621. The Sunday Newspaper

After Paramu's father Sivam's demise, several people met the family members and condoled Sivam's death. Condolences also poured in through messages sent by mail and phone.

"A man with a strong will!"

"He would face any problem boldly."

"He had a fine sense of humour."

These were some of the observations made by people, about the late Sivam.

A few days after Sivam had passed away, Paramu asked his mother Uma, "I find many people describing dad as a person who was not easily perturbed. Is this true or, is it a ceremonial tribute paid to a departed person?"

"Why do you ask this question? Don't you know about your father?" asked Uma.

"I know that dad was a cheerful person. But, if he encountered some serious problem, he would lock himself into his room and come out only after half an hour or so. So, I used to think that dad was easily put out by problems and that he didn't have the mental strength to face or withstand challenges and difficult situations."

"What you had observed is true. But, did you notice what his mood would be, after coming out of the room?"

"Yes. I had observed that he would have a calm expression on his face. He would even be smiling."

"Did you think about the reason for the change in his state of mind?"

"I assumed that he would cry, after locking himself into the room. Perhaps, he regained a sense of placidness as a result of the crying."

"Paramu! Since you had studied in a residential school and hence been away from home for long periods, you didn't have the opportunity to watch your father closely. Okay. What kind of books did your father suggest that you read?" asked Uma. 

"He had advised me to read books with humourous content. But, I was not interested in reading books of authors recommended by him, like PG Wodehouse in English and Kalki, Devan, Bhagyam Ramaswamy etc. in Tamil, renowned for their humourous writing. I was interested in reading crime thrillers. But, dad didn't press me to read works of humour. He stopped with making the recommendation. But, why do you ask this now?"

"Going by the advice given to you by your father, didn't you realize that he was a person with a sense of humour?"

"That may be the case. But the fact remains that he didn't have the mental stamina to face adversities."

"Are you not able to guess what your father did, when he went into his room and remained there for several minutes?"

"Would he read some books? But the book shelf is in the living room. The room he would retire to has only a table and a chair!"

Uma heard someone calling her from the entrance of the house.

"Ok. You step into the room and see what is inside the drawer of the table. The waste paper dealer is at our doorstep. I will dispose of the old papers and come back" said Uma and went to the doorstep.

When Uma came to the room, after dealing with the waste paper trader, Paramu was having a large sized notebook in his hands and reading it. She observed that he was smiling and also chuckling intermittently.

Looking at Uma, Paramu said, "This is a treasure house of humour. The pages of the notebook have cuttings of cartoons and jokes affixed to them. One can't help bursting out in laughter. I think that even if one reads them several times, the humour will remain fresh. Did dad come to this room for the purpose of browsing these cartoons?"

"Yes. If he was upset by some problem or some tragic happening, he would come to this room, immerse himself in these cartoons for about half an hour and come out feeling fresh and energetic. He had told me many times that after having a hearty laugh after reading these humourous pieces, he would gain a sense of confidence about overcoming any obstacle.

"Madam! I have discarded papers that have clippings cut off from them. I will take the other papers and weigh them" the old newspaper merchant said loudly.

"That was your father's making. He would cut all the jokes and humourous cartoons from the Sunday newspapers" said Uma, smiling.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 63
Unfazed in the Face of Trouble

Verse 621 (in Tamil):
idukkaN varum kAl naguga adhanai
aduththu Urvadhu ahdhu oppadhu il.

Meaning:

Smile in times of trouble; there is nothing like that, to press upon and drive away sorrow.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'GnAyiRRuk kizhamai paper' by the same author.) 

Verse 621 (Soon)
Verse 620