594. When Expectations Were Exceeded

"For the past two years, you have been making vigorous efforts to market your product. But the market has not been receptive to your product. It will be better if you wind up this business and take up a job. Even if the salary is low, we will at least be sure of a steady income for the family" said Meenakshi, feeling frustrated.

"If people who had been making efforts to achieve something got frustrated by failures and gave up their efforts after a while, the world would not have seen so much progress in various fields" said Ramkumar.

"Philosophy won't feed us " said Meenakshi.

Ramkumar learnt about a firm that might be interested in buying his product and visited the firm's office.

After hearing Ramkumar explain the features of his product, the General Manager of the firm told him, "We will think about it and let you know."

This being the stock reply Ramkumar had been hearing from many of his prospects, he got up to leave, feeling frustrated.

The Managing Director of the firm who came to the General Manager's cabin to ask him something, seeing Ramkumar, asked the General Manager "Who is this person?"

"He met me to explain about his product. I told him that I would contact him, if we intended to buy his product" said the General Manager.

Sikamani, the Managing Director, observing the frustrated expression on Ramkumar's face, told him, "Come to my cabin and tell me about your product. Let me also know about your product" and led him to his cabin.

After Sikamani went into his cabin with Ramkumar, the General Manager told his assistant who was sitting nearby, "I don't know how good this gentleman's product would be. Our MD is a compassionate person. He may give him an order, out of sympathy. That is why I don't let any sales person to meet our MD!"

Ramkumar explained the features and benefits of his product to Sikamani.

After listening to Ramkumar patiently, Sikamani told him, "Mr. Ramkumar! Even if we were to buy our entire requirement from you, it won't help you much, since the quantity required by us is quite small"

Disappointed by Sikamani's reponse, Ramkumar told him, "Sir! I will be happy, even if you give me an order for a small quantity."

"Of course, I am going to give you a small order. But listening to you, I feel that your product has good market potential. I will make use of your product and if I find it of good quality, I will take up the distribution of your product. I have a good dealer network. Once I take up the distribution of your product, your sales will increase substantially in a short time. In fact, you may even have to increase your production. Are you ready for it?" asked Sikamani, smiling.

"Definitely, sir. I came her expecting to receive only a small order. I never expected to be presented with such a big opportunity" said Ramkumar, overwhelmed by joy. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 61

Possessing Zeal

Verse 594 (in Tamil):

Akkam adharvinAych chellum asaivilA
Ukkam udaiyAn uzhai.

Meaning:

Wealth, on its own, will find the way to reach

those with unflagging fervor.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'Ardar kidaikkumA?' by the same author.) 

Verse 592 (Soon)
Verse 590