593. Meeting A Friend After A Long Time

Selvam was my classmate in the college . 

After graduating from college, I, like most of my friends, sought employment, got a job in Kolkatta and settled down there. 

Selvam had a goal of starting his own business. He didn't apply for any job.

Some of my friends were skeptical of Selvam's plan.

One friend said "Selvam hails from a poor family. His parents would have struggled to fund his college education. If he takes up a job and starts earning, it will help his parents. But, he intends to start his own business. How can we start a business, when he doesn't have money to invest?" 

The rest of us also had a similar view.

However, Selvam somehow managed to start a business with a small investment and succeeded in making his business grow big over the years.

Since I was working in Kolkatta, I was not in touch with Selvam, who was running his business at Chennai. I heard about his business growth through my other friends.

Some of my friends admired Selvam for his entrepreneurial spirit, determination and perseverance. 

"Initially, many of us thought that Selvam had set an unrealistic goal and that he won't succeed in his efforts. But it is remarkable that Selvam had not only started a business, but also built it up to this level" said one of my friends.

"His passion for launching a business, his determination to achieve his goal, his dedication and hard work and his perseverance that enabled him to overcome all hurdles and march ahead are the factors that contributed to his success" said another. 

I made it a point to meet Selvam during my visit to Chennai. 

When I went to Selvam's house, he received me with enthusiasm and warmth. 

We chatted for a long time recalling our college days and sharing information about the developments in our lives after we left the college. Our conversation was replete with warmth, excitement, humour and friendly tease, the way it had been during our college days. It was as if two friends studying in a college were chatting.

A couple of days after I had met Selvam in his house, I met Sundar, another friend of mine. I told Sundar about my visit to Selvam's house.

"Was he in the same address? Has he not yet moved to another house?" asked Sundar, showing surprise.

"He told me that he would be moving to another house. He had some of his things packed. His children had been to their grandmother's house. There was no furniture. He seemed to have already moved the furniture to his new house" I said.

"No. He has sold all the furniture!"

"Sold! Why? Is he going to buy new furniture for his new house?"

"Obviously, Selvam has not told you about his present position. He incurred a huge loss in his business. His house is going to be auctioned. He has sold the furniture, his wife's jewelry and other moveable assets. He has rented a small house, where he will be moving. He has sent his children to his father-in-law's house, intending to bring them back, after he gets settled in his new house" said Sundar.

"My goodness! He didn't tell me about this. He was speaking to me with so much excitement! His wife appeared to be somewhat dull. I thought that perhaps she was not well."

"Since you were meeting him after several years, he would have decided not to talk to you about his misfortune and make you feel sad for him. He told me that he would be starting another business soon. When I observed the determination in his tone and considered his past actions, I felt that he would rise up and reach a high level soon. I have no doubt about it" said Sundar, feeling certain.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 61

Possessing Zeal

Verse 593 (in Tamil):

Akkam izhandhEm enRu allAvAr Ukkam
oruvandham kaiththudaiyAr.

Meaning:

If a person with an enduring zeal were to lose his wealth for some reason, he won't bemoan the loss.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'vIzhchchikkup pin' by the same author.) 

Verse 594 (Soon)
Verse 592