650. More Free Time For the Professor!

"Sir! I have published another book" Tamil professor Muthukkannan told Ganesan, Principal of the college, showing him a book.

Ganesan quickly browsed through the book, 'Purnanuru - From A New Perspective' and asked Muthukkannan, "How many books have you authored so far?"

"Thirty seven" said Muthukkannan, beaming proudly.

"Congratulations!" said Ganesan, returning the book to the professor.

He then cleared his throat and said, "You have been taking classes for first year B.A, don't you? You may discontinue it."

"Why, sir?" asked Muthukkannan, somewhat shocked.

"I think I should give more practice to Mr. Arunachalam, who has joined your department recently. I have assigned the B.A 1st year classes handled by you, to him."

"I think he has been handling a number of classes already."

"It doesn't matter. He is happy to take the additional responsibility. I think that as a senior professor, you could confine yourself to handling B.A second year and third year classes, in addition to M.A. classes. Arunachalam will also handle Tamil for other courses like B.Sc and B.Com."

Muthukkannan was about to say something, but decided not to. 

He said "Okay, sir. As you please. I will make use of the additional free time to read more" and took leave of the principal. 

'You can read any number of books. But, you can never teach the subject in a way the students will understand. The B.A students have complained to me that they are unable to comprehend what you teach them and requested me to replace you with someone else. The M.A. students won't care. If they don't follow what you are teaching, they will skip the classes and read on their own. But, I have to manage with you, till the time you retire!' thought the Principal.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 65
The Power of Speech

Verse 650 (in Tamil):
iNar uzhththum nARA malar anaiyar kaRRadhu
uNara viriththu uraiyAdhAr.

Meaning:

Those who cannot convey, and make others comprehend, what they have learnt, are like a bunch of bloomed flowers that have no fragrance.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'pErAsiriyarukkuk kUdudhal Oyvu' by the same author.) 

Verse 651 (Soon)
Verse 649