654. An Unexpected Offer

The company in which Sethupathy had been working for twelve years had been under the grip of financial problems for quite sometime. As a consequence, the company retrenched some employees Sethupathy was one among those who lost their jobs.

Sethupathy was trying to get a new job. But, despite making hectic efforts, he couldn't get a job, even three months after losing the job. 

When Sethupathy attended an interview in a company, he was surprised to find that the Managing Director of the company was his classmate Sabhari.

Sethupathy and Sabhari had studied together in the college. But, after completing the college education, the two were not in touch. 

"Hi Sethupathy! I didn't expect that you would attend an interview for a job in my company" said Sabhari, with a smile. 

"It is a surprise to me also" said Sabhari. "I am happy to see you as the Managing Director of a company, sir" said Sethupathy. 

"Don't call me 'sir.' Even when you will be working in my company, you can call me by my first name, as you did in our college days."

"Does it mean that I am getting the job?" asked Sethupathy, with a mild laugh. 

"Of course, you are" said Sabhari. "However, I want to make you a special offer. Can you meet me at my home this evening?"

Sabhari gave his visiting card to Sethupathy. 

When Sethupathy met Sabhari at his house that evening, Sabhari ascertained the details of Sethupathy's past experience. He then told Sethupathy about the state of his business.

"My business has been doing very well. I am planning to expand my business. But I have to consider the tax implications. Already, I have been doing a part of my business, without bringing it under the purview of tax. Expanding my business, without covering it under tax will be risky. So, I have been thinking of doing part of my business in the name of another person. And, you have come to me at the right time!" said Sabhari. 

"What do you mean?"

"My company is a private limited company. I propose to start a proprietary firm, with you as the proprietor and divert part of my business to this firm."

"How can it be done? First of all, I don't have money to invest. Secondly, how will it benefit you?"

"You don't have to invest any money. I will put in the capital required. Part of it will be shown as your capital and the remaining amount as loans. Being a proprietary firm, we can do a major part of the business by way of cash transactions and understate the turnover and profit in the account books. You will get a salary and also a share in profit. In practice, you will be working in my company. But you will have the tag of a proprietor. You will earn a good amount of money, more than what you will in a salaried job. What do you say?" asked Sabhari.

"Can you give me a job, without this arrangement?"

"Are you a fool? I am giving you an opportunity to be a proprietor of a firm, with no risk of investment, with a guaranteed monthly income by way of salary and a bonanza at the end of every year by way of a share in profit. What is the problem you have? You are going to work as you will, if you are in a job. You can proudly show your visiting card with your name as the proprietor of a firm to your friends and relatives. If you want, I will also give you a cabin with a nameboard outside, announcing your name as the proprietor."

"I am sorry, Sabhari. I don't want to be a part of an arrangement, which is both illegal and immoral. I will be thankful to you, if you can give me a job that will pay me a salary every month" said Sethupathy.

"I am not looking for an employee. I am looking for a person who can be the proprietor of a firm" said Sabhari, showing his unhappiness about Sethupathy's response.

Sethupathy got up to leave. He walked out, gripped by a concern about getting a job.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 66
Purity in Action

Verse 654 (in Tamil):
idukkaN padinum iLivandha seyyAr
nadukkaRRa kAtchiyavar

Meaning:

Those with unfaltering clarity and vision won’t do deplorable deeds, even when they are in distress.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'karumbu thinnak kUli' by the same author.) 

Verse 655 (Soon)
Verse 653