653. The Rise and the Fall

No one expected Bharani to come up so fast in the ranks, within two years of joining that political party.

Normally, ordinary members of the party won't have an opportunity to be noticed by the party supremo.

But, Bharani attracted the attention of the party president, by organizing public meetings at frequent intervals in his region and inviting top leaders of the party to address them. 

The party president sent word to Bharani to come to the headquarters of the party and meet him. After having a direct meeting with the party president, an opportunity available only to important functionaries of the party, Bharani had his reputation within the party go up even higher.

Having earned the commendation 'Bharani is another name for vibrancy,' from the party president, Bharani was made the head of the newly created Training Wing of the party, which was entrusted with the job of orienting and training new members of the party. Many people in the party felt that the new wing was created, only for giving a position of responsibility to Bharani.

After getting a position in the party, Bharani's importance within the party went up still further. 

"What have you done, moron! You are educated. Don't you have common sense?" flared the district secretary of the party.

"Sir, I was quietly dining in a restaurant. The man sitting opposite to me accused me of spilling water on his side of the table. It led to some argument between us. After he used abusive language against me, I was provoked and used some harsh words against him" said Bharani, twisting his body, with a feeling of embarrassment.  

"Used some harsh words against him! What an understatement! You berated him using indecent and vulgar words, words seldom used in public. In fact, I didn't know that there were such vulgar words in Tamil! Someone took a video of your indecent outburst and shared it in the social media. That video became viral in no time. The opposition parties and the media have been deriding our leader saying, 'Look at the 'dignified' language used by a functionary of the party, whose leader often gives discourses on dignity and decorum in political discussions. And, this 'man of words' is in charge of the training wing of the party. One can imagine what kind of training the members of the party will get from this gentleman!' Our leader is understandably enraged by your behaviour. I don't know what action he is going to take against you. You were coming up so fast in the party, through your hard work and dedication. But, by this one act of yours, you have ruined your future" said the district secretary.

That evening, there was a press release from the parry headquarters that Bharani was expelled from the party and relieved of all positions held by him in the party with immediate effect.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 66
Purity in Action

Verse 653 (in Tamil):
Odhal vENdum oLi mAzhgum seyvinai
Adhum ennum avar.

Meaning:  

Those who seek to scale greater heights should shun deeds that dent their reputation.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'suRusuRuppukku oru baraNi' by the same author.) 

 Verse 654 (Soon)
Verse 652