur a loss."

Ganesan paused and looked at Syamala's face.

"Yes. My husband has told me about the situation" said Syamala.

"There has been a practice of our firm making liberal donations for charitable activities even from the time of the previous proprietor. The present proprietor also contributes liberally to charities, following the footsteps of his father. Giving donations to good causes is definitely a good thing. But, at the present time, our income has decreased. We find it difficult even to pay the interest on the bank loan we have taken for business development. When the situation is like this, is it wise to spend money on charities? I have been repeatedly requesting the proprietor to cut down donations for charitable activities. But he keeps making donations to every one who seeks his help. You should impress upon him the need to cut down the donations to others" said Ganesan.

Syamala laughed.

Ganesan threw a puzzled look at Syamala.

"This morning he called up the credit card firm and asked for a loan of fifty thousand rupees. They sanctioned it instantly. The amount will be credited to his account tomorrow!"

"I didn't know that the boss had such financial problems. Is he borrowing money on credit card for household expenses?" asked Ganesan, in a perplexed tone, even as asked himself to what extent he could talk about the personal financial problems of his proprietor with the proprietor's wife.

"Not for household expenses. He has promised a friend of his that he would lend him the money needed for paying the college fees for the friend's son. Since he has no money with him, he is borrowing. When I asked him, 'Why do you have to borrow money and help someone?' he said, 'I have already promised my friend that I would help him. Now In can't say that I can't help him since I have no money with me.' When you asked me to impress on him the need to restrain himself from helping others, I couldn't resist my laughter" said Syamala. 

The grief buried in her mind was reflected by her voice getting choked, as she said this.

Ganesan felt bad about bringing the problem to her, without realizing the situation.

"Our son is studying in tenth standard, In two years, he has to be admitted into a college. I am worried that our financial position would have deteriorated to such an extent that we should have to seek the help of someone for paying his college fees" said Syamala, feeling frustrated.

"Such a situation will never arise, madam" said Ganesan. Though he said this to console her, he felt an apprehension inside him that such a situation could arise.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 48
Knowing One's Strength

Verse 480 (in Tamil):

uLavarai thUkkAdha oppuravANmai
vaLavarai vallaik kedum.

Meaning:

The wealth of a person who helps others without considering his own economic condition will perish.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kEttadhum koduppavarE' the same author.)

Verse 481
Verse 479