525. Wealthy Relatives!

When the car stopped in front of the marriage hall, several people came out from the hall to receive Murthy and his wife Meenakshi, who got down from the car. They received the couple with respect, led them to the marriage hall and got them seated.

No sooner than Murthy and Meenakshi took their seats, one person came near them and told them politely, "Please have your breakfast first" and took them to the dining hall. 

He made them sit in a row of tables, not occupied by anyone, called the servers and told them, "Serve them!"

Sensing that the two people seated in a separate row were important people, the servers hurried up to the table, carrying the vessels filled with the breakfast dishes.

The person, who had led the couple to the dining hall, was standing nearby and ensuring that the duo were being served properly.

Murthy told him, "Please carry on with your activities. We will have the breakfast and come back to the hall."

But, the person continued to stand there.

Even as Murthy and Meenakshi were having their breakfast, a few people - their relatives - came to them and greeted them. 

Velu, the bride's father also came there.

"Welcome, Murthy and Meenakshi! I am happy that you are attending the function" said Velu.

"Velu! You are the bride's father. You will have many chores to attend to. Why do you have to leave your tasks and come here?" asked Murthy. However, his face showed his pride at the importance being given to him, by every one.

"Oh, it's fine. Greeting guests like you is also one of my duties" said Velu.

"Has Sivaraman come?" asked Murthy.

"Yes, he has. He just had his breakfast. He is sitting in the hall."

"Ok. You may be wanted at the stage. Go ahead and attend to your tasks" said Murthy.

Velu took leave of him, saying, "I will meet you, after the ceremony is over."

After Velu had left, Meenakshi asked Murthy, in a whispering voice, "Why did you particularly ask about Sivaraman?"

"As you know, among Velu's relatives, only Sivaraman and I are well-to-do people. Others are of modest economic status. Both Sivaraman and I make it a habit to attend all the functions in the families of our relatives and show our bonding with them. I knew that Sivaraman would attend this function. I just wanted to check whether he had come already" said Murthy.

After coming home from the wedding, Meenakshi told Murthy, "I observed one thing. Your relatives showed you a lot of respect, alright. But, they appeared to have more intimacy with Sivaraman. Have you ever observed this?"

"Yes, I have noticed it. Though my relatives are poor, I attend all the functions in their families. I give them gift cheques for a considerable sum rather than give expensive gifts, so that the money could be useful to them. I invite every one to the functions in our family and extend my hospitality to them. I also oblige them, if they seek financial help, from me. I think Sivaraman also treats them in the same way. But, people seem to be more intimate with Sivaraman, than they are with me. If Sivaraman and I were to contest an election, most of my relatives would vote for Sivaraman! But I don't understand the reason for this. Perhaps, Sivaraman has a kind of charisma, which I don't have" said Murthy, smiling.

'Sivaraman has the habit of using pleasant words, while speaking to people. You don't use sweet words, even when you speak to me or our children. How will you speak pleasantly with your relatives? You don't understand what you are lacking!' thought Meenakshi. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 53
Assessing Before Acting

Verse 525 (in Tamil):

koduththalum insolum ARRin adukkiya
suRRaththAl suRRappadum.

Meaning:

One who practices generosity and uses kind words will be encircled by an extended family.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'paNakkAra uRavinargaL' by the same author.)

Verse 526 (Soon)
Verse 524